Class of 2026: Get ready for the sports season

 Welcome class of 2026!

All incoming students who want to join a sports team should plan in advance. 

Tryouts are always stressful for student athletes, regardless of their skill. While you may never feel entirely relaxed, here is some information and tips to help you feel confident and prepared coming into evaluations.

Tips:

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The week before tryouts are the most important for your body. The weather will be hot and humid, making it difficult to perform at your best. The night before, you should be drinking plenty of water every 20 minutes, following up with at least 16 ounces the next morning. After exercising you should also replenish your electrolytes with some sort of sports drink such as Vitamin Water, Body Armor, or Gatorade.

Start early: The earlier you start, the more prepared you will be. Most teams expect you to participate in fitness tests. TrueAP, which is offered by the high school, is a great way to build your endurance and speed. It is a “no judgment” program where you can train with highly qualified coaches to get you in shape. The summer programs cost about $85 per athlete. 

Get to know the team: Most Linganore sports programs offer informal preparation activities over the summer. There are leagues you can join (without needing to try out) with players 9th-12th along with drop in practices and training packets you can do with friends. This allows the incoming players to get to know each other before tryouts and make it less intimidating when the time comes.

Talk to coaches: Make sure the coaches know you are dedicated and willing to fulfill their needs on the field. Ask them what you can improve on and incorporate their tips in your performance. Practicing different skills and always showing your best efforts will make you stand out to your coach. Sportsmanship is also incredibly important to coaches, nobody wants a difficult teammate on their roster.

Remember to prioritize your well being above all else, coaches expect you to have things come up regarding school and home life. Don’t stress it if you can’t make every summer training, but make sure to work your hardest.