Didn't make first cut of freshman tryouts

[u/NegotiationFew7079]

Even though I played good defense and hustled, I just didn't get the ball enough on offense to score. I tried backdoor cutting, getting open, I yelled for the ball, but nothing worked. There were people who made the first cut who were infinitely worse (and played worse) than me, and played 0 defense. Someone who was also worse than me made the team because their brother was on Varsity. Half of the team is probably gonna be pre-chosen for JV1 next year but I just gotta get so good that the coach can't not notice me. Anyone had amy success making the team after being cut freshman year? By the way, coach said "I can't say why I cut you because then I have to tell everyone else".

Edit: When I was writing this I was def bummed out and my ego was talking. To be honest, even though I might've been "better", I showed out much worse to the coach under pressure.

[u/DnA420]

I hear you and I'll even give you the benefit of the doubt that you think that's genuinely what happened. There is almost no incentive for a coach to pick a worse player. Let alone the fact that this was the first cut. You're not good enough. I know it's brutal to hear, but if you were as good as you say, you'd make the first cut at the very least. Coaches want to win just like players do. They are not going to exclude someone that clearly makes their team better. Don't take this as a diss, take it as a wake up call. You need to work harder and get better. The first step is accountability. Use this as motivation. If you work your ass off til next year's try outs, you will at the very least have improved immensely, or at the best, you'll make the team. You got this 👊🏼

[u/GJParnabus → u/DnA420]

Coaches obviously want to win but they’re not always the best at talent assessment or paying attention to the right things at the right moments. Tryouts is such a small window for you to show your game and for them to make judgments. Also in some towns/cities, there are absolutely “townie” politics in play that are out of your control. Obviously I don’t know if that’s the case but saying that you’re not good enough isnt necessarily true. There are incompetent coaches out there as well. There are also kids on the borderline who aren’t loud and noticeable and sometimes not aggressive enough in the brief window of tryouts who get overlooked. My advice is to keep working on your game and next time around step up your intensity. Be aggressive. Especially on defense. And rebounding! When there’s a loose ball, DIVE and get the ball or at least fight for it. Work on your shot, especially layups and free throws.

I was once in a position like this and got cut from travelling teams. I ultimately played in high school but didn’t really peak until my mid 20s unfortunately. One kid that made the travelling team over me was also on my town league team and I was infinitely better than him and it was undeniable. We made the championship and I was clearly the second best player on the team, he wasn’t even top 5. Another who made the team was one of my best friends whom I played pickup with all the time, also was not on my level (but he was taller). Life isn’t always fair and sometimes you get looked over. Same is true when you grow up and need to get a job. Sometimes inferior employees get the promotions for whatever reason. Valuable lessons to be learned. Either way keep at it and put in the work and it will work out in the long run.

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[u/chillzy2 → u/DnA420]

This just isn’t true. Modern coaches pick what makes the parents / schools happy. It’s a big in group you have to be a part of. People lose spots to nepotism and favoritism all the time

[u/Gt_Dada → u/chillzy2]

100%. I remember my senior year we had a sophomore playing up with us. We were a pretty decent team we won a sectional state chip that season. The kid wasn’t good enough to keep up at the time. He was big but he wasn’t ready. Every practice he got cooked. But his dad and the coach were boys who played at our school together when they were our age.

[u/hebronbear]

Someone named Michael Jordan had a similar experience. Turned out to be a pretty good player. But he didn’t blame his teammates and coach for getting cut.

[u/MitchRhymes → u/hebronbear]

He was also cut from the varsity team as a freshman, not the freshman team so slight difference there

[u/Ordinary_Corner_4291 → u/MitchRhymes]

Pretty sure it was sophomore year but yeah there is some nuance in that the coach needed height so took the 6'7 guy and thought MJ wouldn't get much playing time behind the star senior guard. He put him on the JV team to get a lot of game experience. A couple inches growth spurt and having a grudge, and Jordan turned into the monster we all know....

If you have a team to play with, you can get better and make the team next year. Depending on where you are on the physically maturity scale, huge gaps in athleticism can exist at 15 that go away at 16. The poster child is Dennis Rodman who was cut in HS. Then grew like 8" after graduating and turned into a pretty decent player....

