We are dedicated to teaching young athletes the game of Volleyball in a positive and energetic environment.   We believe that all sports should be played with integrity, and good sportsmanship. And, when all is said and done all players should have fun.

Junior Olympic Volleyball is a great way to:

• Build friendships
• Learn teamwork
• Gain self-confidence
• Have fun
• Learn the fundamentals of Volleyball
• Learn the finer points of the game of Volleyball

What is Junior Olympic Volleyball?

Girls and Boys teams made up of players ranging from 10 years old to 18 years old. The teams are broken down into age groups and player ability levels.

Age levels:

• 18-and-under
• 17-and-under
• 16-and-under
• 15-and-under
• 14-and-under
• 13-and-under
• 12-and-under

Skill Levels (from the most advanced to beginners):

• Open League teams
• Club League teams
  • Club A => Advanced
  • Club B => Intermediate
  • Club C => Novice

Tournaments

There are 5 tournaments for all ‘Club’ teams. There are 5 to 8 tournaments for ‘Open’ teams.

Tournaments are all day events where teams compete against other teams from around New England. Some ‘Open’ teams occasionally play against teams from other Regions (i.e. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania).

Tournaments, both Open and Club levels, are held in a variety of cities all over New England. Therefore, travelling is invovled to play in tournaments. It is the responsibility of the players and their parents to provide transportation to and from all practices and tournaments.

The location of each tournament is determined by the New England Region's Scheduler. Age groupings, ability levels and past tournament performances are taken into consideration by the Scheduler when setting up tournaments. This is done to ensure a consistent level of competition at all tournaments. Since past tournament performances are used to schedule tournaments, the teams participating at a future tournament and the location of the tournament is determined approximately one week prior to the tournament date.
The dates on which tournaments are held are established at the beginning of the season and are available on our Calendar within the right sidebar of most pages.

Tournaments start in January and end in early May. ‘Open‘ Tournaments are played on Saturdays and Sundays.  ‘Club’ Tournaments are played on Sundays. Tournaments are all day events. They usually start at 9:00 am and end sometime around 4:00 pm.

Practices

Practices are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in Concord Area gymnasiums starting in November and ending in late April. It is expected that players will attend every practice and all tournaments. We understand there are, at times, unavoidable circumstances causing players to miss a practice or tournament. However, playing on a Team is a commitment that should not be taken lightly. Every member of a Team is important, and therefore should act accordingly.

Teams will be assigned 2hr 30min. practice sessions.  Except for Tounament dates and the 'Non-Practice' dates noted on the Calendar every team will practice on Saturday or Sunday of each week starting in November and going until the end of April.
The actual practice time slots will be determined in hopes to best accommodate each teams players' and coaches' needs.

Current practice time slots:

• 12:00 am - 2:30 pm
• 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
• 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm

CRVBC Guidelines

  We make every effort to include as many players as possible.  It is our earnest desire to leave no one behind.  This being said, it is important to understand that we will attempt to make as many of the strongest teams at each JO age level as possible.  Each team will consist of 8 to 10 players (depending on a number of variables like:  Age Group, Playing level, ...).  Because of the limit to the size of a team there will inevitably be the need for some players to be 'cut'.  In keeping with our desired to make sure everyone gets a chance to improve their skills we have created the 'Shuttle Squad'.  This will allow those players to improve their skills during practice sessions so they can improve and have a better chance the following year (either at their school or in JO's).

Playing Time vs. Practice Time

  It is important to understand that to teach all players how to 'succeed' they (and their parents) need to understand that each member of a team is important.  Not all players can fill all positions, at all times, and in all situations.

  Therefore, we must all understand that to be successful we must endevour to find the correct balance of skill levels within our teams.  With this understanding it is easier to see why, during tournaments, there may not be totally equal playing time between the members of the team.

  Please rest assured that their will be equal time for team members during practice.  Everyone will be given an equal opportunity to learn and improve.  This should enable everyone to be a contributing member of their team.

  It is also important to note that CRVBC Juniors will not place any player on a team who, in the opinion of the coach, will not be an important and contributing member of the team.

Shuttle Squad

The 'Shuttle Squad' has been established to accommodate those players that fall into the following categories:

1. Can not commit to playing tournaments, but still want to learn more about volleyball by participating in practices.
2. Are not quite at the appropriate ability level (this season) to play at their required JO age level.

Players on the 'Shuttle Squad' will practice with Teams at their commensurate level of ability.  If, during the course of the season, a tournament team is going to be short players at a specific tournament, then a 'Shuttle Squad' player may be invited to join the team at that tournament.

In-House League

Over the past couple of years we have been working to build a level between Travel Teams and the Training Academy. The In-House League is the result. Players whose availability or playing level falls between a travel team and the Training Academy may be able to find a spot in the In-House League. The intent of this League is to form four teams that will practice locally and play locally against the other In-House League teams. It is important to recognize that players on In-House League teams must be committed to playing each week. Each and every week during their practice time these teams will be coached via drills and then compete against the other In-House teams. If players do not attend consistently, then the competion portion of their on-court time will be unproductive.

Training Academy

The Training Academy has been established to accomodate those players that are new to the sport or whose skill level is not comenserate with their age level and therefore are not qualified to participate at their club level. This is a great opportunity to work on skills in order to get up to the level you need to be at.

Miscellaneous

At the present time the Capital Region Volleyball Club supports Girls teams and one Boys team.  Hopefully, within the next year or two we will be able to add some Boys teams to our Club.

Junior Olympic volleyball is a part of the New England Region Volleyball Association (NERVA).   NERVA is a part of United States of America Volleyball (USAV).

Questions?

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