Lots of kids feel nervous and have self-doubts when trying out for a team or club. That's a normal reaction to risk taking. Taking risks requires courage — being willing to try, despite the fear. I'd start by asking him to tell you more about what he is thinking and feeling and to let him know that you feel nervous and have self-doubts too. The challenge is to try things even when you have self-doubts, not to eliminate all self doubt and nervousness. Sometimes kids feel embarrassed if they are not being "positive" enough and the first step in feeling more positive is to not feel bad about feeling negative and having fears. After you've given him time to share his fears and doubts with you, work with him to develop an image of himself during tryouts. By creating a positive image together, you can help him to feel more relaxed and willing to take the risk. The goal is to create as detailed an image as possible. What will he wear? What will he eat for breakfast or lunch that day? Who will he go to the tryouts with? What will he say when he sees the coach? Help him to imagine himself playing lacrosse — not perfectly — but catching and throwing, checking, scooping up the ball — and help him to feel the fun it is (after all, that's why he wants to be on the team). Once you have created this image together, you can rehearse it with him before the try-outs. Children also learn a lot from hearing our stories of taking risk, successes and failures. So think back to your own experiences trying new things or trying out for a team or club and share what it was like for you. Talk about what you were afraid of or worried about and how it felt for you to try it anyway. The more we model courage, the more courageous our children will be.