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10 TRYOUT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM

Four high school players compete during a basketball tryout as two coaches observe and take notes in a school gym with bright lighting and polished floors.

Four high school players compete during a basketball tryout as two coaches observe and take notes in a school gym with bright lighting and polished floors.

10 Basketball Tryout Tips to Help You Make Your School Team

Trying out for your school basketball team this year?
Nervous about your chances or worried about being cut again? You’re not alone.

Thousands of middle school and high school players across the country experience the pressure and excitement of tryouts every fall. Whether you’re aiming to make your first team or trying to secure a varsity roster spot, one question is always top of mind:

“How do I make the basketball team?”

At Pro Skills Basketball (PSB), we’ve helped thousands of youth players—from first-time athletes to high-level club talent—develop the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in competitive environments like school tryouts.

And we’ve talked to countless coaches about what they really look for.

Spoiler alert: It’s not just about scoring.

Coaches want players who are dependable, unselfish, coachable, and team-first. And while talent matters, the way you carry yourself matters even more.

So if you’re ready to stand out for all the right reasons, here are 10 basketball tryout tips every player should know.

1. Practice with Purpose

Don’t wait for tryouts to begin training. The most prepared players build a consistent practice routine weeks—or even months—in advance.

You should focus on:

  • Ball-handling: Get reps with both hands. Practice full-speed dribbling and change-of-direction moves.

  • Shooting: Work on form, consistency, and shot selection. Don’t just shoot from deep—practice layups, floaters, and mid-range shots.

  • Defense and agility: Improve lateral movement with cone drills, slides, and footwork work.

  • Conditioning: School tryouts often involve sprints and timed drills. Be in game shape.

🔁 Purposeful reps make you more confident, more consistent, and more coachable.

Even 30–45 minutes a day of focused, intentional work can make a huge difference.

2. Understand the Coach’s Philosophy

Every coach has a unique approach to the game—and they’re often looking for players who “fit” their system, not just the most skilled player in the gym.

Before tryouts:

  • Watch past games if available. What pace do they play at? What defensive style is used?

  • Talk to former players. Ask about the coach’s expectations.

  • Ask the coach directly (if appropriate): What roles are they looking to fill? What values are most important to the team?

Being a good “system fit” is often just as important as skill level.

🧠 Understanding your future coach shows maturity, basketball IQ, and initiative—three traits that will always stand out.

3. Do the Little Things (Loudly)

Coaches love players who:

  • Dive for loose balls

  • Take charges

  • Box out on every rebound

  • Talk on defense

  • Set hard screens

  • Make the extra pass

These hustle plays and unselfish actions are what coaches remember, especially during tryouts.

If you’re not scoring, that’s okay. You can still make a huge impact by doing all the “little things” that make winning possible.

💡 Want to stand out fast? Be the hardest worker on the floor—and let your effort do the talking.

4. Know Your Role and Play to Your Strengths

Tryouts are short. Coaches don’t have time to figure out what kind of player you are—you need to show them immediately.

Ask yourself:

  • What do I do best?

  • How does that help the team win?

Then lean into that.

If you’re a strong rebounder, focus on dominating the glass. If you’re a pass-first guard, make smart reads and set others up. If you’re known for defense, guard the best player and lock in.

Don’t force what isn’t there. A tryout isn’t the time to experiment with deep threes if you haven’t been practicing them.

✅ Make it easy for the coach to understand exactly what you bring to the table.

5. Be a Team Player with a Positive Attitude

Great teams need great culture. Coaches are always watching:

  • Are you encouraging teammates?

  • Do you have positive body language?

  • Are you coachable and humble?

  • Do you show leadership, even without the ball?

Being positive doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being the kind of teammate others want to play with—especially when things get tough.

🎯 A strong attitude can be the deciding factor between two equally skilled players.

And remember: Character is contagious—bring the energy you want your teammates to bring.

6. Communicate on the Court

Talking might not come naturally for every player, but it’s one of the simplest and fastest ways to stand out.

