How to Make Your School's Volleyball Team

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Last Updated: October 29, 2021 References

Volleyball can be a fun but confusing sport. This article will help you get and stay on the team.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:
Knowing How to Play Volleyball

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Learn the rules. Obviously, the coach isn't going to pick someone who always double touches and runs into the net. Search for the "rules of volleyball" online to see if any good websites that have the rules listed come up. Focus on sites that have rules relevant to your part of the world; variations may exist elsewhere.^{[1]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:
Getting Prepared for Tryouts

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Start practicing about two months or so before tryouts. Practice about 60 minutes daily.Practice all the basic volleyball moves before the try-outs. Practice setting, spiking, bumping, blocking, and serving.^{[2]
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- Practice by yourself as well as with others. Set/bump against the wall, practice your serves, and jump rope. Jog daily, but not for too long, because long distance running damages your vertical jump.
2
Do arm strengthening exercises like push-ups. These will help your serves and hits. If you are strong, the coach will probably accept you on the team.^{[3]
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3
Consider attending a volleyball summer camp the summer before trying out. This will give you a lot skills without the pressured level of expectation. Plus, you'll have a ton of fun.
4
Get to know the coach's expectations. If the coach is expecting everyone to get their serves over, you had better work on serving. Almost all coaches will want to see how good you are at the fundamental skills. Try to show the coach these fundamentals in try-outs.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:
Tryouts

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Arrive 20 minutes before the tryouts. This will give you time to check out the atmosphere, watch players and feel relaxed.
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Try out and think positive. If you think you can hit it, you are more likely to follow through on your internal confidence.
- Always go for the ball in try-outs, otherwise, how will the coach know how good you are at passing? Also, remember to call the ball.
- Overhand serves are more preferred, but if you have the right fundamentals the coach might work with you.
- Don't talk about how bad you are at hitting, etc. Such negativity is a total downer and a coach will likely avoid someone who shows such a lack of confidence from the outset.
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Get noticed during tryouts. Volunteer when the coach asks for volunteers, wear brightly colored clothes. Act overall peppy and the coach will definitely notice you.^{[4]
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- Be sure to ask questions. This will show your coach you want to get better and care if you are doing something wrong.
- When the coach calls for you to shag up the balls, be the first to be out on the court running and shag the balls.
- When the ball is coming toward you yell "Mine!" or "Got it!" to let other members know that you have the ball and they won't go after it. Your coach might even be impressed.
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Don't be disappointed if you don't make it. Just remember, there's always next year, and practice makes perfect!

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:
Staying on the Team

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If there's a problem, be open with your coach. Coaches like to know what's going on and they'll appreciate your honesty. If you have a minor injury but are still going to play, then tell them before tryouts start so that she'll understand if you need to take a break instead of thinking that you're not trying your hardest.
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Maintain a good attitude. Coaches look for upbeat and can-do attitudes in sport. And listen to what the coach says. They appreciate it when you listen. If the coach says to change something the next time you do it, your main focus should be on changing what the coach told you. It shows the coaches that you are willing to listen and learn.^{[5]
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Be team-spirited. Encourage others around you to do their best. Be prepared to talk to your teammates. It's very important in volleyball to communicate with your team and the sooner you are known as someone willing to do this, the sooner people will rely on you. A team player who is reliable and relied upon is valuable and will be kept as part of the team. You may even make team captain if you keep the good attitude!^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

This is my first year trying out for volleyball, and I am scared. I can't do summer camp because school starts in less than a week. What should I do?

Community Answer

Just go for it. You will never know whether this sport is for you unless you try. Practice as you can at home. On the day of the tryouts, talk to other girls at there and be positive. Try to enjoy yourself, and remember that there's always next year if you don't make it this year.
Question

What will make me the most likely to be chosen for my school's volleyball team?

Community Answer

A good attitude and eagerness to learn will definitely put you ahead. Coaches also look for someone who is coachable and able to execute the basic skills well (bumping, setting, serving, etc.).
Question

How do I stop worrying that people will make fun of me during volleyball trials?

Community Answer

Be confident and focus on doing your best. The more concentration you place on what others will think, the less you'll have to dedicate to making the team.
Question

What exercises will help improve my volleyball game?

Community Answer

Definitely doing push-ups, burpees, and or tuck jumps will help, even though they're really hard. Working out your arms and legs is what you'll need to do most. Also, buy a cheap medicine ball that you can handle the weight of and use that for your core and arms.
Question

How do I deal with the stress of making a sports team?

Community Answer

Try to relax, take your mind off it and think about other things. Do different activities that will distract you from the stress. You can also stretch, and practice your sport. If you practice, there will be a higher chance of you making it so you won't be as stressed.
Question

How can I improve my jump serve?

Community Answer

Toss your ball in the air and jump up high. To hit the ball with a good, powerful blow, imagine that you are giving it a high 5. Let it bounce off your hand. Just practice this over and over until you like what you can do.
Question

What are the drills that most high schools will have potential athletes do at tryouts?

Community Answer

Normally during tryouts, the coach will see if players have a basic set of skills for volleyball. These basic skills would be: Bumping - If you could recieve the ball and pass it to the setter. Volleying - If you have the potential to be the setter, know how to both front/back set (accuracy is key). Serving - if you can serve over the net and make it stay in bounds (some coaches look for hard servers). Hitting - if you can hit the ball downward (the harder the better). Blocking - if you are able to shut down your opponents' spikes. Coaches also look for agility. Therefore, you would need to be quick. Sometimes coaches look for those who could keep the play going and dive for the ball.
Question

What's shagging?

Community Answer

Shagging is when your team, or a select group of people, go get the volleyballs off the court and put them away into storage. It's just another word for "paying your dues."
Question

Since I've only been training for tryouts for a couple of days, if I work really hard during training, and do my best at the tryouts, could I actually make the team?

Community Answer

If you put in the effort and give it your best, the coach should notice that you could be a valuable player on the team.
Question

What if I'm about to start volleyball in two weeks? I don't have enough time to practice but I really want to be on the A team. Any suggestions?

Community Answer

Try to squeeze in some practice time when you first wake up in the morning. Do some stretches, and try to practice the basic moves of Volleyball. If you can't make the team, there's always next year.

Warnings

Not everyone is athletic, if you are just doing this to be 'in' you aren't doing it for the right reasons and may not get on the team.

Thanks!
Helpful 136 Not Helpful 10
Set and forearm pass the right way. Forearm passing the wrong way can hurt your knuckles and setting the wrong way can jam a finger easily.

Thanks!
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