Welcome to NorCal

For those of you that are brand new to the world of volleyball you will find the following information helpful.  This is just a very general overview of a club season.  Additional information and details are all on our website.

MISSION STATEMENT:

NorCal will provide a safe environment for girls to learn, train and develop as volleyball players.  We welcome athletes, families, friends and the community to join in our mission.

TRYOUTS

Tryouts for our power league teams will be the first weekend in November.  Area league teams will not have a tryout.  They will be “sign up to play” and registration for those teams will open at 10:00am on November 7th.  The tryout schedule for the power league teams is:

Saturday, November 5

8am-10:00am  (ages 12 and under and 13 and under)

12:00pm-2:30pm (ages 14 and under)

4:30pm-7:00pm (ages 15 and under)

Sunday. November 6

10:00am-12:30pm (ages 16 and under)

2:30pm-5:00pm (ages 17 and 18 under)

Tryouts will take place at Dougherty Valley High in San Ramon.  For more info about tryout registration, please go here.

LENGTH OF SEASON

Each team can plan on competing from January through the end of June or early July.  Some teams will start in December.  Each team will conclude their season by competing in either Junior Nationals or another end of the season tournament such as the AAU Championship in Orlando or Bay View Classic. 

PRACTICES: 

Each team will practice one to three times per week with the average being two times per week.  Teams can plan on starting practice in December.  The practice schedule will not be set until coaches see the make up of each team.  Area teams will only have 1 practice per week and will start practicing in mid-December.

TEAMS OFFERED FOR THE 2012 SEASON:

11-1 Area, 11-2 Area

12 Area

12 Black

13 Black, 13 White

14 Black, 14 Blue

15 Black, 15 Blue

16 Black, 16 Blue

17 Black, 17 Blue or 18 Blue (depending on the numbers)

18 Black

DEFINITION OF THE TEAMS WE OFFER AT NORCAL:

BLACK OR BLUE TEAM 

*Performance Based Team*

Each of these teams are highly competitive with the goals of finishing the season competing at Junior Olympics in early July.  Teams can plan on practicing at least 2-3 times per week.  Each team is performance based which means that an individuals playing time is determined by practice and tournament performance.  If a player attends practice regularly, works hard and demonstrates the ability to perform the skills necessary to play the game she will be given the opportunity to play.  When given the opportunity to play, each player must bring to the court the skills that she demonstrated in practice that earned the playing time.  If play in the game does not match her success during practice, then she must rededicate herself on the practice court.  This cycle can only lead to success for the team and the player.  Playing time is at the sole discretion of the coaches  as it relates to player performance and team strategy decisions. 

AREA TEAM  (ages 12 and under only)

*Developmental Team*

These teams are designed to give girls an opportunity to play club volleyball at a much younger age and for a much lower price.  These teams will practice one time per week and will compete in the NCVA Area League which is a less competitive league than Power League.  The season will only be 5 months long starting in Jan and finishing with Area League Regionals at the beginning of June.  They will also have one end of the year tournament such as the Great America Tournament.  These teams are strictly for the development of the player and for that reason playing time is not decided based on performance.  The skill development of each player at a young age in a low intensity environment is the ultimate goal of these teams.

NCVA

The national governing body for the sport of volleyball in the United States, became incorporated as a non-profit corporation called the Northern California Volleyball Association, NCVA, in 1982. The NCVA abides by the rules set forth by USA Volleyball; however, it operates as a completely separate business entity. The NCVA hosts and approves competition, fellowship play, clinics, leagues and tournaments. The NCVA also hosts one of the ten National Qualifiers for USA Volleyball. In addition, the NCVA aids in the development of players, coaches, referees and scorekeepers.

After each tournament, team standings will be posted on their website (ncva.com).

POWER LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS:

Power league teams are generally more competitive than area league teams and require a greater amount of commitment from the player and parent.  Travel for power league tournaments can be anywhere within the NCVA and points are kept at each tournament so that the top teams can be awarded with a bid to Junior Nationals.  These tournaments are pool play followed by bracket play and last 1 day.  

