FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING TRYOUTS
Q: If I missed the information meeting in September, can I still tryout?
A: Absolutely! Stop by and see Coach Kilpatrick. His classroom is 114N and his office is 108N. You can also email him at rkilpatrick@abschools.org
Q: When are tryouts?
A: Tryouts begin on Monday November 27th. For specific times, click HERE
Q: How will tryouts work?
A: All candidates will receive minimum two days of tryouts. Typically freshmen tryout out separately on the first day, and sophomores, juniors and seniors tryout together.
Q: Can a freshman tryout for Varsity?
A: Yes. But please let Coach Kilpatrick know in advance that you would like to be looked at for JV or Varsity. This will mean you would be with the upper classmen on the first day and be expected to complete all conditioning tests.
Q: What are the conditioning tests? Who has to do what?
A: All candidates will complete the Yo-Yo Intermittent Conditioning Test - Level 1 on the first day of tryouts. Sophomore, Juniors, Seniors and Freshmen wanting to be considered for JV or Varsity will also be tested on the bench press (maximum number of reps at 80% of your body weight) and in a "17".
Q: If I have not been in the program in the past and/or did not make a team last year, can I try out this year?
A: Absolutely! The "slate is clean", meaning whether someone was on a team last year carries no weight on who makes a team this year. We have had players who did not make a team one year, make it the following year. And it goes both ways, players who were in the program last year should not assume they will make a team this year.
Q: What is I do poorly on one of the conditioning tests?
A: If you do poorly on a fitness test (Yo-Yo Run or "17"), that would be a concern and an indication that you have not prepared well for tryouts. Candidates are expected to arrive to tryouts in excellent physical condition. Tryouts are not a time to get in shape! The bench press test is to first establish a baseline (especially for sophomores who were not tested as freshman) so that we can see how players improve their strength each year. If a candidate does poorly (or extremely well!) on the bench press test, while it will be taken into consideration, it does not necessarily mean they will be cut or make a team. It is one piece of the "evaluation puzzle". We are though looking to see if juniors and seniors have improved their numbers each season.
Q: How many teams are there?
A: There are three teams: a freshmen team, junior varsity team and the varsity team.
Q: What else do I need for tryouts?
A: You need to bring a hard copy of your report card. Report cards will be emailed out in mid-November. So you will need to print a copy of it with you to the first day of tryouts.
Q: What is the "Green Form" and how do I get one?
A: The green form is the medical release form all candidates need to tryout for any sport. If you are playing a fall sport, your current coach should have it. Ask him/her for the form when your fall season ends and bring it to tryouts. If you did not play a fall sport, you need to get a green form from the front office (see Mrs. Alexander - the Athletic Department secretary). Your parent needs to complete and sign the form and then you need to bring it to the Nurse for her signature. The green form MUST have the school nurse's signature for it to be valid.
Q: What happens if I don't have my green form for the first day of tryouts?
A: No green form = no tryout. No exceptions!
Q: How do I pass in my green form?
A: You can bring it with you to the first day of tryouts, or if you would prefer, hand it in to Coach Kilpatrick in advance.