FAQs

BOCO VOLLEYBALL CLUB

WHY BOCO?

With dedication to our community, BoCo Volleyball Club strives to provide the highest level of athletic training and help develop young athletes into confident, capable individuals that  translates into all aspects of their life. We strive to design a unique program that focuses on fundamentals, skill and growth; and through learning, encourages a lifetime of success.

BoCo is dedicated to the development of the whole child, both on and off the court. Coaches and administration strive to teach leadership, positive communication, responsibility and high self esteem. As an athlete, your child will improve their game IQ, achieve a higher level of fitness and learn the meaning of healthy competition.

Club volleyball is an avenue for male and female players, ages 10-18 to receive advanced training and competition at local, regional and national levels. Many volleyball clubs exist both locally and nationally, most composed of multiple teams.

Volleyball is the 3rd most popular sport for girls in high school, with 452,808 girls on varsity level programs. The sport is also increasing for boys, with 63,563 boys playing at the varsity level in 22 states as of 2019.

Bringing athletes together with similar goals from various schools makes friendships. The relationships that have been formed through practice and team play will be friendships that last a lifetime.

Club tournaments are where the hard practice pays off and many favorable memories are made. Understand that practice and training is where you receive the most instruction and experience. Tournament play is only a supplement to participating in Club. Club tournaments are usually far more competitive and more physically demanding than high school matches.

Whether your athlete is ready for club volleyball depends on a few key factors. Here are some questions to consider:

  • Commitment: Is your athlete excited about playing volleyball several times a week, including practices, strength training, and tournaments?

  • Coachability: Does your athlete respond well to feedback and instruction?

  • Teamwork: Is your athlete willing to support and work with teammates, win or lose?

  • Physical Readiness: Has your athlete participated in some volleyball before (rec, PE, camps, etc.) and shown basic skills or a desire to improve?

  • Emotional Readiness: Can your athlete handle competition, including the possibility of not always playing or starting?

If the answer to most of these is yes — or your athlete is enthusiastic and willing to learn — that’s a strong sign they are ready for club volleyball! 

TRYOUTS

Tryouts dates are set forth by RMR regulations and guidelines.  Each year we will post on our site when tryouts will be held.

Registration, as well as more details regarding the process can be found on our website online at www.bocovac.com/tryouts. Please also refer to our website calendar for all scheduling and calendar questions.

Tryout Information – What to Expect

Players should arrive 15–20 minutes early to check in and receive their tryout number.

Tryouts will begin promptly at the designated time. Athletes will be guided through the process and evaluated thoroughly by our club directors and coaching staff. We ensure a smooth and efficient experience with adequate staff on hand.

Evaluation Criteria
Players will be assessed on a variety of physical and skill-based areas. In addition, we consider important intangibles such as:

  • Leadership qualities

  • Attitude and effort

  • Interaction with teammates and coaches

  • Coachability and ability to apply feedback

At BoCo, we prioritize development, so a player's responsiveness to training is a key part of the evaluation.

Next Steps
You will be notified via email if your athlete is selected for a team. If you choose to accept the offer, a $500 deposit will be required at the time of contract signing to reserve their spot.

Each season, USA Volleyball (USAV) publishes an age eligibility chart. The simplest way to determine your athlete's age group is this:

Whatever age your athlete turns between July 1 and June 30 of the following year—that is the age group they are eligible to play in.

For example, if your athlete turns 14 anytime between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, they are eligible for the 14U age group.

We kindly ask that you register your athlete for tryouts based on their appropriate age group. This helps us ensure they are evaluated alongside like-skilled players.

If our staff believes your athlete has the potential to compete at a higher level, we may invite them to a second tryout with an older age group. However, please note that this does not guarantee a spot on an older or higher-level team.

