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FAQ and Parent Info
Frequently Asked Questions by Parents
What is our basic commitment to you? Carpe Diem promises the following:
1. We will give athletes the best possible training. Approximately 60-70 plus hours of training. Our select teams will get over 100 hours!
2. We will push you girls to get better but will not yell at them, or criticize them in a demeaning way to make them play better. That is not our style.
3. Practice times and locations will depend on team assignment.
4. Each team will have a qualified head coach that will attend the majority of practices and tournaments.
5. Specialty Clinics & optional practices may be available to all players at a small additional cost or free.
6. Tournament play. An average team will participate in over 80 games!
6. Top teams may attend more tournaments or receive additional training.
We need your commitment: We will need for you to sign on the dotted line within 48 hours of the last tryout (varies by year). By this time we will inform you of (1) the team where you will be placed (2) coach of that team (3) planned location of the team practices (4) tentative times of practices (5) tentative tournament schedule for the season. When we provide this information you will have 48 hours if you decide to withdraw from the club or pay your first installment. If you withdraw after this time, you forfeit your first installment. You must notify Eric Shick in writing or email if you decide not to participate.
What is the cost and what does the fee include?
The fee includes all expenses, less any tournament travel-related expenses (food, transportation, and lodging). Uniform expenses are included in the price already. Carpe Diem has a season fee based on the level of team you are placed on. (See “Club Fees” section for exact amounts) Fees are spread out over installments with the 1st installment due on or before November 20th, followed by 3 installments from December through March. If fees are not current, the player may not participate in practice or tournaments. Fee statements are mailed or given out toward the end of each month. If you don’t receive one, notify Eric. Please MAIL all fees in. If you quit all fees are still due. If you are injured or cannot play for another reason the fee is due for the month you finish.
What is the required Uniform Items?
We will provide the uniform teams shirts but the each player will provide the black shorts and accessories (knee pads, etc). If you need help locating some shorts we can give you some ideas in town or on the Internet where to find them.
What if I quit or leave the program early?
We hope that a player does not “quit”. If you quit without good cause (injury, moving, etc) you will still be responsible for your full season cost. Sometimes circumstances will require the player to leave the program. Please be aware that you are responsible for the installment fee in the month you leave. If you plan to leave, we require that you notify us in writing.
How can I reduce my fees?
Review the fundraising section on how you can reduce the installment payments. We have had players pay their entire season through fundraising. See the fundraising section for details. All fundraising profits are split 80% to the player and 20% to the club.
You may also request to be a team rep.
Is there a discount for sisters?
For sisters this year we are offering a 30% discount on the younger sister and we give 100% credit for all fundraising profit.
How long does the season last?
We begin team placement tryouts early and mid November. Team practice starts early January. We may have some optional positional training in November and December. Most teams will play through the Palmetto Regional Tournament, held late March for club teams and mid April for power teams.
How are practice locations assigned?
One of the most difficult things we face each year is finding practice locations. If you can help us retain gym sites please contact the club director, discounts may be available if you can assist in securing gym space.
Players must be willing to practice at any of the locations we have available and the times that they are available. We will provide everyone with a directory of all players after teams are set in order to assist in car-pooling. Before the teams start practice in January the team practice sites will be published on the website. We probably will rotate team practice sites semi-monthly to prevent players from always traveling or practicing at the same times.
How often do I practice?
Our Nation and Regional teams practice twice a week. We may offer additional optional practices. Exact practice times will be announced late November. If a practice is missed for some unforeseen reason, we will reschedule.
Can athletes be cut?
Yes, but probably only in the older ages (15 & up). Due to the size of the club and limited team space, we do reserve the right to cut a player. This will be based on the number of teams we have available and the skill level of the player. Skill, commitment, and attitude are important things that we are looking at in our players. A girl can be cut for a bad attitude.
Can players be moved or added to a team after initial teams are assigned?
Yes. We prefer not to move players, but reserve the right if the need occurs based on team needs such as player talent, loss of a player, players joining later in the season, and other factors. We reserve the right to merge teams if the need arises. It is possible, if players quit, to merge teams during the season. We also reserve the right to add a player to a team at any time during the season.
What is the difference in National, Regional Teams, and Select Teams?
