Youth Inc. Recommends: Four Lightning-Fast Resources for Tryouts

Short on time? These four clips from players, coaches, and pros get straight to the point—and straight to the heart of what makes a great tryout. Whether you’re watching them on the way to practice or sending them to your athlete, they’re quick hits with real value. 

Tryout Mindset: “The Hay Is in the Barn”

What it is: Canadian pro Megan Kinna reminds players that preparation is everything. Her mantra? “The hay is in the barn”—meaning if you’ve put in the work, you don’t need to panic.

Why we like it: This is a perfect mindset reset, especially for anxious players. It encourages confidence, self-trust, and letting your personality and love of the game shine through.

Stick Skills and Offseason Work

What it is: Two college players lay it out clearly: the most important things are effort, consistency, and putting in the work before tryouts even start.

Why we like it: A great reminder for players and parents—your preparation shows up loud and clear, whether you’re ready or not. Stick skills and attitude speak for themselves.

What Ivy League Coaches Look For

What it is: A Yale lacrosse coach shares the truth: there’s no such thing as a perfect player—but there is such thing as perfect effort.

Why we like it: Every athlete needs to hear this. Coaches want effort, not perfection. Share this with players who put too much pressure on themselves.

CLAE: 4 Keys to Tryouts

What it is: Kinna breaks it down into four letters: CLAE. CLAE stands for Coachability, Leadership, Attitude, and Effort. Simple, clear, and easy to remember.

Why we like it: Coaches love players who bring more than just skills. If you want a quick checklist of how to act at tryouts, this is the one to bookmark.