As athletes get older, not everybody makes the team. Coaches will have tryouts to assess which players are the best, and then form a team. By knowing what coaches are looking for at tryouts you can significantly improve your chances of making the team.
Fundamentals
A coach at tryouts wants to see his players do the basics of whichever sport he is coaching. According to the Coaches Clipboard website, a coach is not interested in the ability to pull off flashy plays. Instead, coaches want to see team players and ones who can execute the basics consistently. So while you might be tempted to show that you know advanced moves, coaches want to see the moves you learned when you first started playing the game.
Communication Skills
Coaches want to see that you can communicate effectively with other players and the coaching staff, according to Bruce Brownlee's Soccer Coaching Notes. Games such as soccer and basketball require players to communicate frequently, and it can hurt the team if a player lacks communication skills. Communicating makes you stand out as a leader, and it also shows that you are engaged in the game. Quiet players seem passive and not completely locked into the competition. You should also demonstrate that you can communicate with coaches before and after tryouts. It will show that you are open to feedback and will also show your enthusiasm for wanting to make the team.
Work Ethic
Coaches want players who will work hard to always get better. You can show that you are a hard worker by doing the little things, according to Coaches Clipboard. Impress your potential coaches by being the first one to show up to tryouts and the last one to leave. Talk to coaches about skills you need to improve, and then when you have down time, work on those elements where the coaches can see you.
Good Family
Coaches will have to deal with your family as well as you, so they will want to see whether your family could be a potential problem. A coach will be reluctant to pick a player with overbearing parents or a critical spouse. According to Bruce Brownlee's Soccer Coaching Notes, nightmare parents can cause a coach to avoid a player in order to keep team chemistry intact. Have your family introduce themselves to the coach and be pleasant. Don't critique the coach's skills or make demands about playing time.
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