Playing time must be earned. Equal playing time is never guaranteed on any team or at any event. The following factors influence playing time, in no particular order of importance:
Playing time is NOT an issue to be brought to the coach's attention by the parent. If a player has questions about her playing time, the player may address these with the coach at an agreed-upon time apart from practices or tournaments. Players are not guaranteed to play the same position that they do during their middle or high school volleyball season. Coaches take into consideration many factors in selecting players to fill out their rosters and may feel that the player and team would benefit by developing a player to play a different role than he or she has previously performed. Playing time concerns are not subject to the grievance process – any concerns should be discussed with the player (players will know where they stand at all times and players can discuss this directly with their coaches).
Knowing when and how to communicate with your player's coach is a concern for almost every parent at some time during the season. Most often, the concern is how to inquire about issues surrounding playing time (see playing time above). RVA will not tolerate a hostile or aggressive confrontation between a parent, player, official, coach or any other member of RVA. Violation of this policy may result in the dismissal of the player from RVA.
It is inappropriate for any player or parent to approach other RVA members or their parents about a problem the player or parents have with an RVA coach, objections to coaching decisions, or a disagreement with an administrative decision. Asking uninvolved persons to take sides in an issue is unfair to the third party and to the Club. Competitive team athletics, by its very nature, creates situations where not everyone may be happy all the time. For the psychological health of the team and the Club as a whole, grievances need to be handled by only the parties involved and the decision-makers in the situation.
RVA encourages any player to talk to the coach when she/he has questions about her/his playing time or if she is unclear about what the coach's expectations are either in practice or in competition. An appropriate attitude may be for the player to ask the coach what she needs to do in order to get more opportunities to play in matches. This discussion should take place away from tournament play or practices (after practice is an acceptable time with an email sent beforehand to give the coach adequate time to prepare.)
The coaches and/or Club Director will not discuss "coaching decisions." "Coaching decisions" include, among other things, specific match decisions such as who played when, who was subbed out and when, or in what position a player was played. The amount of time any player is given on the court is a result of a complex determination, in that coach's opinion, of the player's ability, the player's potential, the player's position, the team's needs at the moment, and the team's needs in the future. The coach will NOT be required to defend his/her thought processes, strategy, or conclusions in these determinations, and it is improper for a parent to make that request. Coaches will not discuss any player other than the parent's own or the actions of any other RVA coach. If you, as a parent, have legitimate concerns about your player's coach, a coach other than your player's coach, or with a player other than your own, you need to address this with the Club Director. Please remember that "coaching decisions” and playing time are NOT legitimate concerns.
When a coach is experiencing issues with a player, the coach will take the following steps of communication:
When a parent or player has a legitimate concern, the following steps of communication should be followed:
Meetings of this nature are to be at times and locations other than tournaments. Never approach a coach before or after a tournament or practice. These times can have heightened emotions resulting in an unproductive meeting. Please wait for 24 hours before contacting the coach for a meeting. If a parent approaches a coach during a tournament, we have instructed the coach to refuse to discuss any controversial matter and to walk away. The coach has been instructed to say “Please check your parent handbook in this scenario.” The recommended time for a parent and/or player to talk to a coach about a problem is at a previously arranged meeting either before or immediately after a scheduled practice. Repetitive complaining by a parent or player to third parties may be cause, in the sole determination of the Club, to terminate club membership. As necessary, Club Leadership will be involved in helping to make appropriate decisions about any issues or incidents that arise during the club season.
Player Responsibilities:
Parent Responsibilities:
The RVA parents are expected to:
Release their child to the experience of playing volleyball on their club team.
Display sportsmanship and respect towards teammates, competitors, parents, coaches, and officials at all times. Do not speak negatively about any player, or any club.
Allow the coaching staff to handle any concerns over an official's ruling.
Understand and respect the differences between parental roles and coaching roles (i.e. please don’t approach coaches with your philosophy of volleyball, or tell the coaches what position your daughter should play, or discuss playing time).
Focus on their child's development of skills and strategies rather than competitive success. The nature of sports competition creates its own pressure to succeed.
Communicate their true concerns with the coach. A positive working relationship is based upon clearly communicated mutual goals among parents, coaches, and players.
Control negative emotions and think positively.
Stay away from team huddles where the coach is trying to speak about team strategy and getting ready/ending the play day
Players have open relationships with their coaches; please ask your player questions as they will more likely know the answer.
Abide by the clubs grievance procedures as outlined in this document.
Allow the directors and administration team to set prices, budgets and procedures of post-season tournaments such as The Girls’ National Junior Championships without second-guessing, questioning, and complaining to other parents about expenses that could incur with extra travel.
Refrain from a “Reply All” to emails from the club or coaches. If you have concerns you can reply directly to the club or coach.
Discuss with Directors (not other parents) any issues or concerns you might have during the season. (Please see grievance procedures below).
Coaches' Responsibilities:
Coaches will plan and lead all practices and game activities with a sense of purpose, working towards clearly established goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Tangible (SMART) goals. The emphasis in practice and competition will be placed on skill development and overall team improvement.
The RVA coaches are expected to:
Display sportsmanship and respect towards teammates, competitors, parents, coaches, and officials at all times.
Always put the welfare of the players ahead of any personal gain.
Be punctual for all scheduled events.
Learn about the players and their individual needs.
Know the rules of the game.
Make informed playtime and strategy decisions.
Prepare informative and challenging practices, so that maximum court time is devoted to learning, and cover relevant volleyball skills and concepts.
Provide instruction on how to continually elevate the skills and game of volleyball using realistic and practical goals.
Emphasize performance and process over outcome.
Be positive and consistent with feedback.
Communicate with players and parents by making sure they are familiar with expectations, procedures, and team rules. Be open to talking with players and parents. Be fair, impartial, and ready to listen and respond. Ability to motivate the players to ensure success from a variety of players and personalities, while demonstrating patience.
Protect the safety of players. Direct any injury or illness to the appropriate person.
Provide a role for each player selected for a team.
Be respectful of the facilities used by the Club and maintain Club property responsibly.
Contribute to and support the decisions of policy, actions, and rules of JVA Volleyball and RVA.
Be a good role model on and off the court.
Per the parent expectations as outlined above, coaches will not discuss playing time. Please speak directly with your player.
Coaches do not accept payment of club fees.
In order for the Club to execute their annual plan, we must adhere to our budget.
Estimated season Dues per team are as follows-subject to change depending on final team rosters):
Holding Deposit
Monthly Payments
Early Withdrawl
Delinquent accounts:
The JVA provides team liability protection on an excess coverage basis for members participating in scheduled, supervised, and approved activities. If a player sustains an injury in a practice or a tournament, any medical treatment that is needed must be covered by individual medical insurance.
If a player sustains an injury or becomes ill during a practice or game, she must tell her coach immediately. A coach will not allow a player to practice or compete if there is:
Parents will be notified immediately upon any emergency. If a player sustains an injury or illness that is so severe that she is unable to participate in practices or tournaments for a period of time, written notification of recovery from a parent or qualified healthcare provider is required before that player may resume participation. Players that are unable to compete for more than 3 months time based on a severe injury may be eligible to have the balance of their dues waived by the Club. Such players must submit medical documentation from a qualified and treating health care provider. No refunds will be granted for pre-paid tournament fees. The decision to waive the remaining fees is the sole discretion of the Club Director and Treasurer.