Position yourself before you need to. The best seat is claimed before the movie starts.

Most advantages are decided before the thing you are worried about even begins. By the time you need the good seat, the spot on the team, the teacher who will write for you, the arranging is over and you are choosing from what is left. Early costs almost nothing. Late costs whatever is still available.

Look one month ahead and find the moment you will wish you had prepared for. Then do the small early thing now: send the email, show up to the first practice, introduce yourself before you need a favor. It will feel pointless, which is exactly why it works.