Fall is here, which means school and extracurricular activities are here, too. One of the many sports popular during the fall is soccer. As with any sport, you can’t just show up for tryouts and expect to make the team, you’ve got to invest the time and effort necessary to show coaches that you have what it takes.

Here are some tips to help set you up for success.

Pre-Season Prep

Athletes need to stay focused all year, even when there are no games on the schedule. During the weeks and months leading up to tryouts focus on these things and you’ll be on point come game time.

Nutrition: If you’re serious about being a top soccer player, get serious about nutrition. The old saying “you are what you eat” is true! It’s OK to indulge from time to time, but do it in moderation. Great nutrition begins with eating a healthy breakfast. It’s, the most important meal of the day. Yogurt, oatmeal, fruit and milk are all nutritious options for a balanced breakfast. Eating healthy foods has been proven to improve metabolism, increase alertness and raise energy levels, so start your day off right.

Fitness: In order to elevate your performance on the court, it’s important to stay fit. In soccer, stamina and strength are key. Cardiovascular exercises such as running, biking, and jumping rope are excellent for increasing stamina. To increase strength, be sure to work each major muscle group through resistance training. If you commit to a fitness regimen in the summer, you’ll be in great shape well before it’s time for tryouts .

Practice: Summer is a great time to improve performance in the six main soccerl techniques of serving, blocking, hitting, digging, passing and setting. If possible, it’s an ideal time to attend soccer camps or work one on one with coaches to fine tune your game. You might also consider filming practice. Video analysis serves as a valuable tool and allows players to watch missteps on the court and correct errors for future games.

Tips for Tryouts

While the above section includes some things to work on in the off-season, keep the below tips in mind during the days leading up to soccer tryouts and on the big day.

Sleep: Experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep per night. This is especially important before a big event, like soccer tryouts! Ensure you’re properly rested and ready to perform to your maximum level by getting a full night’s sleep.

Arrive Early: First impressions are everything. If you arrive early to tryouts you might be able to catch the coach for a brief conversation beforehand and you’ll also ensure that you have enough time to warm up, stretch and mentally prepare. It’s never a bad idea to arrive early. If you can’t be early, be promptly on time. Definitely don’t be late.

Get Noticed: Be vocal, energetic, and have a positive attitude during tryouts. Positivity will help you stand out from the crowd and will show that you‘re a team player. Chemistry is crucial to all sports, and if a team isn’t in sync success is unlikely. Coaches are always on the lookout for players that can elevate the entire team. Show off your leadership qualities by being vocal and confident, show you’ll never flake on a play by being energetic, and show you’re a team player by cheering for others and having a positive attitude. Coaches love to see that.

With fall here, soccer tryouts will arrive before you know it. Hopefully you’ve been working all summer to hone your skills. If you haven’t, now’s the time to start! When it comes to tryouts, don’t take anything for granted. Follow the above tips and suggestions to make sure you’re among the best and are selected to make the team this fall.