General Information

Some Rules and Regulations

Club One abides by all USA Volleyball and state high school athletic association rules. Some of these rules are:

- Only 3 players from the same school can be on the same team for grades 7-11 in Ohio.

Note: If this is your first experience with Club volleyball, remember that not all USA Volleyball rules are the same as high school rules.

Tryouts

Tryouts are closed to parents.  The purpose for closed tryouts is to create a productive environment free from as many distractions as possible.  Each year we evaluate a growing number of athletes during tryouts.  Athletes are evaluated on skill execution and their ability to pass, set, serve, and hit.  Finally, they are watched during a game situation for their intrinsic traits.  We base our selections on what the athletes do during the tryout period and what we perceive their potential to be.  We select athletes based on the following criteria: ability to be trained, willingness to be a team player, athletic ability for volleyball, athletic potential, work ethic, drive, competitive attitude, and current skill ability and or experience.

After Tryouts

After tryouts, the coaching staff will meet to determine which girls will be offered a contract to participate in our program.  Athletes will be notified within three days of tryouts via our web site.  The parents of each accepted athlete will be asked to sign the Club One Player Contract and return the signed contract within the time specified by the OVR or the offer may be withdrawn.  Anyone not offered a contract after tryouts will be placed on our waiting list.  If any offered contracts are refused, the coaching staff will revisit the tryout list and contact those on the waiting list within 2 days after the contract deadline.  The full payment of club cost is due at the parents meeting in December.  Once you sign the contract, you may not play for any other USA Volleyball Junior program during this season.  The athlete will be assigned to an age group for the first practice session.  These practices are extremely important because the coaches will evaluate players in depth. At this time players will be placed on a team. 

 

 

What if I Played at Club One Last Year?

Every athlete in the Club will be evaluated each year. Each athlete must come to the tryouts ready to compete for a position on one of our teams.  An athlete who cannot participate in tryouts because of a limiting physical or medical condition or absence should talk to the Club Director, Phil Walters, prior to the start of the tryout period to determine the status of their ability to play on one of the teams.  Players should never assume because they were on a previous Club One team that they will automatically be on a future team.

What if I Play Other Sports?

School sports and activities are an integral part of the scholastic experience and we still make every effort to schedule practices around some of these other activities.  However, it is recommended that if an athlete is going to miss more than 15% of practices and tournaments, those families reconsider participation in our program.  Missing such a significant amount of time does not make it cost effective for the families and makes it very difficult to build team chemistry and team cohesion at a competitive level.  This means we expect the athlete to attend all Club One practices unless there is a scheduled competition for the other sport at the same time as a Club One practice.  All Club One teams require dedication on the part of the athlete for the team to be a success.  This means that missed practices could result in forfeiture of playing time.  Furthermore, an athletes' best performance will occur when they are on the top of their game physically and mentally.  In order to maintain the body and mind at a peak performance level, an athlete must learn to handle various stresses and deal with the recovery process following workouts.  These stresses can be any one or a combination of the following; poor nutrition, illness, fatigue (i.e. lack of sleep), insufficient rest between workout sessions, emotional stress from schoolwork, friends or family situations, or other extracurricular activities.  It is imperative that you take these factors into account when scheduling your time and activities. The body can only handle a certain amount of stress within a given time period before illness and injuries occur. The practice schedule and workouts designed throughout the season by our Club One coaches have taken into account the need for adequate rest and recovery in avoiding excessive stress.

 

 

Club One Fees

$650 per Regional level team 13 & Older.  Entire fee is due at the parents meeting in December.

$450 per Regional level team 12 & Younger.  Entire fee is due at the parents meeting in December.

$1100 per American level team.  $550 due at parents meeting. $550 due on Jan. 1st. 

$1500 per National level team.  $250 due Nov. 1st, $250 due at parents meeting in Dec., $500 due Jan. 1st, $500 due Feb. 1st.

​

 

Playing Time

We do not guarantee equal playing time on any team or at any event. Club One has the philosophy that what you pay for is instruction time during practices.  Playing time for athletes is determined by attendance, attitude, effort, performance, the athlete's potential, the team's needs at the moment, and the team's needs in the future, and is left solely to the discretion of the Club One coach.  The "coaching decision" is not up for debate or question.

