Making your school or club volleyball team might depend on how well you perform at tryouts. This can be a time of high anxiety and tension because you know you are going up against other players who have a chance to take your spot away on the team. In volleyball, elements like conditioning and leaping ability will give you a chance to stand out from the competition.
Service
It is important to show that you can serve to precise spots on the court. Divide the opposing side of the court into six areas and have the server serve to each area of the court. The servers who can be the most accurate in their serves have the best chance of serving accurately in the games. This drill is called "Around the World" and has been used by Emporia State coach Maxine Mehus.
Communicate and Anticipate
Communication is a vital part of making any competitive volleyball team. If you retreat to make a play on the ball, you have to let your teammate know that he has to take the spot you just left so there are no holes in your team's alignment. That teammate must communicate that his spot also needs to be covered. You also have to be alert because if your teammate dives out of bounds to make a save on a shot, you have to go to the spot that he vacated and return the shot if it comes your way.
Conditioning
Volleyball is a sport that requires bursts of energy throughout a match. You have to run, leap, smash the ball and regather. You have to do this over and over again. The only way to handle this is to be in shape from the start of the season and that includes the tryouts. Coaches will put you through demanding sprints to find out who is in shape and who isn't in top condition. If you are not in shape, you will be dismissed from tryouts and won't make the team.
Coachability
Coaches want players who will listen and take advice to heart. You can demonstrate this characteristic by looking your coach in the eye and getting the message. While coaches don't do much at tryouts besides evaluate the talent, coaches want to see that you are coachable by demonstrating the lessons you have learned under previous coaches. One of those is calling for the ball. Coaches want players who are on top of the situation and will call the ball as it is in the air. This speaks to coach-ability because coaches regularly say "call the ball," and if you do so you might gain the edge you need to make the team.
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