Should You Stay With Your Volleyball Club or Look Somewhere Else?

# Should You Stay With Your Volleyball Club or Look Somewhere Else?

The club season ends.

Your daughter puts away her jersey.

Maybe Nationals are over.

Maybe the final regional tournament just finished.

And almost immediately, another question begins:

"Are we coming back next year?"

For some families, the answer is easy.

Absolutely.

For others, it isn't.

Maybe your athlete loved her coach but isn't sure about next year's team.

Maybe she didn't develop the way you expected.

Maybe the travel became too much.

Maybe the cost increased.

Maybe another club is interested in her.

Maybe she's simply wondering whether something different would be better.

This decision can become surprisingly emotional.

Families build friendships.

Athletes become attached to teammates and coaches.

Club directors invest in players.

Parents become comfortable with routines.

But SIDELINE believes the decision should ultimately come back to one question:

WHAT ENVIRONMENT GIVES THIS ATHLETE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP DEVELOPING?

Sometimes that's the same club.

Sometimes it isn't.

---

# START BY EVALUATING THE SEASON YOU JUST HAD

Before looking at another club, evaluate the one you're already in.

Don't judge the entire season based on:

• The final tournament
• One disagreement
• One bad match
• One lineup decision
• One emotional conversation
• What another parent said

Look at the whole season.

Ask:

Did my athlete improve?

Was she coached?

Was she challenged?

Did she learn?

Did she become more independent?

Did she enjoy competing?

Was the environment healthy?

Did the club generally deliver the experience we were promised?

Those answers give you somewhere to start.

---

# DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST QUESTIONS

Winning matters.

Competition matters.

Team level matters.

But youth volleyball should also produce better volleyball players.

Compare your athlete at the beginning of the season with the athlete at the end.

Did she improve technically?

Did she understand the game better?

Did she become more confident making decisions?

Did her volleyball IQ improve?

Did she become better at handling pressure?

Did she develop skills beyond the ones she already had?

Development isn't always dramatic.

Sometimes improvement happens slowly.

But there should be evidence that the athlete is moving forward.

---

# DON'T MEASURE DEVELOPMENT ONLY BY PLAYING TIME

More playing time can create valuable competitive experience.

But playing time alone doesn't tell you whether an athlete developed.

A player might play every point without significantly improving.

Another may have a smaller match role while making major technical progress in practice.

Ask:

"Is she becoming a better volleyball player?"

Not simply:

"Is she playing more?"

Both matter.

They just aren't the same question.

---

# EVALUATE THE ACTUAL COACH

One of SIDELINE's most important Club Volleyball 101 lessons is:

YOUR ATHLETE ISN'T COACHED BY A LOGO.

She's coached by a person.

A family may love the club but have concerns about the next coach.

Or they may dislike certain things about the larger organization while their athlete has an outstanding coach.

Before deciding whether to stay, find out who will actually be coaching the team your athlete may join.

Then evaluate:

• Teaching ability
• Communication
• Volleyball knowledge
• Athlete development
• Expectations
• Accountability
• Organization
• Character
• Coaching style

The individual coach can have an enormous impact on the athlete's season.

---

# NEXT YEAR'S EXPERIENCE MAY BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Families sometimes say:

**"We loved this year, so we're definitely staying."**

That's understandable.

But remember:

Next year may mean:

• A different coach
• Different teammates
• A different team level
• A different position
• A different tournament schedule
• Different travel
• Different costs

You aren't necessarily choosing last year's experience again.

You're choosing **next year's opportunity.**

Find out what that opportunity actually looks like.

---

# DON'T STAY ONLY BECAUSE IT'S FAMILIAR

Familiarity is comfortable.

You know:

• The gym
• The coaches
• The parents
• The tournament routine
• The club policies
• The drive
• The uniform
• The culture

There is value in stability.

But familiarity by itself isn't a developmental reason to stay.

If your athlete has outgrown the environment or needs something the club cannot provide, it's reasonable to explore other opportunities.

---

# DON'T LEAVE JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS HARD

The opposite mistake happens too.

An athlete struggles.

Playing time decreases.

A coach demands more.

Another player earns a position.

The team loses.

The athlete becomes uncomfortable.

And immediately:

**"We need another club."**

Maybe.

