Club Volleyball 101: Try-Outs Part II - What to Expect at the Try-Out

Try-outs can be VERY stressful for the athlete and parents.  (It is also very stressful for the Directors and coaches.) I was always very nervous for my daughter to try-out for her club team each year.  Once you and your athlete have decided which club he or she will try-out for, complete all registration forms, submit them online or mail along with tryout fee before the early registration cut-off date. Once this is complete you can focus on ensuring your child is mentally and physically ready for the tryout sessions.  Below you will find information on what athletes should wear and bring to the try-out, what will happen at the try out, and tips for success. 
  
WHAT TO WEAR & BRING TO THE TRY-OUT SESSIONS

• Girls wear spandex shorts, guys wear athletic shorts
• socks and volleyball shoes
• knee pads
• bright colored T-Shirt (white Tees blend in)
• hair should be pulled off face with head band/sweat band or in a pony tail
• bring any paperwork the club has requested like signed waivers or player information sheet
• bring your check book
• bring a refillable water bottle for your athlete
  

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TRY-OUT?

• Check in at try-out site (arrive at least 30 minutes prior to try-out time) Your player will most likely be given a number to pin on her shirt that will identify her throughout try-outs. Athletes can warm-up on their own or with a partner if the staff doesn't give them directions to begin testing. (they should not sit down and wait unless told to do so)
• Physical testing is generally the first order of business with athletes moving from station to station and coaches recording their scores on the player's evaluation form.  Stations include things like measuring vertical jump with an approach, block jump, height, weight, standing reach, agility drills, etc...
• The next phase is usually a series of skills evaluations.  All of the athlete evaluation forms will be taken up and players will be divided into groups (sometimes by position) and assigned to different courts. Often all courts will be doing the same thing and sometimes different skills on each court.  The goal is for each player to be evaluated on each skill and particularly on the skills for the position they are trying out for. The coaches will generally assign a score to each skill for each player.
• Different clubs accomplish skill evaluations in a variety of ways. This phase of try-outs can take a long time depending on the number of players trying out.  Oftentimes this phase takes up the whole first session.
• Don't forget your try-out number for the 2nd session.  Arrive 30 minutes early again.
• The other phase of the try-out is cooperative play in more of a game-like situation.  Coaches want to see how players perform on offense, defense and in transition.  They also want to see players pass in serve receive formation.  Sometimes your player will play in the position she is trying out for, sometimes not. Sometimes they will move players around to see how they interact with other players.

TIPS FOR PLAYERS AND PARENTS

• Players need to be as vocal as possible on the court.  Calling for the ball, yelling in or out, cross or line.  Hitters should call for the ball loudly so the setters can hear them.  They want to get as many hitting opportunities as possible and a vocal player will get noticed before a quiet player does.
• During skills evaluations, a player should try to get as close to the front of the line as often as possible.  Hustling in between attempts to get back into line will ensure as many attempts as possible.  Players will be given water breaks and should not ask when they will be. 
  
• Parents, bring a jacket in case they have the AC cranked up.  You might also want a water bottle for yourself.  A book can help pass the time. Bring a pen and paper in case the director talks to the parents for awhile.
• Don't get flustered by mistakes.  Volleyball is a game of mistakes!
• Do not cheer for your athlete at try-outs and do not yell out reminders or instructions to her. I know it's tempting.  Sometimes, if I caught her eye, I would make a non-verbal hand gesture like "talk" with my hand opening and closing. My daughter has since learned not to look at me! :)
• Hopefully the director of the club or someone on staff will talk to the parents or will pass out information on the procedure for announcing teams.  If nobody addresses this the first night, you should ask.
• From experience, I would not recommend traveling to the try-out with a friend.  This is to prevent awkward situations that arise when teams are announced. (to be addressed in another post)

HOW ARE THE TEAMS CHOSEN & ANNOUNCED?
Part III of my Try Out series will address how teams are chosen and announced and what happens next.