Club Volleyball also known as JO volleyball (Junior Olympic Volleyball) was developed to give players an opportunity to play at a high level after the regular school season. Many top athletes play club in the hopes of eventually playing ball collegiately. It differentiates iitself from many community programs by the  level of coaching and competition athletes will receive. Volleyball clubs are privately owned businesses, many of which are non-profit. All clubs are not created equal. A club may constitute one or two teams or as many as 30+. Many clubs have several teams within an age group. The teams created within an age group are determined by player capability. A clubs 1's team is typically a clubs highest caliber players followed by the other levels. The difference between team level capability can be slight or significant, it just depends on the players trying out each season.  

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Clubs will register their teams to play in events governed by one of the sanctioning bodies. Those bodies include USA Volleyball, AAU, or the JVA). These bodies run tournaments independently of each other, and each hosts their own national championship. 

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How much travel an athlete does depends on the club. Some clubs may play regionally while others may travel nationally or internationally to participate in an event. The amount of travel may also depend on your team level. 

 

Season Length typically runs from November through June/July. A season length depends on the number of events a team plans to participate in. The season can culminate in a few ways. A team may just designate when their final tournament will be. Or, they may elect to participate in the AAU National Volleyball Championships held each year during the month of June in Orlando Florida, or the Girls Junior National Championships held in June/July at a site designated the previous year.  The AAU Championships are open to any participant while the Girls Junior National Championships require a top place finish at one of their regional qualifiers.

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It is important to decide if club was for you. There is a commitment by both the parents and athletes. Read more on "is club for you">

 

Each year athletes tryout to compete for a place on a club team. Tryout dates and formats vary from club to club. You will register in advance for a tryout typically based on your age.  There is a non-refundable tryout fee. Tryouts may vary from 1 -3 sessions before final team selections of 10 – 12 players are made, by age group. Clubs vary as to how many age groups they offer. Some have teams at each age group while others only have enough athletes to combine age groups into a single team. See our club tryout page to understand the tryout process.  Once selected a player will be offered a spot on a team and parents will be required to sign a contract committing them to that club for the season, and place a deposit.  If a selected player leaves tryouts without accepting and signing the contract it will be deemed a refusal of the position and the position awarded to another player.

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If your athlete hopes to play in college, club volleyball is the primary method by which college coaches recruit high school players.  Since the NCAA women’s volleyball season and girl’s high school season overlap in the fall, very few NCAA programs are able to recruit during the high school season, they therefore attend regional and national events during the club season to identify college prospects. We can help your athlete navigate the recruitment process. 

 

Cost. This varies by team and the number of events they will be participate in. Your club will share their fees for the upcoming season with parents prior to tryouts. 

 

The level of time committment may vary by age, and team level.  Most teams will practice may 3 times per week, participate in power leagus, tournaments, and strength training. A team schedule will be provided as part of the player selection process. 

 

Not all clubs are created equal. You are comparing the philosopy of the club, experience of the coaching staff, facilities, travel schedule, training ability, proven success and most importantly the ability for the player to develop physically and mentally in a fun supportive environment.