Tips for Basketball Tryouts: How to Prepare and Stand Out

Tips for basketball tryouts from the player's side: how to prepare, what coaches watch, what to show by position, what to wear and what to do if you do not make it.

These tips for basketball tryouts tell a player how to prepare in the weeks before, what to do from the moment he walks into the gym, what coaches watch for at each position and in high school, and how to handle the result.

These tips for basketball tryouts are written for the player. Coaches running a tryout watch more than shooting and dribbling. They watch who arrives ready, who talks, who competes in every drill and how a player reacts to a missed shot or a correction. Most of that is under the player's control. This page covers how to prepare for basketball tryouts, what to do in the gym, what coaches look for by position and at high school level, and what to do after the list comes out. The coach's side, with session plans, scoring forms and how to cut, is on basketball tryouts.

Effort and attitude are the two things you fully control at a tryout. Arrive in shape and early, talk on every possession, go first in drills, and show what you already do well instead of trying moves you have not practiced.

What Coaches Watch at Tryouts

A coach usually knows his best five to seven players within the first ten minutes. The real decisions are the last three to five spots on the roster, and that is where most players trying out are competing. For those spots, coaches weigh more than skill.

Skill. Shooting, passing, dribbling, defense and rebounding, often scored on a form.
Feel for the game. Some players do not look polished in technical drills but win the small-sided games, score with an odd-looking shot or keep getting steals. Coaches notice the player whose side keeps winning.
Character. Whether a player takes coaching, works hard, helps teammates and carries himself well. It counts most for the last few spots, which often go to players who will spend time on the bench.
Coachability. A good coach gives instructions during the tryout, corrects a stance or calls for a sprint back, and then watches what the player does next. Does he use the correction, or is it gone by the next drill?

Coaches watch body language closely. Most players are more nervous at tryouts than at any other point in the season, and a player who looks rattled after a mistake hurts his chances. Hard work, hustle and a good attitude impress a coach even in a week when a player's shot is off.

How to Prepare for Basketball Tryouts

The work that shows at a tryout is done before it.

Get in shape first. Tryouts include a lot of running and transition play. A player in good condition on day one can concentrate on playing well instead of surviving. Some coaches run wind sprints to see who prepared, and high school coaches read fitness at the start of the season as a sign of commitment.
Work on your weaknesses. Practice at home or at the playground in the off-season, and spend the time on the things you do poorly, not only the things you already do well. A list of workouts is on basketball workout plan, and handling work is on ball-handling and dribbling workout.
Sleep. Get a good night's sleep before tryouts.
Know the dates. Check them with the school or program. Coaches are advised to explain at the first session how and when the team will be announced, and to say on day one that not everyone will make it.

Tips for Basketball Tryouts in the Gym

These are the habits coaches name most often.

Be early and stay late

Arrive early, dressed, with your shoes tied. Introduce yourself to the coach if he does not know you, then start your own warm-up. One version is 30 minutes early: 10 minutes of stretching, 5 of jump rope, 5 of stationary ball handling and 10 of form shooting. Skip the half-court shots before practice. They impress no one. When the session ends, grab a ball and get extra shots up while others head for the door.

Control the controllables

Effort and attitude are the only two things a player fully controls, and both spread to teammates. Lift the people around you. One target is a high five or a fist bump with a teammate about once a minute. Make eye contact and nod when a coach speaks to you. Do not pout after a miss or a no-call.

Talk

Talking on offense and defense is part of winning basketball, and a talking defender is usually an engaged one. Call "ball," "help" and "screen left" on every possession. Encourage teammates between drills, and if a player is struggling with a drill, talk him through it.

Go first

Volunteer to lead drills. While others drift to the back of the line, go to the front. It puts you in front of the coaches and earns extra reps. When you lead, know what the coach wants in that drill.

Work harder than anyone, without false hustle

Get low and guard, step in to take a charge, hit the floor for loose balls and finish first in the sprints. Sprint the floor both ways every possession. You do not need to be the fastest player to beat the players who ball-watch. Avoid false hustle, meaning unnecessary reaching, cheap fouls, gambling for steals and flopping. Tough and aggressive play impresses a coach. Dirty play does not.

Play to your strengths

Show what you do best, under control. If shooting is not your strength, leave the long, forced threes alone. If nobody in the gym rebounds better than you, let every coach see it before the session ends. Players who try to prove they can do things they do not usually do end up forcing it and showing their weaknesses. Save new moves for workouts.

Do the little things

Box out, rebound, make the simple pass and avoid turnovers. Coaches who value fundamentals over flash say it plainly: do not try to impress them by dribbling between your legs. A cold shooting day happens to everyone, so make the effort plays your calling card.

Respect and ask

Show respect to the coaches and the other players. Ask a coach to help you with a weakness. And do not be intimidated by the returning players who are sure to make the team. A role player can still be an important part of the roster.

Tips for basketball tryouts diagram of a 3-on-2 full court drill with the ball handler in the middle and two players sprinting the wide lanes

3-on-2 full court. 1 dribbles up the middle while 2 and 3 sprint the wide lanes against X1 and X2. Coaches use it to see who passes at the right time, who forces it and who runs the floor hard both ways.

