I'm a freshmen in high school. My old middle school offered absolutely no sports so I don't have much experienced in being in a school team. The most I've played are small games with my friends in their backyard. I wouldn't say I'm not athletic. Just less experienced in competitive sports. I chickened out for basketball because of that. And I don't want to do the same for softball. Tryouts are in the spring giving me a few months. Anyone have any suggestions?|||First off take a deep breath. Let it out. Just know that you can succeed. Anything you put your mind to, you will achieve. Just believe. I wasn't nervous for my tryouts at all. If you have confidence, you won't be nervous. You don't have to think you're the best, just know you're better than some. (That sounded really bad.) Don't try to showoff when you go. The last thing you want is to mess up. That means there is a lot of pressure on you right? No. They really just look for the basics. If you can field a ground ball (not even hit that sharply) you'll do fine. It's routine. It'll just come to you. You'll be focused and in "the zone". You won't even notice anyone else and everyone else will be focused that they won't notice if you messed up or anything.
Anyway, I do have some tips and drills that may help you. The drills are mixed in with the tips, but they're there and here's my list:
Batting:
1. Always throw your hands at the ball. It'll get you through the zone quicker and you swing right at the ball. Don't use your arms or shoulders, you'll swing late and there's a possibility of injury.
2. Make sure the bat is the right size and has a good drop weight. You don't want to swing a bat that's too heavy, or you'll swing late.
3. Leave your head down, don't bring it up. Watch the ball hit the bat.
4. Wait for your pitch, if it's a ball or not where you want it, don't swing.
5. Be aware of what types of pitches the pitcher has. Sit back on change-ups, don't swing to early.
6. Don't grip the bat too tight, it'll sting your hands and give you blisters.
7. Don't get down/lose confidence because of a previous hit.
8. Know your strike zone.
9. When you're using a pitching machine, chances are you're getting used to the speed and not actually watching the ball. WATCH THE BALL!
10. Hit off a tee. If the tee moves you're not hitting the ball right. Hit the middle of the ball. The only way to do this right is by watching the ball.
11. Soft toss. If you don't know what this is, it's when someone kneels next to you and tosses a ball in front of you, and you hit it (usually into a fence).
12. Always catch the ball out front. If the balls over the plate, it's too late. You should make contact before it crosses the plate.
13. If you're right handed, and you hit the ball and it goes foul to the left you're too early and if it goes to the right you're late. If you're left it's the opposite.
14. Don't be afraid of a walk. I don't know about you, but a lot of people want to go up there and hit. If you're going to want to hit (like most do) wait for your pitch. Take a ball (or 4).
15. Think single or double not fences. A single or double can be a lot more helpful than flying out trying to hit the game winning homerun.
Bunting:
1. Hold the bat out with both feet toward the pitcher. Hold the bat at a 45 degree angle upwards like / but at 45 degrees. You know what I'm saying?
2. Don't chop/poke at the ball. Use your legs to go up and down and let the ball hit the bat and die off.
3. Pull the bat handle towards third to bunt to first and vice versa. Never back to the pitcher or into the air. Try to get it down the third base line.
4. If it's a sacrifice, it doesn't matter where the ball is, you have to get the bunt down.
Throwing:
1. Quick toss. Have someone throw with you and catch and release quickly.
2. Hard toss. Do the same but try to throw it harder and at a good height.
3. When you release the ball, you should be in a motion that looks like you threw the ball the the gound. (But you actually released it, it's the follow through)
4. Use your glove to set the target.
5. No side arm. Espically for an outfielder. Yes it's the quickest way to throw the ball, but actually go through and overhand motion.
6. Crow hop. If you don't know what this is, search for a video. This gives you more power.
Strength/Conditioning:
1. Run laps around the field, not the bases, the entire field.
2. Sprints. Run to first a few times. Go back to home and run to first than second, etc. until you run around the bases.
3. Lifting weights. Not too heavy, just enough to get toned.
4. More sprints or suicides.
In the Outfield:
1. Have someone hit fly balls (off a bat, don't throw. It'll train your eye better) Do step 2 at the same time.
2. Long throws. Catch the ball crow hop and throw it in to different positions as if there were different situations.
3. Have line drives hit to you and do the same as step 2.
4. Grounders through the gap (step 2)
5. During a game, make sure you back up everything. If, in your case, the first baseman missing the ball and you don't get it, the runners getting extra bases. Be aware on snap throws (when catch will throw the ball down after the pitch and pick them off)
Good luck with everything! Just don't be nervous. If you are having second thoughts about going in, just know that if you don't go in, you won't know if you would have made it or not. You'll ask yourself "Woul|||I just want to say I am glad to hear you want to try out for sports. Sports is just not being good. It's about being dedicated and mentally ready. Read up on the sport, practice techniques. Never feel you are not good enough or that you lack in the sport. Knowledge is the key and to work hard to achieve any goals you desire. First you need to be mentally ready. Which means you will have to sacrifice your time with your friends. I don't mean to blow them off, but limit your time. Or see if they will train with you to help you. If you want to be in the sport you need to be ready for the sport. Like I said, go on line or speak with the coach to inform him you are interested and is there any help he can give you. Most of all, you need to be fit. Join a local gym to work on your cardio and eat healthy. Good luck to you.|||A lot of coaches look at athletic ability and fitness. So first and foremost, I would do some running so you're not out of shape. That's probably the most important thing.
Also, I would just play catch with someone. Have them toss you grounders and get comfy using a glove.
For batting, get comfortable using a softball bat. Go to batting cages. Think about bat speed rather than hitting the ball hard. Your first few times you go, just try to make consistent contact.|||Find some people and practice peppering and work on your footwork and catching. Also it would be good if you started jogging a bit to build up your endurance so you can be put through anything and not look tired in front of the coach and while playing games.|||I play baseball. You can get private lessons or play in a small field with friends. Probably a scimmage. But before this you should get equipment incase you want to play again.|||batting cages are always helpful. have someone throw a ball to you and practice fielding ground balls and pop flys on the sidewalk|||Play catch at least every other day with someone.
Jog. High school coaches are big on making players run at the start of practice, and do sprints at the end. It's best to get used to lots of running before the season starts.
Find the local batting cage and go once a week.
Figure out which position you want to try out for. Usually, they ask on the first day, and you tryout based on that position. It would be smart of you to figure out what positions will likely be filled by returning players, and go for a position that has been vacated.
Also, make sure you know all of the rules for your league/division. Make sure that you are 'in shape'. Tone up those muscles, eat healthy, don't smoke or drink.
Important things coaches look for:
team player
fielding skills
batting skills
pitching skills
running speed
ability to make plays
confidence
knowledge of the rules/game
good attitude
good grades in your classes
Expect several days of tryouts. Lots of running, drills, repitition. Arrive prepared with a water bottle, etc. It might be a good idea to introduce yourself to one of the coaches and ask about available positions, etc. That way, you won't be a total newbie for tryouts. And one other thing: show up early for practice, stretch out ahead of time. Coaches like players who come prepared.|||youll probly make it because most girls suck at baseball/softball
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