What Coaches Are Really Looking for at Tryouts

# What Coaches Are Really Looking for at Tryouts

One of the biggest misconceptions about volleyball tryouts is that coaches are only looking for the most talented athletes.

That's simply not true.

Talent certainly matters.

Height matters.

Athleticism matters.

Skill matters.

But after coaching for more than 25 years, I can tell you that those aren't the only things I'm evaluating.

In many cases...

They aren't even the most important things.

Great coaches aren't just trying to build talented teams.

They're trying to build successful cultures.

That means evaluating the entire athlete—not just the volleyball player.

---

Coaches Watch Everything

Parents often focus on what happens when their athlete touches the ball.

Coaches are watching everything.

How does the athlete warm up?

Do they hustle between drills?

Do they encourage teammates?

Do they make eye contact when receiving instruction?

How do they respond after making a mistake?

How do they treat other players?

What kind of teammate are they becoming?

Sometimes the moments between drills tell us more than the drills themselves.

---

Coachability Matters

One of the first things I look for is coachability.

Can an athlete listen?

Can they make adjustments?

Do they apply feedback quickly?

Or do they repeat the same mistake over and over without trying to change?

Every athlete will make mistakes.

That's expected.

What separates athletes is how they respond after being coached.

The athletes who improve the fastest are usually the ones who welcome instruction instead of resisting it.

---

Effort Is Always Visible

You don't have to be the tallest player to impress a coach.

You don't have to hit the hardest ball.

You don't even have to make every play.

But every athlete can control their effort.

Do they sprint after every ball?

Do they compete in every drill?

Do they keep working when they're tired?

Do they finish every rep?

Effort is one of the easiest things for coaches to notice because it shows up on every court and in every drill.

---

Communication Separates Players

Volleyball is a team sport.

Silent teams rarely become great teams.

During tryouts, coaches notice athletes who:

Call the ball.

Encourage teammates.

Communicate during transitions.

Celebrate others.

Help organize the court.

Communication demonstrates confidence, leadership, and awareness.

It tells coaches that an athlete makes the players around them better.

---

Mistakes Don't Eliminate Athletes

Many athletes believe one mistake ruins their tryout.

It doesn't.

What coaches notice is what happens next.

Does the athlete:

Drop their head?

Blame someone else?

Stop competing?

Or...

Take a breath...

Reset...

And prepare for the next play?

Volleyball is a game of mistakes.

Resilience is often more valuable than perfection.

---

Coaches Look for Potential

Sometimes an athlete isn't the best player in the gym.

But they show incredible potential.

Maybe they're athletic.

Maybe they're highly coachable.

Maybe they compete relentlessly.

Maybe they simply haven't had great coaching yet.

Experienced coaches often ask themselves:

*"What could this athlete become six months from now?"*

Not just...

*"Who are they today?"*

Potential matters.

---

Parents Play a Role Too

Many parents don't realize they're making an impression during tryouts.

Coaches notice parents who:

Support respectfully.

Allow coaches to coach.

Encourage their athlete.

Treat others with kindness.

Remain composed under pressure.

Just as coaches evaluate athletes...

They often evaluate whether the family will be a positive addition to the program.

Club volleyball is a partnership.

Healthy partnerships begin with mutual respect.

---

From the Sideline

Over the years I've offered roster spots to athletes who weren't the most talented player at tryouts.

Some people questioned those decisions.

Months later...

Those same athletes became leaders.

Not because they suddenly became the tallest or strongest players.

Because they listened.

They worked.

They cared about their teammates.

They accepted coaching.

They improved every week.

Talent may get an athlete noticed.

Character and coachability often determine how far they go.

---

What Parents Should Tell Their Athlete Before Tryouts

Instead of saying:

*"You need to make this team."*

Try saying:

*"Compete hard."*

*"Be a great teammate."*

*"Listen to your coaches."*

*"Play with confidence."*

*"Have fun."*

Those are things your athlete can control.

And they're exactly the qualities coaches appreciate.

---

Common Mistakes Parents Make

• Believing tryouts are only about talent.
• Putting unnecessary pressure on their athlete.
• Coaching from the sidelines during evaluations.
• Treating mistakes like disasters.
• Comparing their athlete to everyone else in the gym.
• Forgetting that attitude is part of the evaluation.

---

Key Takeaways

• Coaches evaluate much more than volleyball skills.
• Coachability is one of the most valuable qualities an athlete can have.
• Effort and communication always stand out.
• One mistake rarely determines a tryout.
• Coaches are often evaluating long-term potential, not just current ability.
• Parents should focus on controllable behaviors instead of outcomes.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important thing coaches look for during tryouts?

There isn't one single quality.

Great coaches evaluate skills, athletic ability, coachability, communication, effort, attitude, and long-term potential.

Can my athlete make a team even if they're not the most talented player?

Absolutely.

Athletes who are coachable, hardworking, and eager to improve often develop into outstanding players.

Should parents give advice before tryouts?

Keep it simple.

Encourage your athlete to compete, listen, communicate, and enjoy the experience.

Let the coaches evaluate the volleyball.

Your role is to provide confidence and support.

---

Continue Learning

• What to Wear and Bring to Volleyball Tryouts
• What to Expect During Your First Club Season
• Understanding Team Levels
• Why Playing Time Isn't Guaranteed
• Supporting Your Athlete Without Coaching Them

The athletes who leave the biggest impression at tryouts aren't always the ones who make the fewest mistakes.

They're the ones who show coaches they're ready to learn, compete, and grow.