Travel Volleyball: What Families Need to Know

# Travel Volleyball: What Families Need to Know

One weekend you're driving across town for a tournament.

The next you're leaving school early on Friday, driving four hours, checking into a hotel, playing volleyball all weekend, and getting home late Sunday night.

At higher levels, you may eventually add airports, rental cars, convention centers, and trips across the country.

Welcome to travel volleyball.

Travel can create some of the most memorable experiences of a club season.

It can also become one of the largest commitments a family makes.

Before joining a travel-heavy team, families should understand something important:

You're not just committing to volleyball.

You're committing to everything required to get your athlete to the volleyball.

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# NOT EVERY CLUB TEAM TRAVELS THE SAME AMOUNT

Travel expectations can vary dramatically.

Some teams primarily compete locally.

Others travel throughout their region.

Higher-level teams may travel to major events across the state or country.

That is why terms such as:

**National**

**Regional**

**Local**

can matter when choosing a team.

They don't only describe competition.

They can also describe your family's weekends.

Before accepting a roster spot, understand where the team expects to compete.

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# ASK FOR THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Whenever possible, review the expected tournament schedule.

Look at:

• Number of tournaments
• Cities
• Driving distance
• Overnight trips
• Multi-day events
• Potential flights
• Holiday weekends
• Qualifiers
• Possible postseason events

Don't simply ask:

**"Does this team travel?"**

Ask:

"Where are we actually expected to go?"

There is a huge difference between several two-hour drives and several flights across the country.

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# TRAVEL COSTS CAN EXCEED WHAT FAMILIES EXPECT

Club dues are usually only part of the financial commitment.

Travel can include:

• Hotels
• Gas
• Flights
• Rental cars
• Parking
• Tolls
• Food
• Tournament admission
• Baggage fees
• Airport transportation
• Additional nights when schedules require them

A tournament that looks manageable on the club calendar can become expensive once the entire family trip is calculated.

This is why families should evaluate the **total season**, not simply the club fee.

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# HOTELS ARE A MAJOR PART OF TRAVEL VOLLEYBALL

For overnight tournaments, families may spend a significant number of nights in hotels throughout the season.

Some events have specific hotel procedures or requirements.

Others may provide more flexibility.

Your club should communicate the expectations for each event.

Pay attention to:

• Reservation deadlines
• Cancellation policies
• Required stay dates
• Distance from the venue
• Parking charges
• Breakfast availability
• Check-in times

Don't assume every tournament hotel works the same way.

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# WHAT DOES "STAY-TO-PLAY" MEAN?

You may hear the term:

**Stay-to-play.**

Generally, this refers to events where participating teams or clubs are expected to use designated hotel arrangements connected to the tournament.

Specific requirements vary by event.

If your tournament uses this type of system, your club should provide instructions for booking.

Don't reserve a nonrefundable hotel somewhere else before understanding the event's requirements.

A cheaper room isn't cheaper if you cannot use it.

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# DON'T WAIT TOO LONG TO HANDLE HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Large volleyball tournaments can bring thousands of athletes and families into one area.

Hotels can fill quickly.

Once your club provides legitimate booking information, pay attention to the deadlines.

Waiting may mean:

• Fewer hotel choices
• Longer drives
• Higher prices
• Limited room types

Tournament travel becomes much easier when accommodations are handled early.

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# THINK ABOUT DISTANCE FROM THE VENUE

A hotel may look inexpensive until you realize it is 40 minutes from the tournament facility.

Now imagine:

Your athlete has a 7:00 AM arrival time.

Parking takes 20 minutes.

Walking from the parking lot takes another 10.

Suddenly that cheaper hotel requires a very early morning.

When comparing hotels, consider:

**Price + Parking + Distance + Convenience**

not simply the nightly rate.

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# FLIGHTS REQUIRE EXTRA PLANNING

Flying to a tournament adds another layer.

Families need to consider:

• Tournament start time
• Tournament finish time
• Airport distance
• Transportation
• Baggage
• Possible delays
• Team arrival expectations

Be especially careful with the flight home.

Your team may continue advancing.

The tournament may run behind.

Your athlete may have officiating responsibilities after the final match.

Booking a flight that requires leaving early can put your family in a difficult situation.

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# DON'T ASSUME YOU KNOW WHEN THE TOURNAMENT WILL END

This deserves repeating.

Tournament finish times can be unpredictable.

Your team may:

• Advance farther than expected
• Play additional matches
• Wait for another result
• Have officiating responsibilities
• Experience court delays

If you're driving home, that may simply mean getting home later.

If you're trying to catch a flight, it can become a much bigger problem.

Whenever possible, leave enough flexibility.

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# THE ATHLETE'S SCHEDULE SHOULD DRIVE THE TRIP

Travel volleyball can sometimes begin feeling like a family vacation.

And there is nothing wrong with enjoying a new city.

But remember why you're there.

