Lesser Known Clubs

[Anonymous]

Why are we talking about MOCO on a thread about lesser known clubs?

[Anonymous]

For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

It can’t hurt to go to see if your DD and you like the club. Think of it that way. You won’t know and it all will depend on who shows up at tryouts and accepts the offers in what order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

Any club will look at the players who show up at the tryouts only with some level of suspicion because of the sudden interest in the club. The following alternatives are possible depending on the skill level of your DD:
* below the level of club players: the club will offer spots to returners and players at about the same level. If they have to choose players at your DD level, they will give preference to those who they know better from clinics.
* about the level of club players: the club will likely consider her as an alternate, but she will be behind the players at the same level who they already know from clinics.
* slightly above the level of club players: she might have a good chance to receive an offer. It depends a lot who else shows up at the tryouts and how fast their offers are accepted / turned down.
* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer.

Things can be different at early ages because a lot of players show up on the volleyball scene without any experience. Their parents figured out at the last minute that such thing as club volleyball exists and found a club nearby using Google.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

Any club will look at the players who show up at the tryouts only with some level of suspicion because of the sudden interest in the club. The following alternatives are possible depending on the skill level of your DD:
* below the level of club players: the club will offer spots to returners and players at about the same level. If they have to choose players at your DD level, they will give preference to those who they know better from clinics.
* about the level of club players: the club will likely consider her as an alternate, but she will be behind the players at the same level who they already know from clinics.
* slightly above the level of club players: she might have a good chance to receive an offer. It depends a lot who else shows up at the tryouts and how fast their offers are accepted / turned down.
* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer.

Things can be different at early ages because a lot of players show up on the volleyball scene without any experience. Their parents figured out at the last minute that such thing as club volleyball exists and found a club nearby using Google.

This one is kind of ridiculous: "* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer. "

The only scenario where that happens is if the club outright asks that player if they've had other offers, and who their #1 pick is. If the player is honest that their #1 is somewhere else then the club might not make an offer. But if the player plays well above the regular club players and the club doesn't ask any questions, name one team whose policy would still be to not even make an offer because of assumption that they're the safety? That just does not happen, but if please share who does that you know a club that really does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://academy-volleyball.sportngin.com/tryouts

From Tenleytown, MOCO, Academy, and Metro Central are the best options logistically. We are in NW DC and were able to make MOJO in McLean work a few years back.

Also, it looks like Bethesda Volleyball Club is planning a team that competes locally but is something less than the commitment of most clubs. https://bethesdavolleyball.com/faqs

Yeah, Academy practices at North Chevy Chase Elementary. Very convenient for close in MoCo and NW DC. I am someone who’s ranks commute and coaching as my top 2 in terms of importance. I love my kids but I don’t need to be spending late nights on Montgomery Village or Jessup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

Any club will look at the players who show up at the tryouts only with some level of suspicion because of the sudden interest in the club. The following alternatives are possible depending on the skill level of your DD:
* below the level of club players: the club will offer spots to returners and players at about the same level. If they have to choose players at your DD level, they will give preference to those who they know better from clinics.
* about the level of club players: the club will likely consider her as an alternate, but she will be behind the players at the same level who they already know from clinics.
* slightly above the level of club players: she might have a good chance to receive an offer. It depends a lot who else shows up at the tryouts and how fast their offers are accepted / turned down.
* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer.

Things can be different at early ages because a lot of players show up on the volleyball scene without any experience. Their parents figured out at the last minute that such thing as club volleyball exists and found a club nearby using Google.

This one is kind of ridiculous: "* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer. "

The only scenario where that happens is if the club outright asks that player if they've had other offers, and who their #1 pick is. If the player is honest that their #1 is somewhere else then the club might not make an offer. But if the player plays well above the regular club players and the club doesn't ask any questions, name one team whose policy would still be to not even make an offer because of assumption that they're the safety? That just does not happen, but if please share who does that you know a club that really does.

You may be correct - that player may get an offer because she would likely turn it down as soon as she gets a better offer.

Thinking about it: why would such a player even want to be on this team? She would get a lot of court time, but no quality play. One of my DD's coaches said something like "when a player becomes the best on the team. it's time to find a better team."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://academy-volleyball.sportngin.com/tryouts

From Tenleytown, MOCO, Academy, and Metro Central are the best options logistically. We are in NW DC and were able to make MOJO in McLean work a few years back.

Also, it looks like Bethesda Volleyball Club is planning a team that competes locally but is something less than the commitment of most clubs. https://bethesdavolleyball.com/faqs

Yeah, Academy practices at North Chevy Chase Elementary. Very convenient for close in MoCo and NW DC. I am someone who’s ranks commute and coaching as my top 2 in terms of importance. I love my kids but I don’t need to be spending late nights on Montgomery Village or Jessup.

This make total sense: why would you play for MVSA when you could play for Academy instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://academy-volleyball.sportngin.com/tryouts

From Tenleytown, MOCO, Academy, and Metro Central are the best options logistically. We are in NW DC and were able to make MOJO in McLean work a few years back.

Also, it looks like Bethesda Volleyball Club is planning a team that competes locally but is something less than the commitment of most clubs. https://bethesdavolleyball.com/faqs

Yeah, Academy practices at North Chevy Chase Elementary. Very convenient for close in MoCo and NW DC. I am someone who’s ranks commute and coaching as my top 2 in terms of importance. I love my kids but I don’t need to be spending late nights on Montgomery Village or Jessup.

