Here’s Exactly What to Expect (So You Can Show Up Confident)
Tryouts can be exciting. They can also stir up a few nerves (we get it!). Whether it’s your athlete’s first time or they’ve tried out in the past, walking into a gym full of players and coaches can feel a little overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure what to expect.
Let’s take the mystery (and stress) out of it.
Here’s exactly what an NSSC tryout looks like—step by step—so your athlete feels ready and can actually enjoy the process.
Table of Contents
⏰ Step 1: Arrive Early and Settle In
We recommend arriving about an hour before your tryout time. This gives you plenty of margin to:
- Get checked in (💡 Sign up online ahead of time for quicker check-in)
- Find your assigned age group court
- Get your gear on — court shoes, knee pads, water, etc.
- Warm up and start peppering with another player
- Shake off nerves with gentle stretches and familiar movements
This “pre-tryout” time is relaxed, low-pressure, and gives athletes the moment they need to adjust to the gym environment and get mentally focused.
🧠 Step 2: Time to Start — Position Work & Drills
Once tryouts officially begin, here’s what happens:
- NSSC coaches introduce themselves and explain the tryout flow.
- Athletes are divided by position — hitters, setters, defensive specialists, etc.
- Coaches begin running drills that evaluate things like:
- Serving
- Passing
- Setting and hitting fundamentals
- Hustle, communication, and coachability
This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about how your athlete moves, responds, applies corrections, and communicates. We’re not just evaluating skills—we’re getting to know each player’s style, attitude, and potential.
🔁 Step 3: Game-Time + Skill Layering
Once drills wrap, now it’s time to play. We move into scrimmage-style, team-based games, where athletes are grouped by similar skill levels.
Here’s where the magic (and observation!) happens:
- Coaches place players of similar skill levels together to watch them play as a team.
- After a set or two, we mix things up again—continually regrouping players based on what we’re seeing.
- The goal? To identify natural layers of experience and ability so that each girl gets placed on a team that challenges her at the right level.
Girls are routinely rotated to play with different teammates as we layer the group and form natural divisions of ability. This allows us to build up to 3 or 4 teams per age division—usually involving 32–42 girls total. So yes—there are lots of spots available. 🌟
📋 Step 4: What Happens After Tryouts?
At the end of tryouts, each athlete will receive a tryout outcome slip, which will indicate:
- ✅ They’ve earned a spot on one of our teams
- 🤝 They’re being considered for an alternate spot if one becomes available (and we’ll keep in touch)
- ❌ They didn’t make a team this round (but coaches may offer feedback or suggestions for future prep)
Important:
Team assignments are not finalized at tryouts. All players placed onto teams will train together for two weeks in November, giving our coaches more time to evaluate how players mesh, adapt, and grow together. Final rosters will be confirmed mid-November.
So breathe easy—this isn’t a one-day, make-or-break situation. 💛
💛 A Few Things to Remember
- Nerves are normal. Everyone feels them—you’re not the only one.
- Effort speaks loud. Attitude, hustle, and listening matter more than you think.
- There’s a place for you here. We’re proud to build multiple teams per age so more athletes have the chance to play, grow, and love volleyball.
✔️ Final Checklist for Parents + Players
Before you walk through the gym doors:
✅ Register ahead of time
✅ Arrive 1 hour early
✅ Bring water, court shoes, and a positive attitude
✅ Warm up and settle in—you’ve got this!
💬 Have Questions?
If you’re wondering whether your daughter is ready, what team levels look like, or how it all comes together, we’re always happy to chat. Register here 👉 nsscvolleyball.com
Let’s make tryouts a positive, exciting step forward in your athlete’s journey. 💥
