By Joshua S

You may be excited to try out for a sport at Lufkin, here are some steps to get  started. As you may know, there are many sports at Lufkin including  Football, Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Cheerleading, Boys and  Girls Basketball, Softball, and Track. These sports take place at different  parts of the year, but most of the school year, there are sports being played. 

The first step is deciding if you want to play a sport and figuring out which  one interests you most. Once you’ve picked a sport, research its schedule and  length. Some seasons can be long, so it’s important to plan ahead and make  sure you have transportation home after practices and games. Most sports  require practice three days a week and have one game per week, so keep in  mind how this might fit with your other after-school activities. 

Before trying out, you’ll need your parents to fill out the necessary  paperwork on DragonFly, an online platform used for school sports. You’ll  also need to complete a physical exam with a doctor. Once those steps are  done, the coach can sign you up for tryouts. 

At tryouts, remember that not everyone makes the team, and that’s fine. For  example, the basketball team usually has 13 players on its roster, while  soccer teams can have around 24. Many sports have more students trying out  than available spots. If you don’t make the team, don’t be discouraged, you  can always try again next year or explore other sports. 

Lastly, if you make the team, great job! Make the most of your experience by  practicing hard and having fun. If you don’t make the team, consider  becoming a manager. Managers help the coach during practices and games,  and it’s a great way to stay involved, especially for sixth graders who aren’t 

eligible to try out. Being a manager can also give you experience, and a better  chance of making the team next year. Good luck, and remember to have fun!