Volleyball tryouts can be extremely stressful if you’re new to the game. Luckily, we are here to help you get ready. Our top 10 tips for volleyball tryouts are:
- Be prepared
- Watch volleyball videos
- Understand the basic volleyball skills
- Train before the tryout
- Play volleyball
- Find your position
- Get your mind and body right
- Lose the cell phone
- Be coachable
- Keep getting better
Take a look below to get ahead of the game and ace your volleyball tryouts!
1. Be Prepared
First things first, you should show up prepared. While it’s not absolutely necessary, there are a few things that would be good to have when you show up to your volleyball tryout.
Volleyball Ball
You can’t play volleyball without a ball and if you played before, you might already have one. If not, it’s a good idea to invest in one. There are A ton of different volleyball balls on the market so it’s important that you pick one that makes the most sense for you.
What I mean by this is pick the volleyball that you will be using in the league that you are playing in. For instance, take a look at the pictures and captions below! If you are looking for a more detailed list of the different volleyball balls out there in order to find the best match for you, CLICK HERE!
Don’t worry if a new volleyball is not in your budget right now because the team that you’re trying out for will likely have a bunch. That being said, having your own will allow you to practice on your own time which will definitely help!
Volleyball Shoes
This one is a bit more of a necessity than the volleyball ball. Having a solid pair of volleyball shoes can really have a big impact on your game. The top brands do a great job of ensuring the shoes are lightweight, flexible, and durable in order to maximize your capabilities while on the court. Take a look below at some of the most popular volleyball shoes on the market. If you want a more detailed list, CLICK HERE!
A good substitute for volleyball shoes is both running shoes and basketball shoes. Either will do but you need to make sure that they have a strong grip so you can get traction and explode towards the volleyball.
Volleyball Knee Pads
This is another one that you might be able to do without depending on your personal preference. Volleyball knee pads can really help your game because they can allow you to take more risks while on the volleyball court. When you don’t have to worry about bringing your knees up, you’re much more likely to dive for the volleyball.
That being said, many players choose not to wear volleyball knee pads because they feel as though they restrict Mobility. Take a look below at some of the most popular volleyball knee pads on the market. You guessed it, we did a volleyball knee pad review so if you’re looking for a more detailed list, CLICK HERE!
2. Watch Volleyball Videos
Another super easy thing that you can do to get ready for volleyball tryouts is spending some time watching volleyball. If it’s the right time of year you might be able to catch some action on TV. There are plenty of channels that are dedicated to college sports (such as The Big Ten Network or The ACC Network) that show various college volleyball matches throughout the year. You also might be able to find volleyball on ESPN or other major networks depending on which professional tournament is currently going on.
If you can’t find any volleyball on tv, YouTube has a ton of great volleyball content. My personal favorites are slow-motion volleyball videos because you can really study the little things that more advanced players do to make them great. To get you started before your volleyball tryouts, CLICK HERE!
3. Understand the Basic Volleyball Skills
One of my first volleyball memories was walking into the gym before volleyball tryouts and hearing one of the players scream, “Bic! Bic! Bic!” as he approached set from behind the 10-foot line on the volleyball court. At the time, I had no idea what a “bic” was. In fact, I wasn’t sure if he was screaming bic, bit, or pic. I soon found out that a bic was a type of quick set for one of the back row players.
Don’t worry if you have no idea what I’m talking about. Volleyball is full of vocabulary that takes some time to get used to. Luckily, I’m here to help. Take a look below at some of the more commonly used words that you might hear during your volleyball tryouts. For a more complete and detailed list, as well as the volleyball rules and regulations, CLICK HERE!
10 Foot Line / 3 Meter Line – The line ten feet from the center of the volleyball court.
Back Row – The three volleyball players in the rotation positioned behind the 10 Foot Line.
Front Row – The three players in the rotation positioned in front of the 10-foot line.
Serve – The start of the volleyball game in which a player strikes the ball from behind the end line in an effort to get it over the net and onto the opposing team’s side of the court.
Bump / Pass – Using your forearms to hit the volleyball towards the setter.
Set – Using your fingertips to quickly get the ball in a position for your hitters to spike it.
Spike – Swinging your arm and striking the volleyball in a downward trajectory onto the opposing team’s side of the court.
Kill – A spike that results in a point for your team.
4. Preseason Volleyball Training
I’m not going to sit here and recommend some crazy workout plan and diet that will get you shredded. What I will say is that volleyball is much more strenuous on your body than most people think. Whether you are jumping to get a big block or diving for a game-saving dig, volleyball will surely test your physical limits.
That being said, it’s absolutely necessary that you go to your volleyball tryouts in shape. I don’t say this to scare you but showing up in shape will definitely give you an advantage over some of the other players. The good news is, there are plenty of ways that you can prepare but my favorite is just to play other sports in the offseason.
