Rockford JO Club Volleyball FAQs (2011-2012)
What is JO Club Volleyball? USA Junior Olympic (JO) Volleyball or Club Volleyball offers athletes the opportunity to play volleyball after their school season ends. JO Club Volleyball is an avenue for girls age 10 to 18 to play in competitive tournaments and get additional training outside of their school season. Most JO Club seasons run from November or December until April or May. Players will be placed on a team based on their age and skill level, or can also be grouped by grade level. Most tournaments offer age group divisions 12 – 18. This allows girls to compete against each other in their same age group. Younger players may play up in an older age group, but players are not allowed to play in a younger age group. Each player has a unique experience as a club member. Naturally, some players are more successful than are others. Players who put more effort into the program get more out of it.
What are some of the benefits of JO Club Volleyball?
- FITNESS & IMPROVEMENT You will get better! That is a guarantee. Every time you touch the volleyball, it makes you better than your competition.
- NEW FRIENDSHIPS Bringing girls together with similar goals helps form friendships. The relationships that form through practice and team play can lead to friendships that last a lifetime.
- EXPOSURE TO COLLEGE RECRUITERS College coaches regularly attend JO Club tournaments. If you want to play in college, it could be to your advantage to play JO. Playing in JO does not guarantee college acceptance or scholarships.
- TOURNAMENT PLAY JO Club tournaments are where the hard practice pays off and where favorable memories are made. Understand that practice and training is where you receive the most instruction and experience. Tournament play is only a supplement to participating in JO. JO Club tournaments are usually far more competitive and more physically demanding than high school matches.
Why Play JO Club Volleyball? We find that most girls have several goals. Some players want to learn more about the sport, improve their skill level, and get playing time in tournaments. For others, it’s simply to extend their school season by 6 months. For others, it may be to challenge starters on their school team for playing time next season. For a few, it will be the exposure needed to compete for future college scholarship opportunities. Today you will find that literally all athletes who play volleyball in college participated in JO Club olleyball during high school. All participants enjoy competitive tournament play. Many successful high school coaches are encouraging their athletes to play JO volleyball for the experience, instruction, and additional training time. Also, where you find successful high school programs, you will find players who participate in JO Club volleyball.
Is JO Club volleyball only for the college bound athlete? Certainly not! We are interested in building teams in the younger age divisions, as young as age 12 and under (ages 10 and 11 and younger are encouraged), athletes who are just beginning their volleyball experience. For most players, JO Club volleyball is simply another challenging experience that should lead to a lot more fun on the court as playing skills improve. Many girls find that club ball is “their volleyball season” due to the fact that some experience more playing time than during their school season and they find tournament play is very rewarding. It is our firm belief that enrolling your daughter in JO Club volleyball will give her the edge she needs to succeed in volleyball in the future. Even if she can only play for one season, that alone will improve her game tremendously.
Your daughter might be the best player on her school team. If that’s true, that is great. The unfortunate thing is she always plays with and against people that are not as good as her. She may never be challenged or, even worse, play at a level that is below her potential. If she plays club, she will be playing with and against girls that are equal to or better than her. This will push her and make her the best player she can be.
What is the cost to join Rockford JO Club Volleyball? The cost is dependent on the number of play dates and tournaments we register for, as well as the amount of fundraising the group does.
The cost for the 2011-2012 season will be $175 for the 12s team and $200 for all other teams. The cost will be lowered for those players who help officiate/score the Women’s Sunday Night Adult Volleyball league at the Rockford Community Center. Every 3 nights (a total of 5 time slots) will reduce an individual players cost by $25. There will also be a $25 uniform deposit that will be returned at the end of the season, after the players uniform is turned back in.
Additional costs during the season will include travel to and from practices and tournaments, lodging (if necessary), food during tournaments, and personal equipment such as clothes, shoes and knee pads.
Our goal is to keep our costs down for families while we are building a quality club program. We ask that all families participate in additional fundraising efforts throughout the year as they directly impact the cost of the program for all players. Due to MSHSL rules, scholarships are not available.
What does the money pay for?
North Country Region (NCR) registration fees
Background Checks for Coaches and Directors (through NCR)
Insurance (through NCR)
Tournament & Play Date Fees
Gym Space Rental
Coaches
Equipment and Jerseys
Miscellaneous Expenses
How long is the club season? The USAV season lasts from November to July, however most teams conclude their seasons in April if they don’t qualify for additional tournaments such as Nationals. Rockford JO Club Volleyball begins in November (after the conclusion of the school season) and will end no later than May, with most teams concluding play in March or April. Rockford JO Club Volleyball does not register or attempt to qualify for Nationals at this time.
