The Inside Scoop

Most people are innately nosey. Yes, we did just call you nosey.
For those of you that are willing to admit it (and, ok, those of you who aren't, too) here is a little peek at our first coaches meeting of the season!

Staff season theme: UNITY!
Unity is a noun. In fact, it is defined as, "The state of being one; a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one; oneness of mind, feeling, etc.; concord, harmony or agreement."
Anyone see a pattern here? How about the word "one"?
At Amarillo Juniors, we are focused on practicing what we preach. Individually, each coach in our club will preach "team team team" to our athletes all season long, doing everything short of pounding it into their heads with a hammer. (Ok so we don't really use physical violence to get that point across, but you see what we mean, right?) On that note, we believe it is essential for each of us as a staff to live out what we repeat season after season to our athletes - TEAMWORK!
One way our staff attempts to achieve that goal each year is by attending monthly meetings in which the entire staff gets together to discuss drill ideas, skill training, team building strategies, coaching techniques, and more.
One of our season quotes is, "The WE is greater than the ME." 
Yes, that means we have each other's backs. That means we work as a unit. That means that, despite some differences in our coaching styles and variations in our skills training our foundation is the same.
In fact, it was years ago that this same core group of people decided to begin coaching cohesively across the board as a staff. Our rockin' head coaching staff (Jason Skoch, West Texas A&M head coach, Jason Culpepper, Randall High School head coach, Scott Sandel, Tascosa High School head coach, Jan Barker, Amarillo High School head coach, and Stephanie Bankhead, head club director for Amarillo Juniors) establishes yearly how we are going to teach our volleyball fundamentals and foundations to our athletes.
Some of you might also be interested in learning that each year the Amarillo Juniors coaching staff each individually sign a "Coaches Code of Conduct." This means there is no just "talking the talk," but a whole lot of "walking the walk."
Now, does this mean that at some point a parent (or player, but in the spirit of honestly we're going to let you know it is more often a parent) will not be upset by one of our coaches coaching styles or coaching decisions? Absolutely not, and truth be told, that line is often blurry, much to the frustration of everyone involved. We encourage the parents in our club to remain mindful that your athlete's coach truly DOES have her best interests at heart, and never makes any decision without a reason behind it. Oftentimes that reason is something you never thought it would be. Bottom line? Let the coaches do their job, they really do care about your kiddo!
At our meeting we also discussed the fact that the parents of our athletes are entrusting their daughters into our care to help teach them excellent volleyball (and therefore life) skills for 5-7 months of the year, and each coach on our staff takes this role extremely seriously. Collectively, we understand how difficult it is to step back and entrust your child's emotional well being to us, all the while knowing that there's a possibility not everything will go her way.
Bottom line is, our staff is hyper dedicated to our teams, and therefore dedicated to each individual athlete. We are dedicated to doing the best we can as often as we can and as long as we can to train our athletes and bring them to into their highest volleyball potential, ultimately leading to a successful collegiate career, should they so choose. We are committed to staying unified as a club and going at it as a team.
We are so pumped for what all this season will bring, and truly appreciate how many amazing families have chosen to be a part of it with us!
- Amarillo Juniors

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What to expect at tryouts and how to get noticed!

With so many athletes vying for positions on teams during tryouts, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. How do you get noticed at tryouts and more importantly, be remembered?

A peek into the coaches tryout process will help you, the athlete, know what to expect...
Yes, it's true that coaches do, typically, have a good idea of who will be attending tryouts and therefore who they have to choose from for their team selection that year. Occasionally there are athletes that show up as a surprise, however. Also, teams in ages 12u-14s are not solidified until the final day of tryouts.

First, coaches get a sneak peek of who is coming to tryout at pre-tryout clinics.

Next, coaches get to watch athletes at tryouts, take notes on them, and discuss their individual abilities with other coaches for further input on who to place where. You will see coaches walking around with clip boards and likely whispering to one another as you and the other athletes play. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!!!

