How to Make Your School's Volleyball Team

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 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.

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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.
2
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.
3
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!

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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.
2
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.

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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.

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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.

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References

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 83 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 284,508 times.

699 votes - 89%

Co-authors: 83

Updated: January 31, 2023

Views: 284,508

Categories: Volleyball

Article SummaryX

If you want to be on your school’s volleyball team, practice the basics of the game so you can be prepared for tryouts. Spend some time practicing your moves, like setting, spiking, bumping, blocking, and serving, which you can do by yourself against a wall or with friends. Since playing volleyball takes strength and stamina, you’ll also want to do exercises like push-ups and jogging to prepare. For the actual tryouts, arrive early, volunteer to do any errands or exercises that the coach asks, and have a positive attitude. If you don't make the team, remember that there's always next year, so keep practicing. To learn how to stay on the school volleyball team, keep reading!

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