Do you have a program for those new to volleyball? The Rockford JO Club was developed as a concept to reach players that were interested in playing competitive volleyball, regardless of experience. New players are always welcome and encouraged to join.
Do we allow players from outside of the Rockford school district to try out? Yes, we welcome all players to tryout. However, if our teams are at maximum capacity and we have more players than spaces on teams, we will give preference to Rockford Area players. We are forced to do this based on limited gym availability and qualified coaches. Rockford JO Volleyball does not have a no-cut policy.
Do we allow multi-sport athletes? We strongly support multi-sport athletes, but also do not want your child to be over-committed, which will negatively affect team play. We expect equitable sharing of the burden of player absences between both (all) sports, with respect to both practices and playing events.
Our Website: All pertinent information is listed on the site such as practices, tournaments, contact information, etc. Please visit this site often once the season begins. The website will be posting tournament times and places, results from a previous tournament, pictures and anything of importance to our organization. The site is www.rockfordball.com, click on “Volleyball”.
Rockford JO Club Volleyball General Guidelines
The purpose of the Rockford JO Club Volleyball program is to promote volleyball while supporting the creation of a competitive high school program and instilling strong work ethic, commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship in its players. Parents are encouraged to attend practices, play dates and tournaments. Parents are asked to please support the players at all levels of play and ability, as well as respect the decisions of the coaches, director and the RAAA Board members. It is a privilege to play Rockford JO Club Volleyball.
When, Where, and How often are practices? The Rockford JO Club negotiates playing time in Rockford High School gym (enter through the Rockford Community Center ). During the 2012-2013 season, we will practice on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 – 3:00 pm OR 3:00 – 5:00 pm depending on what team you are on. There will be practice on most non-tournament weekends, depending on gym availability. Additional practice times will be scheduled at the request of coaches and/or directors, and may be moved to the RCC or RMS gyms based on gym availability. Rockford JO Club Volleyball is an activity whose priority comes after family, church, school, and school activities. That being said:
- Attendance to practice is strongly recommended but not mandatory. Players are encouraged to attend even if you can’t make the entire time.
- Girls who attend practice regularly will likely receive more playing time during games.
- Play after an excused* absence at practice is up to the coach and will be determined on a case by case basis. (*Excused means you notified the coach ahead of time.)
- Parents do not need to be present during practice times, but are welcome to stay and watch. Please let your child’s coach know if you are available to assist at practice.
- Rockford Community Center members are welcome to use the facilities and practice on your own as time allows. Equipment is available upon request at the community center.
How is team placement handled? Players will be placed on the lowest level team they can compete on. After registration is complete, if adjustments need to be made to form complete teams at a higher level, an outside group of coaches will conduct try-outs to evaluate players and make placement decisions. Teams from previous years are not necessarily kept together. Teams may also be formed strictly by grade level.
How are positions determined? Coaches may move and train a player to play a different position than they played in school based on the needs of the team. Players must be willing to play any position. Learning a variety of positions (and rotations) can give a player an advantage in future team try-outs. The 12s team players will not be assigned a position and will be introduced to all areas of play.
How many players are on a team? There will be a minimum number of 8 players per team and a maximum number of 12. In the case that additional players are needed to reach the 8 player minimum, a new player maybe added to a roster at any time during the season.
In order to avoid a forfeit at a play date or tournament, the coaches and director(s) may ask a player from one team to move up/over to another team for that particular date. Forfeiting an event can result in significant negative consequences to the team (or all Rockford JO Club teams), such as exclusion from future events.
Coaching Philosophies At Each Age Level:
AGES 12 AND UNDER
- Introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of volleyball.
- Provide instruction that is appropriate to the skill level of the team.
- Group players by ability with fair playing time.
- Participate in practices and will travel for tournaments. (Transportation is not provided.)
- Focus will be placed on the fundamentals of the game, enjoying the game, and building a strong team.
- To provide entry level on the sport of volleyball.
- Emphasis is placed on fun, enriching environment, grouped by ability with fair playing time, and practice as a group. Note: Playing time may be impacted by attendance at practice.
- Will participate in practices and tournaments.
AGES 14 AND UNDER
- Introduce and reinforce the fundamentals of volleyball.
- Introduce the team concepts of offensive and defensive skills.
- Introduce the team to rotations and various positions.
- Place emphasis on developing a well-rounded volleyball player.