At the end of tryouts, athletes may receive one of several outcomes:

  • A verbal offer to join a specific team

  • A notification that they will not be receiving an offer

  • An invitation to a second tryout for further evaluation

  • A note indicating they are on the waitlist

We understand this can be an emotional time, and we appreciate your support and understanding throughout the process.

Congratulations, that’s exciting!

If we extend an offer and you also receive one from another club, you are not required to make a decision until the following week when official offers are sent via email or app. However, if you already know which offer you plan to accept, we kindly ask that you notify both clubs as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly.

RMR dictates when official offers can be made. Once that date and time arrives, you’ll receive your offer via email or through an app governed by RMR. You’ll then have the option to accept or decline the offer in the app, and all clubs that extended offers will be notified of your decision. After you’ve accepted, we’ll follow up via email with detailed instructions on signing the contract, accessing the BoCo Handbook, reviewing our Standards of Behavior, and much more. We do our best to keep the process as simple and step-by-step as possible for you.

TEAMS

BoCo abides by all USAV & RMR rules and regulations.
Please refer to the USAV Age Requirements.

The number of teams we form will be based on the total number of athletes who try out, as well as their skill levels. We also consider the ability to build balanced, “club-ready” teams by position to ensure a competitive and positive experience for everyone.

Athletes are selected based on skill, talent, effort, attitude, and the positions available on each team at the time of tryouts. At the end of each season, contracts may be extended to current athletes, meaning that some spots may not be available for specific teams during tryouts.

Club directors and coaches will meet at the completion of tryouts to discuss and form teams.

Verbal offers can be given at the end of tryouts or up to 48 hours after the completion of tryouts.

Official contracts are sent by a date following tryouts. Each year the date is determined by RMR.

FEES & DUES

The club fee schedule is found here. The fees vary depending on the age level of the team and whether or not it is a traveling or non-traveling team. For traveling teams, additional fees are included for at LEAST one out-of-state tournament. Fees for ALL teams include tournament fees, fees for a personal trainer for strengthening and conditioning, mental toughness training, coaches pay, facility rental, insurance, administrative costs, website maintenance, bookkeeping, billing expenses, marketing, and more.

We offer Accelerated, Standard & Extended plans for all of our athletes. This allows parents to choose the payment schedule that fits best with their family budget.

Payments are due on the 1st of each month and are considered late on the 10th. We will be using LeagueApps for our billing. This system will allow you to log-in to your account and set up electronic payments and manage your account. You will also have the ability to see all previous transactions. In addition, we accept cash, checks or Venmo (@BoCoVBC) as payment options. These can be paid in person or mailed to 201 Coffman Street #1675, Longmont, CO 80501.

There is assistance available. We may offer partial or full scholarships, as well as extended payment options for those who apply. To apply for a scholarship, please contact info@bocovac.com to receive the application. You will need to provide financial information to be considered for the scholarship.

Absolutely! We offer 10% off club dues of the less expensive player for families with two children participating. Those with more than two children playing club volleyball with us will receive 10% off club dues for all children, except the most expensive player.

IN-SEASON INFO

While we keep our teams to a maximum of 10-12 players, equal playing time is not guaranteed across all BoCo teams. Every player is guaranteed practice time, training, and mental toughness coaching. Playing time is primarily determined by skill, followed by attitude and effort. BoCo and our staff strive to form teams where every player has the opportunity for meaningful playing time, provided they demonstrate the following characteristics consistently throughout the season:

  • Good work ethic

  • Positive attitude

  • Willingness to be coached

  • Full effort, giving 100%

  • Consistent attendance and punctuality at team practices

The dedication shown during tryouts and practices, including hard work, position assignments, and team success, will influence the amount of playing time a player receives in games and tournaments.

The following colors represent the levels of competition at each age group:

GOLD – Recreational teams, where players are guaranteed playing time in each match. The focus is on repetition of basic fundamentals, fun drills, and fostering a love of the game. Equal playing time is not guaranteed.

