I have a try-out for an AAU team tomorrow and I am a little too anxious. How did you guys get your/your son's mind's off of something until the day of? I need to get some sleep tonight and I don't want to be thinking about it too much. I may be over reacting a little. I don't know. I was never nervous before. I'm confident in all the work I put into this. I don't know what's going on.

-Kevin

Kevin - First of all, we'll all be thinking about you and cheering you on in spirit!

Secondly, you should have faith in your abilities. I'm sure you've prepared physically and are ready.

Maybe you can take in a movie or watch a game on the tube tonight. Don't stay up too late though - a good night's rest can make all the difference tomorrow.

Again, remember we're all sending you great thoughts!!! Let us know how your day goes!

quote:

How did you guys get your/your son's mind's off of something until the day of?

Excellent question Kevin.

I have learned over the years it's best not to focus inside yourself so much but more outwards and merely occupy your mind with the process of things YOU can control. Obviously, letting go of the things you cannot control is easier said than done.

For instance, one positive thought you can put in your mind is "No matter what happens, I will not let one other kid on that field out-hustle me, out-work me, be a better team player than me, getting to the field earlier than me or staying later than me" The list of these type of things goes on and on and are positive things to focus on and ultimately let you relax and to play at your best. Plus, I believe hustle is always noticed. One saying I have used with my son on the day of a big game or tryout is I would always say "It's a good day for football" and he would always respond with a smile "Yes indeed, it is a good day for football"

Here is a link to an article that is here on the hsbbweb. It is one of the best I have ever read on the subject and should help you have the proper frame of mind:

Playing Under Pressure

it's not untill 5:30 tomorrow so I guess I may have a little time on my hands. Lafmom and CD, thanks for the kind words. I'm going to get some sleep now. BTW, CD I like your "It's a ggod day for football" thing. Me and my dad need something like that, most of our car rides consist of my game plan for pitching different hitters and it would be helpful to have something "short and sweet" to take my mind off things.

Thanks again,
Kevin

CD,
After reading the article again today, I gather that it would be best to treat it like a practice instead of like something important. Am I correct?

-Kevin

Catcher....good luck today, and please let us know how it goes!

Catcher,

IMO - sometimes - no matter how hard you try - you cant get your mind off a "big day" situation - in any sport.

If that is case - you might as well visualize yourself doing excellent things. Watch yourself - in your minds eye - making the great throw or hitting the ball hard.

It is much better than worrying IMO.

Good luck - and do well!

Well I just got back form it and I feel I did pretty well. I won't know anything until the 18th but I think I have a shot. Competition is really good. No one was bad there, they were all pretty good. The pitchers I caught were throwing some cheddar but I didn't have any problem catching them. One kid there threw 91, it was insane. I didn't catch him, one of the other catchers did. All in all I am pretty happy with how things went. I think I could have done better but I think I did alright. I'll let you guys know on the 18th if I made it or not. The article that CD posted the link to is a really good one, it helped a lot. If you have time, it is a good article to share with others. Thanks for your help everyone.

-Kevin

Kevin - glad to hear things went well

All you can do is go out there and compete and know the decisions that are ultimately made are outside your control. I believe what the coach was saying in that article was focus on the immediate task at hand and don't go out and try and be superman. Just go out, play normally and let the chips fall where they may. Often, when players try and do more than they are capable, they end up playing worse than they are capable.

I don't know if any of you are still wondering or not, being as it's been so long, but I thought I'd let you know what went on. I got a call from the GM there a little under a week ago and he wanted to have a meeting with me and my dad. He said I didn't make the fall team, but he wants me to come play for his spring team next year. I don't know if this a load or not but he said, the reason I didn't make the fall team is because he didn't have room for another catcher. Thanks for all your help everyone, it really helped and I appreciate it.

-Kevin

Kevin, I was wondering what happened and I'm sure some others were as well. I think it's obvious that the coach saw something he appreciated in you to invite you to join his team in the spring. So, you should feel very proud! I'm sure there were many kids there that don't have that honor.

Very often, making a team or being recruited by a college program is based on needs. You can be a super star, but if there's no space or need for ya, best to go somewhere else! Never much fun to sit behind five other kids playing your position!

Thanks for not forgetting about us and keep working hard kiddo!