Tennis Tryouts.?

Question

I am trying out fot tennis next year. Any helpful hints to help me make the team??

Answer 1

Try to appeal to your coach... try to play your best. It can be nerve-racking because your coach is trying to choose THE BEST out of all of the kids. It is tough, but I made JV easily. I'm probably one of the best on JV.

Answer 2

well my jv team doesnt make cuts which was cool for me cause i suck, but yeah, i had alot of ?s before hand so i emailed the coach and that helped. if you want to, take private lessons this summer - i did it with my friends so it would cost less and be less akward - it really helps to get you prepared - have fun! =]

Answer 3

Hi there BN.

Just some stuff to consider before I give some hints.

1. The selection process is unique for every single school, but generally if the area is known to be competitive, making the team will be that much harder.

2. Most players who join their team must make commitments. My coach recently offed a kid from the team because he wouldn't show up to practices.

3. Team players usually are ranked above 2.0 on NTRP rating scales. For more info: http://www.matchmakertennis.com/public/n...

K, now for the tips:

Before tryouts:

1. If you know the coach and are sure that you want to play this sport, express interest beforehand and tell him your experience level e.g. years of play, tournaments, etc...

2. Before you try out, do not...I repeat...do not play with members of the team if you do not consider yourself good enough. Information tends to funnel down in either direction, good or bad.

3. Be sure to have one dominant technique if your all-round play is not great. Reason to follow below.

During Tryouts

1. Do not seem anxious!!! You can be shaking inside, keep it  just as I described, inside! Once a coach sees nervousness, he's going to think that you crack under pressure. If your competitors are good, this can be a marked difference.  

2. Go to your strengths. I'd say that most of the time coaches will look at the forehand and serve as indicators of basic proficiency, but experienced players develop backhands and drop shots. The coach may see the BEST candidate, but he's also looking for depth. If you are a good runner, hit some nice cross court winners on the run. CHASE DOWN EVERY BALL. lol

3. Try not to make mistakes such as hitting the ball over the fence or woofing a shot when the coach is watching...this year, my team cut a person just for doing it once...

4. DO NOT criticize yourself on court. People blab about their mistakes, and often a team member will pick up on it. Even worse, your competitors will talk behind your back(it really does happen).

Good luck BN!

Answer 4

Add more particulars so I can be of more help. How good are you? Have you played tournaments? Are you a gal? Are you athletic and do you like to exercise? What is your height and weight? Does your tennis team have a winning tradition? Do you have a coach or access to a coach? Do your parents support you and help you with the resources needed to play? Is tennis supported in your community (some places don't give a hoot about tennis which presents different challenges)?

Assuming these questions are not going to get answered, then Kevin (below) gives some good tips, relevant, I suppose, to high school tennis today (I graduated in 84 and won california state championship at my high school).

But his best advice is to "Run down every ball". This can not be emphasized enough. This mindset (and action) makes anyone a better player. It's what separates the good from the very good.