Hello from the other side: A view from the directors side of the tryouts
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021
By Breit Nelson
Badger Region Board Member
I was driving down the highway on my way home after a long day of tryouts and I couldn’t help but be filled with gratitude. The nerves, the tension, the anticipation (in forms of both excitement and anxiety), and the time spent staring at the computer screen, marketing, making calls, and countless hours talking with parents and players were all showing to be worth it. Then the song “Hello” by Adele came on the radio and, of course like anyone would, I belt the lyrics in a celebration of the completion of tryouts.
It made me think about how I’d heard parents refer to the weekend of tryouts as one of the most stressful weekends of the year as they try to plan a way to hit multiple tryouts so their son or daughter has options to find the best possible fit for the upcoming club season. The players are dealing with nerves while trying to get adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition. Players try to get in the best mindset possible while parents find the right balance between supportive but not increasing pressure.
Then tryouts arrive, and the players give it their all while parents wait for hours dealing with the lack of control they have over what is happening in the gym at that time.
Tryouts can be stressful for players and parents, and I’d like to let you in on a little secret…. the “Other Side” is feeling it, too! This is where I thought of writing this piece as a “Hello from the other side.” As club directors and coaches, we can’t begin to express how humbled we are that you trust us with your child during this time.
We totally understand that everyone wants the coveted “1’s offer”, but that isn’t always the best fit, whether it’s because of skill, position, or experience.
There are usually three reactions we typically get when offers are made. Those getting the 1’s offers are excited, then there are those that didn’t make the 1’s team who are either disappointed they didn’t make the team or just overjoyed that they made ANY team! So, as directors, we try to manage ALL of the emotions accordingly.
As parents and players come and go during the day of tryouts, the directors and coaches are there all day for multiple long tryout sessions, trying to remember tryout numbers, positions, ages, etc.
Whoever provides a meal during that day is a godsend, even though it’s highly unlikely we get much more than a handful at a time, and sitting down to eat is almost unheard of. The process of tryouts is not only physically exhausting but mentally and emotionally exhausting for all parties.
Players and parents leave the gym to talk over their options, and as for the directors… this was just another step in the process.
Now we wait “patiently” for the call, email, or text with the acceptance of an offer. If an offer is declined, we have another offer to make. The back and forth can go on for a long time as teams are completed.
At the end of it all, we (directors) are humbled, thankful, and honored that you chose our club into which we’ve put so much time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears. We struggle with the idea that we can’t always provide a place for everyone to play and that we may not always be the best fit; but no matter what, we wish the very best to all the volleyball families out there!
Don’t forget that the season is long, and we need to trust the process because there will be successes and failures and that is where the learning happens. These lessons will stick with you beyond volleyball if you embrace them.
A huge thank you to all the athletes, coaches, directors, families, and parents for all that you do for the love of volleyball!
