How to Do Well at a High School Basketball Tryout

High school basketball teams present many players with their first opportunity to compete in an organized league with players outside of their age grouping. Trying out for the team can range in difficulty from school to school, depending on the number of available spots on the team and the level of competition being faced at the school. Regardless of what school you are hoping to play for, there are key principals to focus on to increase your likelihood of being selected to the team.

Instructions

    • 1

      Practice your fundamentals before the tryouts. While flashiness might impress among friends in pickup games, coaches look for players who can dribble, pass, score and defend effectively, not aesthetically.

    • 2

      Assess your strengths and weaknesses honestly before tryouts so you can play to emphasize your best attributes.

    • 3

      Read a copy of the team's playbook and familiarize yourself with the role of all players in all plays, so you know what to expect on the court.

    • 4

      Play your position and stick to it. A player who can't be trusted to stay in his spot and fill his role is a liability.

    • 5

      Hustle whenever you are on the court. A player who is willing to run full-speed when she is on the court will be selected over a similar player with effort problems.

    • 6

      Play with your teammates. A selfish ball hog is not likely to impress a coach.

    • 7

      Try as hard on defense as you do on offense. A player who shows he is more interested in scoring than stopping the other team from doing so will not be looked on positively by a high school coach.