Updated 8/14/10
Policies
Payments: payments, registrations, and waivers, are to be received before a player may compete.
Playtime: the coach runs the team and determines who should be on the court and what the lineup should be. There are many different factors that are considered when setting and changing the lineup including court situation, experience level, attitude, energy level, skills, team balance, etc. Players should speak with the coach if they have questions regarding playtime.
Uniforms: the club typically provides 2 different colored jerseys, spandex and sweats. Players should bring BOTH jerseys to each competition.
Balls: Teams are provided a set number of balls at the beginning of the season. If a team loses a ball, the team is responsible for reimbursing the club $45 for replacement of the ball. Take care of the equipment. Don’t bounce the balls on concrete, and don’t get them stuck on the roof of the school. (We’ve done that before.)
Nets: Players are expected to show up at least 10-15 minutes prior to their scheduled practice times to help set up the nets, regardless of age, team, or skill level. The nets and poles should be returned to the storage rack as neatly as possible. It is a privilege to use the school facilities. Let’s not lose it.
Hotels: Coaches will decide and suggest where the team will stay when traveling. Some coaches prefer having the team in one location in order to hold team meetings, activities, and other events. Some coaches prefer to have the players arrive at the designated location at the designated time. Respect the reasoning of the coach. Every effort is made to find locations that are reasonably priced and centrally located to playing sites (especially for the State and Regional Tournaments, where over 350 teams typically are registered and housed somewhere in or around the area.). Travel and hotel expenses are NOT covered by the club.
Food: Eat healthy. Whether the players bring food individually, or whether the team food coordinator arranges for who to bring what, make sure the athletes eat small, well-balanced meals throughout the day. Also, the teams MUST cleanup their areas following each tournament or typically be charged a $100 fine.
Refereeing: Teams must stay until their refereeing assignments are completed. Skipping out typically carries a $100 fine. Also, teams should make sure all players get to up-ref, down-ref, and score keep. It’s a great experience.
Philosophy
Growing up in Albuquerque, I got my start playing volleyball with our high school boys team. From there I played city league, county league, and eventually joined a club team lead by a very disciplined coach. His boys and girls teams traveled and competed at the AAU Junior Olympics in Chicago, as well as to the USVBA (United States Volleyball Association) tournaments (now called USAV), where we competed at the A and AA levels. He made us push cars, run stairs, practice court positioning drills during summer break, and truly form players into college bound athletes. I credit him for making us set goals and work hard to achieve them. He provided four rules for his players, and I’ll repeat them here:
Don’t Be Selfish
A player who is selfish demands court time, hogs the ball, controls the conversation, listens only to their iPod, doesn’t converse with the team, thinks it’s all about “me”. Volleyball is one of the most demanding team sports there is. You can’t make an effective play on the ball, or series of plays with only 1 player. You need the team.
Don’t Be Self-Conscious
Don’t worry about your hair, or your nails, or what your boyfriend or girlfriend might think. Don’t worry about your height, or weight, or color of your skin. Don’t worry if you make a mistake. Don’t shrug your shoulders. Don’t hang your head. Don’t worry about your parents or fans. Play the game for yourself, because you like to compete. Play the game for your teammates, because you know THEY like to compete.
Don’t Judge
For the same reason you shouldn’t be self conscious, don’t judge. If a teammate makes a mistake, support them. Cheer them on. Keep the team “up”. Volleyball is a game of rally’s. Don’t let 1 point turn into 3 or 4 or 6.
Don’t Coach
Don’t coach. That’s my job. Players have enough to worry about. Cheer on your teammates, keep focused on what you are doing. Compete! Focus! Win!
Matthew Marks