Volleyball Tryout Prep: Before, During, and After

Volleyball tryouts can feel big, especially when an athlete is trying something new or hoping to take the next step. The good news is that preparation does not have to be complicated. A player who arrives rested, ready to move, and willing to be coached has already done a lot right. A parent who keeps the day calm gives that athlete an even better chance to show who they are.

Tryouts are not a final verdict on an athlete’s potential. They are one moment where coaches are building a group, weighing current skills, and noticing how players respond in a busy gym. Families can focus on what they can control: preparation, effort, communication, and a healthy plan for the conversation afterward.

Use this guide to make the week before, the tryout itself, and the days after feel more manageable for your whole ohana.

1. Set a helpful goal before tryouts

Start by helping the athlete choose a goal that belongs to them. “Make a team” is understandable, but it is not fully in one player’s control. A better goal is to call every ball they can reach, move their feet before the contact, introduce themselves to a new teammate, or stay encouraging after a mistake. Those goals create a clear job for the day.

This does not mean lowering the athlete’s hopes. It means giving them something useful to do while nerves are high. When a player has a simple focus, they are less likely to spend the whole session wondering what coaches think. They can return to the next ball, the next drill, and the next chance to compete.

Parents can help by asking, “What do you want to show about yourself?” The answer might be hustle, a positive voice, a steady serve, or a willingness to learn. Write it down if that helps. The point is to make the goal small enough to remember when the gym gets loud.

2. Use the week before to prepare, not panic

The week before a tryout is not the time to squeeze in hours of exhausted practice or overhaul every skill. A short, regular routine is more useful. Players can touch the ball, review a few familiar skills, and let their body feel ready. If an athlete has access to a court or wall, a few calm passing and setting touches are enough to reconnect with the ball.

Keep movement light and familiar. Think footwork, ready position, passing to a target, or serving with a repeatable routine. Club coaches often use tryout drills that include these basic actions because they reveal how an athlete moves and works with teammates. USA Volleyball’s coaching resources reinforce the value of learning through game-like movement and decisions, rather than treating a skill as an isolated trick.

Sleep and food matter too. Help the athlete keep a normal bedtime, drink water through the day, and eat regular meals. There is no magic tryout breakfast. A familiar meal that sits well is far better than something new and heavy. Pack water and an easy snack for after the session, especially if the day includes multiple rounds.

Parents can also take care of the simple logistics early: confirm the time and location, check whether forms or a tryout membership are required, and lay out shoes, kneepads, socks, and a water bottle the night before. When those details are handled, the athlete can spend less energy worrying about the clipboard and more energy playing volleyball.

3. Make a calm plan for nerves

Nerves are normal. They are not proof that an athlete is unprepared. Most players feel a little extra energy before a tryout because the moment matters to them. The aim is not to eliminate that feeling. It is to help the athlete recognize it, breathe, and put attention back on the next action.

A simple routine works well: take a slow breath, notice the feet on the floor, and choose one cue such as “move early” or “talk early.” USA Volleyball’s guidance on reducing competition anxiety recommends personal routines that bring an athlete back to the present instead of turning every point into a referendum on the whole season.

Parents set the emotional temperature. Avoid last-minute speeches about how important this is, comparisons to other players, or a car ride full of technical reminders. A calm “I love watching you play” or “Have fun competing today” gives the athlete space to take ownership. Save big questions and analysis for another day.

4. Know what to do on tryout day

Arrive early enough to check in, use the restroom, and warm up without rushing. Being early does not mean arriving an hour ahead and sitting with a rising heart rate. Usually 15 to 20 minutes before the requested check-in time gives families a comfortable buffer. Follow the club’s instructions if it asks for a different arrival time.

Once in the gym, athletes can introduce themselves, find a place to put their bag, and start moving. A player does not need to dominate the warmup. They do need to look ready to participate. That means eyes up, shoulders relaxed, quick feet, and a willingness to get into every drill.

During drills, one of the best habits is to move before the ball reaches the athlete. Coaches know every player will miss some contacts. What stands out is whether the player keeps working to get into position, makes a teammate’s next touch easier, and resets quickly when a ball drops. Calling “mine,” “help,” or a teammate’s name at the right time shows awareness and helps the whole group.

When a coach offers feedback, the most useful response is simple: listen, try it, and move on. Players do not need a long explanation or a perfect correction on the next ball. A coach can see when an athlete is coachable, present, and willing to take a cue into the next rep.

Be a good teammate even in an unfamiliar group. Offer a quick “nice pass,” help collect balls, rotate promptly, and keep body language steady. Team selection is about building a group, not only collecting isolated skills. USA Volleyball’s junior program guidance notes that tryout organization includes planned evaluations and an understanding of the kind of players a program needs. Families should expect coaches to be considering the group as well as the individual.

