April 1, 2022
Things We Look For in Trials
With the main netball season finishing in the UK and the summer league about to begin, some of you are looking forward to trials for new clubs and squads, but what are coaches looking for?
The purpose of trial is to assess your performance against existing members in a squad to see if you will either fit within the team or offer something they have lost/are looking for.
Trials can be a nerve-racking process and, if you’re anything like some of the athletes I work with, something that makes you panic that you have to get everything right. But here’s a secret, in trials coaches aren’t looking for the ‘perfect’ player.
More often than not, they are looking for a player that can execute the basics well, work well as part of a team, read the game and adapt to the situation on court. So it’\s important not to panic, but to relax, enjoy and do what you do best when trialling.
But just incase that hasn’t calmed your nerves, here’s a few more specific things coaches and selectors may be looking for players to showcase on trial day:
- Your ability to read the game
- The timing of your movement
- Constructive communication with your team mates
- Defending between the ball and the player (front position)
- Speed
- Strength
- Agility
- Balance
- Flexibility
- Athleticism
- Coordination
- Reflexes
- Confidence
- Positivity
- Tactical decision making
- Concentration
- Discipline
- Mental Toughness
- Persistence
So if you have trials coming up, try not to panic. Just do the basics well, relax and enjoy because that’s when you will be playing your best netball!
If you’re looking for ways to prepare for trials, here’s a few things you can put in place in the weeks and months leading up to trial to help you perform at your best:
- Follow a focused Strength and Conditioning Plan
- Research and watch the game at an elite level to improve your tactical awareness
- Practise fundamental skills such as passing, catching, footwork and agility
- Prepare for the trial by felling correctly and calming your nerves
- Put yourself in a position to just ENJOY THE PROCESS!
