Get Ready For Tryouts

Now that tryout season is upon us, it’s time to make sure that you go into tryouts prepared and with a set plan to showcase your skills. Hopefully, the team that you are trying out for will put more weight on the scrimmage part of the tryout than the drill part. When IHC Hockey is hired by an Association to run tryouts for a team or association, we select the team players according to the scrimmage/game portion of the tryout and we use our drill evaluation and grading to separate the players that are close in talent and the “bubble players”. Our philosophy is to drop the puck and whoever can play the game will show that in the scrimmages/games. Make sure that you are at your best for tryouts – as you only get one chance to make a first impression. Here is our IHC tryout check list to make sure that you are ready to give it your best in front of the coaches that you want to play for:

1. Be Prepared

Make sure that you have physically prepared yourself for the tryout by attending clinics, doing your off-ice workouts and skill work. Also, make sure that you have new laces in your skates, fresh tape on your stick, and your skates are sharpened. Before you leave for the tryout

make sure that you have properly warmed up and stretched, and that you have all your equipment ready to put in your bag. Also, make sure you eat a good meal with some complex carbohydrates a couple hours before the tryout and drink plenty of water. Drink beyond your thirst.

2. Be Mentally Prepared

Mental preparation is an excellent exercise that most successful athletes have learned to utilize. When you are sitting in the locker room before you go on the ice, close your eyes and think of the plays, passes, shots, and moves that you are going to make in the upcoming tryout. Also, enter the tryout with a positive mind set. Think of the best games you have ever played. Think of some of the best goals you ever scored and how you felt when the puck went into the net.Visualize it. If you are a defenseman or a goalie, think of the times when you stopped an odd man rush that shot from the point, or the great save you made to win the game. Make sure you step on the ice in the right, positive mind set.

3. Play Your Game

Play to your skill set. If you are a good skater, try to outskate everyone. If you are a smart player, make sure you make good decisions and good passes. If you have a good shot, go out there shooing as much as possible. If you are a checker, finish every check. Show the evaluators your strongest skills and don’t be someone you are not.

4. Be Professional

As a scout, I am always watching to see how the player acts on the bench and with his or her teammates, not only on the ice. Make sure that you are into the game even when you are on the bench.  Know who you are replacing on the ice. Make sure you keep your shifts short and hustle on every play, including on line changes.

Be prepared, play your game, and don’t be nervous. Enjoy the challenge of the tryout and best of luck to all of you.