Tryouts preparation is on your mind, and you’re feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It’s the time of year when those “what if” questions start swirling in your head: What if I don’t make the team? What if I blow it? What if I’m not good enough?
Sound familiar? It’s totally normal to feel like this before tryouts. But here’s the thing: tryouts are not just about showcasing your skills: they’re also about how you handle those nerves and turn them into something productive. If you’re preparing for tryouts and battling self-doubt, don’t worry—you’re not alone. The good news is you can prepare mentally and physically to make a huge difference.
Let’s dive into your game plan for tryouts preparation and tackle both the nerves and the performance.
Embrace the Nerves: They’re Your Secret Weapon
Anxiety during tryouts preparation is often misunderstood. People see it as something to avoid, but it’s actually your sidekick. When you start feeling those jitters, don’t think “I’m not ready”: think, “I’m about to do something that challenges me, and that’s where I want to be.” It’s a sign that you’re pushing yourself.
Instead of trying to push the nerves away, channel them into your performance. Use your nerves to fuel your focus and intensity. Visualize yourself succeeding, not in a “I hope I do well” way, but in a “watch out world, I’m here to show you what I can do” mindset. Every athlete has a moment where they choose to push through the nerves or shrink back. Choose to step up.
If you’re struggling with anxiety, you might find it helpful to explore more strategies for calming your nerves. You can read about overcoming performance anxiety in our blog Athlete Anxiety, which provides actionable tips on managing the stress and performing your best.
Rehearse Under Pressure, Because You Can’t Avoid It
One of the key components of tryouts preparation is simulating the pressure you’ll face during the actual event. The best way to deal with pressure is to practice under pressure. If you’re running drills, time yourself. Set up situations that mimic the competition of tryouts. The more you practice in a high-stakes environment, the less intimidating the real thing will be.
Create tryout-like scenarios during your practice. If you’re nervous about time limits or multiple drills, try to replicate those conditions at home or with your teammates. Practice with purpose and under the pressure you’ll face at tryouts.
Reframe the “What-Ifs” to “I’ve Got This”
The “what-ifs” are always lurking in tryouts preparation. They’re the doubts whispering, “What if I don’t make it?” or “What if I screw up?” But here’s the secret: You can flip those “what-ifs” into “I’ve got this” statements. Instead of thinking “What if I fail?”, think “What if I nail this?”
Mindset is crucial. When you start spiraling into doubt, stop. Take a deep breath. Visualize your best performance, and embrace the idea that you’ve put in the work. You’re prepared. Reframe the situation from a test of your worth to an opportunity to showcase your skills. Tryouts are just another chance to prove to yourself what you’re capable of.
Set Yourself Up for Success: Sleep, Eat, Move
Physical preparation is a major part of tryouts preparation. You want to be sharp, energized, and ready when you step into that tryout. Make sure you’re sleeping enough before tryouts. Eating a balanced meal and staying hydrated is essential, too. You need your body to be at its peak when you need it most.
Incorporate flexibility and mobility exercises into your routine. Tryouts can be physically demanding, and you want your body to be loose, strong, and ready. Spending some time on these basics will help prevent injury and boost your overall performance.
Stay Cool Under Fire with Relaxation Techniques
Nerves can sometimes take over, especially when you’re feeling out of control. But don’t worry—relaxation techniques can help you calm down and regain focus. Make them part of your tryouts preparation.
Before tryouts, take a few minutes each day to relax. Try deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or even a little meditation. Visualizing your best performance during these exercises can help you feel grounded and more confident. The more you practice staying calm under pressure, the better you’ll handle the intensity of tryouts.
Set Goals That Are About Growth, Not Just Winning
During tryouts preparation, the pressure to be perfect can be overwhelming. But focusing solely on making the team can add unnecessary stress. Instead, set small, achievable goals that focus on your growth and performance.
Maybe your goal is to improve your consistency, or perhaps it’s about maintaining focus throughout each drill. When you set goals based on what you can control, like effort or technique, you relieve some of the pressure that comes with trying to be perfect. Plus, when you meet those smaller goals, you’ll build confidence—and that’s more important than making the team on the first try.
Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small
Leading up to tryouts, take note of your achievements. Did you improve a skill you’ve been working on? Did you push yourself harder than before? Celebrate these wins. These small victories are the building blocks of self-confidence, and they’ll remind you of your capability.
As you progress through your tryouts preparation, remember: it’s about improving and performing to the best of your ability, not about being flawless.
The Bottom Line: It’s About Preparation, Not Perfection
As you head into tryouts, remember that it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being prepared. The more you mentally and physically prepare, the easier it will be to push past your nerves and show up as the best version of yourself. When you focus on what you can control, you’ll find that tryouts become a chance to prove what you’re made of. And no matter what the outcome is, the effort you put into your tryouts preparation will always pay off.
So take a deep breath, stay focused, and walk into tryouts with confidence. You’ve got this.
