The Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club provides this parents’ page to help you navigate the complexities of club volleyball. If you have any questions, please contact us via the form below. Take your time and visit the provided links, as they will answer most of your questions.
We provide three levels of club volleyball
Open: These teams are for athletes who want to pursue the highest level of play, including National Bids to USAV, JVA, AAU Nationals, Recruiting Showcases, Collegiate Scholarships, and Junior National team rosters. Skill levels range from Intermediate Advanced to Advanced, with the desire and ability to progress.
Championship: These teams are for athletes who want to pursue the highest level of play, including National Bids to USAV, JVA, AAU Nationals, Recruiting Showcases, Collegiate Scholarships, and Junior National team rosters. Skill levels range from Intermediate to Intermediate Advanced, with the desire and ability to progress.
Regional Club: These teams are for athletes with general knowledge of the game and rules. Players understand basic rotational sequences and positions. Skill levels range from Beginner to Intermediate.
Important links
FAQS | Girls Tryouts | Awards Banquet | Position Characteristics | Camp Schedule | Volleyball Camps | Private Lessons | Training Academy | Codes of Conduct | Conflict Resolution | Age Groups | Club Uniforms | Fees & Services | Club Curriculum | Guidelines/Policies | Sports Anxiety | Featured Articles |Postseason Training | Player Development | Saguaro Recruit |
It’s all about the team
Volleyball is one of the most team-oriented sports out there. One player can’t win the match on their own, so learning to put faith in your teammates and giving the best effort possible will ensure the most success.
Focus on the fundamentals
Volleyball takes time to learn, so breaking down the fundamentals is key. Take the time to revisit the fundamentals and build a strong foundation. Even NCAA Division 1 athletes break down the fundamentals on their own and at practice.
Shake it off!
Mistakes happen all the time in volleyball. When they happen, shake them off and focus on improving for the next time. Learn from mistakes by asking your coach how to correct them, and support your teammates by cheering for them when they make mistakes.
Communication is key
Communication and enthusiasm go a long way in volleyball. Speak loud and clear with your teammates and coaches to help your team succeed. Also, maintain a high energy level and cheer on your teammates both on the court and on the bench.
Pick a program that suits your child
Find a program that suits your child’s playing style and commitment level, along with your commitment level as a parent. Research the volleyball programs in your area and understand what is expected before signing up.
Get to know your child’s coach
The ideal coach is accessible, honest, and a good role model for your child. Understand his or her views on playing time, development, and discipline, and let him or her know what your child needs to improve as a player. The key is open, honest communication.
Volleyball “Stay-to-Play” Concept Explained
In volleyball tournaments, “Stay-to-Play” is a participation requirement that requires teams to book lodging through the event’s official housing partner and stay in approved hotels to remain eligible to compete. It is expected that all travel teams participate in the Stay-to-Play requirement of each event. Teams can be removed from any event by the tournament coordinators if they do not comply.
Please visit this link for more details. “Stay to Play”
The Travel Coordinator
A dedicated travel coordinator will provide parents with all travel logistics, which include communications and schedules, and will ensure that each team is in travel compliance with all stay-to-play requirements.
The Team Manager
A dedicated team manager/assistant coach will handle all logistics, including communications and schedules, support the head coach with drills, and act as head coach if needed.
Fundraising Coordinator
A dedicated club fundraising coordinator who is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing fundraising activities to secure financial support for a team/organization. Our fundraising coordinator organizes several fundraising opportunities throughout the season.
Be your child’s biggest fan
At practices and games, allow the coaches and referees to do their jobs and focus on being your child’s biggest fan. Shouting instructions from the sidelines can confuse and frustrate young players and their coaches. Instead, encourage your child to have fun and be a good teammate.
Social development is part of the game
Volleyball teams are built on trust and communication. Your child will learn to interact with their teammates, coaches, and referees, and will build social skills that apply beyond the court. Sports are a great way for your child to meet new people and make friends.
Getting to know the fundamentals of volleyball is a great place to start for new players and parents.
Three hits
Each team is allowed three hits to get the ball over the net to the opposing team’s side. The three basic hits are a pass, a set, and a spike. Passes and sets are used to pass the ball to another teammate, while a spike is used to get.
Rotation and substitution
When the team that received the serve scores a point, the team’s players rotate one position clockwise. Teams can substitute players in and out of the match, where the total number of substitutions for each team is limited to 15, but the timing of the subs is not.
