10 Ways to Stand Out at Camp or Tryouts
Fall marks the start of tryouts and big college camps. Standing out is crucial but can be tough among a large field of other talented athletes. However, there are a number of ways you can set yourself apart that have nothing to do with your level of skill or ability.
1) Be early and ask before you start throwing
This goes without saying but make sure you are early in order to get settled and comfortable. Especially when driving somewhere you may not be familiar, leave yourself ample time.
When you arrive and are settled, make sure you ask before starting to throw. Normally camps and tryouts have a throwing progression and warm up built into the schedule and they’ll want you to wait. Just politely ask someone in charge if you are encouraged to throw early or if you should wait until told otherwise.
2) Volunteer if asked
If a camp coach asks for a volunteer to help demonstrate something, raise your hand! You may be nervous or feel a little uncomfortable and that’s okay! It takes courage and initiative to put yourself out there and while it may not be the right move for everyone personally, if you can muster the will to give it a try, do it, it will help you stand out. The more you take chances like these the easier it will get; this is also an important life skill for you to learn in general.
Remember, if you do volunteer and make a mistake, that is totally fine! No one is going to care, you were brave enough to try and that’s the most important part.
3) Be vocal
By nature not every player will be a big, booming vocal presence. That is okay but at some point vocal leadership on the field is required. If you are a person who is comfortable being consistently vocal on the field let it show, if you aren’t, push yourself to come out of your shell bit by bit. Be the player who knows how many outs there are and helps guide the rest of the field; be the player who encourages the athletes around them; be the player who is quick to pick up their pitcher.
Again, as is becoming a theme in this article, being brave enough to just try and put yourself out there in a situation where maybe you aren’t 100% comfortable will say a lot about you.
In this same vein, don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you don’t understand why or how to do something, make sure you ask! You are there to learn and it is your experience, you shouldn’t leave feeling confused.
4) Always finish the play. ALWAYS.
It’s unrealistic to expect perfection from players at camps or a tryout. Coaches understand nerves and they also know that softball is a game of failure; mistakes happen. What is important is how a player handles those mistakes. If a ground ball gets away from you hustle over to it and finish the play. If you drop a fly ball, collect it quickly, and fire it in to your cut. Your reaction to mistakes and failure will make an impact. Are you a player who has a bad attitude about it? A player who hangs their head and beats themselves up? A player who is easily defeated? Or are you a player who moves on and focuses on what the next step is?
5) Fail hard, play big
This is a skill that will serve you well in all aspects of your life but can be extremely hard to learn; it takes a lot of practice. You have to be willing to “fail hard”. Go for every ball and lay out; step into the box, don’t be afraid to take hacks; try something new; give 100% to a skill you’re maybe not great at. Just go for it. The biggest obstacle that often stands in one’s way is their own internal “self-talk”; if negative, will hold someone back from simply going for it. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to make every play, you also don’t have to be amazing at every single thing you do. But you do need to try! Play big and if you’re going to fail, fail hard.
6) Lend a hand whenever possible
You may be amazed at how few athletes at camps or tryouts stop to help pick up balls, reset stations, etc. Sometimes your help won’t be needed but stopping to even just ask the coaches or staff at the station you’re leaving will go along way. Can you pick up balls? Can you move a piece of equipment? Is there anything that needs to be done before you move on? Take one quick second to ask, not only will it impress it will be extremely appreciated.
7) Say “please” and “thank you” often
It sounds so simple but hearing “please” and “thank you” is becoming ever more rare. Always say please as well as thank you to the coaches, the staff, your parents, the players around you, etc. You can never say these words too much!
8) Always keep moving
If you ever find yourself standing around not doing anything, look around to see if there is anything you can do to help. Does a station need help being picked up? Is a scrimmage happening, can you pick up foul balls? Can you shag balls? How can you help?
9) Always support your fellow campers
At the end of the day, softball is just a game. How to treat those around you is important and coaches will take notice. Be positive and supportive of your fellow attendees. You can be intense and hyper focused while also being a supportive presence. Give high fives when players go through drill lines; cheer when great effort or great plays are made; pick up your fellow campers after a mistake; invite someone to join your group if they are by themselves; help someone out. This is so important.
I promise you that being warm and welcoming can coexist with intensity, focus, and your personal goals. And never forget, someone else’s success does not take away from your own!
10) Have a great time!
Camps are supposed to be fun! Yes, if you are attending a college camp with recruiting hopes there can be some pressure but at the end of the day, if you have fun you’re going to play better. Try to not make a camp or tryout bigger than it is; smile and enjoy the experience; get to know your fellow campers; make a positive impact by your words and actions; take every rep seriously and make the most out of it!
You don’t ever want to leave a camp or tryout with any regrets. Play hard, make the most of your experience, and enjoy the time you’re able to spend on the field. If you’re doing these things, you will standout.
Listen to Iowa State Head Coach, Jamie Pinkerton, talk about communicating and getting noticed by collegiate coaches on a recent episode of Inner Circle TV. Timestamp: 35:10 – 44:00
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