How to Choose the Right Volleyball Club for Your Player

July 15, 2025·5 min read

Club volleyball tryout season is one of the most stressful times for volleyball families. Your player wants to make the best team possible, you want them to have a great experience, and the sheer number of clubs and teams to choose from can be overwhelming. Here's a practical guide to help you navigate the process.

Start with Your Goals

Before you attend a single tryout, have an honest conversation with your player about what they want from the club season. Different goals lead to different club choices:

Development-focused: Your player is still growing their skills and wants quality coaching, lots of reps, and a positive learning environment. Look for clubs known for player development over winning at all costs.

Competition-focused: Your player is ready to compete at a high level and wants to be challenged. Look for clubs with strong tournament records, high national rankings, and programs that attend major qualifiers.

College exposure: If your player is in high school and hoping to play in college, look for clubs that attend showcase tournaments, have relationships with college coaches, and have a track record of players going on to play collegiately.

Social and fun: Some players want to play volleyball with friends and enjoy the tournament experience without intense pressure. There's nothing wrong with this — look for clubs that emphasize fun and participation alongside competition.

Research the Club's Track Record

This is where data becomes your friend. Before tryouts, do some homework:

Check their rankings on WhichCourt. Look up the club's teams in your player's age group and gender. How have their teams ranked nationally over the past few seasons? Are they consistently competitive, or do their results vary widely?

Look at tournament results. Browse the club's recent tournament history. Do they attend strong tournaments? Do their teams make it into Gold brackets? How do they perform against ranked opponents?

Ask about player progression. A good club develops players who improve year over year. Ask current families if they've seen growth in their players' skills and volleyball IQ.

Evaluate the Coaching

Coaching quality varies enormously across clubs. Here's what to assess:

Coaching credentials. Do the coaches have USAV certifications? Have they played at a high level? Do they have formal coaching education? Credentials aren't everything, but they indicate a commitment to the craft.

Coaching style. Attend a practice or open gym if the club offers them. Watch how the coaches interact with players. Are they teaching and encouraging, or just running drills and yelling? A great coach can push players to improve while maintaining a positive environment.

Communication. How do coaches communicate with parents? Is there a clear expectation about playing time, tournament schedules, and practice requirements? Good communication prevents most of the conflicts that arise during the season.

Staff stability. Do coaches stay with the club year after year, or is there high turnover? Consistent coaching staff usually indicates a well-run program.

Consider the Practical Details

Beyond the volleyball itself, there are important logistics to consider:

Cost. Club volleyball is not cheap. Fees typically range from $2,000 to $7,000+ per season depending on the club, team level, and travel schedule. Make sure you understand the total cost including:

Club dues
Tournament entry fees
Travel expenses (hotels, gas, flights for national events)
Uniforms and gear
Practice facility fees

Practice schedule and location. How many days per week does the team practice? How far is the practice facility from your home? A great club that requires 90 minutes of driving each way to practice may not be sustainable for your family.

Tournament schedule. How many tournaments will the team attend? Are they mostly local/regional, or does the team travel out of state? More travel means more cost and more time commitment. Make sure the schedule aligns with your family's availability and budget.

Team size. How many players will be on the roster? A team with 10 players means less playing time per player but more depth. A team with 7-8 players means more court time but less rest and no room for absences.

Attend Multiple Tryouts

Don't commit to the first club that offers your player a spot. Attend tryouts at 2-3 clubs to compare:

How organized is the tryout?
Do the coaches evaluate players fairly?
What's the energy and culture like?
How do returning players and parents talk about the program?

Most clubs hold open tryouts where players can attend without commitment. Take advantage of this.

Talk to Current Families

The most valuable research you can do is talk to parents who are currently in the club. Ask them:

What's the communication like between coaches and parents?
How does the team handle playing time?
Are there any hidden costs?
Would you choose this club again?

Current families will give you the unfiltered truth about what the experience is actually like.

Trust Your Player's Gut

At the end of the day, your player needs to feel excited about playing for the club and coach they choose. If they had a great tryout experience, connected with the coaching staff, and feel motivated to work hard — that's a strong sign.

Compare Clubs on WhichVBClub

If you're researching multiple clubs, check out WhichVBClub.com — a free tool built specifically for tryout season. WhichVBClub lets you compare volleyball clubs side by side, including their tournament history, team rankings, coaching staff, and program details. Instead of juggling browser tabs and spreadsheets, you can see how clubs stack up in one place. It's a sister site to WhichCourt, built by the same volleyball parent with the same goal: making the volleyball experience easier for families.

Trust Your Player's Gut

Club volleyball is a big commitment of time, money, and energy. Choosing the right club sets the tone for the entire season. Take your time, do your research, and find the program that fits your player and your family. The right club can be transformative — not just for your player's volleyball skills, but for their confidence, work ethic, and love of the sport.

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