In the next month or so, about 40,000 high school players will be trying out for Varsity, JV, B-Squad, and 9th Grade teams. Tryout time can be stressful for players, parents, and coaches alike.
Here are some tips to help players put their best foot forward during the process.
Control Your Controllables
There are some things you can’t always control in a tryout. As much as we’d all like to hit every ball and catch everything hit at us, mistakes are inevitable.
What you can control are your attitude, effort, and coachability.
Keep a positive attitude, give 100% effort, and listen closely to what the coaches or tryout coordinators are saying. Players who consistently do these things already have a leg up on the competition — because most players don’t control everything they can.
Communicate
Communication is something every player chooses to do — or not to do. Everyone is capable of talking, but many players do the bare minimum or stay quiet. Communicate with your teammates before every pitch. Talk about where the ball might go. Call loudly for the ball when it’s yours. Cheer on your teammates. Cheering for a teammate who might be competing for your spot says a lot about you. It shows coaches that you are a team-first player.
Get Down & Dirty
A player willing to dive for a ball says a lot about themselves — especially if it’s on a gym floor. Whether you catch it or not, it shows you’re willing to go all out for the team. Coaches notice effort like that.
Dress to Promote & Impress
Wear clothing that promotes the program you’re trying out for.
If someone shows up wearing a hockey t-shirt, it might suggest they care more about hockey than softball. Wearing a club shirt can be tricky too — some coaches might view it positively, while others may not. The safest choice is to wear something that represents your high school softball program. If you’re trying out for Timbucktoo High School, wear a Timbucktoo Softball shirt.
Big Bounce Back
Mistakes are inevitable. What matters most is how you respond after one. Coaches want to see players who bounce back quickly. Shake it off and be ready for the next play. As Taylor Swift says: “Shake it off.” When you move forward confidently after a mistake, it shows mental toughness and belief in yourself.
Positive Energy & Personality
Positive energy is a huge difference maker. Players with great attitudes make teammates — and even coaches — better because they are enjoyable to be around. Most good coaches will still put the best players on the field. But if two players are equally skilled and one brings positive energy while the other brings negativity, the positive player will almost always have the edge.
Be the First to Help
When it’s time to set up equipment, pick up balls, or clean up — don’t miss the opportunity to help. These are small moments where coaches notice character and leadership. Be the player who grabs the toughest job — like moving the pitching machine — or picks up the balls that rolled the farthest away. This should be a habit all the time, not just during tryouts. Good things tend to happen when you respect the game and support your team.
Know the Process
Understand how the tryout is structured. Know what you’re being evaluated on and how many reps you’ll get. Pay attention to the pitching machine — is it inside or outside? How fast is it? Are the ground balls one-hoppers or two-hoppers? Is there a pattern?
Players who study the process gain a valuable advantage.
Have Confidence
If you’ve put in the work leading up to tryouts, you have every reason to be confident. Take a breath. Relax. Have fun.
You will make mistakes — everyone does. Focus on the next play and keep moving forward.
Good Luck!
There is no guarantee that following these tips will guarantee a spot on the team you want. But these are all things every player can control. If you control your controllables, you’ll give yourself the best opportunity to succeed. And no matter what happens, you can look in the mirror knowing you gave it your best shot.
Your best is all you can give. Also remember: High school tryouts are different from most club tryouts. High school coaches can move players up or down based on how they perform during the process.