How Do You Become a Walk-On Athlete?
So, you want to become a walk-on athlete because you didn’t get an athletic scholarship to your favorite school. Here are five simple steps to make playing at the next level a reality.
STEP #1:
Get into that college, whichever one you want to go to, do what you need to do to get in. Find scholarships, grants, student loans, or get an extra job. Make it happen. There can be no excuses. Once you’re in, now you at least have a chance to make the team.
STEP #2:
Go online and do some research. Find out about open tryouts for your specific sport. Research what the top athletes, who have scholarships in the position you want to play, to get an idea of where your skill set is next to them. Be brutally honest with yourself about this.
STEP #3:
Make a list of things that you need to do to get better than the scholarship athletes (no matter how good you already are). Implement a plan of action to make those improvements. If needed, hire a trainer and a nutritionist. If cost is an issue, go online and find information so you can learn what you need to do yourself. NO EXCUSES.
STEP #4:
Perform. Perform when you are called upon to do so. Understand that at open tryouts there could be 500+ people trying out for 2 or 3 spots on the team. How are you going to make yourself stand out and rise to the occasion? What sets you apart from the other 500 people? Know your strength and focus. You get one shot to impress the coaches so make them know your name. Be in front of every line and go 100% in every drill. Do not accept NO for an answer.
STEP #5:
Follow up. Even if you get cut, ask the coaches why and what you should improve on so you can make the team in the future. Then actually put in the hard work to do it. Many organizations have a red-shirt program. In this case, you can practice with the team, but you do not play in the games for a certain amount of time. If you are offered to be apart of this type of program, take it. Let them know that you want this more than anything and you will not give up until they say yes.
Understand that being part of a college team is a privilege and they only take the best of the best. It is always a long shot to become the walk-on athlete in school. You must be a much harder worker than anyone else, have a better attitude, have better grades, and be a great, all-around person for them to take notice of you. There is such a small chance for you to walk on a college team at any level, but it is possible. With following these five easy steps, you may very well be on the way to being a part of something great. Go out there and don’t let anyone outwork you! Do your absolute best and leave nothing on the table and understand other people will be there too, to do the same. You CAN be the next “walk on athlete” to the college of your choice, but you have to be willing to put in the work.