FAQ

What kind of organization is Xtreme Volleyball Academy (XVA)?
Xtreme Volleyball Academy (XVA). XVA is an educational, non-profit, 501(c)3 organization committed to instructing junior volleyball players through expert training and competitive play.  Our primary objective is to instill the skills that enable players to develop, not only as athletes but also as individuals. XVA aims to challenge athletes to achieve their potential while developing skills needed to compete at a highly competitive level. Through participation and education, the program emphasizes the values of sportsmanship, character, self-discipline, and teamwork. It is the goal of the club for each athlete to attain the satisfaction and enjoyment of playing competitive volleyball but with a perspective recognizing balance in one’s personal life.  XVA was established in 2016 and is a member of the Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA) Region of USA Volleyball.

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Who do I contact for questions?

For questions not answered below regarding XVA, you can contact the Director of Operations, Allison Hayward via e-mail at:  allison@xtremevbacademy.com  

 

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CLUB VOLLEYBALL 

What is club volleyball?
Club volleyball is an opportunity for volleyball players of varying abilities to continue their development past the fall school season.  USA Volleyball (USAV) is the national governing body and is responsible for local, regional, national and international rules and competition.  USAV is divided into regions and we fall under the Garden Empire Volleyball Association (GEVA) which includes clubs in New Jersey and New York.  Each year, players and teams must become members of USA Volleyball (and at times AAU) in order to participate in practice and tournament play.  Club volleyball or junior Olympic volleyball consists of regionally organized and governed training programs for boys and girls interested in obtaining advanced level training and competition in the sport of volleyball. Players participate in tournaments against other clubs in the various regions. 

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Club volleyball requires a tryout selection process. Whereby, coaches and trainers evaluate players based on skill, select and offer a player a position on a team. Teams will practice 2-3 days a week. Girl's season is from November to May* and Boys from October to February*. Each team will participate in various tournaments (number of tournaments is based on which team the player is on).  *If a team is selected for Nationals, their season will be longer and cost for nationals is not included in the membership/club fee.

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What levels of play are in club volleyball?

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GEVA Club Fact:  There are 2 levels of play in girl's club volleyball:  Open and Club.

 

All teams registered as Open must attend a play-in at the beginning of January, the top 48 teams will remain in Open and the remainder will be dropped to the club division. The top 32 will be placed in the Open Power Flight Series, the next 16 will be placed in the Open Flights (note: 12u and 18u have separate rules/regulations).

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To learn more on open vs club and the requirements for each, please read the GEVA Juniors Competition Guide.

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What are the age group definitions for the 2019-2020 club season?
Your age group can be determined by your age on September 1, 2019.  Players are allowed to play in age groups above their age, but not below.

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How old do I have to be to start playing club volleyball?
XVA offers club volleyball from as young as 11 to 18 years old. In addition, we offer non-club programs for boys and girls, ages 5 to 18.  

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TRYOUTS 
 

When are tryouts?
Club tryouts are typically held in August and September. Binding contract are are governed by GEVA and is typically valid in mid-September.  Players should always check the schedule for their particular age group.

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How many tryouts can I attend and what if I can't attend on any of the dates listed?

The XVA tryout fee allows players to attend multiple tryout dates and we always suggest players attend as many as possible. This allows our coaches and trainers to evaluate players more effectively.  If you are unable to attend any of the dates listed, please contact us.

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How are players selected? 
Players are evaluated on athletic ability, passing, setting, serving, blocking, hitting, defense, coachability, competitiveness, and gameplay.  Players are also selected based upon positions. Each team needs to be balanced in all positions, so the position that you play, or look able to play, may be a factor. In all cases, the coaches will consider you not just on your own but as part of the team they are creating as they go through the selection process.

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What happens at tryouts?
Tryouts consist of a registration time, measurement of player's meterics, skill evaluations, and game play.  We strive to keep tryouts a positive experience.   Throughout the tryout process, our coaching staff performs on-court evaluations of such things as volleyball skills, attitude, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.  Players should arrive 30 minutes in advance of their posted tryout time to complete registration.  In the gym, the coaching staff will complete evaluations of each volleyball skill (passing, setting, hitting, serving and defense).  Coaches will also put together combination drills and game play situations to evaluate players in the offensive and defensive scenarios.  The team selection process is ongoing throughout the tryouts, then completed by the Directors of XVA in the days following.  Some team notifications are done at tryouts, while the remaining are done via email and phone in the days/week following tryouts in accordance with GEVA guidelines.

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How does a player get picked for a particular team?
Coaches determine which players should be placed on specific teams. Factors considered are all volleyball skills, attitude, coachability, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.  The team composition needs are determined by individual coach's decision as to how many players are needed at each position (setter, middle blocker, outside hitter, libero, etc.). The goal is to assign players to teams where they will have the best chance of individual success and be most capable of making a significant contribution to the team's success, as well as to meet the needs of the teams to allow for the strongest possible lineup.

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How long do players have to think about their offer for a position on a team?
When trying out for club programs in the region, GEVA rules require that the junior tryout participant have a period of time in which to weigh his/her evaluation of an offer from a club/team. If a position is offered to a junior player, that player has 3 days to commit to the club.  For a detailed description of GEVA Rules, please read the PARENTS INFORMATION GUIDE from GEVA.  For the 2018 Girls Club Season, the earliest committment date is November 7, 2017.

