How Club Volleyball Tryouts Work

# How Club Volleyball Tryouts Work

If you've never experienced club volleyball before, tryouts can seem intimidating.

Parents often wonder:

*"How do coaches choose teams?"*

*"What are they looking for?"*

*"What if my athlete has a bad day?"*

Those are completely normal questions.

Understanding how tryouts work can help reduce anxiety and allow your athlete to simply enjoy competing.

---

What Is a Club Tryout?

A club tryout is an evaluation period where coaches observe athletes to determine which team within the club is the best fit for them.

It's important to remember that coaches aren't simply trying to identify the "best" players.

They're trying to build complete teams.

That means evaluating skill, athletic ability, attitude, communication, work ethic, and how players fit together.

---

What Happens During Tryouts?

Every club runs tryouts a little differently, but most include:

• Check-in and registration
• Warm-ups
• Individual skill drills
• Passing evaluations
• Serving evaluations
• Setting and attacking drills
• Defensive drills
• Small-sided games
• Full team play

The goal is to see athletes perform in a variety of situations.

---

What Coaches Are Evaluating

Parents often focus only on volleyball skills.

Coaches see much more.

They're evaluating:

Technical Skills

• Passing
• Serving
• Setting
• Hitting
• Blocking
• Defense

Athletic Ability

• Movement
• Balance
• Coordination
• Quickness
• Jumping ability

Intangibles

Sometimes the most important things aren't measured by statistics.

Coaches notice:

• Coachability
• Communication
• Hustle
• Positive body language
• Leadership
• Competitive spirit
• Teamwork
• Effort after mistakes

Those qualities often separate athletes with similar skill levels.

---

One Mistake Won't Ruin a Tryout

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in youth volleyball.

Athletes often believe:

*"I missed that serve... I blew my chance."*

That's rarely true.

Experienced coaches expect mistakes.

We're watching what happens after the mistake.

Do you recover?

Do you keep competing?

Do you encourage teammates?

Do you stay engaged?

Resilience often leaves a stronger impression than perfection.

---

Coaches Are Building Teams

A tryout isn't simply a ranking of athletes from best to worst.

Coaches are trying to build balanced teams.

They're considering:

• Positions
• Team chemistry
• Leadership
• Skill combinations
• Future development
• Practice environment

Sometimes an athlete isn't placed on a particular team because of fit—not because they aren't talented.

---

What Parents Should Do

Parents have one very important job during tryouts.

Reduce pressure.

Instead of saying:

*"You have to make this team."*

Try saying:

*"Go compete. Work hard. Have fun. Let the coaches see who you are."*

Confidence grows when athletes feel supported instead of judged.

---

What Happens After Tryouts?

Every club has its own timeline.

Some extend offers quickly.

Others take more time evaluating athletes before finalizing rosters.

If your athlete receives an offer, take time to understand:

• Team level
• Practice schedule
• Tournament schedule
• Financial commitment
• Club expectations

Choosing a club is about more than simply accepting the first offer.

---

From the Sideline

I've run more tryouts than I can count.

Parents often assume we're searching for perfection.

We're not.

We're searching for potential.

I've watched athletes struggle early in tryouts and then completely change the way I viewed them because they never stopped competing.

I've also watched incredibly talented athletes remove themselves from consideration because of poor effort, negative body language, or an unwillingness to be coached.

Talent opens doors.

Character keeps them open.

---

Common Mistakes Parents Make

• Placing too much pressure on one tryout.
• Comparing their athlete to everyone else.
• Assuming one mistake ruined everything.
• Judging coaches before understanding the process.
• Focusing only on what team their athlete makes.

---

Key Takeaways

• Coaches evaluate much more than volleyball skills.
• Effort, attitude, and coachability matter.
• One mistake rarely determines the outcome.
• Clubs are building complete teams, not ranking athletes.
• Support your athlete before, during, and after the process.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my athlete has a bad tryout?

One difficult day doesn't define an athlete. Continue working, seek feedback when appropriate, and remember there will be future opportunities to grow.

Should parents speak with coaches after tryouts?

Follow each club's communication process. Many clubs have designated times for questions after team selections are announced.

What if my athlete doesn't make the team they hoped for?

While disappointing, setbacks often become powerful motivation. Many outstanding athletes have used disappointment as fuel to continue improving.

---

Continue Learning

• Understanding Team Levels
• Understanding the Club Volleyball Season
• Understanding Club Volleyball Costs
• What Happens at Your First Tournament?
• Understanding Playing Time

A tryout is one step in a much longer journey.

Don't let one day determine how your family views the entire season.