“There’s not too many times you get a chance to make a second first impression.” is an expression that you will often hear throughout your various life experiences. A volleyball tryout is one of these opportunities. Volleyball is an extremely competitive sport. Numerous athletes compete for limited numbers of positions on the best club teams everywhere. Proper preparation and doing your best at the tryout can be the difference between being on the team or being disappointed on your way home.  By following the below suggestions, you can maximize your chances of making a club team.

• ARRIVE EARLY:  Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before the registration starts. Showing up late for a tryout is a sure-fire way to get noticed, but it’s not the kind of attention you should be looking for. Arriving early allows you to relax and begin focusing on doing your best. Arriving at the last minute will leave you tense and flustered.  Use the extra time to warm up before the tryout. Getting your blood flowing and your muscles ready will aid you in performing at your peak level and reduces the chances of an injury during the tryout.

• NO CELL PHONE IN GYM:  When you are in the gym, your focus should be on the task at hand … Volleyball. Coaches don’t want to see you texting when you should be concentrating on volleyball. Additionally, make sure you place your phone on silent if it is in your bag. Coaches expect their players to be mature enough to be prepared when it’s time for tryouts, a practice, a game, or a tournament.

• GO FOR EVERY BALL (Hustle):  Even if it looks like you may not get to it, don’t stop pursing the ball until it hits the floor. Even in warm-ups! Coaches love to see aggressive players that will not let a ball drop. Simple tasks such as shagging balls are an opportunity to show your hustle, run to get every ball! When it’s your turn at a drill, run back to the line for your next turn. Run to the drinking fountain or to your water bottle during water breaks. If there is an opportunity to shag balls or feed balls, be the first to volunteer. Help out in any way you can during the tryout. Show that you’re ready to lend a hand and willing to go that extra little step for the team.

• BE RECEPTIVE TO COACHING:  Behaviors you display during a tryout can convince the coach that you’re open to guidance. Many times, throughout a tryout or practice a coach will tell you how to improve some facet of your game, take the suggestion positively. Responding with reluctance and statements that “this is the way my old coach taught me how to do it” are potential warning flags that you are not receptive to change or coaching. Instead, verbally acknowledge the suggestion and then immediately start performing the action the way the coach has suggested.  

• DON’T TALK WHEN THE COACH IS TALKING:  It’s disrespectful to talk when the coach is talking and sends a bad message to the coach. Each time someone on the staff addresses you, you need to give 100 percent of your attention to the person speaking. Make eye contact, nod your head giving acknowledgement to the speaker that you hear what they are saying. If you don’t understand their directions, raise your hand and ask for clarification. It’s better to ask a question than to look like you weren’t paying attention.

• CALL THE BALL AND COMMUNICATE!:  This is one of the few things you can control and it is an underrated skill that coaches will notice. Be a vocal leader by encouraging other players to do their best. Cheer them when they make a great play. Help teammates by telling them whether a ball is in or out during scrimmage play.

• HARD WORK PAYS OFF:  Playing volleyball at its highest levels takes a tremendous amount of work. Coaches are drawn to players who are willing to work hard enough to play at that level. Never assume you’ll get selected if you’re giving anything less than 100 percent of your abilities. Most coaches will select a player who is hard working over a more talented athlete who is hardly working at all. Another way to demonstrate your willingness to work hard is by hustling everywhere. If you’re shagging balls, run to get them. After taking your turn at a drill, run back to the line for your next turn. When You take a water break, run to the drinking fountain or to your water bottle.

• FORGET ABOUT IT!!!:  Don’t carry a mistake with you into the next play. Body language speaks volumes to a coach and teammates. It can be very obvious if you’re not over an error on the previous point. Avoid negative talk about yourself, the tryout and former teammates. If you start getting down on yourself for making a mistake, you’re likely to make even more. No one wants to hear negative talk about the team you were on last year. Coaches know if you speak badly about previous seasons, next year you’re likely to speak badly about this team, too. Show your enthusiasm during the tryout by keeping a smile on your face. Be friendly to everyone you interact with. Have fun and make sure people who are watching can tell you love playing volleyball.

• FLEXIBILITY AND VERSATILITY:  Coaches want players who can adjust and are willing to be versatile if that’s what’s needed to make a drill work or help the team. Have confidence in yourself. You need to believe in yourself and your abilities. A player with a great deal of confidence isn’t as likely to crack under pressure during a match. After all, if you don’t believe that you can make the team, why should the evaluators believe it?

• TEAM PLAYER ROLE:  The rules require that six players be on the court during a volleyball game, so it’s impossible for even the best player in the world to win a match by themselves. In addition to athleticism and skill, coaches are looking for players who work well with others to build a team. It will be a miserable season for coaches and players alike if there is a chemistry issue within the team and it prevents the team from working together well. You can help other players do their best by giving them the best pass or the best set possible. Taking that extra step to make a teammate look good makes you look good, too. During tryouts, you can demonstrate that you’re a team player by doing your best to get along with other players. Cheer for others when they make a good pass. High five someone who just had a monster block. Get excited when a teammate serves an ace during a scrimmage. Players who exhibit a positive attitude toward tryout competitors are likely to make good team players during the season.