AREA LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS:

Area league tournaments are usually within an hour radius and are not as competitive as power league because Junior National bids are not given out through area league.  These tournaments are pool play followed by bracket play and last 1 day. 

QUALIFIERS:

Qualifiers are tournaments that teams compete in to try and gain bids to Junior Nationals.  They are highly competitive and last 3 days. 

NUMBER OF TOURNAMENTS:

The number of tournaments vary depending on the team.  Generally NorCal teams can expect to compete in the following tournaments:

Power league teams (NorCal Black or Blue): California Kickoff, 5 NCVA power league tournaments, 2 national qualifiers, and 1 end of the season tournament (AAU Championships, Bay View Classic or Junior Nationals if a team qualifies)

Area league teams (NorCal  11 and under Area) :  6 area league tournaments and 1 end of the season tournament (Bay View Classic)

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A TOURNAMENT DAY:

The location of a Power League tournament is usually posted only a few days prior to the tournament.  Please note that the NCVA solely determines the locations of these tournaments.  Therefore, Norcal, nor any other Club, has any input on the locations.  Some are definitely farther than others.  Depending on the location, parents sometimes choose to stay in a hotel close to the playing site the night before.  This is extremely convenient, however, the expense is the sole responsibility of the player.

Typically, players will arrive at the playing site at approximately 7:30am on the day of the tournament.  The schedule of matches will be posted that morning at the playing site.  Mornings involve pool play, afternoons involve bracket play.  It is not unusual for the final matches to be played around 5 or 6:00pm.  Bracket play is single elimination, pool play is not. 

Food:  Teams usually organize “group food.”  The Team Mom or another parent on the team will be responsible for coordinating this.   This means each player is responsible for bringing one food item to feed the team, the coach,  assistant coach and the parents.  Group food typically includes breakfast items, snacks, lunch and drinks.  How this is organized is a team decision. 

There will be down-time during the course of the tournament.  The amount of time will vary at each tournament.  Because of this, it is recommended that your player bring a pillow, blanket, books, homework, IPODS, or games.  Please note that the safety and security of these items are the sole responsibility of the player.

OUT OF TOWN TOURNAMENTS (QUALIFIERS):

The format is the same as a Power League tournament (pool then bracket play), but  these Qualifiers are held at out of town locations.  Teams will travel together via airplane or car (Reno, southern California).  All travel arrangements for coaches, players and chaperones will be made by the NorCal Travel Coordinator.  Please note that NorCal does not book travel arrangements for parents with the exception of the chaperones.  Each team is required to have two adult chaperones.  Players are housed together usually three or four girls per room.  Chaperones share one room.  The chaperones are responsible for the safety and security of the players for the entire trip.  Their duties include, but are not limited to:  ensure the girls get plenty of water, ensure they are eating properly,  transport the players to/from the hotel, playing sites and meals. 

PLAYING TIME: 

There is no guaranteed playing time for any player during a tournament. 

SCHOOL:

Some out of town tournaments may require school absences.  Players are responsible for communicating with their teachers to make up any missed arrangements.  Please check with your player’s school regarding their policies.

COMMUNICATION:

Consistent communication between players and coaches is strongly encouraged throughout the season.  All but the most difficult situations should be resolved directly between player and coach.  If a resolution is still not found, a meeting of all concerned parties with the Coaching Director should be requested. The following sequence of problem resolution will be strictly followed:

Player--------Coach

Player/Parent--------Coach

Player/Parent/Coach--------Coaching Director

END OF SEASON EVENTS:

Awards Night:

In early May, NorCal celebrates the end of another successful season by hosting an Awards Night.   For a small fee, the evening includes dinner, socializing, 

player recognitions and fun.  This is a great evening not to be missed.

Junior National Championships:  Teams must qualify either in region or at a national qualifier to compete at any level of this tournaments.  The best teams in the nation will compete here.  The location of the tournament changes every year, but for 2011 it will be in Atlanta.  The tournament is 4 days long, but travel occurs 24-48 hours prior to the start date. 

OTHER:

Volleyball gear can be purchased locally at: All Star Sports in Pleasanton, Ca