Your athlete may need:

• Sleep
• Food
• Hydration
• Recovery
• Team time
• Preparation

If she has to arrive at the gym early the next morning, staying out late sightseeing may not be the best decision.

You can enjoy the experience without forgetting that your athlete is there to compete.

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# SLEEP MATTERS

Tournament weekends can create terrible sleep habits.

Late dinner.

Hotel excitement.

Teammates hanging out.

Early alarm.

Then several matches.

Young athletes may feel like they can handle it.

Their performance may say otherwise.

Sleep affects recovery, focus, energy, decision-making, and physical performance.

Travel is part of the competitive environment.

Learning how to manage it is part of becoming an athlete.

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# FOOD CAN BECOME COMPLICATED

At home, meals are predictable.

On the road, they aren't.

Tournament schedules may create strange eating windows.

Restaurants may be crowded with other volleyball teams.

The facility may have limited options.

Your team may finish late.

Families should have a basic plan.

Consider:

• Breakfast options
• Food between matches
• Post-tournament meals
• Snacks
• Hydration
• Restaurant availability

You don't need to turn every meal into a science experiment.

Just don't wait until your athlete is exhausted and starving to decide what she's going to eat.

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# PACK FOR VOLLEYBALL FIRST

A forgotten swimsuit is inconvenient.

A forgotten jersey can become a much bigger problem.

Before leaving home, athletes should make sure they have the essentials required to compete.

Depending on the athlete and club, that might include:

• Uniforms
• Volleyball shoes
• Knee pads
• Socks
• Team warmups
• Water bottle
• Required braces or supports
• Personal medications
• Necessary identification or event credentials

Families can help younger athletes.

But as players get older, packing should increasingly become **their responsibility**.

Travel volleyball is a great opportunity to teach independence.

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# CREATE A SIMPLE PACKING ROUTINE

Constant travel becomes easier when athletes develop routines.

Instead of rebuilding the packing list every Friday, create a system.

For example:

VOLLEYBALL BAG

Everything needed inside the gym.

TRAVEL BAG

Clothing and overnight items.

FOOD / HYDRATION

Items needed for the tournament day.

DOCUMENTS / PHONE

Schedule, hotel information, tickets, identification, chargers, and necessary communication.

Simple routines reduce stress.

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# KNOW HOW YOU'RE GETTING TO THE GYM

This sounds obvious.

Until you're standing in a hotel lobby at 6:15 AM and nobody knows who has the rental car.

Before tournament morning, know:

• Who is driving?
• How long is the trip?
• Where is parking?
• What time are athletes expected?
• Are teammates riding together?

Don't solve basic transportation problems five minutes before you need to leave.

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# PARKING CAN BE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

Large convention-center tournaments can have significant parking challenges.

You may encounter:

• Parking garages
• Daily parking fees
• Long walks
• Full lots
• Traffic around the venue

Build that into your arrival plan.

**Arriving at the parking garage is not the same thing as arriving at the court.**

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# SCHOOL CAN BE AFFECTED

Travel volleyball can occasionally require athletes to miss school or leave early.

Families should understand this possibility before choosing a travel-heavy team.

Older athletes especially need to learn how to manage:

• Assignments
• Tests
• Communication with teachers
• Travel days
• Homework

Volleyball should help teach responsibility.

It should not become a permanent excuse to ignore it.

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# PARENTS HAVE TO MANAGE THEIR SCHEDULES TOO

Travel doesn't only affect the athlete.

Parents may have:

• Work
• Other children
• Family responsibilities
• Pets
• Transportation challenges

One athlete's tournament can affect an entire household.

Before committing to an aggressive travel schedule, have an honest family conversation.

Can we realistically do this?

Not:

**Can we somehow survive it?**

But:

Can this fit our family without creating constant financial and logistical stress?

That matters.

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# NOT EVERY FAMILY HAS TO ATTEND EVERY TRIP THE SAME WAY

Depending on the athlete's age and club policies, families sometimes find different ways to manage travel.

Parents may alternate trips.

Athletes may travel with approved family arrangements.

Families may share transportation where appropriate.

What works depends on the club, athlete, family, and event.

Don't compare your family's travel experience to someone else's.

Build something sustainable for yours.

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# TEAM TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS MATTER

Some clubs have specific expectations about:

• Athlete transportation
• Hotel stays
• Team meals
• Curfews
• Arrival times
• Team meetings
• Parent involvement

Understand those expectations before traveling.

If athletes are expected at a team meeting at 8:00 PM, your family shouldn't discover that while sitting down for dinner across town.

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# TRAVEL CAN BUILD TEAM CHEMISTRY

There is another side to all of this.

Travel can create incredible memories.

Athletes spend time together outside the gym.

They:

• Eat together
• Laugh together
• Experience new places
• Celebrate wins
• Process losses
• Build friendships

Some of the relationships athletes remember most from club volleyball aren't created during drills.

They're created during the hundreds of hours surrounding them.

