Although the school volleyball season is almost finished, the club volleyball season is starting soon. Most tryouts start in mid to late November. Last season, my father was an assistant coach for Canada West. I have quite a lot of information I would like to pass on to you to help you improve. These tips should hopefully give you an edge over others who are also trying to make the team.
1. Communicate!! Coaches are always looking for players who communicate on the court. Whether it’s calling for the ball, or yelling in or out, being loud is a great trait in volleyball. Often, when a team is losing, it’s because they are not talking. Loud teams are more energetic and get more excited, which can give a team a huge advantage over another.
- Focus on your first contact
The first contact is the serve and the pass. Every rally starts with a serve. It is the only aspect in volleyball that you solely control. (Nobody else influences you) One person can win multiple points just from serving, so it is important you have a good serve. The second part of the first contact is passing. It is the most crucial and fundamental part of volleyball. A lot of athletes will desire to hit the ball, but you can’t hit without a good set, and you cannot get a good set with a lousy pass. Passing is the most basic but important skill in volleyball. Passing may seem insignificant, but trust me, the first thing the coach looks at is your passing. At all age groups, passing and serving indirectly wins games.
- Practice a position that suits you
If you are not very tall, but you can pass well, you might want to play as a libero. The libero always stays in the back row and never attacks. However, he/she is the main person that picks up the opponent’s attacks.
If you are tall, consider being a middle. The middle must be tall enough to block, which is its primary role. A middle hits the ball as well, so having great timing is a desired trait
If you are an all-rounded player who can spike, pass, and serve, the power position would be best for you.
A setter does not have to be good at passing so if you cannot pass but are great with your hands, practice your setting!
Bonus tip: Start with a good impression on the coach, and leave a good impression on the coach. Have good behaviour, pick up balls, and listen to instructions. Most importantly, have a good attitude. Also, talk to your coach before/after tryouts. That way, he/she will remember you.