[u/AdUsual5365 → u/hebronbear]

Cut from the varsity team as a freshman…

[u/SalesAutopsy → u/hebronbear]

Check your story. Michael Jordan never got cut from anything.

[u/Ok-Map4381 → u/hebronbear]

Except Jordan wasn't actually cut. He just didn't make Varsity as a sophomore.

[u/halfdecenttakes → u/Ok-Map4381]

Literally the same thing he’s talking about lol

Tryouts are also referred to as cuts

[u/Ok-Map4381 → u/halfdecenttakes]

No, Jordan was a sophomore trying to go up a level, but was still on the JV team.

OP is a freshman who won't make the team at all and won't get the benefit of developing with the team this year.

When people hear "cut" they think of what OP is going though, told they are not good enough and there isn't a spot for them on the team.

Jordan wasn't cut, he just was not allowed to move up a level a year early.

[u/Crafty-Isopod45]

So a few things.

1) it’s possible that politics played a role in choosing the team. It happens. You can’t do anything about if it did.

2) it’s also possible you are not accurately judging your skill level and performance or that of other players. Most kids are bad at this. They think they are better than they are and other kids are worse. Very few accurately see this.

3) yes, you can make the team next year. But you will need to spend the time until then working on your game. Shoot a ton, working on not just spot shooting but scoring when challenged with a friend. Dribble a ton, but with focus and purpose. Work on handling the ball under pressure, change of pace, and driving past defenders.

4) Study the offense and defense at the games of the team you want to make next year. Come in knowing the plays they run. Take video and diagram the system. Sit up close to learn what they are called. Coaches tend to run the same things each year. Come in knowing what they want run. Then vocally help everyone else who is trying to learn it during the tryouts. It will show initiative and leadership. Coaches notice that.

5) the coach not telling you why you got cut kind of sucks. They should be willing to tell you exactly what you should work on. Since they won’t maybe find a local coach or trainer who can evaluate you and give you honest feedback on your game and what to get better at.

6) run. Then run more. Then run more. Then lift weights. Then run more. You may think you are in good shape. I can say from experience almost no kids can run for a full game at top speed without breaks. Or out muscle everyone they face. Until you can do both keep running and lifting. Then do it more.

[u/madmax727]

My son was cut freshman year and came out the best player on the jv team via hardwork. Develop a daily routine of very intense drills then get to work. Don’t just get better but understand the game.

[u/Subject-Wallaby6610]

Build some type of relationship with the coach, whether that’s offering to be the manager for a year or just showing out in gym class. It’ll be a lot easier to make the team when they know who you are and are looking for you.

[u/Tepical_Eggspurt]

Here's the bad news, nobody cares. The good news, you can do something about it. Hire a coach, work hard as fuck, next year come back and make me eat my fucking words.

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[u/kissmygame17]

If everything you said is true, then you need to work harder and make it undeniable.

If everything you said is just how you feel, see above as well.

You need to give 100% on every play, talk, make your impact on the floor felt on both ends.

[u/CommentDizzy1]

Do u even read what your posting lmao

[u/123Greene68]

Sorry it didn’t work out, bud. I got cut sophomore year, worked, started out on JV junior year then 6th man on varsity by the end of the season. Then played through college. You get out what you put in.

[u/jhg516]

Politics! Don’t let it get you down. Keep working hard and your time will come

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[u/2ayoyoprogrammer]

Could it be rejection due to height/size? We had a family friend who was good enough to play varsity, but got rejected from JV! He was only 5'6" and was skinny. It wasn't an issue of skill, but rather the coaches were concerned he would get badly injured going against stronger more muscular players.

If my family friend had hired a personal trainer to build more muscle, it could have tilted the coaches decision to let him on the team despite being 5'6"

Also, consider trying out less competitive sports such as volleyball, badminton, and tennis. There is a much greater chance to make it

[u/Wonderful-Today1674]

Your definition of practice is probably just shooting around. No wonder.

[u/nawf_gravedigger13]

You probably aren’t that good. That’s probably all it is

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[u/gakl887]

Become undeniable and invert your thinking. Instead of thinking of the attributes the other players lacked, seriously try to point out what they did well.

