How to Run a Tryout as a Coach

Every coach aiming to be a great coach needs to learn how to run the tryouts properly. We know that this is essential knowledge, which is why we wanted to help you with some advice and tips that will enable you to run tryouts correctly.

A Good Plan Is a Necessity

No tryouts can be accomplished successfully unless you’ve prepared a plan for it. The method needs to include the athlete check-in but also a detailed overview of everything that you want to achieve with your players. These accomplishments should be comprehensive, meaning they need to include specific skills, team situations, physical testing, drills, and more.

The plan shouldn’t omit the staff, and it should include what everyone on the staff will be doing during the tryouts. No one should have too much to do, and all work needs to be separated according to the abilities of everyone on the staff.

When the plan is ready, you can conduct a session to see if it will all work well in practice.

You Need to Have all the Equipment Prepared

The equipment we are talking about is all the equipment used by you, the staff, and the players. Make a checklist of everything needed and go through it once all the things are collected, prepared, and ready.

Never forget to have a tryout evaluation form or at least a printed list of players to take notes on. The Forms need a clipboard as a basis, and you need pens and pencils to write on them.

Furthermore, all players should have name tags through which you can identify them and stay organized.

You should also keep a fully charged phone or an extra battery as you’ll have to use it for taking pictures and videos when you need and to keep track of the time.

In the end, never forget your whistle or water and snacks for both the players and the staff. You don’t want anyone getting dehydrated or spending energy on an empty stomach.

Don’t Forget Warm-Ups and Cool Downs

For some reason, warm-ups are often overlooked in tryouts, which is why you should make sure they are included. Every player needs to properly warm up their muscles as that will reduce the chance of injury.

Warm-ups are also useful for keeping athletes focused and for keeping them in the same area. They are also beneficial for you if you need time to talk to the parents.

As much as stretching matters before physical activities, they also matter immediately afterward. A cool down is a bit different from the warm-up as it should be a period where players are doing some more gentle stretches designed to get their heart rates back to normal.

The Bottom Line

If you can follow everything laid out here, you’ll have no problems while running tryouts. However, remember that everything needs to be done on time and according to schedule. Now all that’s left for you is to contact us if you happen to have some questions.