Following tryouts the entire coaching staff gets together to discuss who they have selected for their team or who they are considering. It is important to know that the head coach and assistant coach are NOT the only ones who have made the placement decision for the athletes on their team. Other coaches in that age group and throughout the club that attended tryouts have the opportunity to give their input, and the club directors' opinions are also heavily weighed in. Our club operates as a unit, which means our coaching staff helps one another in our decision making and each coach is guided by the club directors and head coaching staff to make the best decisions possible.

That evening, after final decisions are made, calls will be made to athletes at the phone numbers given on tryout registration forms to inform them what team they made. Remember to STAY NEAR YOUR PHONE. It is easiest for coaches to be able to contact each individual athlete one at a time, and not have to bounce around on their list (or be interrupted while calling another athlete by an athlete returning their previous phone call). At this time you have the opportunity to accept or reject your team offer so BE PREPARED WITH YOUR ANSWER AHEAD OF TIME. Coaches do not have time to wait around on your decision. Additionally, everything is thrown massively out of whack if coaches receive a phone call late that evening or the next day (or even later...) that the athlete chose not to accept her offer.

Now that you have a better idea of what actually happens "behind the scenes" during the tryout process, here are a few tips to help get noticed at tryouts and be remembered!

1. BE LOUD!
It is extremely important to talk and communicate on the court AT ALL TIMES. This includes calling the ball, shadowing other players, discussing what kind of ball is coming and where it's going to go, who is covering what, etc.
On top of just the regular court communication (remember, this is important no matter how old you are!) encouraging the other athletes trying out is a huge factor that helps get the attention of coaches. It shows you are a team player and willing to celebrate others' success.

2. HUSTLE!
Whether you are going to get water during a break, shagging a ball, or going from one place to the next in a drill, hustle is extremely important and noticed by every single coach in the gym. Coaches need to see that you are willing to work hard without being told to do so. This also hints at your level of coachability.

3. BE COACHABLE!
When a coach gives you instruction, take it and apply it immediately. Making mistakes is not the issue; the issue is making the same mistakes over and over again. This is frustrating for a coach and shows that you are unwilling to change your bad habits. Even if you are playing at the upper level of the talent at tryouts, being uncoachable means that eventually your competition (your teammates vying for your spot included) will outplay you! Do as the coach says and try your best to apply it immediately. They don't talk just for the sake of talking. What they say to you is for a reason, and that reason is almost always to make you a better volleyball player and all-around athlete!

4. RELAX!
It is easy to get yourself so stressed out about tryouts that you can barely function. Remember, coaches do not expect perfection! Coaches are looking for an athlete that is willing to try their best 100% of the time. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. Try to not repeat your mistake more than once, but be mindful of the fact that mistakes are OK! No one is going to gun you down for missing that hit, serve, pass, and so on. Coaches want to see your willingness to try and you being aggressive on the court. Those two things are always accompanied by the occasional mistake. Once it's made, LET IT GO AND MOVE ON! Having a "next ball mentality" can be your most valuable tool as a volleyball athlete.

Good luck and see you at tryouts!
- Amarillo Juniors

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Coach tips for practice planning

For those of you coaches who are practice planners, you've seen its importance proved time and time again. Creating a detailed plan for practice can be of huge benefit to the structure or your practices which then results in more constructive practice time for your athletes. Want more organization in your practices? Need them to run smoother? Not fitting everything in you would have liked during your practice time? Plan it out. It's amazing what can be accomplished with a solid plan in place.