Travel can help turn a roster into a team.

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# BUT THE HOTEL IS NOT THE TOURNAMENT

This is worth teaching young athletes.

Hotel hallways are not practice courts.

Other guests may be trying to sleep.

Hotel staff should be treated respectfully.

Teams should not leave behind a reputation for:

• Running through hallways
• Excessive noise
• Damaging property
• Leaving huge messes
• Disrespecting employees

How athletes behave away from the court still represents themselves, their families, their team, and their club.

Character travels too.

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# RECOVERY BETWEEN DAYS MATTERS

At a multi-day event, Saturday night is part of Sunday's preparation.

Athletes should think about:

• Hydration
• Food
• Sleep
• Physical recovery
• Mental reset

A difficult Saturday doesn't need to become a difficult Sunday.

Neither does a great Saturday guarantee anything the next morning.

Recover.

Reset.

Compete again.

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# DON'T TURN THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME INTO A PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Your athlete may have just spent:

Two or three days competing.

Hours inside a gym.

Time traveling.

Emotional energy.

Physical energy.

Then she gets into the car.

She may not want an immediate breakdown of every serve, swing, substitution, and mistake.

Sometimes the best question is:

**"Do you want to talk about volleyball or do you want to relax?"**

Travel creates plenty of time together.

It doesn't all need to become coaching time.

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# IS ALL THAT TRAVEL ACTUALLY NECESSARY?

This is a fair question.

More travel does not automatically mean better development.

Flying farther doesn't automatically mean the competition is better.

A team should have a reason for its schedule.

Travel may provide access to:

• Stronger competition
• Larger events
• Qualifying opportunities
• Different opponents
• Recruiting exposure for appropriate ages
• Important postseason opportunities

But travel itself isn't development.

The volleyball opportunity should justify the commitment.

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# FROM THE SIDELINE

I've spent countless weekends traveling for volleyball.

Early flights.

Late drives.

Convention centers.

Hotels filled with volleyball teams.

Parents drinking coffee before sunrise.

Athletes sleeping in vans.

Families trying to figure out where they're eating after the last match.

It's part of this world.

And some of my favorite memories in volleyball have come from those trips.

But I've also watched families stretch themselves financially and logistically because they believed more travel automatically meant a better volleyball experience.

It doesn't.

The question should never simply be:

**"How far does this team travel?"**

The better question is:

"What are we getting from the travel?"

Better competition?

An important event?

A meaningful opportunity?

A developmental challenge?

Travel should serve the volleyball experience.

The volleyball experience shouldn't exist simply to justify the travel.

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# COACH MIKE DZ'S ADVICE

Before committing to a travel team, sit down with the entire schedule.

Don't just look at the tournaments.

Look at what each tournament means for your family.

For every trip, consider:

DISTANCE

Drive or fly?

TIME

How many days are involved?

COST

Hotel, transportation, food, admission, parking and everything else.

FAMILY IMPACT

Work? School? Siblings? Other responsibilities?

VOLLEYBALL VALUE

Why is the team attending this event?

Then look at the **entire season.**

One expensive weekend may be manageable.

Ten expensive weekends create a very different commitment.

Know that before you commit.

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# YOUR FAMILY CHALLENGE

Before accepting a spot on a travel team, take the proposed tournament schedule and mark every event:

LOCAL

No overnight travel expected.

DRIVE

Overnight trip within driving distance.

MAJOR TRAVEL

Likely flight or significant multi-day commitment.

Then estimate:

**How many hotel nights will we need?**

____________________________

**How many weekends will require travel?**

____________________________

**How many may require flights?**

____________________________

**How many school or work days could be affected?**

____________________________

Finally ask:

Can our family realistically support this schedule for the entire season?

Make that decision before the season begins—not halfway through it.

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# KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Travel expectations vary significantly between club teams.
• Families should review the expected tournament schedule before committing.
• Travel expenses can add substantially to the true cost of club volleyball.
• Hotel requirements vary by event.
• Some tournaments use designated hotel arrangements such as stay-to-play programs.
• Distance, parking, and convenience matter when evaluating accommodations.
• Flights require flexibility because tournament finish times can be unpredictable.
• Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and recovery are part of tournament performance.
• Athletes should gradually take responsibility for packing and preparation.
• School, work, siblings, and family responsibilities should be considered.
• Clubs may have specific team-travel expectations.
• Travel can create valuable friendships and team experiences.
• Athlete behavior away from the gym still represents the team and club.
• More travel does not automatically equal better development.
• Families should evaluate the volleyball value of the travel.
• The entire season's travel commitment matters more than any single weekend.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU COMMIT.

Travel volleyball can provide incredible competition, experiences, friendships, and memories.

But every trip requires time, money, planning, and energy from the entire family.

Before choosing a travel-heavy team, don't simply ask:

**"Where do they play?"**

Ask:

**"Why are we going there, what will it require from our family, and is the opportunity worth the commitment?"**