Tryout Guidelines
Dig Deep tryouts are open to any volleyball player regardless of the club you have played for in the past. We encourage any player to come see what we have to offer!
USAV Junior Player Age Definition
| 2024-25-age-definition-chart-only061124.pdf |
Elite Travel Division
For Elite teams, a girl is required to try out at the youngest age division that matches her eligibility. For an additional tryout fee of $25.00, she may also try out for a higher age division, by coming to both tryouts on each day.
Caution: if a girl misses the first and second tryout for the younger age division, and does not make a Elite team in the older division, she will not be automatically placed on a younger Elite team, and would be required to come to the club tryouts.
Typical skill level of girls that make an Elite Travel team
14U - Multiple years of experience on a middle school or A or AA club team
16U - Middle-school: It's very difficult/ rare to make the 16U division as a middle schooler. However, there is always one or two who do.
16U - Freshman: Previous experience on a 14U Elite or strong middle school team. These players are typically upper-level JV players, but can be varsity, depending on the school.
16U - Sophomores: Previous experience on a 15U A or AA club team. These players are typically JV and varsity-swing players, unless their school is very strong.
17/18U - These players are nearly all high school varsity starters, unless their school is very strong.
Regional Travel & Club Division
Player is required to try out for the youngest age division she is eligible for, unless given permission or recommended by the director to try an older age group. Permissions is typically granted in just one of two cases:
1. A girl has demonstrated abilities that are clearly superior to all of the other girls trying out for that age division. Dig Deep has levels in most age division that extend from AA to B. We will be drawing athletes from dozens of towns in NH and northern MA. It would be very rare that a girl tries out for a Club team where her skills are above our AA level.
2. A girl has a birthday that puts her in a younger age group than the other girls in her grade. If the date is missed by a small amount, then the girl may request to be placed in the higher age group to play with others of the same grade.
In each of the above cases, the club may require the girl to try out in both age divisions before making a determination. This requires a second $25.00 tryout fee.
For Elite teams, a girl is required to try out at the youngest age division that matches her eligibility. For an additional tryout fee of $25.00, she may also try out for a higher age division, by coming to both tryouts on each day.
Caution: if a girl misses the first and second tryout for the younger age division, and does not make a Elite team in the older division, she will not be automatically placed on a younger Elite team, and would be required to come to the club tryouts.
Typical skill level of girls that make an Elite Travel team
14U - Multiple years of experience on a middle school or A or AA club team
16U - Middle-school: It's very difficult/ rare to make the 16U division as a middle schooler. However, there is always one or two who do.
16U - Freshman: Previous experience on a 14U Elite or strong middle school team. These players are typically upper-level JV players, but can be varsity, depending on the school.
16U - Sophomores: Previous experience on a 15U A or AA club team. These players are typically JV and varsity-swing players, unless their school is very strong.
17/18U - These players are nearly all high school varsity starters, unless their school is very strong.
Regional Travel & Club Division
Player is required to try out for the youngest age division she is eligible for, unless given permission or recommended by the director to try an older age group. Permissions is typically granted in just one of two cases:
1. A girl has demonstrated abilities that are clearly superior to all of the other girls trying out for that age division. Dig Deep has levels in most age division that extend from AA to B. We will be drawing athletes from dozens of towns in NH and northern MA. It would be very rare that a girl tries out for a Club team where her skills are above our AA level.
2. A girl has a birthday that puts her in a younger age group than the other girls in her grade. If the date is missed by a small amount, then the girl may request to be placed in the higher age group to play with others of the same grade.
In each of the above cases, the club may require the girl to try out in both age divisions before making a determination. This requires a second $25.00 tryout fee.
What to expect at tryouts...
You should arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the start of tryouts for check-in and registration. Most athletes are more comfortable at the tryout when arriving early. If you are registering as a walk-in, it is recommended that you arrive no later than 45 minutes early to the tryout.
Once you have checked-in or turned in your paperwork, you will pick up your tryout numbers and put one to the front of your shirt and one to the back. The number is specifically assigned to you - remember it as all your evaluations will be listed under that number. You will have the same number throughout the whole tryout. Everyone will have a picture taken with their number.
When it is time to start, we will have a short meeting with all athletes to give them an overview on how the tryout will proceed. Some coaches will be leading the drills, while others will be strictly evaluating. Remember, this is a tryout not a camp, so the coaches will probably not give you any coaching or feedback - they are just there to either run the drills or evaluate your play. If they do give you feedback or coaching they are assessing how coachable you are (do you listen when they tell you to change or attempt something). You will be evaluated on all skills pertinent to your position as well as general overall skill and athletic level.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the tryout. Questions are great!
During the tryout process, it is not unusual for some girls to decide they would rather not continue trying out. If you think you would like to withdraw from consideration for a spot on a team, please talk it over first with one of the coaches; it is possible you may be underestimating your chances.
The most important thing is that you have fun and enjoy playing the game of volleyball! Dig Deep coaches can judge your ability and potential by watching you play, so the more you work hard and really enjoy yourself, the more it will show in your evaluation.
Dig Deep Volleyball Club look for several attributes when it assesses players: teamwork, positive attitude, versatility, maturity, and the ability to take direction from the coach. In addition to these qualities, it's important to be confident. Coaches want to see players who want the ball, so be vocal, call for the ball and don't forget to hustle. When the coach blows the whistle to stop the drill and call the players into a huddle, run to the huddle.
What to wear:
Once you have checked-in or turned in your paperwork, you will pick up your tryout numbers and put one to the front of your shirt and one to the back. The number is specifically assigned to you - remember it as all your evaluations will be listed under that number. You will have the same number throughout the whole tryout. Everyone will have a picture taken with their number.
When it is time to start, we will have a short meeting with all athletes to give them an overview on how the tryout will proceed. Some coaches will be leading the drills, while others will be strictly evaluating. Remember, this is a tryout not a camp, so the coaches will probably not give you any coaching or feedback - they are just there to either run the drills or evaluate your play. If they do give you feedback or coaching they are assessing how coachable you are (do you listen when they tell you to change or attempt something). You will be evaluated on all skills pertinent to your position as well as general overall skill and athletic level.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the tryout. Questions are great!
During the tryout process, it is not unusual for some girls to decide they would rather not continue trying out. If you think you would like to withdraw from consideration for a spot on a team, please talk it over first with one of the coaches; it is possible you may be underestimating your chances.
The most important thing is that you have fun and enjoy playing the game of volleyball! Dig Deep coaches can judge your ability and potential by watching you play, so the more you work hard and really enjoy yourself, the more it will show in your evaluation.
Dig Deep Volleyball Club look for several attributes when it assesses players: teamwork, positive attitude, versatility, maturity, and the ability to take direction from the coach. In addition to these qualities, it's important to be confident. Coaches want to see players who want the ball, so be vocal, call for the ball and don't forget to hustle. When the coach blows the whistle to stop the drill and call the players into a huddle, run to the huddle.
What to wear:
- Wear proper athletic/volleyball clothing
- Setters (Pink t-shirt), Hitters (White t-shirt), Libero & DS (Blue t-shirt)
- Sports Bra - wear a sports bra for proper support
- Correctly fitting spandex shorts (constantly pulling or tugging on them means they are too small)
- Knee pads... Protect those knees (requirement if you make one of our teams)
- Volleyball shoes (please wait to make a team before going out and buying a pair of volleyball shoes but do make sure you have a good pair of athletic sneakers on for tryouts)
- Hair...make sure its up or pulled back from your face so you don't have to keep fixing it during tryouts or practice
- Excessive distractions by constantly fixing your workout gear or hair is seen by coaches and will detract from your skill level.