Some tips for successful practice planning...
1. Create a backwards timeline
Our Director of Coaches, local 4A high school coach Jason Culpepper (also on our head coaching staff) advises coaches to sit down pre-season and ask yourself a simple question, "Where do I want my team to be when we are __________________?" Fill in that blank with your  answer, and create your practice plans accordingly. Start from end season practice or even mid-season practices. Create them based on where you would like to be, and progress backwards. This process does take time, but it's worth it. You can also use this system moving forward through your season chronologically. Remember, allow yourself some flexibility. No one can prepare for exactly what the season will hold because the future isn't certain (for instance, player injuries can't be accounted for ahead of time), but having your season's practices planned out allows you the freedom to adjust accordingly.
2. Save and pull
So you don't want to plan all of your practices at once? Perfectly OK! But our second tip for you is this... save your past plans! Put them in a document or a binder, or somewhere you can access at a later date. This will give you a great idea about the percentage of time you are spending during practice focusing on a certain skill set, or perhaps give you insight as to how much time you are spending on single-phase drills as opposed to multi-phase or team drills. Also, you can reuse drills you particularly liked in the past. It's OK to reuse drills and allow athletes to get familiar with them and attempt to master them. This is constructive. But remember, to always set up new goals and continue to push your athletes outside of their comfort zones.
3. Make notes
During practice be sure to allow yourself some room on the side of your practice plan to make notes regarding certain drills. This comes in handy big time when creating future practice plans. Drill didn't flow like you wanted it to? Did it take too long to complete? Next time, make the adjustment and give it a time cap. Was the level of the drill too high or too low for your caliber of athletes? Adjust and make the modifications. Note taking is an overlooked tool that can do coaches an amazing amount of good when applied during practices. After all, there are typically so many things going on it's hard to remember all of your "mental notes" the next time you sit down to plan. If you have notes to refer to, you won't have to worry about that!
4. Modify
Do not be afraid to take a drill and make it your own! Modifying a drill is a brilliant way to get what you need out of it. Many of our coaches on staff have one base drill with 5 or more modifications of that same drill. Don't get caught saying, "Well I don't need that drill because it's too advanced for my athletes." Not true! Modify and tailor it to fit your team's needs. After all, no teams' needs or skill sets are going to be cookie cutter. Make it work for you.
5. Create your own drills
What areas need work on your team? Now, write those areas down. Take different elements of the game and skill sets and smoosh them together. Combine old drill concepts with new. Have a drill that only uses passing and setting? Add a hitter! Have a single-phase hitting drill? Make it multi-phase by throwing in a pass and a set. Don't be afraid to try new drills that YOU have created. Then, make notes about their effectiveness! You might surprise yourself with the awesome drills you can come up with!
6. Ask yourself questions about your practice drills and format
Oftentimes we see the teams that by all accounts should be performing well on the court. Yet, somehow, they're easily beatable. Maybe they all have spectacular individual skill sets but just can't seem to put it all together as a team. Or maybe they are heavy and strong in one area (say, defense) but obviously weak in another (maybe offense). Or possibly you have a team that has every skill set they need, but can't keep up with the pace of the game. This could in fact be a direct reflection on your practice structure and drills. It's important to continue self-evaluating your practices throughout the season. Are they fast-paced enough? Are you stopping entire drills to give instruction to just one player? Could that instruction have been given in a short key phrase (more on the use of key phrases in a future blog post) while the player continues participating in the drill? Are your drills conducive to game-like situations? What percentage of your practice is focused on single-phase drills, multi-phase drills, and team skills? These questions are important and need to be answered. The advancement of your team depends on it.

This blog posts we found through the Junior Volleyball Association's (JVA) Facebook page hits the nail on the head and asks, "Are your practice drills part of your team's problem during play?" Click HERE to answer 8 fundamental questions that will help you analyze the drills you are using during practice.

Just like so many other things in life, as a coach, if you're not growing you're dying. Be ready and willing to expand your skill set. Maybe even ask another coach you look up to or respect to view your practice and give you some insight. What did they like? What do they think could have been done better? How was the flow? Was it conducive to the time of season you are in? Practices can't just be something a team trudges through in between game time. Practice is where it counts. Successful practices breed successful athletes which in turn mold successful teams.
- Amarillo Juniors

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Sportsmanship; A lost art form?

