Please see below for questions most commonly asked about the following topics:

Who do I contact for questions?
For questions not answered below regarding BAVA, you can contact Club Commissioner Lauren Boyd via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Visit the "Organization" section listed on the top toolbar for other contacts in BAVA.

CLUB VOLLEYBALL
What is club volleyball?
Club volleyball is an opportunity for volleyball players of varying abilities to continue their development past the fall school season.  USA Volleyball (USAV) is the national governing body and is responsible for local, regional, national and international rules and competition.  USAV is divided into 40 regions.  We fall under the Chesapeake Region Volleyball Association (CHRVA) which includes clubs in Maryland, Delaware, and Northern Virginia.  Each year, players and teams must become members of USA Volleyball in order to participate in practice and tournament play.  Club volleyball or Junior Olympic volleyball consists of regionally organized and governed training programs for boys and girls interested in obtaining advanced level training and competition in the sport of volleyball. Players participate after or before their school volleyball season and compete against other club programs. Club volleyball also works to promote the sport of volleyball and to teach the skills needed for a lifetime of play.  Club volleyball is much like select soccer and softball. There are open tryouts for team selections after which teams will practice 2-3 times a week and play a tournament about every other weekend for 4 - 6 months.

What are the age group definitions for the 2013 season?
Your age group can be determined by your age on September 1, 2013.  Click here for the age definition chart.  Players are allowed to play in age groups above their age, but not below.

How old do I have to be to start playing club volleyball?
It is never too early to start! We have had players as young as nine years old playing on our 12's team in past years. The earlier athletes are introduced to the sport of volleyball the more likely they are to develop the correct technique.

Who can play club volleyball?
Our club will focus on player’s ages 9-18.  We hope to have teams in the following age groups - 12’s, 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16’s, 17’s, and 18’s.  The final age groups, team levels, number of teams will depend on the number of girls participating in tryouts. 

TRYOUTS
When are tryouts?
The tryouts usually take place in November/December after the Junior High and High School seasons have ended.  Tryouts are typically in mid-November for players in middle school and high school players (15-18’s).  We are given guidelines by the Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) as to when we are allowed to begin tryouts.  Visit the tryouts page for more information.

Why are tryouts so close together and overlap, and why so close to Thanksgiving week?
Tryouts can be held starting the first Sunday in November.  Clubs start try-outs as soon after that as they can to allow time to evaluate players, form teams and complete registration by early December. Practices start immediately after teams are registered to get ready for season competition starting in January.

If I can’t make it to the posted tryout times, are there any “make-up” times available?
Unfortunately, BAVA does not offer any make-up tryout times.  If there are players who are unable to make it to the posted tryout times, we will do our best to consider you for a team.  Please let us know if you have a conflict with the tryout time(s) for your age group.

How are players selected?
BAVA uses a point system during the tryout process.  Athletes are evaluated on athletic ability, passing, setting, serving, blocking, hitting, defense, coachability, competitiveness, and game play.  Players are also selected based upon positions; each team needs to be balanced in all positions, so the position that you play, or look able to play, may be a factor. In all cases, the coaches will consider you not just on your own but as part of the team they are creating as they go through the selection process.

What happens at tryouts?
Tryouts consist of a registration time, skill evaluations, and game play.  At all times, participants trying to make a BAVA team are treated with dignity and respect.  We strive to keep tryouts a positive experience.   Throughout the tryout process, our coaching staff performs on-court evaluations of such things as volleyball skills, attitude, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.

How does a player get picked for a particular team?
The tryout results are determined from the results of the on-court evaluations by the coaching staff.  Factors considered are all volleyball skills, attitude, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.  The team composition needs are determined by the Commissioner and each individual coach's decision as to how many players are needed at each position (setter, middle blocker, outside hitter, libero, etc.). The goal is to assign players to teams where they will have the best chance of individual success and be most capable of making a significant contribution to the team's success, as well as to meet the needs of the teams to allow for the strongest possible lineup.

