Croix Attack-Hudson Volleyball Club

A guide to make you your best in a tough situation

Ok, here they come...that wonderful time of the year we all look forward to and dread at the same time: TRYOUTS

Formality for Some, Anxiety for Others
For some tryouts are mere formalities. The coaches know what they are going to do and the players at least think they have it figured out (and many times, they actually do). However, for many, tryouts are a time of increased anxiety and pressure. Coaches must make decisions that ultimately play a big part in shaping  early life experiences of the young people they know best and enjoy the most.

At the same time, players are putting in long hours on the court, knowing the coach is scrutinizing their every move. They are also spending countless extra hours running all the possible scenarios through their minds, always ending up with how they will deal with the coaching staff’s decisions.
In the end, we all concede they are unavoidable. The coach will make the decisions on who makes the team and the season will move forward.

Be Prepared by Knowing How to Act

For the players out there, it is extremely important to focus on your on-court behavior and how you relate to the coach. You should familiarize yourself with these concepts by reading the article, “Ten Steps to Help Your Coach Help You.” (at http://volleyball.about.com/library/weekly/aa010520a.htm). Even though this article focuses on in-season behavior, the same ideas apply during tryouts. Why wait until you make the team to start being the best “athlete” you can be?

Recipe for a Successful Tryout

1. Eat Properly (including before heading to the gym. Eat to increase your energy.
(at http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/begnutrition.htm)

• You are probably heading into the most intense physical activity you have done in a while. Camps and open gyms are not nearly as demanding as tryouts!
• Make sure to eat healthy foods such as salads, grilled chicken and fish, whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruits. Stay away from the junk food and anything fried or greasy. You will feel much better physically and have more energy when you most need it!

before, during, and after your sessions in the gym. Proper hydration for athletes

(at

• Proper hydration for athletes is different than your regular person. Notice I said WATER! Sports drinks are ok-but water is still the best for you. Remember: By the time you feel thirsty, your body has already needed water for about thirty minutes. So whenever you get a water break during practice take a drink, even if you do not feel thirsty. You want to avoid dehydration at all costs! Dehydration leads to a lack of energy and focus, exactly what you do not need when you are striving to be at the top of your game!

and get up early enough to insure you are wide-awake by the team you arrive at the gym. Tryouts are no time to be still waking up when others around you are bright-eyed and eager to go!

.

• They will still be there for you when your day in the gym is over. You can then go right back to worrying about whatever it is, if you wish! Bringing any distracting thoughts into the gym with you will certainly hurt your focus and thus your performance!

• This is very dangerous as it leads you to either being over or under confident. What if you are wrong about your coaching staff’s thoughts? Simply focus on doing your best you will find out exactly what those in charge have decided to do soon enough. You certainly do not want to accidentally change their positive thoughts or reinforce any negative ones they currently have about you!