travel sport recruiting - new players vs current

[Anonymous]

DD has played club volleyball for 5 years and is always one of the top players, but each year it feels like there is much more excitement about her from outside coaches than from her own club. And it seems like her coaches put way more into recruiting a handful of new players than retaining many of their current squad. Is this common? We've seen it at two clubs now, in MD and VA. I can understand if they aren't actively trying to retain everyone but it seems weird to not put more effort into holding on to your best ones. My guess is they don't think they will ever leave so they are focusing efforts elsewhere on building pieces that they need. But if you were a coach wouldn't you assume others were doing the same thing you are--trying to poach the best players from other clubs--and try harder to hang on to yours? Just looking for some perspective

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has played club volleyball for 5 years and is always one of the top players, but each year it feels like there is much more excitement about her from outside coaches than from her own club. And it seems like her coaches put way more into recruiting a handful of new players than retaining many of their current squad. Is this common? We've seen it at two clubs now, in MD and VA. I can understand if they aren't actively trying to retain everyone but it seems weird to not put more effort into holding on to your best ones. My guess is they don't think they will ever leave so they are focusing efforts elsewhere on building pieces that they need. But if you were a coach wouldn't you assume others were doing the same thing you are--trying to poach the best players from other clubs--and try harder to hang on to yours? Just looking for some perspective

What club? Of the clubs in the area (Metro, Paramount, VA Jrs, VAE, MD Jrs....) Most clubs will confirm their best players are staying on for next season and then reach out to other players during the off season. A friend's daughter is on Metro travel team and there is very little communication after the season and just assume you will be back. On one hand, it does force the kids to continue to work hard since nothing is guaranteed. On the other hand, the lack of love can be a big turn off.

[Anonymous]

Different sport (my kid’s play club baseball/softball) but this doesn’t seem unusual to me.

Most clubs will do tryouts every year yes- but everyone knows the top players will be making the team. The tryouts are just to see if any “new kids” can beat out a kid at the bottom of the roster for a spot. Sometimes teams use the tryout as a way to get rid of a particular player or two as well (to trim the roster in general, or to cut a kid who is a problem for some reason etc). Players usually know where they stand based on how much playing time they are getting...those who don’t play much often see the writing on the wall ahead of time and move teams on their own.

As for recruiting good players...that is exactly what the coach should be doing to ensure a competitive team (in order to retain top players like your DD). At some point, good players all want to be on a few top teams (and get a lot of wins). If the talent level on the team decreases, top players often leave and go elsewhere.

It is assumed that a current player doesn’t need excessive praise or recruiting IMO.

[Anonymous]

At my daughter's club, tryouts are not a surprise in terms of returning players and those players know where they stand.

The only surprise may be who else is joining the team and that is where the coaches efforts are focused to figure out what new players to bring in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has played club volleyball for 5 years and is always one of the top players, but each year it feels like there is much more excitement about her from outside coaches than from her own club. And it seems like her coaches put way more into recruiting a handful of new players than retaining many of their current squad. Is this common? We've seen it at two clubs now, in MD and VA. I can understand if they aren't actively trying to retain everyone but it seems weird to not put more effort into holding on to your best ones. My guess is they don't think they will ever leave so they are focusing efforts elsewhere on building pieces that they need. But if you were a coach wouldn't you assume others were doing the same thing you are--trying to poach the best players from other clubs--and try harder to hang on to yours? Just looking for some perspective

Club volleyball is a buyers market and the coaches are the buyers. There are more players trying out than there are available spots on teams (and COVID made it worse), so coaches can and do take players for granted. If you're talking about a top-ranked team, the coach doesn't have to try to hold players. There will always be someone waiting to step into a current team member's position. And even on lower-ranked teams, there are always players trying to make a club team for the first time. If a team's players are club-shopping, it's because they are trying to get onto an even higher-ranked team or they have an issue with the coach/club. What would be the point of trying to keep them if they're not going to be happy staying?

What kind of relationship do you, the parent, have with the coach? In my experience, certain parents are very proactive and already know where their child stands with the current team. And certain teams have already let players know whether it would be worth their time to try out again. If you want to know where your player stands with their team, let the coach know that the player is getting interest from other teams and see what kind of response you get. But don't reveal what your player plans to do. Nothing is certain until you have an offer in writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD has played club volleyball for 5 years and is always one of the top players, but each year it feels like there is much more excitement about her from outside coaches than from her own club. And it seems like her coaches put way more into recruiting a handful of new players than retaining many of their current squad. Is this common? We've seen it at two clubs now, in MD and VA. I can understand if they aren't actively trying to retain everyone but it seems weird to not put more effort into holding on to your best ones. My guess is they don't think they will ever leave so they are focusing efforts elsewhere on building pieces that they need. But if you were a coach wouldn't you assume others were doing the same thing you are--trying to poach the best players from other clubs--and try harder to hang on to yours? Just looking for some perspective

What type of validation are you looking for to address your insecurity? You say your DD is one of the top players. The interest from other coaches/clubs I'm sure confirms it as well as the eyeball test and how she performs. Does she (or you) need her coaches to tell her she's one of the top players to feel the love? How often does she need to hear that?

What exactly do you want to hear?
If your kid is having fun, getting lots of playing time and developing then what else should the coaches do to try to retain her?

[Anonymous]

Club volleyball at the best clubs is ruthless - your kid’s spot is only as safe as who walks in the gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Club volleyball at the best clubs is ruthless - your kid’s spot is only as safe as who walks in the gym.

As it should be for all competitive sports. If you are vying for the top teams and have thoughts about playing in college, it is best to get pushed especially 14-15+ age group.

The eventual recruiting process is ruthless so might as well get used to it. If DD just want to have fun and don't want to be on a top team, there are plenty of other clubs out there.