Are players allowed to "commit early" to a team or club?
No, clubs are not allowed to accept commitments from players until the tryout period has started.  CHRVA enforcese these guidelines.  The tryout period for players 13 and under starts November 1.  The tryout period for players 14 and up begins November 9.   

Are teams members picked in advance of the tryouts?
No.  All players are given equal consideration during tryouts.

Does BAVA contact and recruit student athletes in our area to join the club?
There are strict rules that apply to the recruiting of players into club sports. It is the policy of the club to adhere faithfully to the rules in the CHRVA Recruiting Guide.

How long do players have to think about their offer for a position on a team?
When trying out for club programs in the region, CHRVA rules require that the junior tryout participant have a period of time in which to weigh his/her evaluation of an offer from a club/team. If a position is offered to a junior player, that player has 48 hours from the start of the initial tryout with that club/team to decide whether or not he/she will accept the offer.   The 48 hours does not have to expire before the player makes a decision.  In other words, the player may commit to the offering team at any time after commencement of the tryout.  Teams/Clubs may not pressure commitment from a selected player within this 48 hour period nor can the offer be retracted until the 72 hours has expired. Teams/Clubs who are judged to be in blatant violation of these rules are subject to sanctions set forth in the Regional Handbook.

What are the age group definitions?
We adhere to the the USA Volleyball 2013 age definitions. See the age definitions here. For those that are "old for their grade" or just miss the date as defined by their age group definitions, they must play at AGE level, not at GRADE level.  There are no exceptions made for those in this category.  Your age group is determined by your age on September 1 of the current club season.  For the 2012-2013 season, the youngest age group in which you can play is your age on September 1, 2013.

How many players are on a team?
Most of our teams will have 10-11 players. The exact number is dependent upon several factors, including team composition needs, ability level of players and number of athletes participating in tryouts.

What if I don't make the team?
We work hard to ensure all players that tryout have a place to play. If we have enough participants we try to create additional teams. We will work with other clubs in the area to provide additional opportunities through referrals if a player doesn’t make a BAVA team.    

TEAMS
How often are practices?
Practices are held two or three times per week, depending on the level of the team.

Where are practices held?
Unfortunately, BAVA does not have its own facility.  Practices are held two or three times per week in locations around Anne Arundel County.  Those facilities include, but are not limited to, the Athletic Performance Inc (API), Jones Elementary, Truxtun Park Rec Center, Severna Park High School, Severna Park Community Center, Annapolis Area Christian Schools, Northern High School. Practice facilities are limited and can't be adjusted to player needs.  Because we must compete for gym space with basketball programs and other school related functions, there may be times when we will need to move our practices.

When are practices held?
Practices times are generally Sundays between 1-5pm and Monday-Thursday evenings between 5-10pm.  Teams will practice for 2-3 hour time slots during these available facility times.  Early weeknight practice times are typically reserved for the younger teams.

When can I find out the practice schedule?
The practice schedule for each team depends on a number of factors: team level, coach availability, facility availability, players on the team.  Because of this, the practice schedule will not be finalized until teams have been determined.  It is posted on the practice schedule page as soon as it is available. 

How long does the club season last?
Practices begin immediately after player selection in late November. Tournaments run from January through Memorial Day Weekend for the regular season.  Potential to attend post season tournaments is there if a team desires.

I hate to pay club dues to sit on the bench.  Am I guaranteed a chance to play?
Practice is the core of the learning experience of each player in club volleyball. Tournament playing time will be based upon participation in practice, performance, effort, commitment, and attitude of the player during practice.  All tournament playtime is at the discretion of the coaches.  Tournament playing time will not be equal.  Athletes in BAVA have paid to learn skills and concepts of volleyball in practice; they have not paid to play in tournaments.  The BAVA coaching staff is committed to developing all players’ skills and the team as a whole.  At tournaments, the coaching staff will make playing time decisions based upon the best interest of the team. 

The cost of club volleyball is high and the commitment level is too.  What if I can't handle it and have to drop out. Can I just not finish paying my dues and/ or get a refund?
Player dues are NOT refundable.  If a player decides to quite for any reason, the remaining player dues are due immediately.  Exceptions may be made in the case of a season ending injury.  In the case of a season-ending injury, the Board will determine if a refund will be given and the amount. Parents must request any refund in writing to the BAVA Board and attach a medical certificate signed by a Doctor.  All requests must be received before May 31 of the current club season.  Moneys raised through fundraising are not refundable. 

