How to help your athlete prepare, perform, and feel confident—on and off the court
Whether you’re new to the club scene or a seasoned player chasing a Nike-level roster spot, club volleyball tryouts can feel intense. The nerves, the competition, the pressure to “prove it” in a short amount of time… it’s a lot.
At NSSC Volleyball Club, we get it.
And we’re here to help both athletes and families show up prepared and confident. From what to bring to how to stand out — here are our top tips for volleyball club tryouts that can truly make a difference.
Table of Contents
🏐 1. Understand the Tryout Structure Before You Show Up
Every club does things a little differently — so the best first step is: read the details ahead of time.
At NSSC, while we will let you know if you have a roster spot with our club during the tryout window, we don’t just assign teams in one day. We evaluate over time, factoring in tryout day, school season progress, and early November practices before finalizing rosters.
👉 Bonus tip: Register online in advance—it saves time and helps coaches prepare for your athlete.
📝 2. Choose What Fits: Nike or Non-Nike Consideration
For our 11U-18U athletes, you’ll indicate during tryout registration whether you want to be considered for a Nike roster or not.
Nike teams require more travel, time, and financial investment — and they aren’t the right fit for everyone. That’s OK!
Why we do this: It helps our coaches make fair, focused evaluations and respect your family’s preferences from the start.
⚙️ 3. Prep Before Tryouts — Not Just During
Show up in shape. This doesn’t mean elite-level training, but it does mean practicing key skills ahead of tryouts:
- Serving under pressure
- Consistent passing
- Communication on the court
- Quick footwork and hustle
Want even more prep time? 👉 Try attending open gyms before tryouts to get extra touches and meet the coaching staff.
Pre-Tryout Skills Clinic Open Gyms
👀 4. First Impressions Matter, But They’re Not Everything
Yes, coaches notice:
- Your attitude when errors happen
- How you treat others during drills
- How quickly you listen and adjust
But they also know that nerves are real! At NSSC, we give athletes room to grow — especially with later evaluations through school season and fall practices.
So keep this in mind: Be coachable, kind, and competitive.
🥤 5. Pack Smart: Tryout Day Essentials
Here’s a simple packing checklist so you’re not scrambling:
- Volleyball shoes + knee pads
- Water bottle (lots of it!)
- Light snack (nothing messy)
- A small towel or grip aid (if prone to sweating a ton!)
- Any paperwork or waivers from registration
- Positive mindset 😊
Pro tip: Label your water bottle and take time to get warmed up before tryouts are slated to start. Nobody likes a cold gym floor at 8 a.m.!
🔁 6. Embrace the Evaluation Process
If you earn a roster spot with our club, that’s great – but NSSC doesn’t lock you into a final team at tryouts — instead, we let evaluations continue into the fall so we can place athletes where they truly belong.
For example:
- Who makes the Nike/Black pool now may land on a White or Gray team later… and vice versa depending on progress.
- We’ll reassess two weeks into November practices for final placements.
Why? Because growth is a process — and we believe in earned excellence.
Why a 2-Hour Tryout Doesn’t Tell the Full Story — And How We’re Changing the Game at NSSC
🗨️ 7. Ask Questions if You’re Unsure
Confused about the team structure? Not sure where your athlete fits? Ask.
We’re the largest club in Southeast Missouri — but our priority is still helping each family feel informed and supported.
Coaches and admins are here to answer questions before, during, and after tryouts. And there’s truly no such thing as a silly question.
NSSC Volleyball Partners with Nike + New Team Formats for 2025–2026
💬 8. Talk with Your Athlete Post-Tryout
A quick check-in after tryouts is a great idea. Ask:
- What felt challenging?
- What went better than expected?
- What part were they most proud of?
No matter what happens next, tryout day is a learning opportunity, not a final judgment of skill. Celebrate the courage it takes just to step on that court.
💪 Final Thought from NSSC
At NSSC, we’re committed to providing opportunities at every skill level — not just for 1–2 handpicked “elite” teams.
We believe in development, growth, and heart — and we know success is something you earn, not something that’s given in a single drill.
So breathe deep, give your best, and remember:
🌟 One tryout doesn’t define your athlete. Growth always gets the final say.
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Tryouts for 15U–18U are happening July 26th, 2025
🕗 15U & 18U: 8–10am
🕥 16U & 17U: 10:30am–12:30pm
📍 Register early online to save time during check-in! >> https://nsscvolleyball.com/tryouts/
👉 Visit NSSCVolleyball.com to learn more or contact our staff with any questions.