- Group players by coachability, athletic ability, and volleyball ability.
- Participate in practices and will travel for tournaments. (Transportation is not provided.)
- Everyone will play, but playing time may not be equal.
- Emphasis will progress toward developing a more well-rounded volleyball player.
AGES 16 AND UNDER
- Provide advanced instruction both on an individual and team basis.
- Place emphasis on successful execution of the game – encompassing both the physical and mental demands.
- Place emphasis on reaching the highest level of volleyball. Playing time will be dependent upon the conditions of each game situation. Playing time will not be equal.
- Begin to specialize, placing players in positions suited to their skill.
- Group players by coachability, athletic ability, and volleyball ability.
- Participate in practices and will travel for tournaments. (Transportation is not provided.)
AGES 18 AND UNDER
- Provide advanced instruction both on an individual and team basis.
- Place emphasis on successful execution of the game — encompassing both the physical and mental demands.
- Place emphasis on reaching the highest level of volleyball. Playing time will be dependent upon the conditions of each game situation. Playing time will not be equal.
- Participate in practices and travel for tournaments. (Transportation is not provided.)
- High school seniors need to confirm their eligibility to play (based on age and future college team restrictions).
How many tournaments will there be? The number of tournaments will depend on the type of team and the age of the team.
- There will be a minimum number of 3 tournaments per team per season with a maximum number of 6 during the 2011-2012 season.
- If you are not able to attend a tournament, please let your team’s coach know as soon as possible so they can make other arrangements for the team.
- You will not be refunded for any missing tournaments (or practices).
Tournament Play Time: Each player will receive playing time during pool play of each tournament. It is up to each team’s coach which players will play during the play-off portion at tournaments. Each player is guaranteed some playing time, but it is unrealistic to expect equal playing time for all players.
Most parents want or expect their child to play all the time during tournament play. This is the number one problem of clubs throughout the United States. We hope the following will resolve most concerns.
At the 12s and 13s levels, our focus is player development. Each player will be given equal time to develop in practices. Players must attend full practices to get that equal practice time. At tournaments and play days, the playing time will not be equal, however the coaches will allow each player court time during the event.
At the 14s, 15s, 16s, 17s and 18s levels, our focus is player development and competitive play. Each player will be given equal time to develop in practices. Players must attend full practices to get that equal practice time. At tournaments and play dates, the playing time will be determined by the individual coach.
Rockford JO Club Volleyball will give NO guarantee of playing time for players on teams. We will offer fair playing time to each team player. Fair is not equal. We will play your daughter as much as possible taking into consideration skill level, competition, position, dedication, attitude, injury and illness. A player that acutely struggles may have playing time limited in order to support her self-esteem. The coach will explain the reasons clearly to the player and attempt to give the player extra instruction in practice to help develop the skills in question. The player and only the player can discuss playing time with their coach during a tournament.
Parent Expectations Regarding Play Time Parents may not approach a coach to question their child’s playing time while at a tournament. Causing a scene at a tournament can get a team disqualified from further play, at that tournament as well as future events (without a refund of pre-paid registration fees). The time to discuss playing time is at the practice following the tournament and should be between a player and a coach. Rockford JO Club Volleyball works hard to find and train our coaches and we trust their decisions. We also ask that you understand that the directors are parents first and directors second. When in attendance at tournaments and play dates, please allow them the time to watch their child play without interruption unless it is an emergency situation requiring the director(s) attention. The directors do want to hear from the parents about the program however, so please contact them during the week by phone or email.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts may arise between player and player, player and coach, parent and coach, or coach and coach. If this occurs, please follow these guidelines for conflict resolution:
- In the event a conflict arises, direct communication between the two parties should be the first step in attempting to resolve the issue. This communication should occur at a time when the two parties can calmly discuss the concerns, no sooner than after the 24 hour cooling off period.
- Players are encouraged to address their concerns to the coach. Rockford JO Club Volleyball believes that such discussions help to develop the necessary life skill of dealing with conflicts directly, immediately, and in a supportive manner.
- If the problem is not resolved between the parties, the player and her parent should bring the problem to the attention of the coach.
- If the coach cannot resolve the issue to the player’s and parent’s satisfaction, the conflict should be brought to the attention of the Director(s).
- If the parties remain unsatisfied, the conflict may be brought to the RAAA Board of Directors.
- When the conflict is player vs. player, there will not be a cooling off period. The situation will be dealt with immediately. Please understand that bullying will not be tolerated and could result in immediate suspension from the program.