5. What coaches often notice beyond a big hit

Power can get attention, but it is rarely the whole story. Especially in youth volleyball, coaches need athletes who can move, communicate, learn, and support a team. A player who chases a ball, sends a playable pass, and stays engaged after an error can make a strong impression even when every touch is not perfect.

Think about the qualities a teammate feels: Does this player communicate? Do they look ready? Do they give effort on a difficult ball? Can they take feedback without shutting down? Do they make the gym better for other athletes? Those are real volleyball qualities because they help a team practice with purpose and compete together.

Players should also resist the urge to play a position they think a coach wants. If they are asked to set, pass, serve, or hit, they should embrace the task in front of them. The best version of a tryout is an honest one. It gives coaches a real picture of what the athlete can do today and gives the athlete a clearer path for what to build next.

6. Give parents a job that actually helps

Parents do not need to coach from the sideline. Their most important work happens before and after the gym. Before tryouts, help with transportation, gear, food, and a calm departure. During tryouts, find a place to support the athlete without making every contact feel watched.

That can be harder than it sounds. Parents are invested because they care. Still, a tense face, a sharp reaction after a missed ball, or technical instructions from the stands can add pressure. USA Volleyball’s parent guidance on sport anxiety explains why a parent’s calm presence matters and recommends putting attention on process rather than catastrophizing one outcome.

Try this instead: notice three things the athlete did well that have nothing to do with the final result. Maybe they introduced themselves, kept moving, helped a teammate, listened closely, or took a risk on a tough ball. Those are observations an athlete can carry with them, whatever happens next.

7. Handle the ride home and the days after tryouts well

The first question after tryouts should not be “Do you think you made it?” Give the athlete room to come down from the session. A better opener is “How did that feel?” or “What are you proud of?” Then listen. Some athletes want to talk right away. Others need a snack, a shower, or a little quiet before they can sort out the day.

If the athlete wants feedback, help them name one moment that felt strong and one thing they want to practice. Keep it specific. “I want to call the ball sooner” is useful. “I was terrible” is not. The athlete can learn from the tryout without turning it into a list of personal flaws.

If an offer comes, read the club’s information together before making a decision. Families should understand the schedule, cost, travel expectations, communication approach, and what the athlete is excited about. Tryout and commitment rules can vary by region and age group. For example, the Southern California and Nevada region posts its own current girls tryout and commitment dates. Always check the rules that apply to the athlete’s local region before signing anything.

If the athlete does not make the team they hoped for, let disappointment be real without making it permanent. Do not rush to explain it away or promise that the coaches were wrong. Start with: “I know that hurts. I’m proud of how you competed.” After the first emotions settle, look for a next step. The athlete may be able to ask for respectful feedback, attend a camp or clinic, build a skill with a private lesson, or explore another team that fits their current stage.

One tryout does not decide whether an athlete belongs in volleyball. Progress often comes in a quieter way: a stronger serve, a more confident voice, better movement, a player who returns after a hard day because they still love the game. That is a foundation worth protecting.

8. Keep the next step clear with Club IMUA Volleyball

At Club IMUA Volleyball, athletes can keep growing through opportunities that match where they are now. Our programs include options for learning skills, building confidence, and stepping into more competitive play. Families can also explore Club IMUA Volleyball teams to understand the kind of community and commitment that comes with a season.

The right next step is the one that gives an athlete real reps, encouraging coaching, and a reason to keep moving forward. Whether tryouts bring an offer, a new goal, or a fresh start, athletes grow when they stay connected to the game and the ohana around them.

A quick tryout checklist

• Confirm the time, location, and required forms early.
• Pack familiar court gear, water, and a snack.
• Choose one controllable goal for the day.
• Use a short breath-and-cue routine when nerves show up.
• Move early, communicate, and be a supportive teammate.
• Listen for feedback and try it on the next rep.
• Afterward, ask what the athlete felt and learned before discussing results.
• Read any offer and regional commitment rules carefully as a family.

Tryouts are one chapter, not the whole volleyball story. Show up ready, support the athlete through the result, and keep the focus on the next chance to grow.

Frequently asked questions

What should a player bring to volleyball tryouts?

Bring the items the club requests, usually athletic clothes, court shoes, kneepads, water, and any required forms. It also helps to pack a simple snack for afterward and arrive with enough time to check in, stretch, and settle before the first drill.

What do volleyball coaches look for at tryouts?

Coaches look at more than one great swing or serve. They often notice movement, effort, communication, willingness to learn, body language, and how an athlete responds when a play does not go their way.

What should parents say after volleyball tryouts?

Start with a calm, open question such as “How did that feel?” Let the athlete lead the conversation before offering observations. Specific encouragement about effort, courage, or a good teammate moment is more useful than replaying every mistake.

What if my athlete does not make the team they hoped for?

Give the athlete room to feel disappointed, then help them find the next useful step. That could mean asking for appropriate feedback, joining another training opportunity, practicing a skill, or taking a short reset before deciding what comes next.

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Photos: Club IMUA Volleyball.