Junior Tryout Information
  Junior Tryout Guide
 
USA VOLLEYBALL
JUNIOR TRYOUT / PLAYER SELECTION POLICIES
(As adopted by HOA Board August 20, 2000 and revised August 19, 2003, August 7, 2005 and August , 2009)
 
The following policies have been adopted and revised by the HOA Region to improve the overall player selection and tryout process utilized in the region, and to ensure prospective USAV players are afforded opportunities to participate on a club or team in the region. The policies are also intended to provide players, and their families, appropriate time and consideration of alternatives without undue pressures associated with the selection process. Any club not adhering to the specific policies or the spirit of the policies will be subject to regional sanctions, which may include suspension of coaches, players or teams from participation in the HOA USAV regional activities.
1. Notification to HOA: All USAV/HOA clubs and teams must advise the HOA office of their open tryout schedules and club information as soon as possible in the fall of each year and are encouraged to have tryout details confirmed with HOA preferably by October 1st to ensure website publicity. No tryouts will be sanctioned and posted unless the club rep is a registered HOA member (all forms, fees need to be submitted and background screen completed). Please check with MSHSAA or KSHSAA regarding regulations affecting tryouts.
2. Club must Post and Announce: at the beginning of all tryouts (i.e., the day of tryouts) the number of playing spots open for tryouts for each age division.
3. Length and Times of Tryouts: In the Kansas City area (see definition below), tryouts during the first 2 legal days will be regulated by a strict time schedule. Two hour blocks will be offered for each age division with one hour in between tryouts. The allowed tryout times are: 8-10 am, 11 am-1pm, 2-4 pm, 5-7 pm and (on Saturday only) 8-10 pm. Outside the Kansas City area, tryouts are limited to a maximum of 3 hours.
4. Club Information needed for Tryouts: Regardless of whether your club has one team or several teams, as much information as possible should be provided about your club to all prospective players.  This should include a statement of the club mission, philosophy and any pertinent policies.   Clubs are asked to include notification of applicable club fees within an approximate (+/-) $150 to all prospective players as part of their tryout schedule.
5. Tryout Fees: Clubs may not charge more than $10.00 for tryouts unless (a) the club utilizes the insurance/refund approach (contact HOA for clarification on this procedure).   Or (b) the club can demonstrate specific expenses that are related to the tryout to justify a charge greater than $10.00 and disclose the same to the region.
6. Tryout Information: All clubs need to make available a copy of the Junior Tryout Guide (Including the Parent’s Guide to Club Volleyball) to all participants in a tryout. All necessary documents will be included with the Club Info Packet.
7. Tryout Dates:
First allowed tryout dates for the 2009/10 will be the same for all clubs in the HOA region:
- Age divisions 14 and younger: Saturday, November 7, 2009
- Age divisions 15 and older: Saturday, November 14, 2009
No player can tryout until school competition is completed. In case of doubt, contact the governing school athletic association. HOA has no responsibility for any player violating inter-scholastic competition regulations.
8. Response Period: If a player is offered a position on a team during the first weekend that tryouts are allowed, the player will have till the following Monday, 4 pm, to inform the club if he/she accepts the offer. If an offer is not made immediately after the tryouts, the player will have a minimum of 24 hours to decide whether to accept or decline the offer from the moment the offer is extended. The club will have to hold that position available for the player, once the offer is made till the deadline expires. Clubs that do not conduct their tryouts on the very first weekend that tryouts are allowed, are required to give the players 24 hours after the completion of the tryout and from the moment an offer is extended, to accept an offer for a position.
9. Player Commitment to a Club: Offers to players are made online in the HAI system. Players will accept these offers online also. Once a player has accepted an offer online, the player can not change clubs anymore other than through the player transfer process.
If a player backs out of a commitment, he/she forfeits the right and eligibility for participation in the HOA region Power League and Region Bid Tournament for this season.

10. Player Transfer: In essence, once a player registers with a club, that is intended to be a commitment for the season. In some circumstances it may be in everybody’s interest for a player to transfer from one club to another. To make a formal transfer, the following is required: A release from the club director of the club the player is leaving An acceptance from the club director of the club the player is moving to A note from the parents of the player, agreeing to the transfer A five ($5) dollar transfer fee Once all is received by the HOA office, the transfer will be considered. All notes can be submitted by email.
11. Completion of Tryouts: Clubs are limited to one tryout “callback” for a specific age division within 9 days of the initial tryout. Players going to callbacks must be informed of positions already filled prior to the callback date and told how many positions still remain open. Players must be fully advised of the openings remaining and these must be posted at the callback tryout. Clubs must also advise callback players for which specific team (i.e. first or second) the player is being evaluated. Clubs are strongly encouraged to limit the callbacks to only those positions not yet filled. Callbacks have to be at least 2 days after the initial tryout.
SPECIAL NOTE The HOA Individual Membership Form IS NOT TO BE USED AS A REGISTRATION FORM FOR A TRYOUT. There is a form (Tryout Insurance Form) that should be used for securing insurance for the tryout event.

RECRUITMENT POLICIE

1. Recruitment Definition – Any discussions between a prospective player and a club director, coach, parent or any other adult or player representing a club on the subject of the prospective player's playing with the represented club in future seasons, regardless who initiates the discussion. An exception would be discussions between a club representative and returning players from the same club. See "Returning Players Commitment" below.
2. Recruitment Period - September 1 until the start of tryouts. Clubs are explicitly prohibited from recruitment of players (by any club, coach, representative, parent or player from other clubs) during the USAV playing period (from moment of registration till September 1).
3. No Contact list – Players who have informed the HOA office in writing that he/she does not want to be contacted by any club for the purpose of recruitment will be placed on the No Contact list. The No-Contact List will be posted on the HOA website. Clubs will be held responsible for any club representative, parent or player contacting a player on the No Contact list. HOA will accept the information for this list by fax or e-mail. Please include School, address and phone number for verification purposes.
4. Contact with a Prospective Player - In contact with a prospective player, any club representative must refrain from any negative or derogatory remarks about any club or individual. The distribution of any false information is strictly prohibited.
5. Returning Players Commitment - After a team has completed its full playing season (which could vary by teams within a club) that team / club may offer positions to existing players on the roster for spots on the team / club for the next season. These are commitments made between the club and the player and are not governed by the Region in any capacity. Other clubs are asked to honor such commitments and not pursue these players. Players that want to accept such an agreement, are encouraged to have their name placed on the no-contact list.
6. Involvement of High School & College Coaches - Clubs must ensure that all high school and college level coaches associated with the club not suggest, steer, or require players from the school at which they coach (or are affiliated with) to tryout or play for one specific club over any other option. Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA) and Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) specifically prohibit such actions and are serious violations of state regulations, and, any violations may jeopardize player status with the state associations. Clubs are required to be well versed in the high school and college level recruitment requirements and must ensure that the club and their coaches are in compliance with all aspects of these regulations.