Playing Time
The Plus and Minus system and Positional Playing Time method:
Let’s first look at the Plus and Minus system. This system is taught to all our coaches when deciding playtime for their players. This is also used to explain to parents how general playtime is granted. General playtime is not calculated or disseminated equally among the players; it is earned through the abilities of each player.
A plus player makes mistakes, costing the team points, but scores more points than they give up; this is called a plus player.
A minus player makes mistakes, costing the team points, but does not score more points than they give up or create opportunities for the team to score points, like great pass and defensive play.; this is called a minus player. They are still growing in the game and will eventually gain the experience and volleyball IQ to become a plus player. During this phase coaches and parents must be patient and trust the process.
The goal of each coach is to keep the plus player motivated to keep scoring points, while reducing the exposure of the minus player to capture the points they score or contribute to and then remove them from overexposure. This will never make sense to a parent, but professional coaching is specific and intentional.
Now let’s look at Positional Playtime. The worst thing a parent can do is clock playtime minutes for their player. Most parents do not understand that different positions dictate different playtime opportunities.
For example, it is typical that an outside hitter plays all six positions, never leaving the court unless a break is needed. These players possess the physical requirements to hit and block at the net; they are also able to serve and play defense in the back row.
Compared to a defensive position player who does not possess the physical ability to hit or block at the net, they may only play three back-row rotations. The two examples presented will have different minutes on the court. This will make parents feel that their child is not given a chance to succeed. What parents need to understand is that physical attributes will always play a role in their child’s development, playtime, and position.
For information about placing your child in the best position for success, please visit the Position Characteristics link.
At the net
In general, touching any part of the net with anything besides the ball or a player’s hair is a violation that results in the opposing team receiving a point. Players can reach above the net without touching it to play the ball. A ball that touches the net can still be played.
Out of bounds
A ball that lands out of bounds results in a point for the team that did not touch it last. Players are allowed to run out of bounds to hit the ball back into play.
Service
Each rally begins with a serve from the team that won the last point. The serving player must stay behind the back line and use an underhand or overhand approach to hit the ball over the net and in bounds on the opposing team’s side.
Playing the ball
The ball can be played with any part of a player’s body, but cannot be held, thrown, or pushed. Players most often direct the ball using their hands and forearms.
Volleyball positions vary based on age, style of play, and competitive level. It’s generally encouraged for younger players to try all the positions before focusing on one or two of their favorites. In the indoor game, there are three “front row players” and three “back row players” during each point. Players rotate one position clockwise after winning a point that the opposing team served.
Hitters
There are three main hitting positions: left, right, and middle. Left and right hitters pass, attack, and block balls for their team.
Setter
These players often play in the front right or back right position and are normally the first player to serve. Their job is to set the ball for the hitters to attack it.
Middle
These players play in the center position of the front row and focus on blocking and spiking the ball.
Libero
This player wears a different color jersey than his or her teammates and is restricted to playing in the back row only. Liberos are tasked with receiving the serve, passing it to the setter, and digging incoming attacks.
Volleyball requires very little gear to play, but your child will need a few things before he or she hits the court.
Athletic Shoes
While most lightweight tennis shoes will do the trick, volleyball-specific shoes have a good grip to help your child move laterally across the court and absorb impact from jumping.
Knee Pads
Volleyball players frequently slide across the court on their knees. A good pair of knee pads will save your child from painful abrasions.
Hair Accessories
Athletes with long hair should use a headband, hair-tie, or scrunchy to make a ponytail that will keep their hair out of their face during gameplay.
Jewelry
No jewelry of any kind, hair clips, or any items that could cause injury. Even though the USA and AAU Volleyball associations have made allowances for this rule. The club regards these items as a potential risk to the player; therefore, we enforce this rule.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is crucial to succeeding in any sport – especially volleyball! Your child will be running and jumping for over an hour. Keep water nearby.
Volleyball
A standard women’s volleyball for ages 13-18 is between 25.5 and 26.5 inches in circumference and weighs between 9.2 and 9.9 ounces.
A standard women’s volleyball for ages 8-12 is between 25.5 and 26.5 inches in circumference and weighs between 7.2 and 7.9 ounces, often called a light ball.
Indoor volleyballs are made of leather and are slightly heavier than beach volleyballs. Beach balls are softer, bigger, and lighter.
ARIZONA SAGUAROS VOLLEYBALL CLUB 