Guide for Incoming Freshmen Basketball Tryouts

    •  First and foremost grades are always the most important thing, without good grades sports don't mean much. (There is a reason that the word STUDENT comes first in student/athletes)
    •  Show up to the try-outs early, already warmed up and stretched and ready to go.
    •  Introduce yourself to the coaches, don't be shy. 
    •  Each high school runs a basketball camp either right before or right after tryouts be part of it. It's another way for the coaches to get to know you and see you play. 
    •  Wear your club/travel team shorts (if applicable) to your tryouts, coaches like players who have played club ball because it means that they have been taught plays, defensive schemes, team principles to name a few.
    •  Since these are tryouts it is important that players show their strengths, go all out and show the coaches your abilities and don't hold back. Show them your individual play and your team play. Since these are tryouts you want to show them what you can do first and foremost. When you scrimmage also show them how you play in a team environment.  You have spent countless hours doing many different types of basketball drills, you are ready!
    •  Most schools will have summer tryouts and then also additional tryouts in the fall. New kids may have moved into the area or transferred in after summer ball. The good thing is coaches will know you and your abilities if you played summer ball, your chances of making the fall team are much higher than someone who didn't. I have never seen a child who made the summer program not make the fall team.
    •  Most summer games are played during the week. Some schools run a tournament or two and those might be played on weekends.
    •  Summer games are normally played in June and July. Games go until July 31st, and you normally have the month of August off.
    •  It is your coach's opinion of you that counts. He makes out the lineup. Fail to understand this point and you will soon be out of the game.   
    •  Understand that defense wins more games than offense.     
    •  Help your team win whether you play or not, that's what a teammate does.
    •  Practice hard because you play the way you practice.   
    •  Maintain eye contact with all adults when they talk to you. Practice on your friends.   
    •  Respect the game as much as you want to be respected.        
    •  Don't be a know it all and follow their instructions to the letter. Coaches love players who listen and follow instruction.
    •  Character means doing the right thing when nobodies watching.    
    •  Don't talk or dribble a ball when a coach is speaking.   
    •  Don't be afraid, show confidence, show them you are willing to put in the time to improve, and most importantly, show them you love playing basketball.
    •  You get back what you put in -- Coach P
    •  Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. -- John Wooden
    •  Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -- John Wooden
    •  Email me at coachp@805hive.com if you have any questions.