(See Grievance Procedure)

 

 

Rules and Regulations

While representing Club One, all athletes are expected to behave in a responsible manner. Determination of what is responsible lies solely with Club One.  Club One is proud of our image.  Any athlete damaging equipment owned by Club One or any facility used by the Club during practices, tournaments or other functions, or at lodging facilities will be required to reimburse the Club and/or facility for the damages before continuing in the Club. In some cases, the athlete may be dismissed from the Club. All athlete's current season's account must be paid in full before the athlete will be allowed to participate in any tournaments or practices (ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS).  All athletes must have the following items signed by their parents or guardians before they will be allowed to tryout: Medical Release Form and their $15.00 tryout fee. (See “Before the First Tryout Session”.)  Teams cannot purchase unique uniforms or warm-ups with the club logo unless it’s made available to every member of the club.  Use of the club logo must be approved by the club director before being used.  In case of inclement weather, check the website for any announcement of practice cancellations.  A coach or someone from a phone chain will call your home to notify you of practice cancellations once teams have been established.  We strongly encourage athletes who make a Club One team to take this participation seriously. This means we expect Club One practices and tournaments to be of the highest priority.

 

Practice Rules

Practices will begin in January.  Date, times and location will be posted on the club website.  Practices are closed to parents and/or spectators unless the coach states otherwise.  If you're practicing at Girard High School, no one other than the coaches and players are permitted in the gym.  Parents are permitted to wait in the cafeteria.  Practice will be held at least once a week on either Saturday or Sunday.  There may be mid-week practices as the season progresses, if gym time becomes available.  We are very fortunate to have the use of some local gyms 'free of cost' to the club and it's members which keeps overall costs down dramatically, but we have to schedule practices around the sports currently in session at each school.  If we were to include rental fee for gym time and custodial services, the club cost would easily double.  Scheduled practice time is start time and not arrival time. Plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each practice. There is a consequence for arriving late to practice and competitions.  Volleyball shoes are to be carried into practice and tournaments and only worn for practice and tournaments. This is to ensure that the shoes last longer and our facility surfaces remain clean and safe.  Horseplay by athletes or coaches at practice or tournaments is strictly prohibited.  All athletes are expected to make every effort to attend every practice. Only illnesses serious enough to keep the athlete home from school or a genuine family emergency, are legitimate excuses for missing practice.  Regardless of the reason, if an athlete misses practice, her playing time may be affected.  If an athlete cannot be at practice, the athlete is expected to call the coach. It is the athlete's responsibility (not the parent's) to reach the coach before the practice starts.  Athletes are encouraged to bring water, in an unbreakable container, to practices and tournaments. Absolutely no glass containers are allowed in the gym.

 

 

Tournament Rules

Team 13 & older will participate in at least six days of tournaments.  Teams 12 & younger will participate in at least 4 days of tournaments.  Extra tournaments are permitted as long as 'a Club One coach' is able to attend and the team pays for all costs involved with it, which may include overnight or gas accommodations for the coach.  All athletes are expected to be in the gym, ready to warm-up, at the scheduled arrival time. This usually means the athlete needs to arrive at the site 15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. Earlier is always better. Proper conduct is expected for all members of the Club at all time. This includes athletes, parents, and supporters.  This also means treating supporters from other teams, other parents, and officials with respect.  Athletes and/or parents are expected to provide transportation for their athlete to and from tournament sites and practices.  If an athlete cannot be at a tournament, the athlete is expected to call the coach as soon as the athlete knows she will be absent. It is the athlete's responsibility (not the parent's) to reach the coach before the tournament starts.  Athletes will not be allowed to leave the tournament site until excused by the coach.  Except in cases of true emergency, an athlete who has an officiating assignment may not leave a tournament before the assignment is completed.   If a Club One team does not have at least 6 players present on a tournament day, we may have players from other Club One teams placed on their roster so as to avoid forfeiting.  If we can not find 6 players to field a team, we will forfeit that tournament and no refund will be given for that tournament day.

 

 

Officiating

Officiating is the shared responsibility of the entire team. Each coach will determine a procedure their team will follow for officiating assignments. Every player is required to stay until the entire team can leave. Please do not ask the coach if you can leave early. You are expected to stay!

