The Palmetto Region of USA Volleyball (USAV) consists of more than 50 member clubs that offer training, coaching, and development opportunities in indoor and beach volleyball for boys and girls up to the age of 18.  Knowing which club is the best fit for an athlete and his/her family can be a daunting decision.  To help choose a club that leads to the best opportunities for development and maximum enjoyment from the experience, the Region has put together this list of questions.  Athletes and their families should feel like each club director can provide honest answers to these questions.  Decide what is most important to your family and give thoughtful consideration to each response.  Once commitment letters are signed, clubs and families enter into a legal agreement with each other.  Make sure you understand expectations and responsibilities!

• General Club Information
  • What is unique about your club?  What factors make your club stand out from others?
  • What is your club’s mission?
  • How is your club organized (non-profit, incorporated, etc.)?  What are its operating policies?
  • What is the difference between club and school volleyball?
  • How much does it cost to participate in your club? Is this figure all inclusive? What other costs should be figured in to the total (e.g., travel expenses, uniforms, shoes, equipment, memberships, etc.)?
• Coaching
  • Who are your coaches?  What playing/coaching experience do they have? 
  • What kind of training do the coaches undergo?
  • Does your club offer a coaching development program?
  • Will each team have only one coach?
  • Do the coaches offer private lessons?
• Philosophy
  • What is the club’s philosophy in regard to playing time?  Are players guaranteed playing time?
  • Is there a club-wide training program or are individual coaches left to do their own team training?
  • Are players permitted to “play up” in age groups older than their own?
  • Can a multi-sport athlete play with this club?  What accommodations are made for an athlete who also has school athletic commitments or other extracurricular programs?
  • What is the club philosophy in regard to parent complaints and concerns?  Who should be contacted?
• Team Information
  • What are the differences between Regional, National, Premier, Elite, etc. teams?  How is each different?  What is the commitment for each level? 
  • How do I know which level is right for my player?
  • Will our family have an individual say in which team level is the best fit for us?
  • How many players are on each team?
  • Do boys and girls play together on the same team?
  • Where and when do teams practice?  Is this a fixed practice schedule? 
  • How long are practices?
  • What if the player has a regular conflict with the team practice schedule?  Will he/she be removed from the team or will playing time be diminished?
  • Is there additional specialized training (e.g., agility, strength and conditioning, position-specific) required of my player?  When and where?  Does that cost any additional money?
• Tournament Information
  • How long does the season last?  Are breaks taken for holidays?
  • What is the tournament schedule? 
  • Are tournaments one day or two days or three days?
  • For multi-day tournaments, what costs are covered in club fees?
  • If a parent/guardian is unable to accompany the athlete, can the player still go to the tournament?
  • Do parents/guardians stay with the athlete during the travel tournaments?  Are there any “players only” travel tournaments?
  • Do any tournaments cause players to miss school?  Why?
• Tryout Information
  • How many teams will your club field this season?
  • Does your club commit to the Palmetto Region Athlete/Club Bill of Rights and Tryout & Commitment Policy?
  • How much do tryouts cost?  Is this tryout fee applied to team fees if we commit to this club?
  • In what age group/division should my child tryout?  How is that determined?
  • How do I know what position my child should play?
  • How do we sign up for tryouts? 
  • When will your club’s tryouts be held?  When will team selection be finalized?
  • Does everyone who attends tryouts receive an offer to play?  Are some players “cut?”
  • What if my child is unhappy with his/her team placement or player position?  Can we negotiate for a different team or position?
  • What is your club’s signing date?
  • If my child verbally commits to a club after tryouts, can he/she change his/her mind before the signing date?
  • Do you permit individuals to try out for more than one club?  What if my child receives an offer from more than one club?  How is that situation handled?
  • What is the “Multi-Club Tryout Form?”
  • Is my child covered in case of injury during tryouts and throughout the season?
  • My child’s tryouts for the school team conflicts with club tryouts.  Can we make-up club tryouts on a different date?
  • My child is sick/injured/travelling during the club tryouts.  Can we make-up club tryouts on a different date?
  • Can we watch the tryout process or are we forced to leave at that time?
• Fees and Payment Schedules
  • What does it cost to play?  What do my fees go towards?
  • What gear does my player receive and is that factored into the fees or is that an additional fee?
  • How do I pay for club volleyball (cash, credit card, etc.)?  Is there a payment plan or are fees due in full?
  • Does your club offer sibling discounts?
  • Are there volunteer opportunities to reduce my overall fees?
  • Does the club offer financial assistance or scholarships to need-based athletes?
  • If my player is injured or quits the team, are club fees still due in full?
  • If the team folds due to no fault of our own, are refunds offered?
  • If the season gets cancelled or tournament schedule reduced due to no fault of our own, are refunds offered?
• College Recruiting
  • Does the club provide assistance with college recruiting?  Do club fees cover this assistance?
  • Does your club prepare athletes for play at the college level?
• Parent Involvement
  • What role do the parents and families play in supporting the club?
  • How does the club promote positive parent involvement?
  • Are parents permitted to coach or assist with coaching their child’s team?
  • Are families involved in club-wide decision-making?

• How many practices per week and the duration of each practice?
• Where are the practices held?
• Do they have to practice during the holidays and on days following tournaments?
• How many tournaments will they attend, when and where?
• Is the club a non-profit organization?
• Does each team in the club fund itself or are the monies shared between the teams?
• What is the coaching experience of each coach?
• Do they have a written standard of conduct for players and coaches for trips and practices?
• Are coaches required to travel with the team when traveling out of state?
• Will tournament information such as when, where and how be given to each player as soon as possible before each tournament? Many times this information is not available until the last minute due to the late arrival of information from the tournament directors.
• Are the requirements of fund-raisers clearly spelled out as to participation, distribution (to all on the team or to those who work) and accountability for funds, etc.?
• Do they have an itemization of what is being paid by your fees?
• Some clubs charge one fee for the season or charge an initial fee with periodic or monthly fees. Some teams use fund-raisers to fund their teams and some teams use a combination of the above. If a club is unwilling to disclose their financial policies, you may want to seek another club.

Choosing a volleyball club is serious business. It is a commitment in time and money as well as an individual commitment to a club for the duration of the season. Spending a little time researching your options and opportunities may save you from a frustrating (or worse) season. Be sure to ask lots of questions. If possible, talk with players and parents who have played in the club before. If a club is hesitant to answer those questions, it is probably best to move on. Remember, volleyball is supposed to be FUN!