Do I need to play for that type of club to get a college scholarship?
We cannot guarantee any player a college scholarship. However, the many players that earn volleyball athletic scholarships and play in college developed their skills and got exposure to and recruited by college coaches through club programs across the country. Club volleyball provides players the chance to develop their volleyball skills to the limit of their ability and dedication to improve. BAVA is committed to helping players with the recruiting process, if they choose.  Opportunities to make a recruiting video and write letters will be available from the BAVA coaching staff.  Also, the BAVA coaches are always willing to talk with college coaches on behalf of their players.

Are the 12 and under team(s) treated differently?
Yes.  We know that we are an important program for cultivating the younger age groups.  We take that responsibility seriously, and do our best to keep the experience positive and fun.  Although there could be cuts at this level, we have never made cuts in the age group in the past.  Additionally, the 12 and under tryouts are treated more like a skills development clinic.  We are looking to instill upon all players the enjoyment of volleyball.  We certainly look for preexisting skill, good attitude, and effort to determine those that appear to have the most potential.  However, the reality is we can’t see into the future, so we try and teach volleyball fundamentals to as many young girls as possible.

Do you have teams that travel?
Yes.  The higher level teams will routinely travel.

What levels of teams do you offer?
The higher level teams will strive to increase exposure to college coaches for our players through travel for tournaments, more competitive teams, and higher level coaching.  There is a high expectation of commitment from all players and these players will be involved in the recruiting process for playing volleyball in college.  These teams will practice 3 times per week and will have a more extensive travel, training, and practice schedule. The more regional teams will practice 2 times per week and will play in mostly local tournaments.  There is the opportunity for these teams to attend one large, out of state tournament in May.  The players should expect to be committed to their team; however, some players will have the desire to continue their volleyball career at the collegiate level while some may not.

How long does the season last?
The typical season begins with try-outs in November, followed by a club-wide meeting, and the initial practices/training camp in early December.  For the 12 and under team(s), the season will run through the end of April.  For 14-18’s teams, the season will run through the end of May.  If a team qualifies for Nationals, the tournament is usually held at the end of June.  Attending AAU’s in Orlando is also an option, which is held in mid-June.

Who coaches a club volleyball team?
The BAVA coaching staff is hired by the club Commissioners, Lauren Boyd and Beth Radford, both of which have been in these positions since 2004.  All BAVA coaches have prior volleyball experience, all having a combination of college, high school, middle school and club experience.  The coaching staff is determined in November.

TOURNAMENTS
How often are tournaments held?
Tournaments are offered in our region every weekend. BAVA teams will generally attend 2-3 tournaments per month, depending on team level and age group.  Teams may attend one-day tournaments in the Chesapeake (CHRVA) region and/or weekend tournaments in other areas. Some tournaments will require overnight travel for the older teams.  February, March, and April are the heaviest months.  The tournaments are played on either Saturday or Sunday, sometimes both.  Ultimately, how often you will play in tournaments will depend upon which team you are on.

Where are the tournaments held?
Tournaments are held at a variety of locations throughout the Chesapeake Region.  The Chesapeake Region is comprised of clubs in Maryland, Delaware, and Northern Virginia.  Generally, our teams will travel around Maryland to attend tournaments.  Our higher level teams will travel out of state sometimes during the season, mostly to Pennsylvania and Virginia.

How long does a tournament last?
Tournaments last all day.  They usually begin at 8:30am and players are expected to arrive between 7:30-8am.  Teams will play in pool play from about 8:30-5pm, then playoffs will be 5-8:30pm.  (All times approximate.) 

Can I see tournament schedules so I can see if that schedule will fit my family needs?
We do our best to post the tentative tournament schedule as soon as it is know, usually around mid-November.  The tournament schedule is not set in stone when the season begins.  There are times when a tournament may be changed due to weather, facility issues, etc.  Each team’s website will be updated as soon as possible if there are any changes.