After players try out and we determine their skill level and commitment, we place them on various skill level teams. National teams (our top teams) are formed, IF we have sufficient talent in a specific age division to win regionally and compete nationally. Regional teams are our second teams and made of newer players, players that play another sport and cannot commit fully, or players that do not want to travel nationally. Select teams are National level teams that consist of players that do not play any other sport or have any afternoon conflicts. This is important because these teams practice in the afternoon. This is a new option that has been added this year to our club.
If sufficient skill level is not adequate in a specific age division, we will not form a top team. National teams require a higher level of commitment, and fees are higher.
Can players miss practices or tournaments?
We request initially that you consider our practice schedule and tournament travel. We want girls that will be committed. Practices and tournaments can be excused for school conflicts. If you must miss a practice, we require that you notify your coach AND team rep a minimum of 24 hours in advance and 3 weeks notice if you can’t attend a tournament. Fees are the same regardless if you miss practices or tournaments. National team players may only miss 2 unexcused practices.
Can I play other sports and participate in Club Volleyball?
Yes. Many of our players participate in multiple sports. We will admit that it is harder to play a sport and club at the same time but it is possible. School sports are priority and come first and are considered an excused absence. Select team members cannot play other sports.
How are team tryouts handled?
Players are evaluated by a minimum of 4 coaches and up to 6 over the tryout session. Many of these coaches have no idea who the player is, what team she played on the previous year or what school she is from. We feel this is the best method of tryouts and fair to all players.
We prefer players make the first tryout sessions, but this is not mandatory. Player’s try out by the age group they are currently in. (see USA Age 2003 age definitions)
This type of tryout allows us to form teams composed of athletes of similar skill and age level, which provides for a more efficient training program. This reduces the pressure on those players whose skill level may not be that of their teammates and also reduces frustration for those players whose skill level may be well beyond that of their teammates.
Factors for placement are based on the athlete’s skill level, position played, commitment level, age, attitude, and several other factors. Players trying out for one of our top teams must be willing to play any position that is best for the team as a whole, agree to our tournament playing time rule, and agree to the higher level of commitment.
How are we kept informed about club news or changes?
E-mail or the web site is the best way for us. With over 100 girls in the club it is hard for us to call everyone. If you have email – check it daily! most of our members have email, if you don’t; we ask you to contact the team rep or coach for information. All information will be posted on our web site (www.carpediemvolleyball.com ) or sent via email carpediemvolleyball@yahoo.com.
We encourage you to check your email daily through the season.
The Coaching Committee will decide team placement.
Another major concern for many players and parents is team placement. I can assure you that the tryout system we use is very fair and accurate. There will be players who are on the border between being placed on a higher or lower team. If a player is a number 7, 8 or 9 player on the 1st team, they could be the number 1, 2 or 3 player on the second team. There are advantages to playing on a lower team, more playing time, being one of the top players verses the lower players, self-esteem, etc. Our entire coaching staff evaluates players and a committee makes placement decisions. The teams from previous years are not necessarily kept together, each year talent is re-evaluated. If you disagree with your team placement, inform us in writing and we will consider a re-evaluation.
How are travel tournaments handled?
Tournament sites vary. Some of the sites we attend travel to are Charleston, Greenville, Asheville, Aiken, Atlanta, along with tournaments held local that we host. If we travel to a tournament where it is necessary to stay overnight we will make the necessary arrangements and let you know the cost. If parents are traveling the player may stay with them or with the team.
As a rule, if the tournament is within a 2-hour travel distance, it is up to the parents to decide whether they will go down on Friday or drive down on Saturday morning. The team will meet there Saturday morning. Tournament entry fees are included in your dues but travel expense and lodging are not included. See the tournament schedule for tentative dates and locations for the tournaments we plan to attend.
Players or parents are responsible for arranging transportation or car pools to tournaments.
Which tournaments do the teams attend and how often?
Beginning in mid to late January, we will attend tournaments approximately every other weekend (see tentative schedule in this book). Regional tournaments are held on Saturdays and we normally travel to and from the tournaments in the same day. The majority of our tournaments are located in South Carolina.
Tournament entry is based on available slots; we are not guaranteed that we will get in each tournament that we register for. We must notify both the coach and team rep 3 weeks prior if you can’t attend..
How do we determine what division a team is placed in tournaments?
Coaches and the director will jointly decide what division a team is placed based on the level of play the team is capable of. There are up to 2 divisions in a tournament per age group. (Club& Power)
How many players will be assigned to a team?