You hear the stories every day, maybe you've even experienced it for yourself... the irate fan who comes out of the stands at the referee or the angry dad who gets into a fist fight with another parent during a game.
Over the last few years, it seems, these types of stories have been more widespread, expanding across the country. So that leaves us with one very important question...
Has sportsmanship become a lost art form?
We recently happened across a very interesting column (that we posted on our Facebook page as well) written by columnist Patrick Hite on the newsleader.com website addressing a scary aspect of this very issue; coaches resigning their posts because the unruliness of fans; namely, parents. Read it HERE.
While we read through this we found ourselves nodding our heads in agreement, and recognizing certain stories from right in our own backyard. We know what additional obstacles this problem presents... unruly athletes, young male and female athletes with a lack of discipline, and promotion of the "entitlement generation," to name a few... but how do we combat it?

Coming at the problem head on
Sticking our heads in the sand and pretending like something isn't happening has never solved a problem. If you're saying to yourself right now, "Well, I'm not that (athlete) (parent) (sports fan)," we applaud you. However, we're sure you know of one (or two, or three...) that are. Here's a question for those of us who aren't actively expanding the problem... are we actively combating it? It's no secret that parental roles are vital to the success of a team. We have seen teams come apart at the seams because of unhappy parents, and on the other hand have seen teams win national championships at the encouragement and support of them. When your athlete says to you, "My coach plays favorites. That's why I'm only playing front row now," what is your response? Athletes are typically a direct reflection of their home environment and what they are hearing from their individual fans (often, their parents). Is your athlete surrounded by a positive, encouraging, hard-work supporting, "you can do anything you put your mind to"-promoting environment? Or rather, is the environment filled with, "Oh you poor thing, you are mistreated by your coach and other players, you deserve that spot so much more than little Suzy, little Johnny made 14 mistakes and you would've made less than that if given the chance so you deserve the position more than him" mindsets?
We know, this is getting deep.
Like the column said, it is very rare that any coach is ever out to be vindictive against your child. No. Rather, most coaches coach for the sake of the children. It's a low-paying, often thankless job, for those of you who were unaware. Mostly, it is done for the kids. It is done for a love of the game. It is done to educate, encourage, and mold young athletes into responsible, disciplined leaders who take life head-on and do their part to make their environment a better place.
Your words and their impact
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." Now, isn't that just the farthest thing from the truth you've ever heard? Words DO hurt. Words DO have an enormous impact on our athletes. What an important thing for coaches to remember. Coaches walk a fine line between speaking life into their athletes and holding them to a standard of excellence. Great coaches accomplish this feat. But once the athlete leaves the court, field, etc... is it continued on? For athletes out there, how does what you say impact your teammates? For parents, how does what you say impact your children? (Check out the "10 Commandments for Parents" of athletes HERE). Remember, your attitude towards your athlete's coach, other parents from the team, other players on the team, the referees, or the competition will be directly reflected in your child.
What is considered "unsportsmanlike"?
Yes, this is pretty much a "don't" list, but it's important. We all know how easy it is to become so emotionally invested that we get carried away (this is true for athletes, coaches, and parents/fans). So here are some things to be aware of that do nothing other than reflect poorly on you/your athlete/your team/your sports organization and cause ill-will.
1. Shouting rudely or obnoxiously (on the court or from the stands) at athletes, coaches, or referees.
2. Ripping your athlete from the stands during the middle of play for making a mistake.
3. Yanking your child directly following play because you disagreed with the coaches decision, or pulling your athlete from other responsibilities she/he may have had such as reffing duties because you are unhappy.
4. Approaching your coach (in an aggressive manner or otherwise) following play without setting up a time to have this meeting with a concern or issue you may have.
5. Commenting on the competition - their "rudeness" or what such-and-such player did or said etc. Remember, you can't control what other people do, but you can control your response to it.
Here's your sign...
If you ever find yourself opening with a statement like, "I'm really not the kind of parent who complains, BUT..." or "I respect your decisions as a coach, BUT..." or "I'm not the type of person ________, BUT..." catch yourself! After all, when you open with a statement that essentially contradicts itself, you need to reevaluate your purpose in the discussion.
Cut to the chase
Whenever you do find yourself in a situation where you, as an athlete or parent, need to have a meeting with the coach, remember to approach it in a very understanding and humble manner. A coach ALWAYS has a reason for every decision that is made, and specifically in the sport of volleyball, the variables that could have impacted said decision are essentially endless. Often you will find that a decision was made for a particular reason that you were completely unaware of. Ask the coach what you could do to make certain situations better. Expect honesty, and then accept it. Once the issue is addressed, leave it. Do not go "stir the pot" by whining in the ear of a teammate or other parent to get more people "on your side" in the matter. This is counterproductive for your athlete no matter the situation.
Nip it in the bud
So we end with a problem still on our hands. Alas, sometimes that's just life. Our charge to you is this...
What can you do to become a part of the solution? 
If you hear a teammate or other parent/fan complaining, yelling, or otherwise distributing any of the aforementioned signs of unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively pull them to the side. There you can remind them or bring to their attention what it is they were doing and how that not only poorly reflects on them, but on the entire team or sports organization. Oftentimes you can be the voice of reason and cool someone's jets before things boil over.
Remember, the best thing you can ever say to your athlete is, "I so enjoy watching you play. I'm so proud of you!"
We love this game, and want the best for all of our athletes. We promote positive lessons learned on the court that will carry on into adulthood. Remember, it takes a village, and no team has ever had a winning season where division, anger, and selfishness were the frontrunners. Parents, you are the foundation of your athletes and their success on and off the court. Join with coaches in teaching hard work, discipline, focus, determination, flexibility, teamwork, resilience, humility and leadership on the court and off.

