CHAPTER 04

Tryouts offers and pressure

Find out whether there is a real opening

Before paying for a tryout, ask how many roster places are still available after early commitments and which positions are being sought. A tryout may assess several teams or a waitlist. Ask which applies to your athlete; the club need not disclose other children’s private information.

• “Are you evaluating athletes for open places on this team, another team or a reserve list?”
• “Who evaluates players, and how are conflicts of interest handled when an evaluator coaches their own child?”
• “Is attendance at your paid camps required or considered in selection? How are athletes who did not attend assessed?”

Prior familiarity can affect what a coach knows about a player. It does not prove a decision was unfair. Look for stated criteria, more than one evaluator where possible, consistent explanations and a process for questions.

Prepare the athlete without making it an audition for worth

Arrive prepared, communicate on court, compete through mistakes and respond to instruction. Tell the athlete that one selection is a decision about one roster at one moment. It is not a final judgment on their potential. Avoid coaching from the sideline or negotiating with evaluators during drills.

Treat offers as decisions that need facts

Request the team, coach, estimated roster size, financial terms, required events and exact response deadline in writing. Confirm that the deadline complies with the current Volleyball BC process. Ask for clarification immediately if the coach pressures you to accept before the published rules allow.

Suggested response: “Thank you for the offer. Before we commit, please send the team placement, full financial terms and response deadline, along with the applicable 2027 signing policy. We want to make an informed decision.”

If there is no offer

Ask whether your athlete is cut, waitlisted or being considered for another team. Request two specific skills to improve and the date when the waitlist will be resolved. Do not pay another deposit just to remain in consideration without understanding its terms.

Avoid arguing that another child deserved the place less. Focus on the evaluation process and your athlete’s next development opportunity. If you suspect a rule violation, preserve the messages and seek clarification through the appropriate channel.

Build an offer tracker before tryout week

For each club, record registration costs, evaluation dates, open positions, permitted attendance, offer time, response deadline and unanswered questions. Save screenshots of the published terms. Check rules before accepting overlapping commitments or attending another tryout after signing.

When an offer feels like a pressure tactic

Ask for the deadline and the reason in writing. Compare it with the current governing policy. Avoid making a second payment simply to buy time unless the written terms explain what it secures and whether it is refundable. A rushed decision still needs a named team, realistic role and complete financial terms.

Tell your athlete privately: “We can be excited and still ask questions.” Keep adult negotiations away from their evaluation and do not discuss other children’s offers in a parent group chat.