Alright so this season my cousin transferred to Wilson and really wanted to try out for football. Never played organized ball before, just backyard stuff. Figured I’d tag along since I knew the ropes and share how it actually went down step by step.
First, We Had to Get Ready
Heard tryouts were brutal, so about three weeks before school started, we hit the weight room. Seriously, gotta put in that work early. Woke up at 6 AM, four days a week. Started with basic stuff: bench press, squats, deadlifts. My cousin hated leg day, man, but gotta build those quads. Also ran sprints after lifting. Coach likes guys who can move fast, not just lift heavy.
Then Came Registration Day
First Monday after summer break, right? Went straight to the athletics office after homeroom. Line was already snaking down the hall. Paperwork is a pain. Needed proof of a physical, insurance card, all that boring stuff. Signed a bunch of forms promising not to sue if we got hurt. Typical. Paid the activity fee – ouch, that stung a bit. Got handed a practice schedule.
The Awful First Week of Practice
Oh man. “Two-a-days” are no joke. 7 AM to 10 AM, then back 4 PM to 6 PM. August sun is brutal. First day was mostly conditioning, just running drills till we puked. Seriously saw two guys lose their breakfast. Focused on agility ladders and cone drills – backpedaling, shuffling, trying not to trip over your own feet. Learned real quick to hydrate constantly.
- Day 2: More running. Coach split us into offense and defense based on what we thought we could do.
- Day 3: Started basic plays. Felt like trying to memorize Greek. Kept messing up the routes.
- Day 4: Got hit. For real. Pads came out. Remember that first smack? Knocks the wind right outta you.
- Day 5: More hitting. Everyone was sore, walking funny. Team meetings about the playbook at lunch.
Gear Matters Way More Than You Think
Second week was “equipment days.” The school issues helmets and shoulder pads, but you gotta supply the rest. Crucial tip: get cleats fitted RIGHT. My cousin bought his online and they were too small, ended up with monster blisters after day one. Had to go to the sports store and swap ’em. Mouthguards too – gotta mold ’em yourself in hot water. Feels weird at first. Don’t forget the padded pants and decent undershirts.
Coach Started Noticing… Or Not
Third week was intense. Coach was everywhere, clipboard in hand, taking notes. Really watching who hustled, who remembered plays, who could catch or tackle under pressure. Saw him pull a few guys aside individually. He told my cousin he needed way more aggression on the defensive side if he wanted a shot. My cousin started hitting practice sleds extra hard after official practice ended.
The Final Gut Check
Last few practices before cuts felt different. The intensity was sky-high. Everyone knew the roster would be posted soon. Coach put us through crazy hard scrimmages to see who held up under fatigue. Mistakes got called out real loud. It felt like every block, every tackle, every catch was being judged.
Judgment Day
Came in early Friday morning. Coach posted the list outside the locker room door. Man, that crowd is scary. Everyone elbowing to see their name. My cousin was pale as a ghost. Scanned the list for his number… and there it was! Third string cornerback, but he MADE IT. Huge relief, huge smiles. Saw a few guys walk away quietly who weren’t on the list. Tough moment.
So that’s the messy, sweaty, sometimes-painful reality. Gotta be ready before tryouts start. Gotta hustle every single drill. Gotta listen to the coaches. And you gotta want it, bad. See you on the field!
