High School Try-Outs: Be the Stand Out!

Here we are in the midst of high-school try-outs, the very thing you have been training for all summer.  For most girls this time can be stressful as the anticipation builds until the day finally comes when the coaches decide on teams.  Whether you have been through it before, or this is your first time, the nerves are the same as the questions roll through your head "am I good enough?" "will I make the team I want, and what if I don't?" "will I like my coach?"  While these feelings are normal, allowing them to take over will ultimately bring your level of play down.  It is important to have something to work towards (making a team), but it is also important to remember the hard work you have put in and go out there and give it your best.  Keep these things in mind as try-outs come to an and, and through out the season.

Coaches aren't going to notice the average, in-the-middle girls.  Coaches notice the girls that stand out.  This can be for both good and bad reasons.  (You want to be the one that stands out in the good way!)  Coaches see the girls that don't work as hard, don't hustle and sour attitude on their face, but they will also notice the girls who are always working hard, smiling, hustling and encouraging others.  Coaches build their teams based on not only positions, but team chemistry as well.  You want to be the girl that the coach can't take off the court.  Coaches are looking for girls to lead and to be the glue that holds the team together.  To make a team, you don't have to be the star hitter or setter, you just have to contribute to what happens on the court.  Here are some ways to be a stand out:

• Work hard, all the time.  
• Work hard not only when your coach is watching, but also when they have their head turned (believe me, coaches know who only works hard when they are "looking").  As soon as you step into a gym, you should be ready to give 100% for the full practice time, YES the entire time!
• When you are not in a drill, find a way to be a part of what is going on: shag balls, cheer on your teammates, help with strategy.  DO NOT just stand on the sideline and mentally check out becasue you are not part of drill.  Show that you are still important and you can contribute even when you aren't playing.  The same goes for when you are on the bench during a game.  Always find a way to be part of what is going on.
• Always find a way to do extra.  Do one extra push-up or sit-up.  Run to your water break and back.  Run when you shag balls.  Get extra touches on balls when you can--come in early or instead of catching a ball in a drill, set it to yourself and then catch it.  Not only will it make you a better volleyball player, you may rub off on your teammates and your coach WILL notice.
• Talk, LOUD!
• Don't be afraid to be the loudest person in the gym and set an example.  Be that girl that calls the ball with authority every single time they contact the ball, the one that is always communicating with her teammates--telling them where to hit, how many blockers they have, or where the defense is standing, the girl that cheers for a great hit or dig, the girl the coach knows is in the gym because they can hear you, and notice when you are gone becasue it is quite.
• Smile and have fun
• Even if you are having a good time, your face may not be showing it.  Make sure to smile to show that you are having fun.  Body language says a lot and can change the mood on the court.  Coaches have more fun too!  Plus everyone enjoys being around happy people!
• Even if you are not having fun or are in a bad mood.  Try smiling and "fake it 'til you make it."  You will be amazed at what it does to your bad mood!
• Encourage your teammates
• Volleyball is a team sport, and it takes a team to win.  A unit of six on the court works better than six individuals.  The more you encourage each other and congratulate each other on accomplishments, the closer you will become and the better you will function together.  Take the focus off yourself and notice what others are doing and let them know when they do something well with a high five or a cheer or both!
• Don't get down on yourself
• Great players don't let the mistakes get to them.  They brush them off and move on.  Focusing on your mistakes will only make you mess up more.  Learn from your mistakes, but don't dwell on them.  Coaches understand that everyone will have a bad day now and then, it's how your respond to them that matters.  Remember, the game is about more than just you.  That's why you have all your other teammates to help you along.  When it's not your day, make sure contribute in other ways.  Figure out a way to help your team with out a great hit or dig.  Find a way to help others make great plays.  (If your are at loss for how to do this, see the above bullet points). 

Even if you don't make the team that you had your heart set on,  keep in mind that being at the right level means that you will probably play more and feel like you are part of the action more.  If you are playing volleyball becasue you love to play volleyball, then you should be happy being the star of the JV team playing all the time and not the girl sitting on the end of the varsity bench that only gets to play when you are playing the "easy" team in the league.  You only have four season of high school volleyball, enjoy it while you are there!

Good luck!  See you on the court!

~Lisa