What to Expect at Basketball Tryouts: Tips for Parents and Players

Basketball tryouts can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience for both players and parents. At Hill Country Hoops, we understand the importance of preparation and mindset for making the most of this opportunity. Here’s what you can expect at basketball tryouts and some helpful tips to shine on the court.

1. What Coaches Are Looking For

Coaches evaluate more than just raw talent. At Hill Country Hoops, we assess players based on:

Skills: Shooting, ball handling, defense, and overall basketball IQ.
Effort: Hustle and willingness to give 100% in every drill.
Attitude: Teamwork, coachability, and a positive mindset.

Tip: Encourage your child to focus on effort and attitude—they’re things every player can control, regardless of skill level.

2. Typical Tryout Structure

Basketball tryouts often include a combination of individual drills, small group games that include shooting, and full-court scrimmages. Here’s what players should be prepared for:

Small Group Assessments: Players will get the chance to play one on one and do transitions drill ins small groups that measure their basketball IQ and ability to compete.
Drills: There will be a combination of shooting, passing, offensive, and defensive drills. They will measure the player's aptitude for every part of the game.
Game Play: Tryouts typically end with a full court scrimmage that is 5v5. Players might not be on the best team, but they can still shine by making the right plays and playing hard.

Tip: Remind your child to stay engaged at all time. Never be a spectator on the court, always think about the next thing you can do as a player. If you are always active as a player then coaches will notice.

3. How Parents Can Support

Parents play a crucial role in preparing their athletes for tryouts by providing encouragement and setting realistic expectations. Here are some helpful reminders:

Avoid putting too much pressure on performance. Focus on effort and making smart decisions. If players are making the "right" play and scoring less, it will go a long way with coaches.
Ensure your child is well-rested, hydrated before, during, and after competition, and has the correct shoes and sports wear.
Be patient and supportive. We know the tryout scenario can be stressful on the parents and players, but players should focus on the things they can control, like, effort and attitude.

Tip: Talk to your child before tryouts to remind them that giving their best effort, especially when they make a mistake is more important than playing "perfect." Coaches expect players to make mistakes, but are looking for kids that don't give up.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many players unknowingly negatively effect their performances by doing the actions below:

Overdoing It: Players try to impress coaches with flashy moves instead of playing the right way. Try to focus your play on the moves and aspects of the game you excel at.
Poor Communication: The coaches are here to help you and want you to succeed. Never be afraid to ask questions.
Negative Body Language: Blaming others or giving up after you make a mistake is a tell tale sign to coaches that you are not ready for club basketball.

Tip: It is better to ask for help and get feedback than assume you are right and perform poorly on a drill or in a scrimmage.

5. Preparing Ahead of Time

You will play how you practice so make sure you prepare the right way:

Work on Fundamentals: check out our dribbling drills or shooting drills we recommend that players can do at home.
Get in Shape: We expect players to compete full court for at least 10-15 minutes at a time without needing a break.
Practice Team Play: Get comfortable with playing the full court setting in open gyms and scrimmages. Try to play with others who are better than you to help you improve.
Get a Good Night Sleep: At this age kids need more sleep since their bodies are still growing. Try to sleep 8-10 hours the night before and eat a healthy dinner.

Tip: We encourage all kids to play with confidence. You don't have to be the best player on the court to play with confidence. Know and understand what you do well as a player and focus on doing that for the tryouts.

Why Hill Country Hoops?

At Hill Country Hoops, our tryouts are designed to identify players who are passionate, hard-working, and team-oriented. We provide clear feedback to help each athlete as a player and encourage any skill level to tryout for our teams.

Learn more about our AAU teams and tryouts!