Running tryouts is about more than “testing skills.” You’re trying to see who can play volleyball in real situations—under pressure, with teammates, and with limited reps—while you manage time and numbers efficiently.
Use the sections below to build your plan, pick the right activities, and communicate decisions clearly.
Start here: the fastest path
If you only click one thing first, start here:
- Volleyball Tryout Drill Ideas (managing large numbers + efficient assessment): https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-try-out-drill-ideas/
- Volleyball Try-out Player Assessment (what you should be looking for): https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-try-out-player-assessment/
- High school tryouts structure ideas (more gameplay, fewer “tests”): https://coachingvb.com/high-school-volleyball-tryouts/
Step 1 — Decide what you’re selecting for
Before you choose drills, write down what matters most for your situation. Common examples:
- Win-now: current game impact, decision-making, competitiveness, consistency under pressure
- Developing team: physical upside, coachability, learning speed, work habits
- Roster constraints: positions you must fill, returning players, age/grade balance, team chemistry considerations
Resource:
- Volleyball Try-out Player Assessment: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-try-out-player-assessment/
Step 2 — Build the tryout plan (time + structure)
A good default structure is: organized warm-up → small-sided play → bigger play (as numbers allow). This gives you both controlled looks and game-context looks.
1-day tryout (simple)
- Ball-handling + serve/pass warm-up (short)
- Serve-receive + setting/attacking in small groups
- Small-sided games (2v2/3v3/4v4)
- 6v6 (if numbers allow), with constraints that reveal decisions
2–3 day tryout (recommended when possible)
- Day 1: broad sorting + competitive play
- Day 2: targeted looks at specific needs (positions, serve receive, setting, defense)
- Day 3 (optional): confirm decisions + “edge cases” + chemistry combinations
Practical planning tips:
- Ideas for volleyball tryouts planning (numbers, tracking, logistics): https://coachingvb.com/ideas-for-volleyball-tryouts-planning/
Step 3 — Pick activities that actually reveal players
You want activities where players must read, decide, communicate, and compete—not just “look good in lines.”
Efficient assessment options (especially with big numbers)
- Rotating stations (serve/pass, setting, attacking, defense)
- Small-sided games with simple scoring (forces engagement and decision-making)
- “Servers vs passers” style competition (pressure + measurable outcomes)
Start here:
- Volleyball Tryout Drill Ideas: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-try-out-drill-ideas/
Step 4 — Evaluate with fewer biases
A few rules that make evaluations more reliable:
- Rate what happens in game-like play whenever possible (more predictive than drill-only reps)
- Use simple scales you can apply quickly (and consistently)
- Take notes on decision quality, not just execution quality
- If you’re comparing similar players, prioritize consistency + competitiveness + learning speed
Related:
- Volleyball Try-out Player Assessment: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-try-out-player-assessment/
Step 5 — Communicate decisions well
Tryout communication is part of your culture. Plan it.
- Decide how and when you’ll notify players
- Be consistent about what feedback you will/won’t give
- Protect athlete dignity; avoid “public cuts” when possible
Guide:
- Communicating tryout results: https://coachingvb.com/communicating-tryout-results/
Wave 1 pages coming next (links will be added here)
As these are published, they’ll become the primary “Start here” links above:
- Volleyball Tryout Plan Template (1/2/3-day plans + station map + timing)
- Tryout Games & Drills Guide (HTML version of the PDF, with variations)
- Tryout Evaluation Rubric (simple scoring sheets + role-based priorities)
FAQs
What should I measure most in a tryout?
Measure what predicts success in your environment: competitiveness, decision-making, and skills that show up repeatedly (serve/receive, first contact, transition decisions).
Should I do physical tests (jump tests, sprint tests) during tryouts?
Only if your selection priorities are explicitly physical and you have limited ways to see athleticism in volleyball play. Most coaches get better information by watching athletes move in games.
What if I have too many players to run real gameplay?
Use stations plus small-sided games. The key is that most players should be active most of the time so you can observe meaningful reps.
How do I keep evaluations consistent across multiple courts?
Number players, define 3–5 traits you’re scoring, and keep the rating scale simple enough that you can use it without hesitation.
Back to Start Here: https://coachingvb.com/start-here/
