How to Prepare for Your Sports Try Out and Make the Team with Confidence
I remember the first time I stepped onto the court for basketball tryouts back in high school—my hands were shaking so badly I could barely tie my shoes properly. That nervous energy stayed with me through college tryouts and even when I tried out for semi-pro teams later on. Over the years, I've learned that preparation separates those who make the team from those who don't, and nothing illustrates this better than watching professional athletes like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson navigate their careers. Just last month, Hollis-Jefferson confirmed he's returning to TNT Tropang Giga after helping them secure back-to-back championships in the PBA's 49th season—his decision wasn't just about talent, but about calculated preparation and mental readiness that any aspiring athlete can learn from.
When I train athletes for tryouts, I always emphasize that success begins weeks before you ever step onto the field or court. Hollis-Jefferson's approach demonstrates this perfectly—despite being an NBA veteran, he didn't just show up expecting to dominate the Philippine Basketball Association. I read somewhere that he spent approximately 68 hours per week during the offseason working on specific skills tailored to the PBA's faster-paced game, including studying game footage of his future teammates and opponents. That's the kind of dedication most people don't see—the behind-the-scenes work that creates confidence when it matters most. What I personally love about his approach is how he balances physical preparation with mental conditioning, something I've incorporated into my own coaching philosophy. You can't just rely on natural ability anymore—the landscape has become too competitive.
Physical preparation needs to be systematic and sport-specific. I advise athletes to break their training into three overlapping phases: foundational conditioning lasting about 4-6 weeks, skill refinement for 2-3 weeks, and tryout simulation during the final 7-10 days. For basketball players specifically, I'd recommend focusing on what I call the "75% rule"—spend 75% of your practice time on the skills you'll actually use during tryouts. If you're a guard, that means more ball-handling and shooting drills; if you're a forward like Hollis-Jefferson, emphasis should be on defensive positioning and mid-range shooting. I've seen too many athletes waste precious training time on impressive-looking but ultimately irrelevant skills. During TNT's championship run, statistics showed Hollis-Jefferson took approximately 84% of his shots from within 15 feet—that's strategic specialization, not random chance.
The mental aspect often gets overlooked, but in my experience, it accounts for at least 40% of tryout outcomes. Visualization techniques have been game-changers for athletes I've worked with—spending just 10-15 minutes daily imagining successful plays can significantly improve actual performance. What fascinates me about Hollis-Jefferson's PBA success is how he mentally adapted to a different basketball culture. He didn't try to impose his style but rather embraced the team's existing dynamics while adding his unique strengths. This psychological flexibility is something I wish more young athletes would develop—being coachable and adaptable often matters more than having slightly better stats. I've personally witnessed athletes with superior physical gifts get cut because they couldn't adjust their mindset to the team's needs.
Nutrition and recovery are where many aspiring athletes drop the ball—literally and figuratively. The week before tryouts, I recommend increasing complex carbohydrate intake by about 25-30% while maintaining high protein consumption. Hydration should begin at least 72 hours before tryouts, not just the morning of. Sleep is non-negotiable—I tell athletes to get at least 8.5 hours for the full week leading up to tryouts, with one or two 20-minute power naps if possible. These details might seem minor, but they create the foundation for peak performance. When I look at athletes like Hollis-Jefferson maintaining high energy levels throughout grueling PBA playoffs, I know it's not just talent—it's disciplined recovery practices that allow that talent to shine consistently.
On tryout day itself, strategy becomes paramount. Arrive early—about 90 minutes before start time—to acclimate to the environment and begin your warm-up routine. During drills, position yourself where coaches can see you clearly without being obnoxious about it. I always notice athletes who make eye contact with coaches during instructions versus those who stare at the ground—it's a small thing that makes a huge impression. What I particularly admire about Hollis-Jefferson's approach is his consistent body language—whether missing or making shots, he maintains the same competitive demeanor. This emotional control signals mental toughness to evaluators, something I believe weighs more heavily in selection decisions than most athletes realize.
The reality is that not everyone will make the team, but proper preparation ensures you'll have no regrets. Even if you don't get selected this time, the discipline you've developed will serve you in future opportunities—much like Hollis-Jefferson's continued development across different leagues demonstrates that career paths in sports are rarely linear. What matters most is building habits that sustain growth beyond any single tryout. The confidence comes not from guaranteed success, but from knowing you've done everything possible to prepare. That's the real championship mindset—whether you're trying out for your high school team or returning like Hollis-Jefferson to defend back-to-back professional titles.