Club volleyball tryout prep: what to expect in Minnesota

Club tryouts can feel high-stakes, especially the first time. They don't have to. Knowing when they happen, how they run, and what coaches are actually watching for takes most of the mystery — and the nerves — out of it. Here's what Minnesota families can expect.

When tryouts happen in Minnesota

Most Minnesota girls' club tryouts run from late October into November, right after the high-school season ends. A few things to know about timing:

• Older ages go first. Clubs typically hold 16s–18s tryouts before the younger age groups, sometimes on entirely different days.
• Dates vary by club and shift year to year — always confirm on the club's own tryout page. We list the posted dates on our tryouts page, filterable by age group and city.
• Some tryouts are multi-day. When they are, you're usually expected to attend all days — plan for it.
• You can try out at more than one club before deciding — but once you accept an offer and commit, that's binding for the season. Line up your tryouts before offers start coming in.

How a tryout runs

Formats differ, but most follow a similar arc. You'll check in and get a numbered pinny so coaches can evaluate players without knowing names. From there, expect:

• A warm-up and dynamic stretching
• Skill stations — passing, setting, serving, hitting, defense
• Movement and athleticism checks (footwork, approach, jump)
• Scrimmage or game play, where coaches see how you compete and read the game

Coaches are evaluating the whole time, including the parts that aren't about touching the ball — which is good news, because a lot of what they weigh is within your control on the day.

What coaches are actually watching for

Raw skill matters, but at tryouts coaches are also reading coachability and effort — how you listen, how you respond to feedback, how hard you go after a ball you probably won't get, and how you carry yourself between reps. Athleticism and trainability often outweigh a polished skill a player happens to already have, especially at younger ages. Attitude and hustle are the things you can guarantee regardless of how the ball is bouncing.

How to prepare

• In the weeks before: get touches on a ball, and do some general conditioning so you aren't gassed. If it's been a while, a few private lessons or open gyms can knock off the rust.
• Sleep and eat well the night before and day of — this is an athletic event.
• Arrive early to check in, get your number, and warm up without rushing.
• Bring: court shoes, knee pads, a full water bottle, athletic clothes, hair tie, and any waiver or fee the club asked for in advance.
• Mindset: compete hard, stay positive, cheer for others, and treat feedback as a good sign — coaches correct players they're interested in.

For parents: what an offer commits you to

If your player is offered a spot, you'll usually have a short window to accept and put down a deposit. Before you say yes, make sure you understand the full season cost and the travel commitment — accepting is binding for the season, so it's the moment to have your questions answered, not after. If you're weighing multiple clubs, our how-to-choose guide lays out what to compare.

And if your player doesn't get the offer she hoped for, it's genuinely not the end — many players develop late, switch clubs, or make a bigger team the next year. Ask the coach for honest feedback on what to work on, and use it.

Ready?

Check the tryouts page for posted dates by age and city, and compare clubs so you know where you want to try out before the season starts.