RED – Regional teams, where every athlete is generally guaranteed playing time in each match, though exceptions may apply. The emphasis is on building basic fundamentals.

SILVER – 2nd teams that attend 2-3 out-of-state tournaments. These teams are competitive, and the commitment expectations are high. They focus on fundamentals, volleyball IQ, and transitioning to a faster-paced game. Equal playing time is not the standard.

BLACK – National teams, where competition is highly competitive and intense. These teams focus on developing volleyball IQ while continuing to improve fundamentals. Equal playing time is not the standard.

Yes. We feel that this promotes unity among the players and teams. All players will be provided with two practice T-shirts at the beginning of the season.

Absolutely! Volleyball is a sport that relies heavily on strength and power, making it essential for athletes to develop specific muscle groups to perform at their best. Players need strong legs for powerful jumps and an explosive vertical to spike and block, as well as a strong upper body to execute those same actions and defend against opponents' attacks. Strengthening volleyball-specific muscles ensures that athletes can achieve their maximum performance potential.

One of the key aspects of volleyball is the need for explosive jumps and rapid direction changes. Being able to jump high is critical for both offensive and defensive plays. To improve vertical jump, athletes should focus on exercises that target leg and hip muscles. An effective strength and conditioning program should also include agility drills and lateral movements to enhance foot speed and overall court quickness.

Since volleyball is a high-impact sport, athletes face the risk of joint stress from all the jumping, landing, and cutting involved. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround the joints play a crucial role in protecting from injury. Strengthening these muscles helps the body absorb the shock from landings and sudden direction changes, preventing damage to joints and reducing the risk of injury.

Lastly, developing a balanced foundation of strength and flexibility is key. Flexible muscles allow for better range of motion and improve technique, enabling athletes to exert more force and perform at a higher level. A well-rounded volleyball-specific strength and conditioning program not only enhances performance but is also critical for injury prevention, helping athletes stay strong and healthy throughout their careers.

Club fees are due and payable regardless of whether the athlete is injured, ill, quits the team mid-season, or is dismissed for any reason. All of our expenses, including coach salaries, facility rental, tournament fees, and other administrative costs, are incurred and paid up-front during the first couple of months of the season. The fee is based on the number of committed players, which includes your child. Once your child makes the commitment by signing the contract, they are financially responsible to their teammates and coaches to fulfill their commitment for the entire season.

The 24-Hour Rule: As stated in our BoCo Handbook, parents/guardians are not allowed to confront a coach, team, or league official to discuss any "negative" game or practice situation until at least 24 hours have passed from the completion of the game or practice. A confrontation includes any conversation where the tone or demeanor escalates to yelling, profanity, or derogatory comments toward the coach, team, or league official. Violating the 24-Hour Rule is considered a breach of our Zero Tolerance Policy. Similarly, BoCo’s Directors and Coaches will also adhere to the 24-hour rule when responding to any grievance or concern, ensuring that we address the situation thoughtfully and without an immediate emotional reaction.

Please refer to our "Grievance Procedure" for further guidance on how to properly handle any concerns or disputes you may have during the competitive club season. We are committed to fostering open and honest communication with both players and parents, always within the boundaries of kindness and respect.

Our long-term goal is to build our own facility. For now, we will rent facilities in and at the Longmont Athletic Club.

Practices will be 2 to 3 times per week and approximately 2 hours long each practice. This is dependent upon the age and level of the team.

Each team will also have a once per week 1 strength training session with our personal trainer, Yarib Estrada.  

Missed Practice and Strength Training Policy

Regular attendance is critical for both individual and team success. If an athlete misses practice or strength training, they may lose playtime. BoCo Volleyball Club practices require a total commitment of 5 hours per week, plus tournaments, and we ask that athletes prioritize this commitment.

Communication with the coach is critical. The expectation is that the athletes take responsibility for letting the coaches know if they will be missing a practice. Our goal is to teach athletes to be confident in communicating directly with their coach.