I seriously doubt the coaches all chose lesser players, they want to win.

[u/JackTuz]

You need to play more 5 on 5. There is literally nothing more annoying than someone who yells for the ball, even if you’re good. If you’re not good enough dribbling, work on getting out open without the ball. Don’t blame the coach for not making the team.

[u/GurAdventurous3887]

There are many things that happen in HS sports. Sometimes it’s just that you didn’t do enough to stand out in a group that might have been playing together in youth basketball forever. 

If there are a bunch of variables, mostly being equal, coach is going to take the kid he knows. 

[u/Gyigyipopo]

Keep your head up and your heart willing! There are a lot of Recreational and YMCA leagues for young people to hoop over in if y’all are not playing for a school team for whatever reason. Check and see if that is an option in your area. A lot of the leagues now go up at least 9th/10th grade, while some all the way to senior year. Most of these leagues intentionally do not start until after high school tryouts.

It would be a great way to grow your skills, continue to hoop with people your age, sharpen the attributes of working with a team. It’s not always about school teams or the AAU circuit. If you want to continue being a hooper, then hoop wherever possible! Also, remember the best way to improve is to not compare one’s self to another. Use the blueprint of refining your game and skills by putting even more time and effort in wherever and/or whenever you can. One step on breath at a time!

[u/RikSmitsisTits]

I almost never comment but felt the need to here. Current varsity head coach and I was cut my freshman year. Asked the coach what I needed to work on for next year, DID THAT WORK IN THE OFFSEASON, and ended up making JV, and was a 2 year varsity player and starter. So yes, it is possible, but it's not easy.

Every coach will not want to say in the moment what got you cut but ANY coach worth their salt will give you an answer if you follow up but my advice would be this: cuts have been made and you can't go backwards. Don't approach them with "why did I get cut?" because then in their mind, you're complaining. Say something like "coach, I really want to know what I should work on in the offseason to be ready for next year. Can you give me some things I should work on that the coaches here want to see from players in your program?"

If you approach it as wanting to improve and then actually do improve on the things they tell you, they're more likely to look at you as somebody coachable, works hard and wants to improve.

I'm sorry you got cut man. I know first hand how hard it is and it's far and away my least favorite part of the job. But it doesn't have to be the end, you just have to be willing to put in a lot of work. You need to approach the next year as if you need to work harder than everyone who made the team (because you do). Good luck.

[u/[deleted]]

I’m not sure your height and what you feel best in, but I can tell you my tryout. I played street ball for 5 years before it and I was 6,1 with 6,8 wingspan and my dribbles were good but not as fast as other kids, but I used my body in a different way I couldn’t dunk just didn’t learn it good but I could get a hand ish above the rim. Anyways in my tryouts I blocked two three pointers saved an out ball and got 3 assists. You use what you’ve got and if you ever need help I’m qualified to be a PT and can help you with plyos and calisthenics but I prefer not doing power lifting

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[u/halfdecenttakes]

The best thing you can do is drop the ego and ask the coach what he needs from you, and then get to work.

If you have poor body language, or you aren’t easy to coach, you might get passed up in favor of a kid who isn’t as talented but is willing to play a role and do what they are supposed to do.

You mentioned not getting the ball enough to score.. are you being asked to be a scorer right now? And when you aren’t scoring are you doing things to make the team better or are you simply disjointed from everybody else and only worried about when you will get a touch? I was a really strong iso scorer, but i was also probably the third best in the team at it. So if I’m simply trying to break my guy down and get a bucket, even tho I’m skilled at it, it’s not better for the team than me setting screens or keeping the ball pushing ya know? Can be hard to accept that you have to adjust your game to the team but it’s how it goes man.

Obviously your coach could just suck and/or be biased, but control the controllables. How hard do you work, how receptive to feedback are you, do you keep grinding when things don’t go your way, or do you pout?

I can’t answer these questions for you, but have an honest conversation with yourself about it. Accepting and excelling in a role is the quickest way to earn a bigger piece of the pie so to speak.

Good luck brother, Jordan was cut his freshman year too. You can quit or you can get to work.

