{"id":8943,"date":"2018-08-13T17:44:41","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T17:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/?p=8943"},"modified":"2025-06-09T04:50:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T08:50:24","slug":"how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Mentally Prepare For Tryouts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8946\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/How-to-Mentally-Prepare-For-Tryouts.jpg\" alt=\"How to Mentally Prepare For Tryouts\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/How-to-Mentally-Prepare-For-Tryouts.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/How-to-Mentally-Prepare-For-Tryouts-300x150.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Performing_With_Trust_in_Tryouts\"><\/span>Performing With Trust in Tryouts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Article Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0769bf;color:#0769bf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/#Performing_With_Trust_in_Tryouts\" >Performing With Trust in Tryouts<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/#You_want_to_have_a_focused_and_confident_mindset_instead_of_scared_so_you_can_perform_well\" >You want to have a focused and confident mindset instead of scared so you can perform well.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/#Eight_tips_to_mentally_prepare_for_tryouts\" >Eight tips to mentally prepare for tryouts:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/#Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\" >Related Sports Psychology Articles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/#The_Fearless_Athlete\" >The Fearless Athlete<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Many athletes always ask me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>&#8220;How do I prepare for tryouts?&#8221;<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With middle school and high school tryouts right around the corner, you want to be <strong>mentally<\/strong> ready to compete your best and not panic&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tryouts can be a <strong>stressful<\/strong> time for many athletes. You can feel <strong>anxious, nervous,<\/strong> and just plain &#8220;scared.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_want_to_have_a_focused_and_confident_mindset_instead_of_scared_so_you_can_perform_well\"><\/span>You want to have a focused and confident mindset instead of scared so you can perform well.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You might experience a feeling of being &#8220;on a stage&#8221; during tryouts or a showcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have a day or two to show the coach your skills, and you often think you have to stand out or <strong>perform perfectly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s actually not true and can hurt your performance because you might over think it and tighten up&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you only have a day or two, but you absolutely don\u2019t have to stand out or be perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coaches see talent, but they also see &#8220;potential&#8221; in athletes in middle and high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, many coaches want to see you when you are having a bad day. They want to see how you respond or handle challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You want to have the look of <strong>composure<\/strong> and <strong>grind it out<\/strong> when having a bad day or look like you are still trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coaches know when an athlete can play or when they have the <strong>potential<\/strong> to play, even on a bad day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, during your tryouts, use the <strong>skills you have that day<\/strong>, no matter how good you feel about your game, and <strong>trust<\/strong> what you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eight_tips_to_mentally_prepare_for_tryouts\"><\/span>Eight tips to mentally prepare for tryouts:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Leave your expectations<\/strong> at home, they won\u2019t help you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus<\/strong> on one play, routine, performance, etc. at a time. Avoid thinking about outcomes or cuts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Let go of mistakes<\/strong> and <strong>focus<\/strong> on the next play, round, performance, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Look&#8221; <strong>confident:<\/strong> keep your head up, shoulders back, and talk confidently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Communicate<\/strong> with your teammates. Coaches want to see you communicate and show leadership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be <strong>teachable<\/strong> &#8211; try to make changes given from a coach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look forward to showing your skills at the tryout.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HAVE FUN!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information on how to <strong>perform with trust<\/strong> and help with tryouts, check out our audio and workbook program, &#8220;The Fearless Athlete&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Sports_Psychology_Articles\"><\/span>Related Sports Psychology Articles<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-win-close-competitions\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-perform-your-best-at-tryouts\/\"><strong>How to Perform Your Best at Tryouts<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/evaluating-performance-and-maintaining-confidence\/\"><strong>Evaluating Performance and Maintaining Confidence<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/does-trying-to-perform-perfectly-hold-you-back\/\"><strong>Does Trying To Perform Perfectly Hold You Back?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-dca36a64-5c8f-4fcf-8dfb-da8bd663e456\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> <\/strong>on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-370496de-1ed7-41e2-a009-254e9ec866b2\"><strong>Download a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/mental-toughness-report-athletes\/\">free sports psychology report<\/a>&nbsp;to improve your mental game!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-af5321a1-562b-4266-b2e9-068b5b1e1556\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sport-psychology-training-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about our one-on-one mental game coaching.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Fearless_Athlete\"><\/span>The Fearless Athlete <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/fearless-athlete-small.jpg\" alt=\"The Fearless Athlete Audio and Workbook Program\" class=\"wp-image-19344\" style=\"width:213px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For the last two decades, I\u2019ve been working with athletes and helping them optimize their physical ability by teaching them the secrets of top performing athletes. Now, you too can <strong>learn how to regain that child-like fearless attitude.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mental toughness is what separates the winner<\/strong> from the loser in any competition. Champion athletes train hard in practice, perform without fear in competition, and trust their skills in crunch-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Fearless Athlete program<\/strong> is ideal for any athlete that wants to overcome fear of failure and uncover inhibiting perfectionistic traits; or for any coach or parent who wants to teach athletes to perform with trust and freedom in competition.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d86f0f1f\">\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-15746978 gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/the-fearless-athlete-cd-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GET DETAILS<\/a>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"gb-button gb-button-5e1cf75e gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.peaksports.com\/collections\/the-confident-athlete-series-digital-download\/products\/the-fearless-athlete-digital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BUY NOW<\/a>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Performing With Trust in Tryouts Many athletes always ask me: &#8220;How do I prepare for tryouts?&#8221; With middle school and high school tryouts right around the corner, you want to be mentally ready to compete your best and not panic&#8230; Tryouts can be a stressful time for many athletes. You can feel anxious, nervous, and just plain &#8220;scared.&#8221; &#8230; <a title=\"How to Mentally Prepare For Tryouts\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peaksports.com\/sports-psychology-blog\/how-to-mentally-prepare-for-tryouts\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Mentally Prepare For Tryouts\">Sport Psychology Article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[142],"tags":[620,564],"class_list":["post-8943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports-psychology-tips","tag-mental-preparation-in-sports","tag-trust-in-sports"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO Pro 4.9.6.2 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With middle and high school tryouts right around the corner, you want to be prepared to compete at your best. 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