The Drills You Will See

A typical tryout mixes skill drills (dribbling, shooting, passing) with competitive games such as 3-on-3, 3-on-2 and 5-on-5, and the games show the coaches who can really play. The coach usually opens with a few words. After that, assume every moment counts, including your reaction to a mistake or an instruction.

Drill	What it shows the coach	Your job
Dribble tag	Ball control with the eyes up in a crowd	Keep the ball low and your head up
3-on-2 full court	Decisions, passing at the right time, running both ways	Sprint your lane, make the simple read
2-on-2 box out	Toughness on the glass	Find a body, then go get the ball
4-on-3 advantage	Who finds the open man, who anticipates the pass	Move the ball to the open player
3-on-3 half court, often three dribbles a touch	Moving without the ball, guarding the ball and your man	Cut, screen and talk
Competitive shooting	Shooting with a score at stake	Shoot your shot at game speed
5-on-5, short games	The players still on the bubble	Compete every possession

More drills coaches use are on basketball tryout drills, and box-out work on box out basketball.

Tips for basketball tryouts diagram of a 2-on-2 box out drill with the coach shooting from the top of the key

2-on-2 box out. The coach (C) shoots from the top of the key, and X1 and X2 turn and box out 1 and 2 before going for the ball. Rebounding drills show toughness quickly.

What to Show by Position

Tall inside players. Rebounding, defense and a couple of post moves, for example a drop step to the baseline. The moves themselves are on basketball post moves.
Guards. Handle the ball under control. If you can shoot the three, take some in the shootarounds. Perimeter players who can shoot from outside, drive, see the floor and pass stand out.
Everyone. Leadership on and off the court, and basketball IQ, the kind of player coaches call a gamer.

Where players are likely to fit is covered on basketball positions explained and basketball positions for short and tall players.

Tips for basketball tryouts diagram of a post player catching on the right block and drop stepping to the baseline side

A post move. 2 passes from the right wing to 5 on the right block. X5 plays on the high side, so 5 drop-steps to the baseline side and goes to the rim. Tall players are asked to show rebounding, defense and a move like this one.

High School Basketball Tryouts

High school coaches look at the same habits, with a sharper list. These are eight things a high school coach evaluates beyond the box score:

Attitude and effort. Treated as non-negotiable.
Basketball IQ. Knowing why a move or a drill is done that way, and reading the situation.
Learning quickly. Practice time is short, so a player who picks up new actions fast is valuable. Listen with your ears and your eyes.
Buying into a role. Teams are built from players who do their own job well while they work toward a bigger one.
Making shots. Not scoring volume, but knocking down the open catch-and-shoot look and never forcing a bad shot.
Taking care of the ball. Strong handling, pass fakes and playing under control build a coach's trust. Turnovers give the other team easy baskets.
Creating for others. The drive and kick, the extra pass and a good screen.
Conditioning. Fitness at the start of the season is a visible sign of commitment.

In the United States, most high school tryouts are held in late October or early November, shortly before the season opens. Middle school and club dates vary, so check with the school or program. Club and travel team tryouts usually come in spring, before the summer tournaments, and they tend to be tougher, since the players trying out come from several schools. Coaches are advised to run sessions of 60 to 90 minutes, two or three over a week.

What to Wear and Bring

Wear basketball shoes, shorts you can run in and a plain top. Coaches usually provide bibs or singlets. Bring a water bottle. Your clothes will not win or lose you a spot.

If You Do Not Make the Team

Ask why. Coaches are advised to offer every player who missed the cut a talk about the decision and what to work on next. Accept it.
Take another role if one is offered. If you love the game, you can stay close to the team as its manager, its statistician or a practice player. When injuries or dropouts open a spot, that player is often the first one called.
Keep going. Missing a middle school team does not stop a player from starting in varsity later, and many have done it. The off-season list above, weaknesses first, is the place to start.

Parents who want to talk to the coach about the decision will find the usual ground rules on basketball parent communication. Coaches can find the rest of the program guides on the coaching hub.

Questions Players Ask

How do I prepare for basketball tryouts?

Get in shape before the first day, because tryouts include a lot of running. Work on your weaknesses in the off-season, sleep well the night before, and arrive early to warm up with stretching, jump rope, ball handling and form shooting.

How can I stand out at basketball tryouts?

Play hard on every trip, be the loudest defender in the gym, run the floor in both directions, lead the drill lines and lift your teammates. Effort and talk get noticed before skill does. Show what you do best and skip the wild shots.

What do coaches look for in basketball tryouts?

Skill, feel for the game and character. Coaches watch body language, how a player responds to a correction, whether he talks and hustles, and whether he plays fundamentals over flash. In high school, attitude, IQ, quick learning, accepting a role, shooting, ball care, passing and conditioning are common checklist items.

What should I wear to basketball tryouts?

Basketball shoes, shorts you can run in and a plain top, plus a water bottle. Coaches usually provide bibs.

When are high school basketball tryouts?

Most U.S. high schools hold them in late October or early November, shortly before the season opens. Dates vary, so check with your school.

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