You don’t need to give a speech—just:

  • Call out screens

  • Yell “ball” on defense

  • Clap and encourage

  • Direct traffic when running plays

Talking shows confidence, awareness, and leadership—all traits coaches look for in a floor general or a high-IQ role player.

📢 Pro Tip: Even if you’re shy, challenge yourself to talk more than everyone else during drills. It works.

7. Respond to Mistakes with a “Next Play” Mentality

Coach Bob McKillop

You will make mistakes at tryouts. Everyone does. The question is, how do you respond?

  • Do you get frustrated and shut down?

  • Do you blame others?

  • Or do you bounce back, stay positive, and focus on the next possession?

Coaches look for players who can handle adversity with poise. Great teams need players who don’t dwell on mistakes, and instead move on quickly and contribute to the next play.

Coach Bob McKillop, one of the most respected minds in college basketball, teaches his players to always have a “next play mentality.” You should too.

🧠 Recover fast. Stay composed. Be the steady force the team can rely on.

8. Listen, Learn, and Apply Feedback

Being coachable isn’t just about nodding when the coach talks—it’s about listening actively and adjusting quickly.

Coaches pay close attention to:

  • Who follows instructions immediately?

  • Who needs reminders over and over?

  • Who listens with focus and eye contact?

If you make a mistake, and the coach gives you feedback, show them that you understand and can apply it right away.

🧏‍♂️ Great players don’t just work hard. They listen hard.

9. Hustle from Start to Finish

Effort is the one thing you can control every second of tryouts. And coaches are watching your hustle as much as your handle.

That includes:

  • Showing up early and warming up

  • Competing at full speed in every drill

  • Sprinting in lineups and during transitions

  • Being the first to volunteer or rotate in

💥 Energy is infectious. Hustle can set the tone for the entire group.

If you play harder than everyone else, the coach will notice—even if your stat line isn’t perfect.

10. Stay Healthy—Mentally and Physically

Basketball tryouts can be physically demanding and mentally draining. You want to show up in your best form—not exhausted, injured, or emotionally burned out.

Tips to stay ready:

  • Eat balanced meals (especially carbs, fruits, and protein)

  • Drink water before, during, and after workouts

  • Get 8+ hours of sleep the week before tryouts

  • Avoid overtraining or adding new drills right before the big day

  • Take deep breaths and visualize success the night before

Don’t underestimate the value of mental preparation. Visualization, breathing, and confidence rituals can go a long way in keeping your nerves under control.

🧘🏽‍♀️ When your body and mind are aligned, you’ll be more focused and consistent.

Bonus: Advice for Parents of Basketball Players

Parents, we see you too! You want your child to succeed, and it’s hard watching them go through pressure-packed situations like tryouts.

Here are a few supportive things you can do:

  • Focus on effort and growth, not just the outcome

  • Help them stick to their preparation routine

  • Encourage rest and healthy habits

  • Reinforce that making the team isn’t the only measure of success

  • Be their calm, steady support system—win or lose

At PSB, we believe tryouts are just one step in a lifelong journey of development. Help your athlete stay focused on progress, not perfection.

Final Thoughts: Making the Basketball Team Takes More Than Talent

Basketball tryouts are about more than highlight plays or scoring bursts. Coaches are watching everything—effort, leadership, listening, body language, and attitude.

So, whether you’re a seasoned player or trying out for the first time, focus on what you can control:

  • Preparation

  • Hustle

  • Communication

  • Positivity

  • Coachability

At Pro Skills Basketball, we’re here to support your development every step of the way—from tryouts to championships and beyond.

We offer year-round training, club teams, and elite-level coaching that prepares players not just for a roster spot—but for long-term success on and off the court.

Ready to take the next step in your child’s basketball journey?
Pro Skills Basketball offers Club Teams, Camps, Clinics, and Academies in 25+ cities across the U.S.
👉 Find your city and sign up today to join a program focused on real development, experienced coaches, and a culture that puts players first.

📩 Contact us at admin@proskillsbasketball.com
📞 Call us at 866-996-3888

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