New to volleyball

[Anonymous]

Not sure what end of "middle school" your DD is, but I agree that camps and clinics put on by local clubs are the next move if you want to investigate whether club volleyball might be something to consider for next year. Ones held during the summer are a good place to improve skills and fall clinics are when clubs really start looking at players for tryouts in November.

If your DD is 6th grade now, then that's a great time to be starting in club volleyball. While many girls start playing club volleyball at 12U (which is usually mostly 6th graders) coming in at 13s is also fine. If your DD is 8th grade now, you are a little behind but it's not hopeless. There are definitely girls who start at 15s and older, but it's important to keep expectations realistic. If she's only played rec league, girls who have been playing club for 3 or 4 years are going to be significantly better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

Have you been to these tournaments? I’m a different poster and haven’t been to the specific one mentioned here but there’s not a lot of down time where coaches are just hanging out talking to strangers. They are helping the girls score while they work (at that level) or talking to parents or their team. This wouldn’t go over well with our team either.

Check out Galaxy league at NVVA. I promise, I don’t work for them but my DD started out with their clinics and then Galaxy when she had moved on from rec but before she joined a club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

You clearly have never been to a tournament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

Have you been to these tournaments? I’m a different poster and haven’t been to the specific one mentioned here but there’s not a lot of down time where coaches are just hanging out talking to strangers. They are helping the girls score while they work (at that level) or talking to parents or their team. This wouldn’t go over well with our team either.

Check out Galaxy league at NVVA. I promise, I don’t work for them but my DD started out with their clinics and then Galaxy when she had moved on from rec but before she joined a club.

I am the pp, but not the op. I've been to a bunch of tournaments and my DD's team will be part of the CHRVA non-bid tournament mentioned on this thread. Coaches get the same breaks as their teams and they typically walk around, watch other games, talk to other coaches and some of their former players. They don't spend all their time talking to their players (the players need to decompress as well). My DD's coach would not hesitate to talk to someone who is interested in volleyball and encourage her to keep at it. The other parents nor the team would not judge the coach because of a conversation with a "stranger" (now *that* would be really weird).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

You clearly have never been to a tournament.

You are clearly wrong in this latest assumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

+1 I would also stay away from a volleyball coach who gets annoyed by a kid who is excited about volleyball. The idea that a kid is a dime a dozen is really something. Is this the coach's idea or that's what you believe the coach is thinking about kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

+1 I would also stay away from a volleyball coach who gets annoyed by a kid who is excited about volleyball. The idea that a kid is a dime a dozen is really something. Is this the coach's idea or that's what you believe the coach is thinking about kids?

It’s just the timing that’s bad. She probably doesn’t have a second to spare and she is 100% focused on the game. There are plenty of volleyball summer camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:There may be an opportunity to see some decent local club volleyball this upcoming weekend. The Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) is holding its "non-bid" championships in Jessup (Maryland Juniors) and Springfield (The St. James).

Here's the schedule: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM2MDM90/home (elementary/middle school ages on Saturday; high schoolers on Sunday)

Bear in mind that these aren't the very top teams in the area, but you should get to see some decent play. I'm guessing that there would be no admission costs at the Jessup site, but there may be an entry fee at The St. James. If anything, your player will either be entirely turned off by club volleyball or will want to go all-in.

A tournament will be overwhelming for someone who just started playing. But you can check out some of the games and you will see beginners all the way to solid intermediate players (the best teams in the region will not compete in the non-bid championship). If you have your eyes on any particular club, you can figure out their schedule and - maybe - ask your player to introduce herself to the coach. Just don't mention anything about your kid being a standout.

This is bad advice. It’s April, don’t go up to a coach at a club during a tournament to to introduce your kid. OP’s kid wants to play more, not just watch, and is just starting out. Go to the clinics and camps suggested by other posters and in the fall join a program through one of the clubs rather than VYI rec.

If I understand this correctly, the advice was for the kid to introduce herself, not the parent to do the introduction. I don't see why this would be bad advice if done while the team is on break. The next day the coach will only remember that some teenager had the guts to approach him / her. After a week / month the memory will probably fade away. Finding the courage to approach the coach would be huge confidence boost for a teenager. The coaches have incentives to be nice to prospective players because all clubs want more players during tryouts. The team might get an instant supporter cheering them up during the next game. Clinics and camps are also really good ideas.