When will we get tournament information throughout the season?
The timing for receiving tournament information such as gym location and start times primarily depends upon the CHRVA Age Group Coordinators.  Due to team cancellations, the tournament schedule is usually not set until the week prior. The website will be updated with tournament schedules as soon as they are know.

Do parents have to attend the tournaments?
No, but parents should make sure their daughter has a ride to and from the tournament.  Chaperones are provided for tournaments that require overnight stays.

Will each player participate in every match?
Practice is the core of the learning experience of each player in club volleyball. Tournament playing time will be based upon participation in practice, performance, effort, commitment, and attitude of the player during practice.  All tournament playtime is at the discretion of the coaches.  Tournament playing time will not be equal.  Athletes in BAVA have paid to learn skills and concepts of volleyball in practice; they have not paid to play in tournaments.  The BAVA coaching staff is committed to developing all players’ skills and the team as a whole.  At tournaments, the coaching staff will make playing time decisions based upon the best interest of the team. 

How many tournaments will each team play?
Each team will play from 6 to 12 tournaments during the season.  The majority of the tournaments will be 1-day (on Saturday or Sunday).  A couple may be 2-day tournaments (Saturday & Sunday).  The number of tournaments will depend on the age level and skill level of the team.  Generally, the younger teams will attend 5-8 tournaments while the older teams will attend 8-12.  

PARENTS
What costs can I expect to pay?
The cost to play for BAVA will vary from year to year, depending on various costs.  Your club dues will cover the cost of: uniforms, practice facilities, USAV registrations, tournament entry fees, tournament travel to designated travel tournaments, coaches’ salaries, and equipment. Our costs do not include travel to tournaments or food at tournaments.

How much does it cost to participate?
The cost to participate in tryouts is a $45 tryout fee to offset facility and administration costs.  Also, players must be registered, $45, with the Chesapeake Region (CHRVA) to participate in tryouts.  The costs per team vary, depending on age and skill level.  Specific costs will be posted in the Payment Center as soon as they are known.

Can I see tournament schedules so I can see if that schedule will fit my family needs?
We do our best to post the tentative tournament schedule as soon as it is know, usually around mid-November.  The tournament schedule is not set in stone when the season begins.  There are times when a tournament may be changed due to weather, facility issues, etc.  Each team’s website will be updated as soon as possible if there are any changes.

I hate to pay club dues to sit on the bench.  Am I guaranteed a chance to play?
Practice is the core of the learning experience of each player in club volleyball. Tournament playing time will be based upon participation in practice, performance, effort, commitment, and attitude of the player during practice.  All tournament playtime is at the discretion of the coaches.  Tournament playing time will not be equal.  Athletes in BAVA have paid to learn skills and concepts of volleyball in practice; they have not paid to play in tournaments.  The BAVA coaching staff is committed to developing all players’ skills and the team as a whole.  At tournaments, the coaching staff will make playing time decisions based upon the best interest of the team.  

The cost of club volleyball is high and the commitment level is too. What if I can't handle it and have to drop out. Can I just not finish paying my dues and/ or get a refund?
Players dues are NOT refundable.  Exceptions may be made in the case of a season ending injury.  In the case of a season-ending injury, the Board will determine if a refund will be given and the amount. Parents must request any refund in writing to the BAVA Board and attach a medical certificate signed by a Doctor.  All requests must be received before May 31 of the current club season.  Moneys raised through fundraising are not refundable.  

How long does the season run?
The typical season begins with try-outs in November, followed by a club-wide meeting, and the initial practices/training camp in early December.  For the 12 and under team(s), the season will run through the end of April.  For 14-18’s teams, the season will run through the end of May.  If a team qualifies for Nationals, the tournament is usually held at the end of June.  Attending AAU’s in Orlando is also an option, which is held in mid-June.

Will travel expenses be billed separately from club dues?
No.  Travel expenses (flight, hotel, and ground transportation) for the “fly” tournament for the 17 and 18 eams are included in the overall cost.  The hotel rooms for teams attending the MLK Classic (Lancaster, PA), Shamrock Festival (Roanoke, VA), and Happy Volley Championships (State College, PA) tournaments are included in the overall cost, transportation to the tournaments is not.

