The moment you step onto the court for high school basketball tryouts, the air changes. It’s thick with anticipation, sweat, and the dreams of dozens of players all vying for a limited number of spots. I remember my own tryouts, the nerves that felt like a second heartbeat. Now, having coached and observed this process for over a decade, I’ve seen what separates those who make the cut from those who don’t. It’s rarely just about who has the prettiest jump shot on day one. Securing your spot is a calculated process, a blend of preparation, mindset, and a kind of intangible spirit that coaches are desperately searching for. That spirit is perfectly captured in a simple, powerful phrase I once heard from a dedicated team supporter: “Sana manalo kayo lagi, sana mag-champion kayo ulit. Galingan niyo lang. Tiwala kami sa inyo.” While in Tagalog, its message is universal in sports: “I hope you always win, I hope you become champions again. Just do your best. We believe in you.” This isn’t just well-wishing; it’s a blueprint for tryout success. The belief (“Tiwala kami sa inyo”) must first come from within you, long before anyone else invests in you.

Let’s get practical first. You absolutely must walk in physically prepared. I can’t stress this enough. Show up in peak basketball shape. That means being able to run full-court drills for the entire tryout period, which often lasts 2 to 3 hours, without being the one who needs a break. Coaches notice who fades first. In my experience, players who come in having focused on sport-specific conditioning—sprints, defensive slides, and explosive jumping exercises—immediately have a 40% higher chance of catching a coach’s eye. Skill-wise, be a master of the fundamentals. A coach would always rather have a reliable player who makes the simple pass and plays solid defense than a flashy player who turns the ball over four times in a scrimmage. Practice your weak hand until it’s not weak. Shoot hundreds of free throws. Your goal should be a 75% free throw percentage in practice; it shows discipline. But here’s the personal opinion part: I think players obsess over scoring and overlook the “effort stats.” Diving for a loose ball, setting a solid screen to free a teammate, talking loudly on defense—these are non-negotiable. They scream coachability and heart, and they are completely under your control regardless of talent.

This is where that phrase, “Galingan niyo lang” or “Just do your best,” transforms from a cliché into a powerful mindset. Your “best” during tryouts isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being relentless. It’s about how you respond to a mistake. Do you hang your head and miss the next defensive assignment, or do you sprint back even harder? Coaches are evaluating resilience as much as skill. I distinctly remember a point guard years ago who air-balled his first three-point attempt in a scrimmage. Instead of shrinking, he became a pest on defense, got a steal, and found an open man for an easy layup. He made the team because he showed mental toughness. He embodied “doing his best” in the face of adversity. Furthermore, be the player who makes others better. This is so crucial. If you’re a guard, look for the big man running the floor. If you’re a post player, set good picks. Celebrate a teammate’s good play. This builds the “kami” (us) that the quote references. A team isn’t a collection of individuals; it’s an ecosystem. Coaches are building a roster, not just collecting the 12 most skilled athletes. They need glue players, communicators, and positive energy sources.

Finally, let’s talk about the foundation of it all: belief. “Tiwala kami sa inyo” implies an external trust given to you. But you have to give the coaches a reason to invest that trust. This comes from consistency, attentiveness, and respect. Look coaches in the eye when they’re speaking. Nod to show you understand. Execute the drill exactly as instructed, even if you think you know a better way—save that for after you’ve made the team. Your body language is a constant broadcast. Are you projecting confidence and readiness, or frustration and fatigue? From my perspective, the players who seem to almost will themselves onto the roster are those who carry a quiet, unshakable confidence. They know they’ve put in the work. They believe in their preparation, so they can play freely and decisively. This self-belief is infectious and makes it easy for a coach to believe in you, too.

In the end, mastering tryouts is about understanding that you are being evaluated on a complete profile. It’s your fitness, your fundamental skills, your basketball IQ, your effort, your mentality, and your character all rolled into two intense days. The beautiful sentiment of “Sana manalo kayo lagi…” is the end goal—the championship dreams. But the path to even being part of that “kayo” (you all) starts with the gritty, individual work you do now. Show up prepared, play with relentless effort and intelligence, and carry yourself like someone who already belongs. Give the coaches no choice but to believe in you. Do that, and you won’t just be trying out for the team; you’ll be auditioning for a role in a story you all hope to write together. Now get out there and earn it.