Playing multiple sports can have a bigger impact than you can imagine. Not only do they keep you in shape, but they also help build skills that translate to volleyball. For instance, soccer helps with agility, basketball helps with your vertical, and baseball helps with your reflexes which are all important in volleyball.
5. Play Volleyball
The most obvious thing to do in order to prepare yourself for volleyball tryouts is to just play volleyball. Volleyball is incredibly fun but there is certainly a level of skill and strategy involved. Getting comfortable with the game can be difficult and will surely take you some time. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to buy yourself a volleyball and start playing around with it. Click here to see a list of the best volleyballs!
The more comfortable that you become with the feel of the volleyball, the better off you will be. Study the volleyball’s weight, grip, bounce and everything in between. We know it sounds insane but having a good feel for how the volleyball will react when you’re in the game will be incredibly important later on.
Once you’re “one with the volleyball”, start to set it in the air to yourself as many times as you can. Using your fingertips, push the ball upwards about three feet above your face. When the ball comes back down, quickly push the ball back upwards without catching it. Take a look at the picture below to get a better idea of what we mean.
The next step is to start playing volleyball with other people. If you’re lucky, a gym in your area might have an open gym night for people who want to play volleyball together. Do a quick search on Google after you read this article to see if there is a gym like this near you.
If not, do your best to get some of the other new players on the team to play with you. The best part is you don’t even need a volleyball net. As long as you have a volleyball, you can work on passing back and forth to each other. Remember, getting comfortable with the volleyball is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
If you have the opportunity, playing organized volleyball is the best way to prepare yourself. The majority of volleyball players start their careers at around 14 years old as freshmen in high school. *Don’t worry if you are older than 14! Just keep reading so you can be as prepared as possible! * What better way to be better prepared than to start early by playing club volleyball!
Many club volleyball programs have teams that start out as young as 11 years old so getting extra reps on the court is definitely possible. That being said, those same programs have teams for players as old as 17! Even a single season of club volleyball will make a world of difference for you if you are getting ready for a high school volleyball tryout.
Just one season of organized volleyball will get you familiar with things like volleyball positions, the different types of attacks, how to pass, how to serve, the volleyball approach and endless other parts of the game. It will also introduce you to things that you cannot learn by searching the internet or setting the volleyball straight up to yourself. Things like; how to be a good teammate, how to handle pressure when the game is on the line, or even how to make losing beneficial
6. Find your Volleyball Position
One of the best ways to be prepared for your volleyball tryout is to have an idea of what volleyball position you want to play. Having an understanding of where you might fit in could give you a huge advantage over the other players who are trying out.
Let me be clear. Don’t be closed off to changing your volleyball position if the coach asks you to. The most well-rounded volleyball players are those who can play any position on the court and still be incredibly effective. That being said, this article is about making the volleyball team and to do so, you need to give yourself an edge over the competition.
Most volleyball teams are made up of two outside hitters, two middle hitters, an opposite hitter, a setter, and a libero. Take a look below for a quick overview of the volleyball positions so you can figure out which of them could be best for you. If you are looking for a more detailed explanation of each volleyball position, CLICK HERE!
Outside Hitter (Left Side, Left Wing Spiker)
This is the player who hits from the front left spot on the volleyball court. They’re usually average in height (in comparison to the rest of the team) but exceptional athletes because they are required to play both front row and back row. This means that they not only hit the ball, but they also pass/dig the ball.
Middle Hitter (Middle Blocker)
Middle hitters are more often than not the tallest players on the team. They are required to hit the ball from the middle of the court, as well as block the opposing attack. Usually, middle hitters do not play in the back row so if you are tall and you spike the volleyball well, this might be the position for you!
Opposite Hitter (Right Side, Right Wing Spiker)
Similar to Middle hitters, the opposite hitter is usually pretty tall. They are primarily used to block the opposing outside hitter but will also get involved in the offense by spiking the volleyball. Although they play defense (dig opposing spikes) while in the back row, they are rarely used to pass during serve receive.
Setter
The setter is pretty much the quarterback of the volleyball team. They are responsible for running the offense by setting the volleyball to the hitters. Just like the outside hitter, setters are asked to do just about everything on the volleyball court.
Libero
The libero is a relatively new position in the game of volleyball. Their main responsibilities include passing during service receive and digging spikes while on defense. Liberos wear different color jerseys than the rest of the team and are required to only play in the back row. If you are super quick and have great reflexes, libero could be a great fit!
7. Get Your Mind and Body Ready
There are a ton of different things that you should absolutely do to get your mind and body ready, leading up to your volleyball tryouts. That being said, let’s focus on some of the eaiser things that you can control.
GET SOME SLEEP
It’s easier said than done but get some sleep! Getting a good night’s sleep can have an enormous impact on how you perform. Not only does sleep affect how you feel, but it also affects how you think. You use your brain quite a bit in volleyball so it needs to be as fresh as possible for tryout day.
