USA Volleyball (USAV) Registration.  In addition to the above, you must also register online to become 2010 USA Volleyball (USAV) members.  The majority of tournaments we compete in are sanctioned by USA Volleyball, which is why everyone must be registered with USAV. Do not confuse this registration process with the Power Surge registration process.  Both are completely separate processes and both must be completed before attending our tryout.  Complete, sign, and bring all the USAV forms to the tryout too.  When registering for USAV membership, be sure to select "Spanaway VBC" in the "Club" field.  "Power Surge" is the name of our teams and will not be listed as a "Club." Do not pay the USAV registration fee at this time.  If you are selected to play on one of our teams, the registration fee is included in the startup/initial fee, mentioned later.  

Which Tryout Age Group to Attend.  To determine which tryout to attend, whatever age you will be on 31 August 2010, that is the tryout age group you must attend.  So if you are 15 now but will be 16 on 31 August 2010, you must attend the U16 tryout, not the U15 tryout.  You can play up, but never down.  Everyone must attend their appropriate age group's tryout first.  Our goal is to field teams that can compete at the top levels in every age group.  Some players may be invited to play up, but only if there are any openings and if they possess skills equal to or better than the older players.  Those invitations will be determined by the coaches and approved by the club director.   

Forming Teams at Tryouts.  Time is of the essence therefore we will select primary and alternate players to play on one of our teams at the tryout.  But team rosters will not be finalized until after tryouts, after coaches have had more time to evaluate players, and after the region's signing dates.  During this evaluation period, players may be moved up or down.  Please keep in mind that you are auditioning to make one of our teams, not any specific team, not to play with any particular player(s), and not to play for any particular coach. 

Making the #1 Team.  Everyone wants to be on the number one team.  But what many players and parents fail to consider is the important concept called "fit."  Fit is being on the team that maximizes a player's unique potential for development.  If you are a starter on the B team, but have the opportunity to be a supporting player on the A team, the best fit for you may be to remain on the B team.  To take a player with 90% playing time from one team and move her to another team with only 10% playing time, may not be the most beneficial for that player.  To play on a #1 team you must bring with you skills consistent with those on the #1 team.  That way you and the other players all benefit from this concept called fit.  Too often, players want to play on #1 teams but possess subpar skills. 

Know what position you will fill on a team, i.e. outside, middle, setter, right side, DS.  Know what your rank is within your position on the team.  Know who you are competing against on your team for playing time.  Middles compete against other middles on the team for playing time, for example.  They do not compete with setters or outsides.  Likewise outsides compete against other outsides, setters against other setters, etc.  Insist on knowing these things from your coach so you can make a more informed decision about which team is the best fit for you.  Throughout the season as players develop their skills, position assignments may change.  Embrace the change and see it as an opportunity to become a more well-rounded, more complete player.  Above all, always maintain a positive attitude because when you do, you always win.