How to Make Your School Basketball Team

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: February 10, 2023 Approved

Many schools offer a basketball team for those students who like the sport. While making the team may seem like a daunting task at first, there are some things you can do to prepare before trying out, to help you have a better chance of making the basketball team at your school.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Practicing

1
Practice often before tryouts. This can ensure that you are ready, healthy, and on top form by that time. Practice at least three times a week at your house or local gym.^{[1]
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2
Try to practice with other people. This will help you get used to making shots while being defended, get better with making passes and be a good team player.

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3
Make your practice session as game-like as possible if you're training by yourself. Be sure to exaggerate and pretend to do fake moves that you are not actually going to do. Move around with fast control to confuse your opponents.
4
Participate in games. In addition to practicing in general, also try and participate in basketball games. Try practicing with others who may have more basketball experience, since this can help to improve your playing skills.^{[2]
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Do minor drills whenever you can. If it's not a practice day, just do some handles.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

At the Tryouts

1
Wear proper gear and turn in any health and commitment forms on time. This shows how responsible you are.
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Turn up early to tryouts. This will display your eagerness to play and dedication to the team. ^{[3]
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3
Relax. Picture yourself doing really well at tryouts. Imagine yourself making insane passes and hitting tons of shots. This will boost your confidence.
- Watch plenty of highlights around when your tryouts take place. Seeing how others are doing will help you to spot the little details that pro players do, so that you can mimic them.
- Remember—it's okay to feel nervous! If you're nervous, that means you're ready.
4
Introduce yourself to the coach and try to appear well mannered.
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Display a good knowledge of the game to both your teammates and your coach.
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Try to stay within the coach's line of view as much as possible. This will help your coach to observe your potential.
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Be a team player. Avoid showing off, and be sure to pass to teammates who are in good position to make plays. Most coaches want a team player and one that knows what they're doing. Don't try to show off and use any of your streetball skills too much.^{[4]
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- Don't yell at your teammates if they mess up a play. Simply encourage them.
8
Never get caught standing around or looking at your coach. Hustle on defense and look for opportunity to make plays on offense. Don't hesitate and follow your instincts when it comes to an open shot or layup.
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Feel confident. Act as if you own the courts.
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Leave a good impression, and play well. Make assists, grab rebounds, play good defense, and try creating some turnovers that can lead to points.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

At School

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Be a good student. Most schools will not allow you to participate in a sport with a failing grade. This will also give coaches an idea of what kind of student you are and it will reflect on what type of athlete you are. Students with better grades tend to have an advantage for making the team. It's not all about how good you are at certain sports.
2
Manage your time. Sports take up a lot of your extra time, but make sure you find some time to study or do homework. Colleges might consider giving you a scholarship for sports, but when they see that your grades are not what's expected at their level, they have every right to skip over you. You might be the best of the best or you might be better than Michael Jordan, but that's not an excuse to be getting bad grades. Although some may think sports are more important, school comes first.^{[5]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How can you get a D1 basketball scholarship?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

Your actions have to match your goal! If you want to play Division 1 basketball, simply playing 2 times a week isn't going to cut it—you have to play 8 days a week (which means you'll have to play twice in one day). The biggest thing is to really dream it and want it; even if your goal doesn't pan out, a whole lot of good things are going to happen because you did what you said you were going to do.
Question

What can I do to be less nervous?

Community Answer

Try to practice beforehand, on either your own or somewhere else. This will help boast your confidence right before tryouts. Try not to worry about the outcomes; focus on the tryouts and do your best.
Question

If I focus on the ball when playing, will this increase my chances to make the team?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. For example, you wouldn't want to look at the ball when you dribble or shoot. Just try to keep control of the ball, and don't try to do fancy moves to impress your coach. Play your best, and focus on good teamwork.

Warnings

Do not risk personal injury to impress people. While it's good if you want to try out a new skill, an injury can end your season, or prevent you from trying out for the team.

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Do not risk other players' safety. Causing safety issues for you, your teammates or the opposing team in any way can result in you not making or being kicked off of the team.

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Keep your ego in check. While it's good to have confidence, being overconfident can result in your coach and/or the other team members being upset with you, and you may end up not making the team.

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