What Coaches Look For During Volleyball Tryouts: Skills, Mindset & Presence That Get You Noticed

🏃‍♂️ Effort and Hustle Matter More Than Perfection

You don’t need to be flawless you need to show up with heart. Coaches watch closely for players who chase every ball, dive for saves, and recover quickly. It’s the consistent effort that earns respect and roster spots.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ Always sprint to drills, shag balls without being told, and never walk during a rep. It sets the tone that you’re serious.

💬 Attitude and Coachability

A volleyball player in a white and yellow uniform is talking to a coach wearing a black jacket with a small blue and yellow flag on it, in front of a volleyball net.

The best players aren’t just skilled—they’re teachable. Coaches value athletes who can take feedback, apply corrections immediately, and stay positive even after mistakes. Encouraging your teammates shows maturity and leadership potential.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ Respond with eye contact, nods, or “Got it, Coach” after instructions. These simple cues show respect and readiness to grow.

🏐 Consistency Over Flashy Plays

A coach is giving a pep talk to a volleyball player. The player is wearing a black and red jersey, and the coach is in a black shirt with "Volleyball" written on it. They are standing close and making eye contact, suggesting a moment of encouragement or strategy discussion.

Flashy kills or jump serves might grab eyes, but it’s the players who can pass, set, or dig with reliability that coaches trust. If your fundamentals are solid, you’ll help your team win points consistently.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ Work on clean, simple reps under pressure. Coaches would rather see 10 great passes than 1 spectacular hit and 9 errors.

🔊 Communication and Energy

A volleyball coach giving instructions to his team, who are wearing red jerseys with "USA" on them, during a timeout. The players are gathered closely, listening attentively.

Energy is contagious. When you’re vocal calling “Mine,” giving quick encouragement, or celebrating good plays it lifts the whole team. Coaches seek vocal leaders, even in small ways.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ Make your communication loud and purposeful during warmups, drills, and scrimmages. It’s not about being the loudest, but being clear and consistent.

🧠 Court Awareness and Smart Decisions

A volleyball player in a white and red uniform listens intently as a coach in a red shirt provides guidance. The arena is filled with spectators, visible in the background, with a "Volleyball Nations League" sign nearby.

Coaches want players who “see the game.” That means reading the hitter’s shoulder, shifting to cover tips, and choosing safe angles when out of system. It’s about being a thinker—not just a reactor.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ During scrimmage plays, focus on positioning—where are you on tip coverage, where’s the setter, is the hitter approaching left or right?

Watch This Video To Improve Your Court Awareness:

😤 Body Language Under Pressure

A volleyball player focused on receiving a ball during a game, wearing a blue and yellow uniform.

How you respond to mistakes says more than the mistake itself. Do you drop your head or reset for the next play? Coaches watch for composure, confidence, and how you support teammates when things get tough.

✅ Bonus Tip:
✔️ Build a habit of snapping your fingers, clapping once, or taking a breath after errors—then get back in position fast. Show you're mentally tough.

🎯 Want to Impress Coaches at Your Next Tryout?

Upload your tryout drills or scrimmage footage to Rewind and get a FREE 15-minute expert review focusing on the key areas coaches evaluate:

Effort & Hustle across every rep
Attitude & Coachability in adjusting and supporting
Consistency in passing, setting, and defense
Communication & Energy with clear, positive presence
Court Awareness and smart positioning
Composure Under Pressure after mistakes

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