This time of year can be stressful to parents and athletes alike - It's Tryout Time! Those words can strike fear into the heart of any softball parent. We want our children to do well and to succeed and make the team they want to play for. However, it is so easy to get caught up in things. Here are some basic tips to help keep things SANE in your home.
1. Make sure that you and your daughter know which teams she wants to try for. If she is older, she will need to be a part of that decision. Have several teams on your list in case the first one doesn't work out. Be up front with coaches about the fact that you are trying out for several teams.
2. Help her and you keep it in perspective. If she doesn't make the top team on her list, it is not the end of the world. There are other teams who may even fit her needs better.
3. Don't go to tryouts with a pre-conceived notion about the team. Remember, until you see them in action, you don't know how good a coach is. Also, your daughter may "click" with a team and coach that you hadn't expected. You also need to understand that different teams approach tryouts with a different attitude. Some are counting on their current players to stay on the team while they pick up a few additional players for positions they need. Others truthfully do an " all positions open" tryout where every position is open. Some teams will explain that to you up front.
4. Make sure your daughter continues to practice before tryouts. That way, she will be prepared to show her best skills. Make sure she gets plenty of sleep the night before. During tryouts, have plenty of fluids for her to drink, make sure she has all her equipment, and try to keep her as relaxed and focused as possible. During the tryout, stay as quiet and inconspicuous as possible. Yelling encouragement or cues to her may cause her to be more nervous. Also, yelling coaching cues to her can run coaches away real fast! No one wants a parent who will be coaching from the sidelines throughout the season!
5. Once a decision has been made by a team, let it go. Calling to ask why or to argue with the coach will not make you any friends and it will not help your daughter. Sometime in the future, you may want to play on that team, don't burn any bridges. If coaches offer, ask them for any advice on what your daughter should work on. If she does make the team, make sure you and she make a thoughtful decision about whether or not you want to play for them. Most coaches will give you some time to think about it before they call someone else. Some things to think about:
What will there Fall and Summer Schedule be?
What position(s) will she be called on to play?
Will she get playing time or will she be a reserve?
Can you handle the financial and time commitment?
How far will you have to travel for practice? Can your daughter handle the drive, especially during school?
When you decide, make sure you give your answer to the coach as soon as possible. Don't hang around and wait for a better offer. If you are not sure she wants to play for this team, then don't. Be courteious enough to give an answer.
Got any tips about tryouts? E-mail me using the link below.