This make total sense: why would you play for MVSA when you could play for Academy instead?

Not the PP, but I assume you’re being snarky? Obviously MVSA is a much more well established club (and cheaper than Academy) with a track record of success, but the PP already said they prioritized commute/logistics. Getting to Gaithersburg/Germantown from NW DC during rush hours multiple times per week would be a pretty big hassle and it’s not an unreasonable position to limit options to ones convenient for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For lesser known clubs, is it necessary to attend their clinics for even half a chance?

Any club will look at the players who show up at the tryouts only with some level of suspicion because of the sudden interest in the club. The following alternatives are possible depending on the skill level of your DD:
* below the level of club players: the club will offer spots to returners and players at about the same level. If they have to choose players at your DD level, they will give preference to those who they know better from clinics.
* about the level of club players: the club will likely consider her as an alternate, but she will be behind the players at the same level who they already know from clinics.
* slightly above the level of club players: she might have a good chance to receive an offer. It depends a lot who else shows up at the tryouts and how fast their offers are accepted / turned down.
* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer.

Things can be different at early ages because a lot of players show up on the volleyball scene without any experience. Their parents figured out at the last minute that such thing as club volleyball exists and found a club nearby using Google.

This one is kind of ridiculous: "* well above the level of club players: the club might figure out that they are a safe option and might not even make an offer. "

The only scenario where that happens is if the club outright asks that player if they've had other offers, and who their #1 pick is. If the player is honest that their #1 is somewhere else then the club might not make an offer. But if the player plays well above the regular club players and the club doesn't ask any questions, name one team whose policy would still be to not even make an offer because of assumption that they're the safety? That just does not happen, but if please share who does that you know a club that really does.

You may be correct - that player may get an offer because she would likely turn it down as soon as she gets a better offer.

Thinking about it: why would such a player even want to be on this team? She would get a lot of court time, but no quality play. One of my DD's coaches said something like "when a player becomes the best on the team. it's time to find a better team."

I think even objectively good players have to play the "tryout for your ideal teams, a couple "good match/at your level" teams, and maybe one "almost definite" team where she might be among the top 3 players, all just to make SURE she has options for this coming season.

Just using last year's tryout season as an example, look at how outrageously competitive it was and how many girls who'd never had a problem getting on a team ended up with NO team, NO offers last time. Our family (including 2 girls who play) has been non-stop on the CHRVA DMV volleyball circuit for the last 7 years, and I don't remember seeing as many "WTF?!" posts before last year (although gotta admit I wasn't reading here much the first 2 yrs our DDs played so I'm not as connected to pre-pandemic levels of "no offers at all" for experienced players.

But seems to me everyone wants a back up plan, because most believe that having a spot on a club team you may be overqualified for but still playing through the season is still better than no club team and not playing through season (and definitely better than going to rec).

[Anonymous]

A quick word about DMV from our experience last year since I see a lot of negative things. Its true that they are both expensive and not a top club, but my daughter had a really good experience last year on their 15U team. The coach, players, and parents were great, the team did well (getting medals several times) and the players really progressed in their skill levels. Yes, more travel comes with expenses for hotels but it also means more games, and that's worth factoring in when you look at what you are getting out of a club. Yes, look at fees and reputation, but also look at the schedule and skill level (rankings can help with that) because the right fit for your player/ family might not be the obvious choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A quick word about DMV from our experience last year since I see a lot of negative things. Its true that they are both expensive and not a top club, but my daughter had a really good experience last year on their 15U team. The coach, players, and parents were great, the team did well (getting medals several times) and the players really progressed in their skill levels. Yes, more travel comes with expenses for hotels but it also means more games, and that's worth factoring in when you look at what you are getting out of a club. Yes, look at fees and reputation, but also look at the schedule and skill level (rankings can help with that) because the right fit for your player/ family might not be the obvious choice.

We had a similar experience when DD played for DMV’s 16s team last year. Down to earth normal coaches who generally ran two lineups and DD got a lot of playtime. This is a good club for players trying club for the first time.

[Anonymous]

DMV Academy Volleyball?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DMV Academy Volleyball?

19:47 here. Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick word about DMV from our experience last year since I see a lot of negative things. Its true that they are both expensive and not a top club, but my daughter had a really good experience last year on their 15U team. The coach, players, and parents were great, the team did well (getting medals several times) and the players really progressed in their skill levels. Yes, more travel comes with expenses for hotels but it also means more games, and that's worth factoring in when you look at what you are getting out of a club. Yes, look at fees and reputation, but also look at the schedule and skill level (rankings can help with that) because the right fit for your player/ family might not be the obvious choice.

We had a similar experience when DD played for DMV’s 16s team last year. Down to earth normal coaches who generally ran two lineups and DD got a lot of playtime. This is a good club for players trying club for the first time.

I agree that DMV is a good club for people trying club for the first time. Unless they have another option. If a beginner has two offers, one from DMV and one from another club, my suggestion is to take the offer from the other club. More skillful players will have more offers and club fees will weigh a lot in their decision (especially when the price difference is so big). This will result in more skillful players accepting offers from other clubs, with DMV getting the least skilled players. Playing on a team with more skillful players gives you a better chance to develop as a player.

I disagree that the price is right for the amount of travel DMV is doing. Most clubs are doing about the same amount of travel and charge much less. Plus, if you have a team of beginners, there is no reason to travel too far to get your behinds kicked. You can play in local tournaments and you get your behinds kicked for cheaper.