Maybe it's coach-specific, but i can see my DD's coach would be annoyed some random middle school tween is approaching her while in the midst of a tournament or even afterwards/during wrap-up/team debriefing.

Not to be snarky, but your kid is a dime a dozen around here. There are tons of kids trying out for Freshman HS teams come August and even more in November for Travel.
Sure, great, your kid is better than the developmental rec league kids, but don't think that gives your kid a golden ticket. There are lots of kids in the same boat. They're not playing rec league.

As PPs mentioned, there are tons of clinics and camps and trainers offered throughout. A quick google search will get you started.

If the coach would get annoyed by a kid who is genuinely interested in his/her club and tries to say "hi" during a break, I would like to know that before I go to a tryout. I hope other coaches in your DD's club have a better attitude.

+1 I would also stay away from a volleyball coach who gets annoyed by a kid who is excited about volleyball. The idea that a kid is a dime a dozen is really something. Is this the coach's idea or that's what you believe the coach is thinking about kids?

It’s just the timing that’s bad. She probably doesn’t have a second to spare and she is 100% focused on the game. There are plenty of volleyball summer camps.

It's hard to admit when you are wrong. The coaches are focused 100% on the game when their teams are playing. A few are 100% focused on the game when their teams are working - as they should be (even though I saw coaches being just physically present - flipping through their phones for example). No one suggested to approach the coach when they are busy. However, there are breaks that the op could take advantage of if she wants to. A quick introduction and exchanging a few words should not take more than 5 minutes of the coach's time. If the coach acts like the kid is a dime a dozen, I would stay away from that coach. However, I strongly believe that a coach would not behave like the pp believes. That was likely a projection of the pp's attitude toward beginner players.

[Anonymous]

Back to the topic at hand- can anyone recommend the next step after a season of rec volleyball? Is it camps and clinics? Or are there clubs with C teams? Looking in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the topic at hand- can anyone recommend the next step after a season of rec volleyball? Is it camps and clinics? Or are there clubs with C teams? Looking in NOVA.

There is lots of good advice already above. The St James has a great program - I think it’s called hybrid or something. There are lots of clinics and camps. Nvva has a program. Do those. Then in the fall when clubs have tryouts, your daughter will be ready.

[Anonymous]

The volleyball season is almost over, so it is unlikely for your DD to be included on a club team (even a bottom team). Your next shot to make a club team in in November. Practice of any kind will help your DD to become better and make a good team. Before tryouts, my DD played in rec leagues (at some point she had two rec leagues going on at the same time), she went to summer camps, and she signed up for clinics. The rec leagues became more and more frustrating because most players could not serve or serve receive. Rec clinics were not really useful because the coaches were not quite experienced. She had the most fun in camps (imagine playing 6 hours of volleyball each day for a week). The reality hit when she went to club clinics: she did not have the skills of club players (not even close). It was humbling to say the least.

If she loves volleyball and you want her to get better, sign her up for everything you can fit in her schedule without neglecting other important aspects of her life (especially school and family). Club activities are going to be more expensive than rec activities. However, you may find our experience useful when you decide what to sign her up for. It took a club coach to notice that my daughter developed some questionable habits during rec activities. For example, she was stepping on her right foot as she was serving (she is right-handed). It took her a while to re-learn how to serve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Back to the topic at hand- can anyone recommend the next step after a season of rec volleyball? Is it camps and clinics? Or are there clubs with C teams? Looking in NOVA.

If you/your daughter is seriously thinking of trying out for club volleyball in the fall. The best way to prepare her is a combination of summer/fall clinics and camps and a couple of private lessons. Regardless of how good the clinic/camps are- it is unlikely that your daughter will learn much in the way of proper technique. If you find a club that you like- through camp/clinics, you should ask for a private lesson- or semiprivate lesson. This way you get good/directed instruction, show your interest in the club and the coach gets to know your daughter. All wins.