Volleyball Tryout Checklist: What Every Athlete Should Prepare


🏃 Start Conditioning 2–3 Weeks Before Tryouts
Begin hard training early to build the stamina and explosiveness you’ll need during tryout drills. Focus on agility drills like ladder runs, vertical jump exercises (box jumps, squat jumps), and aerobic endurance routines. Establish a consistent routine that ramps intensity gradually.
✅ Bonus Tip: Include a weekly simulated “mini-tryout” session—combining sprints, jumps, and skill rotations—to mimic game-day pacing and assess your readiness.
🎯 Polish Core Skills Daily
Dedicate short, focused sessions to refine essential volleyball skills: passing, setting, serving, and hitting. Each day, pick one or two skills and drill them with high repetitions under varied conditions target zones, pace changes, or under fatigue to challenge focus and precision.
✅ Bonus Tip: Record yourself during key drills like serve motion or approach footwork and review for technical improvement and consistency.
🤝 Build Communication & Court Awareness
Develop your presence and connection on the floor. Practice calling for the ball (“Mine!”, “Pass!”, “Cover!”) and improve your reading of hitters by shadowing attacker footwork or following pins during practice. These habits showcase your teamwork mindset.
✅ Bonus Tip: During practice matches, pick one verbal trigger (like “Switch!” or “Help!”) to consistently repeat. This builds habit under pressure and improves on-court awareness.
🎒 Pack Smart: Everything You Need
Prepare your gear efficiently the night before tryouts:
Clean, supportive shoes & fresh knee pads
Water bottle and healthy snack (bananas, nuts)
Extra shirt, athletic tape, hair ties or headbands
Small towel, deodorant, energy bar—anything to keep you focused and comfortable
✅ Bonus Tip: Use a checklist app or sticky note to pack your bag systematically. Seeing the list the night before ensures nothing gets left behind.
⏰ Know the Schedule & Arrive Early
Mistakes happen when you’re rushed. Study the tryout schedule, identify your session starts, and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. This gives time to warm up properly, adjust mentally, and get familiar with the court.
✅ Bonus Tip: Use arrival time to do quick mobility drills—spinal rotation, ankle flex—so you’re loose and ready when tryouts begin.
💤 Sleep Well the Night Before
Quality rest sets the tone for performance. Aim for 8–9 hours of sleep before tryout day. Also prioritize nutritious meals, proper hydration, and wind-down routines (like reading or stretching) to ensure your mind and body are recovered.
✅ Bonus Tip: Avoid screens and caffeine 2 hours before bed to improve sleep quality and mental sharpness for tryout morning.
✅ Final Takeaway
Success in volleyball tryouts isn’t about last-minute effort—it’s about consistent, thoughtful preparation. From physical conditioning and skill work to communication, gear, and recovery, these steps will help you arrive ready to perform your best.
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