Do coaches get paid?
BAVA takes pride in the professionalism of their coaching staff.  We budget to provide each coach with a modest salary based on practices and tournaments.  On average a conservative estimate of hours invested into a team is approximately 40 hours per month, per coach.  Our coaches coach for the love of the sport, not money; but a very modest stipend helps off-set the expenses that include professional coaching education and certification, gas money, travel time, personal coaching equipment, planning practices, holding practices, planning for tournaments, and attending tournaments, among other things.

Do parents have to attend the tournaments?
No, but parents should make sure their daughter has a ride to and from the tournament.  Chaperones are provided for tournaments that require overnight stays.If I’m not there who will watch over my daughter?
Each team has a team representative, one or two chaperones, and two coachea. At tournaments, the coach has control of the team, while parents are there to watch and assist their players. At overnight venues, the chaperone is in charge of watching over the entire team while they are not at the venue.

Can I use a credit card to pay my dues?
Yes, the club accepts MasterCard and Visa. Payments are due on the 15th of each month, from December through March.  Credit cards may be used in the “Payment Center” on the website.  All payments made with a credit card will include a 3% fee imposed by Visa/Mastercard, not BAVA.  For example, if $300 is due on January 1, the amount due via credit card will be $309.

What do the fees cover?
Fees cover a variety of costs associated with participation in club volleyball, namely: tournament entry; equipment such as uniforms, gym equipment, gym rentals, volleyballs and medical supplies; coaches salaries, monthly expenses such as postage, printing and materials; USA Volleyball National Office per athlete expenses such as insurance; BAVA-hosted tournament costs; awards; concessions; officials; custodial/rentals.

What do the fees not cover?
Players and their parents will need to consider costs that are not included in their fee payment, namely: travel costs (gas) for local tournaments, food and drink while traveling; if desired; personal playing equipment such as kneepads and ankle support braces.  

Are there fundraisers offered by the club?
BAVA helps subsidize the cost per player by holding an annual golf tournament, hosting tournaments, and having tournament t-shirts for sale.  There are no required fundraisers.  If an individual or team is interested in holding a fundraiser, they are welcome to.  The Board has an approved list of fundraisers that teams may choose from.  In addition, if teams have their own ideas for fundraisers, not on the approved list, they can get them approved by the Board during the season. 

How do players get to events?
Families are responsible for getting their daughters to events. Players and families frequently carpool and share travel duties. Club administrators frequently offer travel planning assistance to families wishing to travel to national events with their daughter’s team.

How do you get involved?
Volunteering is an essential piece to the success of BAVA.  Each family is required to contribute at least 10 service hours.  Some volunteer positions available: team representative, uniform coordination, chaperoning, selling t-shirts, hosting tournaments, team photography, compiling player profiles, etc.  Families who do not fulfill their 10 hours will be required to pay an additional $250 on March 31, 2011.  Our goal is to have all families participate in the success of the season.

What if we do not want this structured of a program?
There are many clubs in the Chesapeake region, all of which have a different way of doing things.  If you are not looking for a very structured program like BAVA, you can search out other clubs on the CHRVA website, www.chrva.org. 

Why should my daughter play club?
Club volleyball provides a higher level of training and competition for girls interested in learning and developing their skills.  The club season last approximately 6 months and teams are small.  This allows players to receive many hours of focused skills training and development.  Generally, players looking to continue their volleyball career in college will play club volleyball.  Club volleyball requires a major commitment from both the player and parents.  Properly evaluating a player’s time management abilities, academic work load, other sports, other activities, and love of volleyball are all factors that should be considered when deciding to play club volleyball or not.

Can my daughter play another sport while playing club volleyball?
Yes, many players will participate in club volleyball as well as play another school sport.  This takes a huge commitment by both the player and parent to coordinate practices and tournaments.  Players, parents, and coaches will need to work together closely to meet everyone’s needs.  It is very important to make sure your club coaches and other school sport coaches are aware of your daughter’s participation on both teams.  Communication is the key to success when playing on multiple teams.