The absence policy applies to both practice and strength training. The only exception is that strength training sessions can be made up by attending another team's session, if needed.

BoCo’s Unexcused Absence Definitions

The following are considered unexcused absences:

  • Homework: Time management is part of growing up. Preparing for assignments and tests in advance is essential.
  • Family Dinners: We value family time but ask that families schedule around the club’s 5-hour weekly commitment.
  • Birthdays: We’re happy to celebrate your athlete’s birthday in the gym. Encourage commitment and teamwork by attending practice.
  • Non-Participant School Events: Activities in which athletes are not directly involved, such as plays, concerts, or other events, are considered unexcused absences.
  • School Sports: Going to watch a friend or boyfriend play a basketball or baseball game is NOT excused.
  • Family Vacations: While we encourage family time, vacations are not considered an excused absence.  This is a choice that is being made by your family that does not prioritize your commitment to your athlete’s team.  
  • No Communication: if the athlete fails to communicate with their coach this will result in an unexcused absence.  Even if the reason falls under an excused absence, no communication will result in an unexcused absence. 

This policy reinforces BoCo’s commitment to team unity, responsible behavior, and communication, which are key components of success. Let me know if any adjustments are needed!

Consequences:

  • Each athlete is allowed one unexcused absence per season. 
  • One unexcused absence results in missing 1 set at the next tournament. 
  • Two unexcused absences lead to missing 4 sets, or if both absences occur the week before a tournament, the player will miss the entire tournament.
  •  Each player is allowed 1 unexcused absence per season and 4 excused absences per season.  
  • Anything above those will result in missed sets, games & possibly being let go from the team.  

Please note: Strength training can be made up by attending another team’s session. For the schedule, visit bocovac.org/calendar.

BoCo’s Excused Absence Policy

BoCo Volleyball Club recognizes that certain situations may arise which require an athlete’s absence from practice. However, we strive to maintain a high level of commitment to the team. Below are BoCo’s definitions for excused absences and guidance for interpreting them accurately.

Definitions of Excused Absences

  • TRUE Required School Activity
      • Definition: A school activity where the athlete is actively participating or performing, such as a concert, play, or similar school-sanctioned event.
      • Guideline: If attendance is not required, or the athlete is only a spectator, they are expected to attend practice.
  • TRUE Emergency
      • Definition: An unforeseen circumstance requiring immediate attention or action by the athlete and/or family.
      • Guideline: Emergencies are unplanned and often require swift response. Family dinners, birthday parties, or other planned gatherings do not qualify as emergencies. Athletes should still aim to attend practice, even if arriving late, whenever possible.
  • TRUE Injury
      • Definition: Physical harm or damage (or required treatment) that prevents the athlete from participating in practice.
      • Guideline: If an injury restricts only physical participation but allows for attendance, athletes are encouraged to support their team and coach from the sidelines, focusing on communication, teamwork, and encouragement.
  • TRUE Sickness
    • Definition: Illness that may be contagious, involve a fever, a stomach virus, or serious symptoms warranting a doctor’s recommendation to rest.
    • Guideline: There’s a difference between being truly ill and simply not feeling well. Minor ailments like coughs, sniffles, headaches, or general discomfort do not excuse an athlete from practice. Athletes should inform their coach of their condition to ensure it is understood and supported appropriately.

Parent and Athlete Commitment

We recognize that dedication requires balance. Athletes are encouraged to honor their BoCo commitments and, in turn, build resilience by recognizing when they can push through minor discomforts. Please be prepared that athletes may occasionally miss or be late to family or special events to uphold their team commitment.

This policy aims to provide clarity on BoCo’s expectations regarding absences while supporting athletes in building strong habits of responsibility and dedication. Let me know if there are any further revisions needed!

All players, parents, coaches, staff, administration, and any individuals associated with BoCo Volleyball Club are expected to observe, honor, and comply with the Core Values, Standards of Behavior, Policies and Procedures of the club.