 

 

Grievance Procedure

Competitive team athletics, by its very nature, creates situations where everyone may not be happy all the time.  Knowing when to communicate and how to communicate with your athlete's coach is a concern for almost every parent at some time during the season.  When a parent has a problem that is specific to their own athlete, we expect them to first talk to their athlete's coach. Coaches have been instructed not to discuss "coaching decisions or playing time issues" with a parent. These "coaching decisions" include, but are not limited to, specific match decisions such as who played when, where, and how long. Also, who was subbed out and when, etc.  The coach will not be required to defend his/her thought process or conclusions in the determination of playing time, and it is improper for a parent to request that. 

 

Specifically, the procedure to follow if you as a parent, or your athlete as a member of a Club One team, have concerns about Club One policies or a coach's actions are, in this order:

 

The athlete will speak or meet with the coach to discuss the matter. If the matter remains unresolved, or if the athlete has reasonable concern that speaking to the coach will not resolve the matter, the athlete will speak with the Club Director Phil Walters.  Meetings are to be at times and locations other than tournaments. If a coach is approached by a parent, during a tournament, we have instructed the coach to refuse to discuss any controversial matter, to refer the parent to the Club Director and to walk away from the situation. The recommended time for a parent and/or athlete to talk to a coach about a problem is a previously arranged meeting time either before or immediately after a scheduled practice.  In certain situations, Club One may ask the athlete to attend the meeting also. Meetings should be previously arranged. Meetings will not be scheduled during a tournament. The High School Coach or the Club Director will not engage in discussions about "coaching decisions."

 

 

Other Policies Regarding Grievances

Club One will not tolerate hostile, aggressive confrontations between a parent and any official, or a parent and any coach, or a parent and any athlete, or a parent and any other parent, whether the coach, athlete or other parent is a member of Club One or not. Violation of this policy may result in the athlete being dismissed from Club One without refund.  It is inappropriate for an athlete or a parent to approach other Club One members about a problem the athlete or parent is having with a Club One coach, about objections to coaching decisions, or about disagreement with an administrative decision. Asking uninvolved people to take sides in an issue is unfair to the third party and to the Club. For the psychological health of the teams and the Club as a whole, grievances need to be handled between the parties involved and in the proper manner. If a player or parent is approached and asked to listen to, or express an opinion about matters between two other parties in the Club, is strongly encouraged to refer the complaining party to take the matter up with the Club Director, Phil Walters.  Any member who, as a third party, hears remarks or stories about Club One, its employees or its policies, that cause the member to be concerned, is encouraged to contact the Club Director immediately to determine the facts, or to alert the club administration to a situation it may be unaware of.  It is detrimental to everyone involved to repeat complaints you hear or overhear to other uninvolved parties. By the time a story gets to the third or fourth party, it frequently bears little resemblance to the truth or the facts of the situation.  Please refrain from negative comments around your daughter and the other athletes. Young players are vulnerable and if they hear complaining about the coach, the coach's style or Club One policies, this can have an adverse effect on their performance and/or attitude. If you, as a parent, are unhappy about something, you should follow the grievance procedure of this guide to resolve the matter.  Repetitive complaining to the athlete(s) or other third parties that interferes with the Club's efforts to pursue its stated mission and purpose may be cause, in the sole determination of the Club, to ask a member to resign.

 

 

Tournaments

Teams will begin pool play, where they will play each team in their pool, with the winning teams advancing to a Gold bracket and other teams advancing to a Silver or Bronze bracket.  Most tournaments are best 2 out of 3 games using rally scoring.  This is where a point is scored on every serve.  Seating is sparse in most of the gyms so we recommend that you bring your own chairs.  Tournaments held at Girard High School will have bleacher seating and will not require you to bring your own chair.  We strongly advise that you pack a cooler for your athlete for the day of a tournament because they can run long. Coolers must stay in your vehicle and are not permitted inside or outside any tournament sights. Some players bring pillows and sleeping bags so they can rest between rounds. Games, homework, books, etc. are all recommended for some of the longer tournaments. Arrive early so you can help set up your team area and get ready to warm-up.  Except for starting times, most tournaments do not follow a set time schedule. Matches will begin 10 minutes after the end of the previous match. If the tournament is run well, it should be over around 6:00 p.m. But to be on the safe side, expect to be there all day.  'Tail-Gating' and/or cooking devices that require an outlet (crock-pots, etc . . . ) inside tournament gym sights is not permitted by OVR rule.