What's the Deal with Walk-On Tryouts for College Sports?

I’ve been playing sports throughout high school, and while I wasn’t recruited, I’m considering walk-on tryouts for college teams. How do walk-on tryouts generally work, and what are the odds of actually making a team as a walk-on? Also, any advice on how to impress the coaches during these tryouts? I’m not banking on receiving a scholarship through this route, but I’d love the chance to continue playing in college.

Walking-on to a college sports team can be an exciting opportunity for athletes who weren't recruited but have a passion for a sport and the skill to be a competitive collegiate player. Generally, walk-on tryouts can be an open opportunity for students enrolled at the college to demonstrate their abilities in hopes of joining the team. While the specifics of walk-on tryouts can vary widely by school and specific sport, in many cases, they involve a series of drills, workouts, and skill assessments designed to evaluate your athletic competency.

The chances of making a team as a walk-on can depend heavily on factors like the specific sport, the size and competitiveness of the team, and of course, your individual skill level. Keep in mind, many colleges have both relay and non-relay sports, and it might be easier to walk-on for a non-relay team where more player positions are available.

In terms of preparing for a walk-on tryout, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, make sure you're physically prepared. Regular conditioning, skill practice, and cross-training in the months leading up to tryouts can increase your physical preparedness. On the cognitive side, learn as much as you can about the team's tactics and dynamics. Is there a certain scheme or system they favor? What's their overall style of play? The more you know about the team's way of playing, the better you can demonstrate how you'd fit into that framework.

Additionally, remember that many coaches do value qualities like work ethic, team-spirit, and positive attitude along with technical skills. It’s essential to show up to the tryout determined, ready to give your all not only physically but also in terms of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Lastly, and importantly, be sure to investigate the specific walk-on tryout procedures and eligibility requirements for the team you're interested in at your college. You’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork, meet any academic criteria, and understand the individual expectations for your sport’s tryouts. It’s not a bad idea to reach out to the coach or athletics department before the tryout to ensure you have all the pertinent information.

Remember to keep realistic expectations and understand that waling-on might be a long process starting from proving your skills, fitting into the team, growing as a player, and consistently demonstrating improvement. Even if you do make the team, there might not be a guarantee of substantial playing time initially. However, don’t get disheartened. Walking-on to a sports team, besides being about competitiveness, is as much about cherishing the sport, enhancing your college experience, and pursuing your passion. Good luck!