How to Get Less Nervous When Trying Out for a Team

Sweaty palms, a shaky voice and trembling knees are all common symptoms associated with feeling nervous. The strong sense of nervousness felt when trying out for a team is referred to as performance anxiety, or stage fright. People experience performance anxiety in a number of situations, such as when speaking in public or performing on stage. Performance anxiety generally results from focusing on a negative outcome and feeling that you cannot make a mistake during your performance. There are several strategies that you can try to help alleviate the overwhelming feeling of nervousness when trying out for a team.

Instructions

    • 1

      Be prepared. Practice as much as possible before the tryout date. Many times feeling overly nervous results from not being prepared.

    • 2

      Practice deep breathing. Learn how to control your breathing, much like meditation. Inhale slowly and deeply and exhale gradually while you focus on the feeling of the air filling your lungs and then leaving your body. Repeat this technique for at least a week before and right before trying out for a team. Learning to breathe deeply can help relax you and put your mind and body at ease.

    • 3

      Think positively. Do not focus on a possible negative outcome in your tryout. Take your thoughts away from mistakes you might make and visualize the tryout going well. Not focusing on a negative result can help alleviate performance anxiety.

    • 4

      Scan the audience. Get to know their faces so they don't look like a sea of strangers. Think of them as friendly faces who are supportive and not critical.

    • 5

      Release nervous energy with short physical activity. Taking a quick walk, jog or jumping in place can help to calm your body and rid yourself of nervous feelings.

    • 6

      Stay away from caffeine and sugary foods before tryouts. Too much caffeine or sugar can make you feel jittery and increase nervous behavior.