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Welcome to my guide to your first highschool tryout for any sport, whether it be football, basketball, golf, etc.

Table of Contents:
1. Getting prepared
2. Sign Ups: Making a good impression
3. First Day
4. Getting Cut: The Hardest Bit


Getting Prepared

Before you start high school, you should already have an idea of what sport(s) you are going to tryout for. In this case, you should start your own personal conditioning program over the Spring/Summer before your freshman year. This will always help you out no matter which sport you are trying out for. *Optional* Buy some protein powder or protein shakes to build up extra muscle mass, this will help you out a lot in your conditioning. Your workout should consume of; stretching(mandatory), warmup(usually a mile run or something of similar calibur), weight lifting(push it to the limit), cardio(main workout, bicycle, treadmill, urging(rowing), stairs, etc.), weight lifting(cool down a bit, not as hard as before), cool down run(another 1/2 mile or so). Following this about 3 times a week at your local YMCA, Gold's Gym, 24 Hour Fitness or local place will get you in shape pretty fast.

Sign Ups: Making a Good Impression

Do NOT be the "suck up" at the sign up meeting, this will get you no where in competitive sports. But, make good relations with your coach and teamates, for this will be good later on. Every team is a brotherhood, for some teams it will take longer to develope this brotherhood than others; especially if there are some "hot heads" or "show-offs" trying out. If there are, let them be and the coach will notice this too, there will be no need to react to this person's unsportsmanlike attitude, for he will have to be twice as good as you to make the team in most situations. Remember, always run your hardest, try your best. This will easily put you over the guys who obviously aren't.

First Day

Your first day of tryouts will be the hardest no matter what, not much can prepare you for this day except the Getting Prepared section. The coaches want to see your dedication and athleticism. They will push you till you throw up. You will go home and not want to ever come back, but ALWAYS come back the next day without showing any regret. This will get you good reputation with the coach. The whiners will be pointed out during stretching, for this will hurt more than usual; but it will feel very very good after if you did a great job. So, basically what I'm saying is, everyone is in the same boat and doing the same stuff. There is absolutely no reason to whine or bitch or moan etc.

Getting Cut: The Hardest Bit

If you have gotten cut from your fall sport, such as football or cross country. Don't be discouraged, you tried your hardest(I hope you did) and you should try out for a winter or spring sport. Many people who don't make the team will just quit and not even think about trying out next year, this is a gigantic mistake. Never give up! You should keep with your strong workout and get in great shape and hopefully make a spring sort or wait till next year.

If you follow these guidelines you will make the team in one of your 4 years in high school.

Yet, if you are just an unathletic person. Become a team manager or "Water Boy" if you still want to experience the brotherhood of the team. Although it is not respectable, it is important and must be done. And, you always get to meet some cool people and make some great friends.

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