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What are the age group definitions?
We adhere to the the USA Volleyball age definitions. See the age definitions here.  A simple rule to follow, ask yourself this question, "What Age Will My Child Be On September 1, 2018?" Answer "That is the Age Group your child should be playing club this season". If he/she will be 15 on 9/1/18 than they play for that age group. Players can always play up meaning a 15 can play for 16's team but they can not play down.

 

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What if I don't make the team?
We work hard to ensure all players that tryout have a place to play. If we have enough participants, coaches, and practice times we may try to create additional teams. We will work with other clubs in the area to provide additional opportunities through referrals if a player doesn’t make an XVA team.    

 

TEAMS 

How often are practices and when are they held?
Practices are held two to three times a week, depending on the level of the team. Practice days and times cannot be confirmed until tryouts are complete and teams are formed.

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How long does the club season last? 
Practices begin immediately after player selection and teams are formed.

 

Girls Season:  Mid-November to April for local teams and end of May for Regional and National teams.

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Boys Season: Mid-October to February.

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Does XVA guarantee players play time in tournaments?
Practice is the core of the learning experience of each player in club volleyball. Tournament playing time will be based upon skill level, participation in practice, performance, effort, commitment, and attitude of the player during practice.  All tournament playtime is at the discretion of the coaches.  Tournament playing time will not be equal.  Players in XVA have paid to learn skills and concepts of volleyball in practice; they have not paid to play in tournaments.  The XVA coaching staff is committed to developing all players’ skills and the team as a whole.  At tournaments, the coaching staff will make playing time decisions based upon the best interest of the team. 

The cost of club volleyball is high and the commitment level is too. 

 

What is the refund policy if a player resigns from a team?
Player dues are NOT refundable.  If a player decides to quit for any reason, the remaining player dues are due immediately.  Exceptions may be made in the case of a season-ending injury.  In the case of a season-ending injury, the Directors of XVA will determine if a refund will be given and the amount. Parents must request any refund in writing to the Club Director and attach a medical certificate signed by a doctor.  All requests must be received before January 1 for boys and May 30 for girls of the current club season.  Moneys raised through fundraising are not refundable. 

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CLUB VOLLEYBALL

Why should my child play club?

Club volleyball provides a higher level of training and competition for boys/girls interested in learning and developing their skills.  The club season last approximately 4 months for boys and 6 months for girls and teams are small.  This allows players to receive many hours of focused skills training and development.  Generally, players looking to continue their volleyball career in college will play club volleyball.  Club volleyball requires a major commitment from both the player and parents.  Properly evaluating a player’s time management abilities, academic work load, other sports, other activities, and love of volleyball are all factors that should be considered when deciding to play club volleyball or not.

 

Can my child play another sport while playing club volleyball?
Players selected to the Purple Team (Open) are competing at the top level. These players must meet strict guidelines from GEVA in order to retain their status of Open (otherwise they will drop to Club level). These players practice two to three times a week and are strongly encouraged NOT to participate in other sports or programs during club season. If a player misses a practice due to another sport, school play, etc. they will NOT play in the next tournament. Of course we understand there are times a player must miss a practice due to illness, religious obligations, for these reasons an exception will be made. Player/parent should notify the coach immediately or any anticipated dates a player may miss a practice.

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Club players are just as competitive. They practice two times a week and we would like volleyball to be their first priority. The same rules apply; missing practices will mean missing play time in a tournament.

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PARENTS & FANS - From GEVA

10 Basic Rules for Parents & Fans

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1. These tournaments are days that are supposed to be fun. They are days when players can show off what they have been practicing. They know they are competing, they know it is important. Win or lose, the players should feel nothing but support from ALL of the fans. The coach will point out the good and the not so good that is their role. You are here to support.

 

2. When you see a call you don't agree with, don’t get upset with the person that made the call, let it go. Volleyball players should be playing the next play, not the one that already past. Eventually, as we all know, a call will be made in our favor.

 

3. Remember that it is someone's child that is making the calls. Try to embrace every child playing or making the calls as your own.

 

4. Encourage all players, not just the ones on your team. When you see a nice serve, a spike, or dig, clap for the person that made the play. And if you see them later in the day tell them it was a nice play.

 

5. Allow for mistakes. Virtually every point in this game is earned on someone else’s mistake. They know what they did wrong. If not, their coach will help them. They don’t need you to remind them. Instead, encourage them to learn from the mistake and move on.

 

6. The players are under enough stress, they really don't need the added stress of their parents making a fool of themselves.

 

7. None of these children woke up this morning and thought "I'm going to make bad calls today", or “I think I’ll play poorly today”. Children have a natural want to do well and to please. No need to make them feel any worse when a play or a call is not perfect.

 

8. If a particular parent is really having an off day, talk to them, buy them a Decaf, and gently remind them why you are here. Maybe it will rub off on them.

 

9. You are here to watch an event, not critique it. That's what the Ref's are getting the big bucks for. We do welcome constructive input, when it is offered quietly with an alternative.

 

10. And Finally: Remember that this is a sporting event which will teach your children how to deal with adulation and disappointment as well as fair and unfair situations in life. Everyone has a job. Coaches coach, Players play, Ref's ref, Lines Judges judge lines, Down Ref's down ref, Score Keepers keep score, Libero Trackers track liberos, Moms comfort and Dads know their pride and joys can do no wrong... THEY WILL BE IN COLLEGE SOON ENOUGH CELEBRATE THEIR GLORIOUS YOUTH & MAKE THE BEST OF TODAY.

 

Adapted from a note by a Creole Big Apple Parent and Coach GEVA Education and Development