But difficulty doesn't automatically mean the environment is wrong.

Sometimes development is uncomfortable.

Young athletes need to learn how to:

• Compete for positions
• Receive correction
• Handle disappointment
• Respond to adversity
• Earn responsibility
• Work through frustration

Changing clubs every time something becomes difficult can remove opportunities to develop those skills.

---

# THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISCOMFORT AND A BAD ENVIRONMENT

This distinction matters.

Healthy discomfort might look like:

**"My coach is demanding more consistency from me."**

**"Another athlete is pushing me for playing time."**

**"I have to improve my passing if I want a bigger role."**

**"Practice is challenging."**

Those can be productive.

A concerning environment is different.

Families should pay attention to patterns involving things such as:

• Humiliation
• Bullying
• Unsafe behavior
• Retaliation
• Dishonesty
• Repeated inappropriate communication
• Serious disregard for athlete well-being

SIDELINE believes in demanding coaching.

We also believe:

ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT REQUIRE HUMILIATION.

Athletes can be challenged without being demeaned.

---

# DON'T LEAVE ONLY BECAUSE OF ONE PLAYING-TIME DECISION

Playing time creates emotion.

That's normal.

But one tournament or lineup decision shouldn't automatically determine where your athlete plays next season.

Instead, look at the larger picture.

Was the athlete given feedback?

Did she understand her role?

Did she know what she needed to improve?

Was there an opportunity to compete for more responsibility?

Was she still being developed?

A reduced role can sometimes reveal exactly what an athlete needs to improve.

---

# BUT DON'T IGNORE A DEVELOPMENTAL DEAD END

There is another side to this.

Suppose your athlete spends an entire season:

• Receiving little meaningful instruction
• Repeating the same weaknesses
• Rarely being challenged
• Learning very little
• Receiving almost no feedback

Then it's reasonable to ask whether another environment could better support her development.

Loyalty is valuable.

But loyalty should not require ignoring an athlete's developmental needs.

---

# EVALUATE NEXT YEAR'S ROSTER OPPORTUNITY

Before returning, understand where your athlete may fit.

Ask:

What team is she being considered for?

What position?

Who is coaching?

How many athletes may be rostered at her position?

Is she expected to train multiple positions?

What level will the team compete at?

What does the tournament schedule look like?

You don't need guarantees.

But you should understand the opportunity you're considering.

---

# DON'T CHASE A 1S TEAM JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS 1S

Another club may tell your athlete:

**"We want you on our 1s."**

That sounds exciting.

But remember what we've already learned:

A 1s team at one club isn't automatically stronger than a 2s team somewhere else.

Team labels are internal.

Compare the actual environments.

Who is coaching?

Who is training?

Where are they competing?

What is the roster?

What role is available?

What will your athlete learn?

The number after the club name should not make the decision for you.

---

# DON'T CHASE THE BIGGEST LOGO EITHER

A large, nationally recognized club can offer tremendous opportunities.

So can a smaller club with excellent coaching.

The question isn't:

"Which logo impresses people?"

The question is:

"Where will my athlete develop?"

A big organization with the wrong coach or roster fit may not be better than a smaller organization where the athlete receives outstanding training and meaningful competitive opportunities.

Evaluate the experience.

Not the reputation alone.

---

# FRIENDSHIPS MATTER—BUT THEY SHOULDN'T MAKE THE ENTIRE DECISION

Your daughter may say:

**"All my friends are staying."**

That matters.

Volleyball is social.

Teammates can become incredibly important parts of an athlete's life.

But friendships shouldn't be the only reason to choose a team.

Friends can:

• Make different teams
• Change clubs
• Stop playing
• Move away
• Develop different goals

Choose an environment where your athlete can build new relationships while continuing to develop.

---

# LISTEN TO YOUR ATHLETE

Parents often have strong opinions about clubs.

But the athlete is the one:

• Practicing
• Competing
• Being coached
• Traveling
• Sitting on the bench
• Entering the match
• Building relationships
• Experiencing the environment

Ask her:

"Do you want to come back?"

Then listen.

Don't immediately correct her answer.

Ask:

"Why?"

The reason matters.