We will limit team size to 10.
How do I handle a problem?
If a problem arises, we ask that the player first approach the coach. If a parent needs to get involved or is not satisfied, we require that the complaint be placed in writing and submitted to the director. At no time is a coach or director to be approached or confronted with a complaint during a tournament.
Do I have a voice in the operation of the club?
We attempt to make very clear our commitment to each player and parent. Everyone should know this basic commitment. This club is not parent operated. Parents may write Eric with any concern. The director and coaching board will have the final say, which is comprised of 4 coaches, plus the director.
Will I play the same position that I play in school?
Not always. We may move and train a player to play a different position than they played in school based on the need of the team. On our top teams, you must be willing to play any position.
How is playing time at tournaments handled?
Most parents want or expect their child to play most, if not all the time during tournament play. This is the number one problem of clubs throughout the United States. We hope the following will resolve most concerns. Carpe Diem has designed a program to offer everyone a choice. All players should get equal PRACTICE time.
Carpe Diem will have NO guarantee of equal playing time for the National teams. We will do our best to get every player playing time but we cannot say it will be equal playing time.
Regional teams will offer fair playing time to each team player. Fair is not equal, we will play your daughter as much as possible taking into consideration her position, practice time attended, skill level and competition.
If during the season you are not satisfied with playing time, you may request to be moved to a lower team if there is room. Don’t complain at a tournament. The time to discuss playing time is after the tournament.
Will I have the same coach through the entire season?
Hopefully. It is our goal that our coaches are at all practices and tournaments. We expect a coach to be at every practice and every tournament. However if something comes up Carpe Diem has substitute coaches that are used in the event a head coach can’t attend a practice or tournament. There may be times that a team must practice with another team. It is possible that we can’t replace a coach who has a conflict for a tournament. That team will have a choice to attend with a parent helping, share a coach with another team, or not attend. There may be times that practice locations or times are confused, or someone doesn’t have a key to the gym. Mistakes will happen, but of course this should be the exception, not the rule.
Are all teams given equal attention?
Yes and no. Carpe Diem tries to treat all of its teams equally inside the club. All teams should receive equal attention, practice time, recruiting help, etc. from their coach to that team. However, the higher level teams pay for national tournaments where they will receive extra exposure to college coaches.
Can a player join after tryouts or during the season?
Yes, provided we have space on a team based on her ability. Just contact us for details.
Pre-Club Youth League.
–We have started a league for girls grades 1-6. It is for girls 12 and under. They will practice once a week for 8 weeks and play against each other. Tell your friends to get them involved too. This league starts in April after the club is over. Click on the "youth league" link on the main website.
Parents and Recruiting
Click here to read a good article about your part in the volleyball recruiting process.
Keep The Blood Pressure Down
Parents-A note about keeping a good reputation for Carpe Diem.
First, we would ask that referees NOT be addressed by
parents during tournaments. We know all too well how
frustrating it can be when the referee or scorekeeper
makes what seems to be an obvious mistake, especially
when it's during a crucial game or point. But for
those of you who have reffed before, you realize how
hard it can be, even without parents complaining about
calls. Seldom is there a game when the ref makes no
mistakes. Our coaches will do their best to point out
as politely as possible when a mistake has been made,
but the girls need to realize that the team must be
good enough to win even with a few bad calls. We know
that it may be very normal for parents to yell at the
refs, but we would like to set a different standard,
and we appreciate you standing with us on this.
Second, we ask that any problems you have with your
coach be addressed in the following manner (we
addressed this in the parents' meeting at the
beginning of the year): 1) Ask your daughter to
approach the coach (not during a tournament) with the
problem or 2) Speak to me directly about any major
problems and I will personally try to work them out
with the coach.
We've recently had complaints regarding these types of
issues, even from parents or coaches of other clubs.
It is our desire that Carpe Diem be totally above
reproach in this area, as we hope to be able to be a
good witness to other clubs, referees, spectators,
etc. We would rather discontinue our club than
develop a questionable reputation in the volleyball
community.
We realize that emotions can run high when your
daughter is involved in competitions of this nature,
but we also believe that everyone involved will be
able to handle disagreements without any trouble if we
stick to these rules.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions about this.
Sincerely,
Eric Shick
Director, Carpe Diem Juniors
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