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handbook

What is JO volleyball?

USA Junior Olympic Volleyball, also commonly referred to as club or JO volleyball, is a program that offers athletes the opportunity to further participate in volleyball after the normal school season ends. JO volleyball programs have exploded all across the country over the last 25 years. Today there are over 100,000 registered junior players in the United States. Clubs are formed with the purpose of providing junior athletes with an increased knowledge of the sport, additional training, as well as competitive tournament play. The season normally runs from December until May with some clubs continuing with their top teams in the National tournaments through June and July. The way it works is that players are placed on teams based on their age and skill level.

High school programs are restricted to a few weeks of practice followed by a busy match schedule, making it very hard to get consistent, long-term instruction. Thus, in some respects, playing one season of club ball sometimes results in the equivalent of up to two years of school experience. This is because club volleyball provides as much as 50 plus hours of training over approximately 4-5 months. In addition, club teams participate in numerous full day tournaments adding up to as many as 25-75 matches of tournament play depending on the level and participation of the various teams. Th goal for athletes who play club volleyball are to able to enter or return to their high schools with much greater abilities, skills, and confidence following their club experience.
About Northern Impact Volleyball Club

Northern Impact is a competitive program designed for high school, middle school, and late elementary age athletes. The athletes of Northern Impact are members of Junior Volleyball Association and follow all of their rules and regulations.

Mission Vision and Values

Mission: Northern Impact Volleyball Club is to dedicated to developing athletes of character, coaching life-long skills, and instilling a passion for the game in a positive environment.

Vision:  Our vision is that players will be given the opportunity to learn the game of volleyball at the highest possible level, while simultaneously learning the important life lessons of teamwork, commitment, time management, sportsmanship and dependability.   Our players will come to know the importance of giving their best effort and  to carry forward the values we share for the betterment of the rest of their lives.

Values: 

• Effort: we believe in rewarding and praising effort, regardless of outcome
• Passion: we instill love for the sport that encourages volleyball for life
• Respect: we promote ethical behavior, fair play and respect for the game and all its participants
• Integrity: we act in a fair and consistent and transparent manner
• Dedication: we expect all members to make a commitment to the club and to its teams
• Excellence: We set, work towards, and achieve the highest standards

TEAMS

The number of teams are determined by the number of participants and age levels who try out. In a typical season Northern Impact Volleyball creates 12 and under developmental teams and competitive teams for players 12-18 years old.

The age of the team is based on the player’s age as ofJuly 1st of that year. Teams are designated based on the oldest team member. If there is even one 14 year old on a team, but the rest of the team is 13 year olds, the team must be considered a 14U team. Teams cannot have players older than the age-base of the team, but players can be younger. For example, a 13 year old can play on a 14 year old team, but a 15 year old cannot play on a 14 year old team.

Northern Impact Volleyball Club operates as a non-profit entity. We strive to provide our athletes and families a competitive volleyball program with high-level training at a more affordable price than the "for-profit" competition that exists in our area.  Our teams typically do not travel nationally, because we have access to exceptional competition here. We are open to travelling to National Competitions, if the skill level of our teams dictate so.

*This information is meant to be a rough guideline. Actual number of playdates, tournaments  and fees will vary depending on what we tournaments we are accepted to attend.

FEES

Fees can be paid in full or through a payment plan. The payment plan costs $100 more and requires a deposit at tryouts. All payments are made or scheduled the day of tryouts through our electronic payment system, Snap!. You will receive an email to set-up your account after your player makes a team. Additional items or services may be offered from time to time at additional cost.

All fees are non-refundable. If you set-up a payment plan and are not able to finish out the season due to illness, injury, etc. you are still required to pay the remaining balance through the end of the season. We are a nonprofit and plan our fees to cover the costs incurred by your player including uniforms, coaching fees, gym fees, tournament fees, etc. All of the money is dedicated to cover the full team cost so if a player does not finish a season, we cannot provide a refund.

If your player withdraws before apparel has been ordered, we can refund your apparel cost. If your player withdraws before the official season begins and we can replace her spot on the team, there may be an opportunity for a partial refund.

TRY OUTS

View specific tryout dates and registration information at: http://nivb.org/tryouts

• All athletes who have intentions of playing for Northern Impact must participate in tryouts and turn in all necessary registration forms and fees.
• Please do not tryout if you do not have sincere intentions of playing.
• Tryouts will be run by the coaching staff and other volleyball personnel in order to evaluate the volleyball skills of each of the athletes.
• Tryouts will consist of evaluation player’s passing, setting, hitting, serving, sportsmanship, attitude, and leadership skills.
• The directors, coaching staff and other volleyball personnel will assess the skills of each player and place them on the appropriate team.

