AAU Tryouts: What coaches are really watching for

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not about how many points you score. It never was. It never will be. Tryouts are about players showing off who they are and coaches deciding if you fit their needs. Yes, tryouts can be stressful. The coaches are watching intently, clipboards in hand, and players have an hour to shoot their shot. Here is the truth of the matter: Coaches are not looking for the most talented player. Coaches are looking for the right player for their team(s). Here's what coaches are <em>really</em> watching when you step on the court and some questions you need to answer about yourself and your game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Do you know who you are as a player?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches can spot a player's identity in the first few possessions. They're looking for players who know their strengths and play to them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are you a floor spacer? Then knock down open shots.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are you a facilitator? Show vision and timing.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are you a physical defender? Then get up in someone's kitchen!</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players who try to be someone they're not – forcing shots, over-dribbling, over-thinking – certainly stand out, but not in a good way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Are you a problem-solver?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball can be messy. Coaches want players who adjust on the fly, not those who go missing when things don't go their way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you recover from mistakes immediately?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you adapt quickly to new teammates?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can you fix spacing issues without being told?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Basketball IQ matters. Coaches love players who “get it” and make others better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Do you do the dirty work without being asked?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone wants to score. Not everyone wants to box out the biggest post, dive on the floor for the loose ball, or do their part defensively. Coaches notice the players who:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sprint back every time in transition</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Talk on defense and call out screens</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rebound out of their area</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Set physical, legal screens</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These habits will separate real players from pretenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Are you vocal in the right ways?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Communication is a skill and coaches are listening for:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Defensive talk: “Ball! Help! Cutter!”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Encouragement: high fives, fist bumps, and eye contact</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Leadership: helping someone else be better</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yelling for the ball every possession is not helpful. Being a connector on the floor is a major asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: How do you handle coaching?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tryouts aren't just about showing your game – they're a test of your coachability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When you get feedback, do you nod and apply it?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you listen when others are being coached?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you make adjustments after a mistake or make the same mistake again?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coaches want players who are open to growth. If you act like you know everything already, or demonstrate a little bit too much swagger, you probably won't make the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: What's your energy like on or off the floor?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The way you act when you are on the sidelines is just as important as what you do on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are you paying attention?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are you clapping for teammates?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you step on the court with urgency when your name is called?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players who demonstrate that they care are players coaches can trust. Coaches want players who are all-in, not just waiting for their next shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Do you make others around you better?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is huge. In girl's basketball, chemistry wins. Teams that pull together to go in the same positive direction usually excel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Are your passes crisp and on time?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do you create space for others, even if you don't touch the ball?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can you be part of a team, not just a solo act?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If others play better when you're on the floor, coaches will notice. That's value.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Q: Are you consistent?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some players hit a big three and then disappear for 10 minutes. Others bring effort, toughness, and focus every rep. Coaches are watching for players who:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Don't take possessions off</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Don't let mistakes turn into mental slumps</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Don't go up and down emotionally</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consistency wins at tryouts and in games. Flashy, highlight-reel plays may garner attention on social media but steadiness earns trust and playing time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The bottom line: Coaches want more than just talent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, talent matters. So does potential. But at the end of the day, AAU coaches want players they can count on – on the floor, in the huddle, and during tough moments in big games. As you go through the tryout grind over the next few weeks, focus on showing up as the best version of yourself. That's a mindset that will definitely pay off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->