Every season, like every situation, is what you make of it. It can work for you or against you, but the choice is yours.

Happy playing!
- Amarillo Juniors

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In the coaches' heads... What are they looking for at tryouts?

What are your coaches looking for during tryouts? 
Knowing what someone expects of you can be the key to your success. Let's take a peek into a coaches' head during tryouts...

1. How aggressive is she?

Photo from snugd.com
via Google images

Timidity in the sport of volleyball is never a good thing. Coaches have a keen eye for an aggressive player, and can typically spot one the second they walk into the gym. Be sure that you are playing aggressively. This includes calling the ball loudly, no matter WHEN you're passing it. A big mistake many athletes make is getting out of the "I got it!" habit when they are in single-phase drills. Just because you may be the only person passing that ball is a poor excuse not to call it. This goes back to the fundamental aspect of "you play like you practice." Always practice with the proper technique, form, and attitude and this will carry over come game time. Coaches are aware of this, so they look for athletes who play in this manner.

2. Does she have good court awareness?

Photo from atlantaputtinggreen.com
via Google images

Just because you can go up and bang a ball doesn't necessarily mean you are guaranteed a hitting position on a team. Swinging as hard as you can at every ball will create a high error percentage; coaches are looking for low-error, high-success hitters. This means they need someone getting a large margin more kills than they are making errors. Coaches really look for smart athletes who have good placement with the ball; be it a hit, serve, pass, or set. Always be aware of both your side of the court and the other side, making sure you take into account what is happening around you. A player who adjusts mid-play is a player every coach is looking for.


3. Is she afraid to make mistakes?

Photo from johngeddert.com
via Google images

Fearing making a mistake is a mistake in and of itself. Coaches are looking for a "go big or go home" player. Never be afraid to make a move because you think you might not be successful. If you think your jump float serve will get an ace because of the serve receive pattern on the other side of the net - GO FOR IT! This goes back to being aggressive. Always perform your task with the expectation that you WILL succeed, not with a fear that you won't.





