Can DD join a rec league with no previous experience?
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Anonymous
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I have a fourth grader interested in joining a rec league and I understand that it is perhaps too late to join. We are on a wait list.
What is the best thing to do for a newbie? Join a rec league or do a summer program first and then join the rec league? |
Anonymous
| You can join a rec league at any time. A lot of newcomers have no volleyball experience. Each season is about 2 months, then you see some turnover. Some drop, some beginners join. After a few seasons, you can figure out whether you want to continue at higher level. Don't spend too much time in rec because you will have too many bad habits to correct. |
Anonymous
Or decide if this is the level you want to stay at. Volleyball, like other sports get super time consuming and expensive at other levels. My kid loved it and loved on from rec after a while. But she never left rec soccer and was happy at the fun low stress casual play (with bad habits and all) for years. So try rec, you can join with no experience. See if your kid even wants to continue after a season. |
Anonymous
| OP here. I did not realize that it is only 7 week long! Is that typical? |
Anonymous
See 08/31/2025 23:36, where the season length was mentioned:
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Anonymous
| We are in the same situation. Eleven year old daughter is interested in volleyball, but both parents grow up abroad and do not play volleyball. Where should we start? I'm hoping for some structured instructions. We are in Bethesda/Rockville area. TIA. |
Anonymous
If you are looking for structured instruction, clinics from one of the clubs in the area are a good place to start. Another option is to try out for a club team in October. If your DD turned 11 after July, she’s be eligible for a U11 team. Virtually all U11 players are new. If she is U12 there’s a good chance she can find a team of her skill level as well. In Bethesda/Rockville area, look into MOCO, MEVC and Platform for that age and experience level. |
Anonymous
City of Rockville has a volleyball activity for middle schoolers that starts in a few days (and they seem to have some spots left). To register, go to the following link: https://secure.rec1.com/MD/city-of-rockville-md/catalog and search "Volleyball" in the search box. That should be a good intro to volleyball. Alternatively, you can join the Gaithersburg league (but you would have to register on the waitlist and hope that a spot will open): grade 4-5: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/gaithersburgmd/activity/search/detail/14218 grade 6-8: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/gaithersburgmd/activity/search/detail/14220 |
Anonymous
If you start early, MVSA may also be an option. Keep an eye on their activities (clinics, leagues, etc.), which are reasonably priced (but go really fast). Most other clubs overcharge for their activities just because they can (enough parents are willing to pay). |
Anonymous
| For Fourth grader, definitely have time to work up the skills to get in a good 11u team next year. And OP you got it, you can try summer clinics from different program to see which your kid likes the most. Then you can join the rec league of that program then pre-clinic then try-out. |
Anonymous
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Rec is a perfect way to try it out.
They try and balance the teams. |
Anonymous
| I suggest taking a clinic for a season through your local rec so they can learn the basics. Ofer Levy clinics are great for this in MoCo. |
Anonymous
MVSA is a fantastic team. Definitely try to get to a few clinics with them; they're one of the few teams that are top tier in tournaments and still have great coaching and team cultures. Very hard to get onto the teams, but when you're starting early and doing clinics that gives your DD the best shot. |