Hoop Mom: First-Time Tryout

Teresa advises a beginning level player about preparing for high-school basketball tryouts.

I am a freshman in high school, interested in participating in girls’ basketball, but I've never played for a team before – just for fun. Our school tryouts are going to be Nov. 1-3. I am interested in knowing what do most coaches look for playing wise and etc. in tryouts and what are ways in which I can stand out in the group? Also, what are some things I should work on before then (shooting, dribbling, etc.)?

Thanks,
Ivey

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Dear Ivey:

My first advice would be to try as hard as you can to get on a team of some kind and practice with them before tryouts begin. Because you have little experience, you may not be able to actually compete on a select-level team (girls of your age at that level have usually been playing for several years), but a team may be willing to take you on as a "practice player." That’s a player with less experience who scrimmages with the rest of the team during practices only but doesn’t see any playing time during games.

If your family can afford it, look for a local basketball trainer who can work with you a few times before tryouts, to sharpen your skills. (If you are in the Seattle area, I highly recommend trainer Chris Bown, who also writes a column on the HoopGurlz site.

Before tryouts, work on all your skills, but remember that in the eyes of most high school basketball coaches, the best offense is a good defense. If you can defend the basket and keep opponents from scoring, you are extremely valuable. Also make sure you are in good physical shape (if not, work in some regular aerobic activities), as basketball tryouts involve a lot of running. In addition, focus on your shooting. Take as many shots as possible (at least 300) every day between now and tryouts.

If you really want to get the coach’s attention during tryouts, hustle all the time. That means running – never walking – on the basketball court. In addition, display a great attitude: Accept direction gratefully and try hard. Demonstrate by your actions that you have passion for the game.

And don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the team this year. You are only a freshman, so you have an entire year to polish your basketball skills. Play regularly on a competitive team and come back for tryouts next year. Remember: Even Michael Jordan was cut from his varsity high school basketball team his first year.

Good luck!

Hoop Mom

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Teresa Wippel is team manager of the Warriors Basketball Club, a 7th Grade girls' team from the Seattle area, and mom to Warriors post player Amanda Waldron. In her other life, she is a freelance writer and editor. To ask Teresa a question, email her at

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