Respect

  • Respect for Others: Always be respectful towards teammates, players, coaches, staff, parents, families, officials, opponents, spectators, and facilities.
  • Respect for Yourself: Take pride in yourself and represent yourself positively both on and off the court, including on social media. Remember, you are not only representing yourself but also BoCo Volleyball Club. Take pride in that representation!
  • Respect for Time: Be respectful of everyone’s time by arriving at practices and tournaments at least 15 minutes early to help with setup, get ready, and begin warming up.
  • Dress Code: For practices, strength training, and tournaments, BoCo gear is required. No attire that shows the midriff, represents other clubs, or displays politically driven messages is allowed. Non-BoCo gear is also prohibited.

Participate

  • Effort in Practice: Give 100% effort and focus in every practice. Stay engaged in all drills, avoid distracting others, and never walk from place to place. Always shag balls without needing to be asked, and follow your coach's instructions. Your level of effort reflects your commitment to your team. You should always be moving during practices.
  • Team Bonding: Attend and actively participate in all team bonding activities.
  • Volunteer Service: Complete 8 hours of volunteer service with your team. All volunteer opportunities will be organized by BoCo Volleyball and performed as a team throughout the season.

Lead

  • Lead with Courage and Pride: Approach leadership with bravery and confidence, carrying pride in your actions.
  • Lead Positively: Be humble and gracious in all situations.
  • Lead with Empathy and Kindness: Show compassion and understanding, never leading with cruelty or judgment.
  • Lead by Example: Avoid profanity, maintain a positive attitude on and off the court, on the sidelines, and in the stands. Be the role model that others strive to be—this includes parents. Be the parents that others admire for their positivity and support.
  • Lead with Encouragement: Celebrate everyone's success, not just your own (or your child’s). Leadership means uplifting the whole team.

Communicate

  • Timely Communication: Notify us as soon as possible if you will be late to or miss a practice or tournament by using the LeagueApps app.
  • Positive Communication: Always communicate with your coach and team in a positive and respectful manner. Follow the communication chain outlined in the handbook for guidance on how athletes should communicate with the coach, player advocate, and director if necessary.

  Responsibility

  • Own Your Actions: Take responsibility for your actions both on and off the court. Understand that what you say and do affects those around you.
  • Be Mindful of Your Words: While being competitive is important, it’s equally important to lead positively and avoid becoming the teammate no one wants to play with. Parents, remember your children are listening to you—if you are positive, they will be too. If we hear negativity from the stands, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the tournament.
  • Know Your Role: Understand your role on the team and communicate with your coach if you wish to change that role. Whatever your role may be, strive to be the best at it.
  • No Phone Rule: Embrace the no phone policy during practices and tournaments to build lifelong bonds with your teammates. If you need to contact your parents, communicate with your coach. Social media use is not permitted during tournaments or practices.
  • Stay Drug and Alcohol Free: Attend all volleyball events, practices, and tournaments free from drugs and alcohol.
  • Honor Commitments: Stay true to your commitments, whether they relate to your team, club, family, friendships, finances, or otherwise.

It’s a WE not ME Mentality

TOURNAMENTS

Tournaments are held on weekends (primarily Sundays) from January into May. Most events begin around 8 AM. and may finish as late as 6 PM. Tournament pools and schedules are generally posted on the RMR website 1-2 days prior to the tournament. Occasionally, there will be last-minute tournament location changes, in which case you will be informed by the coach and also by email as soon as that information becomes available to us. On tournament days,
players should generally arrive 30 minutes prior to the first match and should be on the court at least 15 minutes prior to a match, but is at the discretion and directive of each individual coach. About 15 minutes before each game time, the team should be warming up indoors with a volleyball (if space and tournament rules permit).