4. If she makes a mistake, what is her response?

Photo from staugustineduckrace.com
via Google images

This is a theory that 15s coach and Amarillo Juniors Director Stephanie Bankhead calls "The Duck's Butt" theory. When a duck gets wet, the water rolls off his back smoothly and swiftly, leaving no trace of it in its wake. This is the mentality coaches expect you to have when it comes to mistakes on the court. When you make a mistake, be a "duck's butt" athlete - let it roll off and focus on your next job! A popular name for this is "next ball mentality" ... but we think duck's butt is cuter. :)




5. How does she relate to the other athletes on the court?

Photo from 123rf.com via
Google images

Are you encouraging the other athletes on the court? Are you cheering them on when they do something good and lifting them up when they make a mistake? This may be the most important thing of all to a coach, because these actions show coaches whether or not you will be a good team player. The bottom line is that each team must be focused on the "we" and never the "me." Your attitude towards the players around is a big, flashing sign to the coaches. It's your choice whether that sign says, "I'm a winner and a team player who will do my very best for the betterment of the TEAM" or, "I'm mainly worried about my own performance and myself so I don't take into consideration the athletes around me." It's up to you, so make it count!

Good luck to our 15s-18s teams this weekend at tryouts. And remember, "duck's butt!"

- Amarillo Juniors

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rumor squasher:

AMARILLO JUNIORS TEAMS ARE NOT PRE-FORMED. No team selections are made until tryouts are completed. In the older age divisions specifically, it is true that the coaches have typically seen the athletes play during school season and former club seasons, but their teams are not yet chosen. Help us out and be a rumor squasher! 

What's my role as the parent of an athlete?

Sometimes, knowing your role as a parent when it comes to your child's sports team is tricky. Do I push her, or am I pushing too hard? Am I teaching her discipline, or am I forcing her to do something she just isn't that interested in? There are a lot of questions.
At Monday night's parent meeting we had Licensed Professional Counselor (and mom of a 12-year-old in our club) LeAnn Sorrels speak to the parent's in attendance about their role. LeAnn, who has 23 years of experience in her field, now has a few years under her belt as the mom of a club volleyball athlete. Between that and her job, she's learned a few things that she shared with the group.
Her acronym: SUPPORT.


S- self-confidence
U- understanding
P- positive visualization
P- parental role
O- optimism
R- respect
T- team

Licensed Family Counselor and mom of an Amarillo Juniors
athlete LeAnn Sorrels talks at Monday's 12s parent meeting.
LeAnn shared what she has learned in her experience as
a parent of an athlete combined with her 23 years of
counseling practice.

Self-confidence is something that every person, at some point in time, has struggled with. On and off the court, learning how to have and maintain confidence is essential to success on all levels. As a parent (trust us, we've all been there!) we know how easy it is to get absolutely absorbed in the game. You feel what your child feels. You yearn to see your child succeed. Overall, though, according to LeAnn, your best bet as a parent is to be your child's biggest cheerleader. Which leads to the "U" - understanding. Be encouraging and help instill self-confidence in them by providing encouraging words before AND after their games, at home, away from home, at school... positive reinforcement, LeAnn says, really is key. After all, most players are hard enough on themselves already!

Positive visualization is something you will hear most life-coach professionals talk about. It's important to see yourself succeeding at whatever you're doing, and that stands true on the volleyball court. Always encourage your child to focus on how they want to perform a task, not on how they didn't perform it well the first time. Help them to imagine where it is they want to be and then guide them in taking steps toward those goals. Coaches call this "next ball mentality" - which is essentially a player's ability to move on from the last play and focus on the play at hand. "Not commenting on what your child is doing well is creating a cognitive path to focus on mistakes not accomplishments," LeAnn said, "instead of a cognitive path to 'I will get this; it will come as I practice and visualize!'"

And next comes parental role. Ahhh parental role. What a fine line walked, eh? According to LeAnn, some of the biggest mistakes a parent can make are:
1. Pushing too hard.
"This stifles the fun of learning and creates a path for them to start beating themselves up if they make mistakes," LeAnn said. "Be sure this is your child's dream, not just yours."
2. Yelling/coaching during the game or between games.
Essentially there are too many chiefs! Your child's eagerness to please both you and her coach can take its toll. Also, she may be getting conflicting messages between you and her coaches, LeAnn said.

How about this one (the glass is half-full!)... optimism! What an important life-tool. Again, this goes back to positive reinforcement. Teach your child to always be optimistic about what she can achieve, and she will likely get there! (Insert parental lesson here: We can all benefit from this! If we talk positively and optimistically to ourselves instead of negatively we are far more likely to succeed.)