I know what you’re thinking. “I’m nervous about my volleyball tryout so my mind is racing. How am I supposed to sleep?!”. Well here are a few tips to help you prepare:
Get on a schedule – Go to bed at the same time every day! Getting on a schedule gets your body used to “bedtime” and helps prevent your mind from racing.
Avoid Caffeine – This one can be tough for some of you but try to avoid caffeine (especially in the afternoon). Coffee, soda, and tea are great but too much can play a huge role in not being able to sleep.
Read before bed – Our last tip is probably the hardest but can be incredibly effective. Reading before bed will allow your brain to power down and distract you from everything (including your upcoming volleyball tryout) that might be keeping you awake. It also keeps you away from the light of your TV, laptop, and phone which are proven to have a negative impact on sleep!
Give your body the fuel it needs
First things first, don’t skip any meals. many athletes make the mistake of letting nerves get the best of them and choose not to eat because of it. your volleyball tryout will likely be in the late afternoon or early evening so make sure you eat a hearty and balanced lunch that includes as many food groups as possible.
Fuel your body at lunch and allow for about 3 hours to digest. Have a quick snack of a granola bar and sports drink about 30 minutes before the tryout to give yourself a quick jolt of energy.
The last, but most important thing that you should do before your volleyball tryout is to get hydrated. The human body is 50-60% water and in order to work at peak performance, you need to be hydrated.
That doesn’t mean drink a bottle of water right before your tryout. If you wait, it’s too late! You need to keep yourself hydrated all day so when it’s finally time to step on the court, your body is ready. Your bladder might need to get used to this so don’t be worried if you’re peeing like crazy when you get into the habit of drinking water, haha.
8. Lose the cell phone
This might seem obvious to some of you but it’s so important that it NEEDS to be on this list.
Lose the cell phone when you get into the gym!
First impressions are super important when it comes to volleyball tryouts. You might not be the best on the court, but being “present” can go a long way with the coach. They need to be able to count on you to always be mentally ready. That being said, you might be wondering, “what do you mean by being present?”.
Well, it’s pretty simple. Keep your mind on volleyball while you’re at volleyball tryouts. That doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to the other players about a new movie or something you saw on tv. In fact, chatting with your new teammates is encouraged because it will create team chemistry (as long as you don’t do it while the coach is talking). But the coach will take note if you constantly check your phone to scroll through Instagram.
Water breaks are quick for a reason. Coaches don’t want you to lose focus and that is exactly what can happen if you whip out your phone. It might seem harmless but having your phone readily available during tryouts, or even practice for that matter, can have a bunch of negative effects on your development as a player.
9. Be a Coachable Volleyball Player
Showing that you’re coachable is like having a secret weapon when it comes to your volleyball tryouts. Other players might be more skilled than you but if you can somehow show your ability to grasp concepts and get better, the coach will surely take notice. So what exactly does being coachable mean?
Well apart from the obvious (always doing your best, showing up on time, helping your teammates, etc) here’s a few things that will show your coach just how coachable you can be.
Listen
NEVER SPEAK WHEN YOUR COACH IS SPEAKING. That is an easy way to get yourself on a list of players that didn’t make the team. Your coach is your coach for a reason. They know a ton about the game of volleyball and they’re willing to share that information with you. Take advantage of it and listen closely to everything that they have to say.
Know Your Place
If you’re reading this, then you’re clearly new to the team. It’s important that you know your place as a fresh face to the older players who have been on the team in previous years. While we want you to be confident, it could be a big mistake if you come across as arrogant to your new teammates. Even if you think you are better than some of the older guys or girls, listen to what they have to say and be respectful. You never if the coach is going to ask for their feedback on who should make this year’s team.
Keep your mind on the court
Don’t get distracted by friends or parents that may be watching from the stands. Stay focused and keep your mind on the task at hand.
Hustle
HUSTLE NO MATTER WHAT. Don’t be the player that is diving when they don’t need to but if the ball is within reach, do everything you can to get there. This will go a long way and will prove to the coaches that your effort is as high as anyone.
10. Keep Getting Better
If you made it this far then you clearly have the determination that is necessary to not only make the volleyball team but also become a great volleyball player. The best players in the world all felt nervous before volleyball tryouts at one point or another.
Make sure that your determination doesn’t end at the conclusion of your tryout. There’s no telling where you can end up if you put the work in and give the game everything that you possibly can. Always go 100% at practice and strive to become the best volleyball player that you can be.
Someday, you might end up as the best player in the world but never let that slow you down. Remember, keep getting better….
2 thoughts on “Top 10 Tips for Volleyball Tryouts”
I have been checking out many of your stories and it’s pretty nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
Thanks! Tons of new stuff coming!
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