Preparing for Volleyball Tryouts: More Than Just Your Skills

For many athletes, tryout season is one of the most exciting and nerve-racking times of the year.

There is excitement about new opportunities, new teammates, and a fresh season. There is also uncertainty. Will I make the team? Will I move up? Will the coaches notice me?

Those feelings are completely normal.

One of the biggest misconceptions about club volleyball is that returning to the same club automatically means returning to the same team.

The truth is, every season is a new evaluation.

Players improve. Younger athletes develop. New families enter the club. Coaches are trying to build the strongest team possible, not simply recreate last year's roster.

That doesn't mean returning players are at a disadvantage. It simply means no roster spot should ever be taken for granted.

On the flip side, don't assume an established team is out of reach.

Yes, it can be challenging to earn a spot over a returning player who already has chemistry with the team. But coaches are always looking for athletes who can make their team better. Every year, players earn opportunities because they worked hard, continued developing, and showed coaches something they couldn't ignore.

Another challenge families often run into is that club tryout schedules sometimes overlap.

It happens every year.

If you're interested in more than one club and their tryout times conflict, don't assume you have to choose one and completely miss the other. Instead, reach out to the club director ahead of time. Explain the situation and ask if it would be acceptable to arrive late or leave early.

Most clubs understand that families are trying to make an important decision, and many directors are willing to work with you if they know your intentions in advance.

An hour on the court gives coaches a chance to evaluate you.

No time on the court doesn't.

Communication shows maturity and respect, and it also allows coaches to plan accordingly. The worst thing you can do is simply not show up without letting anyone know.

Tryout day is not just about proving you belong.

It's about showing who you are.

Hopefully you've already spent time attending camps, clinics, or open gyms. As we discussed in a previous article, those opportunities allow coaches to become familiar with athletes over time. Instead of seeing you for two hours, they've watched your work ethic, coachability, and attitude develop over several weeks or months.

That familiarity can be valuable.

When tryouts arrive, here are a few things athletes should keep in mind.

Make It Easy for Coaches to Remember You

Coaches watch a lot of athletes in a short amount of time.

You don't need flashy accessories, but something simple can help you stand out.

If your club provides tryout shirts, consider wearing a bright ribbon in your hair, colorful shoelaces, or distinctive shorts. Something that helps coaches quickly recognize you from across the gym can make a difference.

The goal isn't to draw attention to yourself.

The goal is to make it easier for coaches to connect a great play with your number.

Hustle Never Goes Unnoticed

Talent is important.

Effort is impossible to ignore.

Be the first player chasing down loose balls.

Sprint between drills.

Volunteer to help reset equipment.

If a coach asks for someone to demonstrate, raise your hand.

Energy is contagious, and coaches notice athletes who consistently bring it.

Be the Teammate Everyone Wants

Volleyball is not an individual sport.

Coaches are building teams.

Encourage the player next to you.

Celebrate someone else's great play.

If Amanda makes a great dig, let her know.

If someone misses a serve, encourage them before the next point.

One positive teammate can change the entire energy of a court.

Body Language Speaks Before You Do

Everyone makes mistakes.

Coaches expect mistakes.

What they're watching is what happens next.

Do you drop your shoulders?

Roll your eyes?

Show frustration?

Or do you take a breath, reset, and get ready for the next ball?

Confidence isn't pretending you're perfect.

Confidence is responding well when things don't go your way.

Listen Like You're Already on the Team

One of the easiest ways to separate yourself is by being coachable.

Make eye contact.

Listen when coaches are speaking.

Apply feedback immediately.

You don't have to be the most talented athlete in the gym to impress a coach. Athletes who respond well to instruction often improve the fastest over the course of a season.

Remember What Coaches Are Really Evaluating

Yes, coaches are evaluating passing, hitting, serving, and defense.

But they're also paying attention to things that never show up on a stat sheet.

How you communicate.

How you encourage teammates.

How hard you compete.

How you respond to adversity.

How you carry yourself when no one is watching.

Those qualities often become the difference between athletes with similar skill levels.

At the end of the day, tryouts are about more than making a team.

They're an opportunity to demonstrate character, work ethic, and a willingness to grow.

Whether you return to the same club or find a new opportunity, approach tryouts with confidence, compete with everything you have, and leave knowing you showed coaches the best version of yourself.

Because sometimes the athlete coaches remember most isn't the one with the hardest swing.

It's the one they couldn't stop noticing because of the way they competed.