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Quality sleep is important for every athlete. It’s a time when muscles recover and grow, and a time for our brains to reset. While it may be difficult with the impending tryout, it’s even more important to make sure you get a quality 8 hours of sleep the night before your tryouts. Avoid late nights, sleepovers, or binging on TV and video games. Something as simple as being well rested could give you an advantage over your competition.

Arrive Early 

Being late to volleyball tryouts WILL get you noticed…in a bad way! If possible, get to your tryout 15 - 20 minutes before it starts so that you’ll have time to warm up and prepare yourself mentally.  Being early will get you notices by the coaches as eager and committed. 

You only get one chance to make a great first impression.  The easiest way to make a negative first impression is showing up at tryouts unprepared. Make sure you have your paperwork, bottle of water, your shoes, knee pads, ankle braces, snacks and anything else you’ll need.

There’s no need to buy brand new shoes and fancy knee pads before the start of tryouts, but you should certainly look like a volleyball player.  Jean shorts and a tank top are not exactly normal volleyball attire. Not looking the part is a surefire way to get ignored at tryouts. 

Most tryouts begin with some form of warm up, but you should do your own first. Stretch out, get loose, and get your muscles working. Coaches take notice of the players who are putting in work before tryouts start and doing so will also help you get focused in on volleyball ahead of time. 

If you’re going to be at tryouts physically, you better be there mentally too. Being present means you’re always paying attention to what is going on around you. Volleyball tryouts isn’t a time to muck around with friends and daydream... It’s a time to show off your volleyball skills and prove to the coaches why you’re deserving of a spot on the team.  Don’t waste your opportunity. 

Tryouts are the time to prove that you take your volleyball seriously. ...Coaches love player who give full effort on every repetition during tryouts and practice and it will make you stand out. Giving less than 100% effort will make you stand out in a negative way.

A “Negative Nancy” is quite possibly the worst teammate in existence. Coaches can’t stand playerS that sulk after every error and generate a negative energy towards themselves or others’ mistakes. Demonstrate positive encouragement toward other players during drills and competitions. Displaying a positive attitude makes you stand out and proves to the coaches and other players that you’re a good teammate to have around. 

Coaches look for players that can follow directions and don’t waste time.  If it’s time to set up hitting lines, do it.  If it’s time to get water, do it.  If a coach needs to repeat themselves several times, they’ll become frustrated because of all the wasted practice time. 

Volleyball tryouts are not the time to disagree with a coach about hitting technique. If you get a coach directing you to change your technique, do it.  This shows the coaches that you’re willing to learn and that you can be coached.  Coaches will always select a player that can be coached before a player who will argue or not change. 

You may think you’re the team’s best outside hitter... and it may be true. But be prepared for the coaches to think differently. If they want you to set, set. If they want you to block middle, block middle.  Show you are capable of a playing a variety of roles/positions.  This will make you more important to the team and more likely to make the team. 

Be the first to volunteer to demonstrate a drill or collect volleyballs or do whatever is requested.  Be the first to raise your hand high up in the air. It’s a simple way to get noticed and show you’re willing to help out. Don’t hide in the back, step forward and get involved. 

Communication is vital in the sport of volleyball.  If there is one phrase you’ll guaranteed to hear during a volleyball practice, it’s... “Call the ball.” And it’s even more important than usual when you’re playing with unfamiliar teammates. Communicate loudly and frequently to show that you have a firm grasp of the communication terminology and you’re willing to speak up. 

Leadership skills are a highly desired quality that coaches love. Throughout tryouts, seek opportunities to gently lead others. Whether it’s showing a first-time beginner the proper approach to hit, explaining a drill to someone who didn’t understand, or simply encouraging teammates to give their best... Coaches notice someone who displays natural leadership. 

Confidence is displayed by being aggressive. Hesitation has no place at tryouts. Swing hard when hitting and don’t hold back through fear of making a mistake. These things show coaches that while your technical skills may need some tuning, your confidence will not be an issue.

 

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 source: The Art of Coaching Volleyball

Bellaire High Lady Cardinals vs Fort Bend Austin Lady Bulldogs

Tuesday, August 6th

4:30 pm: Freshman

5:30 pm: JV

6:30 pm: Varsity

All three Bellaire High Volleyball teams will compete in the August 3rd Scrimmages.  The Varsity and JV teams will play at Katy High School (6331 Hwy Blvd Katy, TX  77494).  The Freshmen team will play at Stratford High School (14555 Fern Dr, Houston, TX 77079).  Players will travel to the scrimmages on buses and should arrive at Bellaire High School by TBD.  Below are the schedules for each team.