Tryout norm

Every day in 3rd period.

I believe it is 3 days at our school.

Son's current HS: three weeks of "formal" tryouts. But to some extent, same as KD.

Previous HS: two 2 hour tryouts (on consecutive days).

Like KD's school for returning players and then for new students and freshman a week long tryout ending in a live scrimmage on Saturday.

Year-round, whether we like to admit it or not.

collikar,

At our HS, I believe the baseball class kids are constantly trying out. The kids coming in from football and other sports will go through a three consecutive day tryout later in January.

returners dont tryout, freshmen/non returners do 2 3 hour tryouts.

Anyone know what Southlake does?

Everyday during the baseball class, the kids are evaluated. They are evaluated during summer ball, fall ball, etc. I am at all or most of their summer ball and fall ball games and even go to some of their select games.

I test all my players in the baseball class the week before practice starts...
1. running home to first (speed)
2. Arm strength (mph using the radar gun)
3. Arm accuracy
4. Fielding
5. Bat speed (mph using the radar gun hitting the ball off of a stationary tee)
6. Hitting ability (BP)

1st day of tryouts they come late, 5pm. Freshman and anyone else walking the halls come out at 3:15pm to get tested. If any of the newcomers show us something in testing, we'll ask them back to scrimmage the next day.

UiL does not give us a whole lot of time considering we start scrimmaging the next week.

We try to have the hitting and the running going on at the same time.

All records are kept so that if a parent has a question or concern, I can sit down with them and show them the data. I have had a few concerns, but when I show mom/dad that little Johnny can only throw the ball 48 mph and every other freshman can throw it 65 across the diamond, they usually get the picture.

I welcome the parents to attend the tryouts, as long as they are in the bleachers.

My personal favorite is when the football players come out and think that it is going to be a walk in the park! They don't understand that football is blocking and tackling...period. Baseball is throwing, fielding, running, hitting, hitting for power (not to mention all the mental part of the game).

Takes much more skill to play this game...and I love it!!!

Funnel,

Sounds like you have got it down to an art. I like the idea of keeping the data and love the fact that you spend time watching the kids play the game outside of just tryouts.

But, what happens when little Johnny's dad points out that little Johnny may only have a 48mph arm, but boy can he throw 8 different pitches!!!!!!!

Yeah, forgot about that. I have some great stories on some of the best things that parents have said to me when I had to inform them that their son did not make the team.

I won't speak for all coaches, but for me, that is the worst part of my job. Because every player has their day that they are told that "they are just not good enough." I just try to do it as painless as possible, but I understand that different people have different expectations and different levels of expectations.

Good luck to all.

I remember back in my day (late 80's) they posted the list on the board. Nothing like seeing your name listed, but it was not so good for those that didn't make it.

I know the coaches at Allen High (where my son plays), the coaches call them in one at a time and tell them what they think, what areas need work and I think try to end on a positive. That seems like a good way to handle it.

That is the one thing that happens to most all of us at some time or another. I remember the feeling of looking around 2 weeks into my very short pro career and thinking that I was the worst of the group. Decided right then, to retire. It happens. I have determined that in most cases, the kid is not near as upset as the parent is. I believe the kids know where they stack up but it is mommy & daddy that often have the problem putting the kids abilities in a realistic state.

Just in case you don't hear it often enough funnel, you guys that are coaching full time do a wonderful job. With the rare exception, you guys give much more back to the game, the kids and the school than you get back. Thanks from all of us out here who appreciate what you do.

Thanks for the kind words. I am still evolving as a coach, as are most coaches. I am always trying to find new teaching methods, drills, etc. for my kids. I also try to improve as a communicator with my players.

I played with alot of emotion, and at times, I unfortunately coach with alot of emotion. The number 1 goal that I have is to enstill in my players a feeling of having no fear of failure.

Too many times, high school age players fail because they are so worried about what coach will say or do when they fail, that they tense up and fail anyway. I know in the past, I probably set my players up for failure by making them fear failure (probably a flaw in my personality as well).

Hopefully, I can do a better job and create a positive atmosphere. An atmosphere where, when we make a mistake, we can REALLY shake it off and "get'em next time."

funnel

Great Post! Sounds like you're out there for the right reasons. Too often that's not the case. The win should never be more important than the athlete.

Good luck and thanks for the indepth look into your tryout.

quote:

Originally posted by collikar:
Anyone know what Southlake does?

My son is having a tryout since Thursday this week. I hope he will make one of the two freshman teams. Last two days were too cold for everyone. Today is the last day of the tryout.

Southlakedad

I think loves-the-game hit the nail on the head: it is a bigger problem for the parents to come to grips with for their kid not to make the team (or the starting lineup) than it is for the kid.

Unless the kid is just totally stupid he knows who the top players are - and if he is one of them.

I have often said that the only whay I would coach for a living would be at an orphanage.