---

# THE ATHLETE'S ANSWER SHOULDN'T AUTOMATICALLY DECIDE EVERYTHING EITHER

Listening to your athlete doesn't mean handing a 12-, 13-, or 14-year-old complete responsibility for a major family decision.

A young athlete may want to leave because:

**"My friend is leaving."**

Or stay because:

**"I like the uniforms."**

Parents still have responsibilities involving:

• Finances
• Travel
• Safety
• Coaching
• Family logistics
• Long-term development

The athlete should have a voice.

The family still makes the decision together.

---

# COST CAN BE A COMPLETELY VALID REASON TO CHANGE

Club volleyball can be expensive.

Maybe your family's financial situation changed.

Maybe next year's team travels significantly more.

Maybe club dues increased.

Maybe the season requires more flights and hotels than your family can reasonably manage.

Choosing a more affordable program does not mean your family cares less about volleyball.

Financial sustainability matters.

A volleyball opportunity that creates serious financial stress for the family may not actually be the right fit.

---

# TRAVEL CAN ALSO CHANGE THE DECISION

Maybe the athlete loved the club.

But three practices per week are now an hour away.

Or next year's tournament schedule requires significantly more flights.

Or another club offers comparable development much closer to home.

Time is part of the commitment.

Ask:

"Can we realistically do this for another entire season?"

That's a responsible question.

---

# WHAT ABOUT COLLEGE RECRUITING?

For older athletes who want to play in college, recruiting support may become part of the decision.

Evaluate:

• Tournament schedule
• Competitive level
• Recruiting education
• Club coach involvement
• Recruiting coordinator support
• Communication assistance
• Athlete development

But don't switch clubs simply because someone promises:

**"We'll get her recruited."**

Recruiting isn't something a club can guarantee.

A good program can help.

The athlete still has to develop, communicate, compete, find appropriate schools and participate in the process.

---

# BE CAREFUL WITH TRYOUT-SEASON SALES PITCHES

Tryout season can become emotional.

Clubs are building teams.

Coaches are recruiting players.

Families are comparing options.

Everyone wants certainty.

You may hear:

**"She'll definitely start."**

**"She's exactly what we need."**

**"We'll make her a six-rotation player."**

**"We'll get her recruited."**

**"This team is going to be unbelievable."**

Listen.

Ask questions.

But evaluate what can actually be known before the season begins.

There is a difference between a coach explaining how they envision using an athlete and promising outcomes nobody can guarantee.

---

# LOOK FOR EVIDENCE, NOT JUST PROMISES

If a club says it develops players:

Look at how it trains.

If it says coaches communicate:

Ask current families about communication.

If it says athletes learn multiple skills:

Watch younger teams practice.

If it says recruiting support is excellent:

Ask what the process actually includes.

If it says culture matters:

Watch how adults behave when teams are losing.

Marketing tells you what an organization wants you to believe.

Behavior tells you what the organization actually values.

---

# DON'T LET ANOTHER PARENT MAKE THE DECISION FOR YOU

Club volleyball families talk.

A lot.

One parent may say:

**"We're definitely leaving."**

Another:

**"You have to come with us."**

Another:

**"Everyone good is going to this club."**

Another:

**"That coach is terrible."**

Listen if useful.

Then investigate for yourself.

Another athlete may need something completely different from your athlete.

Their experience isn't automatically your experience.

---

# WHEN STAYING MAY MAKE SENSE

Returning may be worth serious consideration when your athlete has:

• Quality coaching
• Continued development
• Appropriate competition
• A healthy environment
• Good communication
• A reasonable future opportunity
• Trust in the program
• A commitment your family can manage

If something is working, don't feel obligated to change simply because another option exists.

---

# WHEN EXPLORING MAY MAKE SENSE

Looking at other clubs may be reasonable when there are persistent concerns involving:

• Development
• Coaching fit
• Culture
• Team opportunity
• Position development
• Cost
• Travel
• Communication
• Athlete goals
• Family circumstances

Exploring doesn't automatically mean leaving.

It means gathering information before making another commitment.

---

# DON'T BURN BRIDGES

Volleyball communities can be smaller than they appear.

Coaches know coaches.

Players become teammates again.

Families cross paths at tournaments.

College recruiting networks overlap.

If your family decides to leave:

Be professional.

Be respectful.

