🏀 Back to School & Reps Trials: Keeping Calm, Grounded, and in the Game
As Term 4 tips off, life’s back in full swing — new school routines, homework, and for many families across the Inner West, representative basketball trials.
Players are lacing up for their local clubs and ready to show what they’ve got. There’s energy in every gym — the squeak of shoes, the buzz of competition, and the quiet hope that all the extra sessions and time practicing will pay off.
But in the middle of it all, here’s something we remind every family at One Thru Five: this is still just part of the game. The key is to keep it simple, look after yourself, and stick to the fundamentals — just like on the court.
💆‍♀️ Parents First: Keep Your Cool Under Pressure
Let’s be real — reps trials can feel like a full-court press for parents too. Late dinners, traffic across the Inner West, nerves while you wait for that list to drop.
But the best thing you can do for your child right now? Be their steady teammate.
Your calm is their anchor. When you show up positive, patient, and relaxed, your child plays freer. They don’t need sideline coaching — they need quiet confidence and steady support.
Take a timeout for yourself when you can — even if it’s just a short walk, a deep breath, or switching your phone off for a bit. You’re part of the team too, and looking after yourself keeps the whole family balanced.
🏀 Back to the Basketball Basics
When the gym feels intense and everyone’s watching, it’s easy for kids to forget the small things that matter most. That’s why we talk a lot about “playing the right way” at One Thru Five — not chasing highlights, but mastering habits.
Here’s what that looks like during trials:
Effort every possession. Sprint back on defense. Crash the boards. Dive for loose balls. Coaches notice hustle and effort.
Positive body language. Shoulders up, eyes up, hands up, next-play mentality.
Coachability. Listen, make eye contact, respond — that’s how players separate themselves.
Play with joy. Smile, compete, have fun. Because it’s basketball.
When your child focuses on these controllables, they not only perform better — they feel better, too.
đź“š Balancing School, Sport, and the Grind
Back-to-school plus trials can feel like a double-overtime week. The schedule gets packed, and it’s easy for fatigue to creep in.
That’s why the off-court fundamentals matter just as much as on-court ones:
Rest = Recovery. Growth happens when they sleep.
Fuel up. Good food and hydration before training makes a difference.
Stay organised. Homework first, then hoops. Create structure, not stress.
Screen time subs. A little less scrolling means a lot more focus and calm.
These habits are the same ones elite players use to stay consistent — small daily wins that add up over time.
đź’¬ After the Game: Conversations That Build Confidence
Post-trial car rides can be tricky. Instead of jumping straight into analysis or results, try asking questions that help your child reflect and grow:
“What felt good out there today?”
“What did you learn or notice?”
“What’s something you want to work on before next session?”
These questions shift focus from outcome to effort, helping kids build confidence and resilience — the traits that last well beyond any reps season.
🌱 The Long Game
Rep trials are just one moment in a much bigger journey. Whether they make the team or not, your child is learning how to handle pressure, compete with respect, and bounce back — lessons that translate well beyond basketball.
As parents, when we model perspective, patience, and balance, our kids learn that staying steady under pressure is part of what makes great players and great people.
So as the new school term rolls on and rep trials wrap up, remember:
Keep perspective. Play the long game. And trust the process.
You’ve got this — and so do they. ❤️
At One Thru Five, we help players with their own basketball journey and build habits that last.
🏀 www.onethrufive.com.au
Basketball programs, training, and development for ages 5–14 across Sydney’s Inner West.
