Going into a tryout can be incredibly nerve-racking no matter what sport you play. With lacrosse, getting on that travel team can get you noticed by college coaches, so you want to be playing some of your best ball. Here are some keys to having a good lacrosse tryout that can put your mind at ease and help you earn a spot on a team.

Prepare, But Don’t Overthink It

A tryout is no different than a game or practice when it comes to preparation. However, tryouts can be unpredictable as far as what drills the coaches will run you through. It’s safe to say that a scrimmage will occur, but everything else can be up in the air.

Try not to overthink the tryout too much and get plenty of rest the night before. If anything, take a step back and focus on the fundamentals to define your lacrosse tryout plan.

Get There Early

You also want to make a good first impression, and there’s no better way to do that than to arrive to the tryout early. Figure out how you will get there and how long it will take so that you aren’t rushing to the field. Getting there early also gives you some time before the tryout to physically and mentally prepare yourself.

Work Your Tail Off

The biggest key to having a good lacrosse tryout is to work hard. Make sure you out-hustle everyone on the field because that will set you apart from your competition. With that said—make sure to have fun out there!

Communicate

A major part of lacrosse—and any other sport, for that matter—is communication. Whether that’s on the field with your unit or in practice running through plays and drills with the coaches. Strong communication will show engagement and that you can build a good relationship with players and coaches.

Don’t Get Discouraged

The last important thing to keep in mind during your tryout is that not every play is going to go your way. Don’t linger on a mistake and instead have that next play mentality. If you can overcome this, coaches will take notice.