Fulfill your obligations.

Communicate appropriately.

You don't need to attack the old club to feel confident about choosing a new one.

Sometimes:

"We appreciate our experience, but we believe another opportunity is the right fit for our family."

is enough.

---

# FROM THE SIDELINE

I've spent enough years in club volleyball to see families make this decision for almost every possible reason.

Some leave because they genuinely need something different.

Some stay because they've found a great developmental home.

Some leave chasing a team number.

Some stay because they're afraid of change.

Some follow friends.

Some follow coaches.

Some chase exposure.

Some chase playing time.

And sometimes families become so focused on:

**"Which club should we choose?"**

that they forget the most important person in the decision.

The athlete.

I keep coming back to the same question:

WHAT DOES THIS ATHLETE NEED NEXT?

Not:

**What club has the biggest reputation?**

Not:

**Where are her friends going?**

Not:

**Which team name sounds better?**

What does the athlete need next?

Better ball control?

More competition?

A different teaching style?

More responsibility?

More versatility?

A healthier environment?

A shorter commute?

A more realistic financial commitment?

Figure that out first.

Then evaluate which environment provides it.

---

# COACH MIKE DZ'S ADVICE

Before deciding whether to stay or leave, make two columns.

WHAT IS WORKING?

Write it down.

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

Write that down too.

Then ask:

"Can our current club realistically provide what our athlete needs next season?"

If yes:

Staying may make tremendous sense.

If no:

Explore.

But don't change clubs simply because another club tells you everything will be better.

Make them show you why the environment fits what your athlete actually needs.

The goal isn't to find a perfect club.

Perfect clubs don't exist.

The goal is to find the right environment for the next stage of your athlete's development.

---

# YOUR FAMILY CHALLENGE

Before tryout season, sit down with your athlete and evaluate these areas from 1–5.

COACHING

Did she receive quality teaching?

**1 2 3 4 5**

DEVELOPMENT

Did she become a better volleyball player?

**1 2 3 4 5**

COMPETITION

Was she appropriately challenged?

**1 2 3 4 5**

ROLE

Did she understand her role and how to improve it?

**1 2 3 4 5**

CULTURE

Was the team environment healthy?

**1 2 3 4 5**

COMMUNICATION

Did the club and team communicate effectively?

**1 2 3 4 5**

COST

Was the financial commitment reasonable for our family?

**1 2 3 4 5**

TRAVEL

Was the time and travel commitment sustainable?

**1 2 3 4 5**

ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Does she want to return?

**1 2 3 4 5**

Then answer:

WHAT DOES OUR ATHLETE NEED NEXT?

____________________________

CAN THIS CLUB PROVIDE IT?

____________________________

That conversation is much more valuable than simply asking:

**"Where is everyone else playing next year?"**

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# KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Families should evaluate the entire season before deciding whether to return.
• Development should be one of the biggest factors in the decision.
• Playing time alone does not measure development.
• Evaluate the actual coach your athlete may have next season.
• Next year's experience may be very different even at the same club.
• Familiarity can be valuable, but it isn't automatically a reason to stay.
• Difficulty and healthy competition are not automatically reasons to leave.
• There is a difference between productive discomfort and an unhealthy environment.
• Accountability should never require humiliation.
• Persistent lack of development can be a legitimate reason to explore other environments.
• Understand the likely team, coach, position and roster opportunity before recommitting.
• Don't chase 1s teams or big club names solely for status.
• Friendships matter but should not make the entire decision.
• Athletes should have a meaningful voice in the decision.
• Cost and travel are legitimate parts of evaluating fit.
• Recruiting promises should be evaluated carefully.
• Look for evidence of what a club actually provides rather than relying only on marketing.
• Other families can provide perspective, but their needs may differ from yours.
• Leaving a club can be handled professionally and respectfully.
• The most important question is: **What does this athlete need next?**

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KNOW BEFORE YOU COMMIT.

Staying isn't automatically loyalty.

Leaving isn't automatically progress.

A bigger club isn't automatically better.

A higher team isn't automatically better.

And a different uniform doesn't automatically create a different athlete.

The decision should come back to development.

**What does your athlete need next—and which environment gives her the best opportunity to get there?**

Answer that question honestly.

Then choose accordingly.