MAKING A TEAM

Teams will be formed the day of tryouts. Directors and coaching staff will talk with parents and players about the team they made and will need to make a decision within 10 minutes or the spot will be offered to another player. This system work best to create teams starting at the oldest players and working down to assemble teams efficiently so they are set the same day. Once you have stated you’ve accepted the team and paid your deposit and filled out the JVA membership form and health form your spot will be reserved. Teams may change or merge due to the level of commitment of players. After tryouts you will be emailed an online form to complete the registration and set-up a payment plan for the season.

All teams will practice at New Brighton Community Center (Eagles Nest) unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

COACHES

Our coaches have a variety of coaching, training and playing experiences that qualify them to coach at their assigned age levels.  Many have IMPACT, AVCA, or AoC certifcations.  All are registered with JVA. All have completed Abuse Prevention Training and been background checked to assure player safety.  Northern Impact encourages and subsidizes on-going coach education for all coaches.

LENGTH OF SEASON
Most teams begin practice the first week in December and end in May.

PRACTICES

Teams will practice twice a week for 1.5 - 2 hours. We typically do not practice over the holiday break. Teams 14+ have approximately 40 practices during the season. Practice will be cancelled if the Mounds View School district cancels after school activities due to severe weather, or when The Community Center closes. Due to gym availability and scheduling, there are no make-up practices.

Practices will incorporate game-like drills. Drills will be fast-paced to ensure players get as many touches as possible. In addition, when possible, we encourage our coaches to have internal team scrimmages between our teams to prepare for upcoming competitions.

TOURNAMENTS & PLAY DATES

Tournaments are full day events with pool play in the morning followed by bracket play in the afternoon, or can be multi-day events with multiple rounds of pool play preceding bracket play.  Most teams above age 12 will play most the metro and have some tournaments outside of the metro area (Rochester, Wisconsin Dells, Duluth, St. Cloud etc.).

Play dates are half day events where the team play three teams in a pool. These events are held in the Twin Cities area.

Officiating –  All teams may be required to officiate matches during play dates and tournaments. All players must learn to officiate, keep score, and line judge prior to the first tournament or play date.  Online training and coach preparation are typically the sources of this training and coaches are responsible for players learning these skills.  When our team is officiating an event, all players are required to stay in the gym with their team, regardless of their officiating assignment.  We all stay and leave the facility together when coaches and event staff indicate it is ok to leave, not when it is convenient for players and/or parents.

PLAYTIME

This is a competitive club that will strategically play athletes for the best chance of winning. Northern Impact playtime policy is that every athlete who has made a team will get playing time, but not all play time will be equal. Please remember that playing time is earned by hard work during practice, positive attitude and showing support to all their team members. If the athlete is a defensive specialist or front row specialist, she will only play the front or the back row, where other athletes might play both front and back row. Some athletes may not have a strong serve yet (at lower levels) and coaches may opt to have a stronger server in for one or more rotations. Teams are made up of 8-12 players, with only 6 players allowed on the court at one time. Coaches will determine line-ups with the intention of getting all players time in each match, but not necessarily in each set, or in equal distribution.  Our goal is for all athletes to improve throughout the year and to improve everyone needs time on the court.

TRANSPORTATION

All players must have their own transportation to and from all practices, play dates and tournaments. Coaches are not allowed to transport players for liability reasons. Players can car pool. Coaches will be present at the facility until the last player is picked up.

TRAVEL

Some teams will travel outside of the metro area. Costs for player’s accommodations are not included in our fees. Transportation and meals are not included.  In most cases, players will be expected to lodge with their own families unless families make other arrangements. For out of town events we encourage teams to lodge at the same location. This can be a positive team building experience.

UNIFORM PACKAGE

All players will receive 2 jerseys, warm-ups and other optional accessories.

Additional items may be available in the team store at additional cost.

STRENGTH, AGILITY and JUMP TRAINING

Northern Impact partners with Acceleration North in Arden Hills to offer strength, agility and jump training. This training may be purchased from Accelearation North at a substantial discount for NIVB Members.  A pre- and post- test are coordinated by Acceleration. This training is optional, and you may schedule yourself as you see fit.  We know this training works to improve performance and reduce injury.  Please make the most of this opportunity.

JVA REGISTRATION

All players need to complete the online JVA and medical forms. Emails will be sent after the all club meeting.

CLUB POLICIES

• Play Time: The Northern Impact policy on play time: All players will get playing time, but it most likely will NOT be equal.
• Attitude Policy: “No attitude” policy – coaches reserve the right to sit a player at practice or a game for behavior problems, attitude or unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Concussions: Northern Impact follows state guidelines for concussions. If a player is suspected to have a concussions she will be immediately pulled from play in a game or practice to be seen by a medical professional. The player can return to play or practice with a note from a medical professional. Coaches are NOT medical professionals and will practice caution in the assessment of these types of injuries, but parents are ultimately responsible for assuring the health of their players. More details outline under PLAYER SAFETY.
• Other Injures: Northern Impact encourages open dialogue about player injuries between parents, coaches, and players. We reserve the right to see a note from a doctor to resume playing for the safety of the player.