Also, be sure that you are respecting the leadership of your child's coach. For any parent out there who has ever coached a sport, you can attest to the fact that it's not easy! LeAnn has learned that you have to trust and respect your coaches' decisions, she said. It's not always easy to understand why your daughter may have a certain role on her team, but it's important to remember that a coach has a reason for everything. Respect the coaches' knowledge of the game and, if necessary, schedule a time to talk more extensively (and calmy) about why certain decisions have been made.

And lastly, team. Every team-sport athlete has to have a "WE is greater than ME" mentality. The bottom line is, all decisions that are made have to best benefit the team, not just the individual. In club sports, parents, too, are members of the team. Obviously, you parents out there play an essential role in helping the coach guide your athlete to success. If you all work toward the same goal together and "play" for one another, not against one another, the season will be successful AND it will be FUN!

Thanks, LeAnn, for sharing your insights with us!

- Amarillo Juniors

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Get noticed at tryouts!

Obviously, tryouts are important. Tryouts are when it comes down to the wire. You've prepared for months, but there are so many girls in the gym for such a short amount of time!

As an athlete, how can you be sure you don't get overlooked?

Here are the top 3 tips for getting yourself NOTICED at tryouts!

1. Be LOUD!

• The sport of volleyball obviously requires a lot of communication, as there is a lot of people playing in a small space. A lack of communication can be the downfall of an entire team - the difference between being successful or not - just like it can be your downfall at tryouts.
• Talking doesn't JUST happen when it's your turn to play the ball. There is ALWAYS something to say. Encourage other teammates in tryouts; this shows you're a team player. Call for every ball when you're a hitter; this shows a willingness and yearning to be the "go to" girl. Call every ball well before you pass it, and don't be afraid to take a ball that might be someone else's IF they didn't call it; this shows your aggressiveness on the court.
• Don't be afraid to be "that girl." If coaches watching you play refer to you as the loudest girl in the gym, you are on the RIGHT track!

2. Wear something MEMORABLE!

• At tryouts, it's not always easy for coaches to see the number pinned on the back of your shirt. Wear something noticeable, something memorable, so that coaches can easily refer to it when talking about you. i.e. - Did you see that girl in the neon pink shirt with the matching bandana on her head? She passes nails in serve receive!
• Don't be afraid to repeat. Did you wear that pink bandana to the first day of tryouts? Well, wear it the second day! Once a coach spots you, you stay in their sights easier if you have something memorable on and you don't blend in with the rest of the athletes. Then, they will be sure to go look up your name!

3. HUSTLE everywhere you go!

• Coaches aren't basing their decisions solely on skill during tryouts. Surprised? In fact, a variety of things go in to a coach's decision making process (but we'll save that for another post...). One way to not only get seen during tryouts, but to tip the scales in your favor is to hustle everywhere you go in the gym!
• If you're shagging a ball, be running to go get it. If you're standing around waiting to go into the drill next, be the player who is making sure balls are in the carts. If the coaches huddle you up to break out for a quick water break, run to them as soon as you hear about it.
• Just broke out of the huddle to go get water? RUN to your water bottle. That will definitely grab some attention! Hustle shows coaches that you are a hard worker, which usually means that you are also a focused athlete. Hard working, focused athletes have the most potential, and coaches LOVE kids who show lots of potential!

Most of all, try to stay relaxed and have fun! After all, that's what playing volleyball is all about!

We hope these tips will help you during tryouts. If they do, let us know about it! We'd love to hear your story. Connect with us on...

Facebook! Click HERE or go to www.facebook.com/amarillojuniors

Twitter! Click HERE or find us at @amarillojuniors

Our website (currently being renovated but info is still there), click HERE or visit www.amarillojuniors.com.

If you are trying out for Amarillo Juniors in the 12s-14s age groups this weekend, be sure to click here for updates and information and here to get registered.

Happy tryouts!

- Amarillo Juniors Volleyball Club