Preparing for Club Tryouts: A High School Athlete's Guide

Club tryouts are coming, and honestly, the nerves are real. I've been there—that mix of excitement and anxiety the night before, wondering if I'm ready, if I'm good enough, if I'll make the team I want. But I've learned that preparation isn't just about physical skills. It's about showing up mentally ready, and that's what separates the athletes who make their team from those who don't.

Train with intention, not just volume. In the weeks leading up to tryouts, I stopped just grinding through workouts and started being strategic about what I was working on. I focused on the fundamentals that coaches actually notice—consistent passing, controlled sets, clean hits, and solid defense. Quality reps matter more than quantity. I'd rather hit 50 balls with focus than 200 mindlessly. Film study is your secret weapon too. Watch how the top players on the club team move, position themselves, and make decisions. When you understand what the coaches are looking for, you can show it to them.

Take care of your body. This seems obvious, but I can't stress it enough. Get your sleep. Eat real food. Stretch and take care of your joints. Injuries right before tryouts are devastating, and honestly, they're often preventable. Your body is your instrument, so tune it. If you're dealing with any nagging pain, get it checked out now, not after tryouts start.

Show up mentally prepared. This is where journaling changed everything for me. Before tryouts, I started writing down my goals, my fears, and what I wanted to prove. I reflected on my strengths and the areas where I needed to step up. Having clarity on why I was trying out and what I wanted to achieve made a huge difference in my mindset walking onto that court. When you know your purpose, you play with confidence instead of desperation.

Control what you can control. You can't control who else is trying out or what the coaches are looking for. You can't control if they have too many setters or if the team is already full. What you can control is your effort, your attitude, and your execution. Show the coaches that you're coachable, that you're a good teammate, and that you want to be there. These intangibles matter just as much as your skill level.

Remember it's not about perfection. Tryouts are chaotic. You're going to make mistakes. You're going to have bad touches and bad plays. The difference between making the team and not isn't perfection—it's how you respond to those mistakes. Shake it off, stay positive, and move on to the next play. Coaches want resilient athletes, not robots.

Trust your preparation. By the time tryouts roll around, you've either put in the work or you haven't. There's not much you can do the day before to change that. So trust what you've been building. Trust your training. Trust that you belong on that court. Going in with confidence, even if you're nervous, makes a real difference in how you perform.

Club volleyball is a big step, and trying out can feel like everything. But it's not. Whether you make this team or not, you're already winning by pushing yourself and pursuing excellence. Show up, give everything you have, and leave it all on the court. That's all any of us can do.