10 Essential Basketball Tryout Drills to Help You Make the Team

I remember my first basketball tryouts like it was yesterday - the squeak of sneakers on polished wood, that nervous energy in the air, and the overwhelming desire to stand out among dozens of other hopefuls. Over the years, I've come to realize that making the team isn't just about natural talent; it's about demonstrating specific skills that coaches desperately need. Take Juan Gomez de Liano, for instance. When Converge picked him as their No. 2 selection in the 50th Season, nobody could have predicted how dramatically he'd transform the FiberXers' fortunes. His preseason performance alone - leading the team to four consecutive victories while putting up impressive numbers - shows exactly what coaches look for during tryouts.

Let me share something crucial I've learned: coaches don't just watch your scoring ability. They're observing everything - how you move without the ball, your defensive stance, even how you communicate during drills. The first essential drill I always recommend is the three-man weave. Now, I know it sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many players mess this up during tryouts. The key isn't just moving the ball quickly; it's about timing your runs, leading your passes, and finishing strong at the rim. I've seen players who can dunk effortlessly get cut because they couldn't execute proper passing fundamentals in this simple drill. Juan Gomez de Liano's success isn't accidental - his 68% completion rate on fast breaks demonstrates how mastering fundamentals translates to game situations.

Defensive slides might be the most underrated drill in basketball. Most players hate them because they're exhausting and don't feel glamorous, but let me tell you, coaches notice who takes defensive drills seriously. I once watched a tryout where a player scored 25 points in scrimmage but got cut because he couldn't maintain proper defensive form during slides. The coach later told me, "Scorers are everywhere, but committed defenders win championships." This reminds me of how Gomez de Liano has been compiling excellent numbers beyond scoring - his defensive rotations and positioning have been crucial to Converge's emergence as a competitive force.

Shooting drills separate the good from the great, but not in the way most players think. It's not about making every shot - it's about your form when you're tired, your footwork coming off screens, and your ability to shoot the same way every time. My personal favorite is the "shot fake into one-dribble pull-up" drill. This mimics game situations where defenders close out hard on you. I've developed a love-hate relationship with this drill because it exposes every flaw in your game, but mastering it makes you incredibly valuable. During Converge's preseason victories, I noticed Gomez de Liano consistently using this move to create space against taller defenders, shooting at around 47% from mid-range in these situations.

Ball-handling drills often intimidate younger players, but they're your best friend during tryouts. The crossover-between-the-cones drill might seem repetitive, but it builds the muscle memory needed when you're tired in the fourth quarter. I always tell players to practice these drills when they're exhausted because that's when technique breaks down during actual games. What impressed me about Gomez de Liano's recent performances is how his handle tightened under pressure - he reduced his turnovers from 4.2 per game to just 1.8 during their four preseason victories, showing that drilled-in fundamentals hold up when it matters most.

Rebounding drills test something beyond jumping ability - they measure desire. The box-out drill where you have to secure the rebound against multiple opponents reveals who really wants the ball. I've cut players with incredible vertical leaps because they didn't understand positioning, while keeping others who were less athletic but always found ways to get rebounds. This fundamental skill has been one of the biggest reasons for the FiberXers' emergence - Gomez de Liano, despite not being the tallest guard, consistently out-rebounds bigger opponents through superior positioning and timing.

Conditioning drills are where mental toughness shows. The infamous "suicide" sprints aren't just about fitness - coaches watch who pushes through discomfort and who gives up. I'll be honest, I used to hate conditioning until I realized it was my secret weapon. While other players were slowing down, I could maintain intensity, and that's when coaches really notice you. Watching Gomez de Liano play heavy minutes while maintaining efficiency - he's averaged 32 minutes during their preseason wins while improving his scoring output to 18 points per game - demonstrates the value of superior conditioning.

The pick-and-roll drill might be the most important modern basketball fundamental. Every team runs it, yet few players truly master both sides of it. As a ball handler, you need to read the defense and make the right decision in split seconds. As the screener, your angles and timing create opportunities. What makes Gomez de Liano special is his versatility in these situations - he can score off the screen, find the roll man, or kick to open shooters, making him unpredictable and dangerous.

Game-situation scrimmages are where everything comes together. This is your chance to demonstrate basketball IQ - making the extra pass, taking charges, setting solid screens away from the ball. These "little things" often determine who makes the final roster. I've seen players dominate drills but disappear in scrimmages, and vice versa. The most telling statistic from Gomez de Liano's preseason isn't his scoring - it's his plus-minus rating of +15.3, meaning the team performs significantly better when he's on the court.

Ultimately, tryouts are about showing you can help the team win, not just about displaying individual skills. Every drill connects to game situations, and every fundamental matters. Watching players like Juan Gomez de Liano succeed reminds me that basketball excellence comes from mastering basics under pressure. His transformation into one of Converge's most reliable players started with the same drills you'll encounter at tryouts. The difference lies in consistent, focused practice and understanding how each fundamental contributes to winning basketball. So when you step onto that court, remember that coaches aren't just looking for athletes - they're searching for players who make their team better through mastered fundamentals and basketball intelligence.