PLAYER EXPECTATIONS

• Respect your teammates and coaches.
• Work together as a team.
• When a coach or teammate is talking you are expected to look at them. Looking around the gym or at the floor is not acceptable.
• Listen to your coaches when you hear “listen up”, “bring it in”, “shag up the balls” we expect prompt reactions, keep practices moving.
• Have fun! We hope practices and games will be enjoyable for both player and parents.

PARENT EXPECTATIONS

• Please always be positive with your daughter, other players, and other parents.
• Biggest goal of any youth sport is teaching team work and good sportsmanship – please set a good example for your daughter.
• Parents are always welcome to watch practices and strongly encouraged to cheer on the team during games.
• If you have questions or concerns about something you see during a practice or a game please feel free to talk to your coach first before a practice or after a game or practice. JVA recommends a 24 hour wait period for a parent to contact a coach about any serious complaints and our coaches are encouraged to enforce this policy after events, if discussions become intense. Parents are encouraged to contact the coach by phone or set-up an in-person meeting. The coach reserves the right to have a club director present for these conversations.

VOLLEYBALL ETIQUETTE

All teams warm-up together starting with running, stretching and conditioning. Player expectations are:

• Hustle on the court, we never walk while on the court
• Shagging balls during drills, end of drills, end of practice, during games etc.
• Communication
  • Communcation for an volleyball team is critical
  • It provides team motivation after each play
  • Giving positive feedback to your team mates such as “good job”, “good try”, “nice serve”, “good up” etc can be contagious
  • Getting a player’s attention if a ball un-expectantly comes at them during a drill both on the ground and in the air.
  • On the court saying “mine”, “got it”, “help”

FUNDRAISING

NIVB is partnered with Dynamic Fundraising this season to provide players with the opportunity to earn $500 with no further investment than their own time and effort.  Additional funds may be raised via the Dynamic Fundraising cards with an additional investment of $10/card that you sell at a price of $20/each, keeping the profit for yourself. How the cards work will be discussed with the players during the first week of practice.

ALL CLUB MEETING

Typically there is an all club meeting in November after the 15+ tryouts. In lieu of an all club meeting, there may a general information letter sent out to all the NIVB families. Items covered at either the meeting or information letter will ensure everyone understands the commitment to the club, apparel, spirit wear, acceleration, and more.

TEAM PARENT

Need: Suggest one volunteer per team

When: Will serve for duration of the season

Responsibilities:

• Provide the coaches with a single point of contact to communicate with parents and families.
• Take pictures (collect pictures from other parents)
• Share photos and information freely among all players, families, coaches and the club.
• Organize team bonding activities
  • Ideas include: pasta feed, bowling, scavenger hunt (for traveling team), board game night, a movie, parent/player scrimmage (end of one practice), parent dinner/drinks/games, etc.
• Traveling teams: coordinate room block, group meals and activities
• Help communicate between coaches and parents when needed
  • Create email chain and/or text group
• Provide car pool options if needed
• Create a player card that has your team’s roster.

PLAYER SAFETY

At Northern Impact Volleyball player safety is our number one priority. Our coaching staff has various levels of medical training, but our club needs to remind everyone that no one on our coaching staff is a doctor. They have been instructed to always use caution when it comes to player safety. Every coach has a medical kit for minor issues. At most of the events we attend there will not be an athletic trainer on staff, so our coaches will need to use their judgement as it pertains to any injuries a player may sustain. This is especially true when dealing with a potential concussion. Coaches will ask the player in question some simple questions. It is essential the answers are truthful. These questions are:

• Do you have a headache?
• If you have a headache, is it all over or localized in a particular area?
• Are your eyes sensitive to bright lights?
• Are you having any issue focusing on activities or schoolwork?
• Any issues concentrating?
• Do you have blurry vison?
• Do you feel nauseous?
• Do you have any neck pain?

If any of the questions have a yes or maybe answer the coach should be having the player sit out the remainder of the event. This is at the coach’s discretion and parents need to honor the coach’s decision. We all want to see the players participating in our events, but safety comes first.  For more information, visit HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Parents | HEADS UP | CDC Injury Center.

If a player is deemed to have any level of a concussion it is our policy that the player be examined by a trained Athletic Trainer, Sports Doctor or their Primary Care Doctor with a written note being provided to the coach. This is required before participating in further activities at NIVB. This may not be the most popular policy but please remember the safety of our athletics is our number one priority.

CONTACT

If you have any questions about Northern Impact Volleyball contact Kraig O’Rourke: kraig@nivb.org or 612-919-6923.