VOLLEYBALL GENERAL RULES
How is volleyball scored?
Club volleyball follows the rule of  “all rally scoring” which means a point is awarded at the conclusion of each “rally” or “volley” – meaning when the ball is no longer in play.  An easy way to know who receives a point – whoever gets the ball for the next serve also gets the point.   What is the difference between a set/game and a match? A match consists of a series of individual sets/games. An individual game consists of the first team that reaches 25 points, with a 2 point advantage. If both teams are tied and both reach 25, the game continues until one team wins by 2 points.  A match can consist of the best 2 out of 3 games, or best 3 out of 5 games.  

Where are the volleyball court boundaries?
The volleyball court is 30’ x 60’ with each side being 30’ x 30” for each team.  Before the ball is put into play by a serve all players must be within the boundary lines of the court. Once the ball is served players may move freely within the court and exceed the boundary lines to play the ball.  

What are those poles on the volleyball net?
The red and white “antenna” are a vertical extension of the side court line. The ball may not touch or go outside of the antenna.  

I thought a served ball must clear and not touch the net to be considered a good serve, yet I don’t see that happening. Why?
Any serve that makes it over the net is a playable serve. The ball is allowed to touch the net during any play, however a player or any part of the player may not touch the net if they are involved in playing the ball.  

I am confused by what is considered “in” and what is “out.”
The line on the floor of the volleyball court is considered PART of the court. If a ball is inside of that line or any part of the ball touches that line, it is considered “in.” If the ball is outside of the line and does not touch the line it is considered “out.” The official sign for a ball that is in bounds is both hands palms down facing the court.  The official sign for a ball that is out of bounds is both hands up palms facing inward. It is required for referees and line judges to exaggerate (make very clear) these hand signals.  

I see two official referees and two players on the court when a game is in session. Who are they?
There are two official referees and two line judges for each game. The referee that is on a stand is the Head referee (also known as the First or “Up” referee). The referee that stands opposite him/her is the Second or Down referee. There are also two line judges that are teammates, (can also be coaches or parents who are familiar with the rules and hand signals) to assist the official referees with line calls.  

What does the Head Referee do?
The head referee is in charge of the entire game and all the calls. He/she will determine the call and make the appropriate hand gesture. The second/down referee follows his/her lead and makes the same hand gesture call. The head referee will look to the second referee and the line judge to assist him/her in the call.  The head referee is the only one who can override a call.   

What does the Second referee do?
The second/down referee has a very important function. This referee checks the team line up prior to the start of the game, monitors the score table, handles and executes substitutions, but most of all watches the activity at the net. This referee is constantly focusing on the net to make sure the players do not touch the net in any manner (body or clothes) as well as making sure players feet do not cross the center line underneath the net.  

What do the girls/officials standing at the corners of the court do?
The two players at the corners of the court are official line judges and play a very important role in the game. Each line judge stands to the right of each referee. Their duties are to watch the two court lines where they are standing, the short line – which is the back line or serve line, and the long sideline all the way to the end of that line to the opponent’s side of the court.  The line judge’s duties are to watch for foot faults on a serve (the servers foot must not touch the line) and determine if the ball is in or out on their respective lines.  The line judge is to make the appropriate hand signal to the head referee. The head referee will look to the line judge for their determination of call.  The head referee, and only the head referee, has the right to override their decision.    

I notice the players change their positions and run all over the court, what does that mean?
At the start of every serve every player must be in their respective positions (designated from 1 to 6) however once the ball is in play they will move into defensive or offensive positions as they have been trained.   

Is there a definite position where a server can serve from?
No.  A player serving the ball can serve from anywhere across the entire back line of the court.   

Where can I learn more information about volleyball?
Go to your search bar and plug in volleyball…..you will find a vast array of information.  Sites you may also want to visit are: www.usavolleyball.org, www.chrva.org, www.bayvolleyball.com.  Also, BAVA offers practices in the beginning of the season for parents wishing to learn specifics.