During the day, each team should stay together and must notify their coach if for any reason the player has to leave the premises. Be aware of the match schedules (i.e. when your team plays, referees/works or rests). The schedule and up-to-date information is available at www.tm2sign.com. Sometimes, at the completion of the crossover match, your team may be responsible to stay and referee another crossover match, in which all players of the team will be expected to either score, line judge or down ref. Before leaving the tournament, each team should be considerate and properly dispose of its own trash.

Your athlete's schedule will be released in September of each year.  Plenty of time to plan your family vacations around the tournament schedule.  Your athlete is expected to attend ALL tournaments.  

Locations of Powers are released the WEEK OF the Power and no sooner.  

 

BoCo’s Tournament Policy: Attendance and Absence

BoCo Volleyball Club expects athletes to prioritize their commitment to team tournaments. However, we understand that legitimate reasons for absence may occasionally arise. Below are BoCo’s guidelines for excused and unexcused absences from tournaments, along with clear definitions.

New this season - Consequences:

  • If an athlete misses a tournament due to an unexcused absence, the family will be fined $350 for the first tournament and $500 for the second missed tournament.  

Attendance Expectations

  • Excused Absences: If an athlete is absent from a tournament due to a true illness, injury, emergency, or required participation in a school event, the absence will be excused.
  • Unexcused Absences: Any absence not falling under the excused criteria will result in a loss of playtime. Specifically, the athlete will miss their next two scheduled sets, which may include giving up a starting position during those sets. 

Definitions of Excused Absences

  • TRUE Required School Activity
      • Definition: This includes events where the athlete is actively performing, such as concerts, plays, or other mandatory school activities.
      • Guideline: If the athlete’s attendance is not required, or they are only a spectator, they are expected to attend the tournament.
  • TRUE Emergency
      • Definition: Unforeseen circumstances requiring immediate action by the athlete or family.
      • Guideline: If possible, athletes should still aim to attend the tournament, even if arriving late. Family events like birthday parties or dinners are not considered emergencies and should be planned around the tournament schedule.
  • TRUE Injury
      • Definition: Physical harm or damage (or necessary treatment thereof) that prevents participation in a tournament.
      • Guideline: If attendance is possible despite the injury, athletes are encouraged to attend to support their team, demonstrating communication, teamwork, and encouragement.
  • TRUE Sickness
    • Definition: Serious illness that may be contagious, involve a fever, stomach flu, or other symptoms warranting rest per a doctor’s advice.
    • Guideline: Minor ailments like coughs, headaches, or feeling “under the weather” are not sufficient reasons for absence. Athletes should inform their coach of any symptoms to ensure understanding.

BoCo’s Unexcused Absence Definitions

The following are considered unexcused absences:

    • Homework: Time management is part of growing up. Preparing for assignments and tests in advance is essential.
    • Family Dinners: We value family time but ask that families schedule around the club’s 5-hour weekly commitment.
    • Birthdays: We’re happy to celebrate your athlete’s birthday in the gym. Encourage commitment and teamwork by attending practice.
    • Non-Participant School Events: Activities in which athletes are not directly involved, such as plays, concerts, or other events, are considered unexcused absences.
    • School or Club Sports: Going to watch a friend or boyfriend play a basketball or baseball game is NOT excused.
  • Participation in other Sports:  
  • Family Vacations (this includes SPRING BREAK VACATIONS): While we encourage family time, vacations are not considered an excused absence.  This is a choice that is being made by your family that does not prioritize your commitment to your athlete’s team.  
  • No Communication: if the athlete fails to communicate with their coach this will result in an unexcused absence.  Even if the reason falls under an excused absence, no communication will result in an unexcused absence. 

Parent Support and Commitment

Parents are encouraged to help their athletes recognize when they can push through minor discomforts and support their commitment to the team. Occasionally, athletes may need to miss or arrive late to family events to honor their BoCo responsibilities.

This policy provides clarity on attendance expectations for tournaments while emphasizing responsibility and commitment. Let me know if you’d like further adjustments!