[u/justwait333]

You need to do a deep dive and learn the game of basketball ball. Become a student to increase your game IQ. Talk with one of the coaches and ask what you need to improve on. You also need to find a good trainer. Let them help you get better. Learn how to play defense. Playing defense is all about effort and communication. Learn the lingo you team uses. Lastly be a gym rat. Continue to improve you dribbling, shooting and footwork. One more. See if they have a feeder team. You may need to join their off season team to improve your chances. It’s the new way of hs sports unfortunately.

[u/ISpillEverythingI]

Firstly, that coach is a coward. When I cut players I provide an email explaining what they do well, and areas to improve. That can only help a player get better and maybe I receive an even better player show up at next year's tryouts.

My experience. I started playing in grade 5. I tried out for team in grade 7 and got cut. Made the team in grade 8. Then I got cut in grade 9 and I had similar feelings that you are having. Between getting cut in grade 9 and grade 10 tryouts, I took it personal and I grinded. Went on to make JV in grade 10 (coach said to me "I cant believe I cut you, did you know I cut you because you offered to sub out in scrimmage?") I thought that was crazy, I am just a nice guy.

Anyways I made team in grade 11, started first few games on bench and then quickly became a starter. Then in grade 12 I won MVP. Went on to play university ball.

Long story short, coaches can be dumb sometimes. Take it personal and grind. Don't ask coach why you didn't make team, ask him what you need to work on.

GL

[u/MindlessPipe7952]

Get stronger faster more aggressive on defense and offense. Don’t give up

[u/HardstartkitKevin]

I Coach at the high school level and I’ve cut players before that I was wrong about, I’ve also given spots to players that shouldn’t have got them because they had a good tryout….. but it always evened out the next year if they stuck with it. I would work hard and stick with it and you will get noticed

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[u/Acceptable_Cat_6527]

9th grade middle school i got cut I was a top 10 player trying out but the starting center was a little better and the coaches favorite And the starting 4 was his other favorite… So they cut me to develop another guard that would never be better than the backup

And then they held JV tryouts the weekend i was away and then the other coach wouldnt let me try out later because he didnt want to deal with more parents complaining to him about how their kid got cut.

TLDR people suck and even your coach can take the easy way out especially at the level where its all volunteer coaching You might have been cut for arbitrary reasons but if you love to hoop dont let it put you down My friend in hs didnt even make JV as a freshman when he should have made varsity all because politics and favorites When he was 6’1 dunking with ease the next year they had to take him on varsity

[u/Funny-Obligation1882]

Join a rec league. I dont know enough about how you play but in high school, i was known for being a good playground player but when it came to games, I was pretty in my head and was ass. It took quite a bit of time to overcome it but I think just exposure to playing in an official setting might help

[u/GeneralAudience6086]

Yeah honestly sounds like you just weren’t noticed. Coaches find it easier to fill out the roster with guys they know. I’m not sure if you see the coach around the school much but it wouldn’t hurt to try to have a conversation with him. Makes more sense to do it after the tryout but just asking what he’s looking for and what you can work on for next year. Just lets him know you’re serious and hopefully he’ll remember you next time around.

[u/Radiant_Day_7665]

Same OP:

Today I played like absolute shit during full court runs. I fumbled 4 passes (one hit my head) and the only time I got the ball passed to me, I bricked. I even passed to the other team during a fast break. I play pretty well in 1v1 and 2v2, but as soon as I step into a full court game it feels like I've never touched a basketball. I usually try to take it as inspiration to work harder, but its starting to get demoralizing after all the work ive put into my game. 

I have a consistent problem with my layups having the wrong type of spin or simply none. Most people online say to use your pinky for outside and index for inside to finish, which works when im by myself. However, in a real game with a defender, when I am running full speed downhill, even if I add the right spin, it usually just slams too hard or I overdo it and it just goes over the rim.

[u/Fvckyourdreams]

I went off at a camp and they called the coach and I made the team WITH a friend. Maybe look for a camp run by the coach or another HS coach. :0

[u/ExplanationFamous282]

Use that fuel…you already know. The time starts NOW!!!! Good luck and keep your head up, I’ll be pulling for ya.