Identity, History & Mission Statement
The Horseshoe Volleyball Club was formed by Bob Kasun and Ken Streilein in 2010. After several years of running our own club with players from the high school teams that we coached, we felt that we could increase our teams’ competitive level by forming an area-wide club. The club would be open to players from any school district. In 2019 we added boys players into our club. We would also like to be part of growing the game for boys in Pennsylvania.
The mission of the Horseshoe Volleyball Club is to provide its athletes
with a positive experience that focuses on the technical, tactical and
physical development in order to reach their highest possible potential. We
will strive to develop every player regardless of age, ability or experience
in order to help the athletes achieve both personal and team goals.
Tryouts and Teams
For the 2023/2024 club season, tryouts are held in October for boys and from late October into mid-November for girls. Beginning with the 2024/2025 club season, summer tryouts will be held for 15u-18u girls. Tryouts for 12u - 14u girls will be held in October. Additional tryouts for 15u - 18u girls will be held in November. Tryout registration is done via a link on our website. A tryout fee of $30 is charged and payable via credit/debit card. If pre-registration is not completed prior to tryouts, players may pay the registration fee by cash or check (made out to Horseshoe Volleyball Club) at time of tryout.
Players will be offered spots on teams based on age and ability. The number of teams sponsored by the club will vary from year to year depending on number of available players, coach availability, and other factors. In a typical club season, we will have teams competing in levels from 12-under through 18-under levels.
Some teams will play in AAU-sanctioned competitions, others will play in USAV (United States Amateur Volleyball) competitions, and some will play in JVA (Junior Volleyball Association) tournaments. We are located in the Western Pa Region of AAU and the Keystone Region of USAV. More information about these organizations can be found at www.aauvolleyball.org and www.krva.org.
Practice and Tournament Information
Competitions are in the form of tournaments. Most teams will compete in single-day tournaments (very similar in format to high school or junior high tournaments) on either a Saturday or a Sunday. Some team(s) will compete in multi-day tournaments. The tournament season for boys teams will begin in early December and end in late February. The typical tournament season for girls will begin in early January and will continue through March or April depending on tournament availability. Each team will play in a minimum of five tournaments during the club season except for the 12u girls teams.
Practice schedules will be distributed to team members when the schedule is set. We will begin practices as soon as possible after teams are selected (mid-October for boys and usually in early-mid December for girls) and will continue through the end of the teams’ tournament schedule.
Payment Information
The cost for players to participate in the HVC will vary depending on the team for which she is selected. We form “travel” teams that will compete in (typically) seven to eight tournaments, some of which are multi-day events. The cost per player on a travel team will be in the neighborhood of $1200 to $1500. It will vary from year-to-year based on tournament schedule. We also form “Regional” teams that normally compete in five single-day AAU tournaments, most of which are within a one and-a-half hour drive of Altoona. The cost per player on a regional team will be based on the number and type of tournaments played. We also have formed teams that are a mixture of ‘travel’ and ‘regional’ that will compete in up to five single-day events as well as one or more multi-day events. The cost per player for the ‘mixed or hybrid’ team will be between the ‘Regional’ and ‘Travel’ team coasts and will be determined by the tournament schedule. If during the season teams would like to add additional tournaments to their schedule, each additional single-day tournaments will increase the fee by $50 and each multi-day tournament will increase the fee by $100.
The cost for participating will pay two uniform tops, tournament registration, practice facility rental, and coach stipend. The cost is based on 9-10 players per team. All players will be required to obtain an AAU membership prior to tryouts. Players on teams that compete in USAV-sanctioned events will be required to obtain a USAV membership (obtained through KRVA website).
Payment Schedules
Payment in full may be made at any time after accepting a spot with the club. However, a payment schedule for players has been set for those players who wish to pay in installments. The installment schedule is listed on the website under the ‘Club’ and then ‘Club Fees’ tabs.
Regardless of how payments are made – in full or installments – players must be current on their financial obligations, otherwise they will not be permitted to participate in tournaments. In certain instances, (financial hardship, unforeseen circumstances, etc.) other payment arrangements may be made. These will be on a case-by-case basis and must be discussed with the club director(s). HVC has begun operating a 'scholarship fund' for players that may need additional financial assitance to pay their team fees. Applications for scholarship funds can be obtained by contacting one of the club administrators.
Travel
Travel to and from tournaments and practice is the responsibility of players and their parents. Car-pooling to practices and tournaments is encouraged. Hotel expenses – for single-day events, if players/parents choose to travel the day before tournaments, or for multi-day events – are not included in the cost of club participation.
Bad Weather Conditions
In the event of weather conditions that require cancellation of practice or a tournament, coaches will text or otherwise message (Band app, etc.) players/parents as soon as they receive word of cancellation. In addition, emails will be sent out to everyone affected, so please be sure that we have your correct email address. Notices will also be posted on our website, www.horseshoevball.com, as quickly as possible when cancellations occur.
Players and School Sports
Athletes who participate in school sports or other activities and who also wish to play club volleyball have an added challenge of balancing these activities. It requires a special person to be organized and committed to these activities, but it can be done. Coaches expect that the athlete be honest and open about school sport/activity conflicts so the coaches can plan accordingly. A coach may be able to handle missing one or two athletes during a winter or spring sport season for some tournaments and practices but will need be informed of the conflicts at tryout time so she /he can make necessary adjustments.
Officiating
Officiating is the shared responsibility of the entire team. All HVC athletes are required to help with either line judging, scorekeeping, score flipping, and/or officiating. Each coach will determine a procedure that his/her team will follow for officiating assignments even if that means making a schedule.
Each team must have at least one member that is capable to act as scorekeeper and another that is capable of being a libero tracker. Preferably, there will be more than one on each team that can perform these duties. Training videos are available on the ‘Junior Scorer/Referee’ tab of the HVC website to aid players and coaches in being able to fulfill these duties.
Members participating in officiating must be alert, careful, and courteous while performing her duties. While officiating, no cell phones, ipods, etc. will be permitted at the scorer’s table or on the person of the line judge. Violation of this rule may be cost the team up to a 10-point penalty for the next match! All members are required to remain to officiate the last round of tournament play if the team is assigned this duty
Player Expectations for Practice
• Arrive to practice ON TIME (preferable 5-10 minutes early).
• Remain at practice for the entire practice time.
• Dress appropriately (athletic shorts, shirt, shoes and knee pads).
• Positively encourage their teammates during drills throughout practice.
• Treat their coaches and teammates with courtesy and respect at all times.
• Talk to their coaches if there are problems or concerns such as playing time, teammate relationships, coaching style or any other issues.
• Call or text your coach if you are not able to make practice for any reason.
If situations arise that interfere with a player’s ability to attend practices or tournaments, the entire team will feel the effects of an absent teammate. Unforeseen school-activity conflicts, family issues, and other personal issues will occasionally occur that affect a player’s attendance. If a situation exists that will affect your ability to consistently attend team activities, please contact your coach to try to work out a resolution that is acceptable to both sides. If necessary, the club directors will become involved to facilitate a remedy.
Coaching and Playing Time Philosophy
It is our philosophy that practices are the time to improve skills and work on new concepts. The fundamentals, which are emphasized initially through positional training and small group work, are used to develop proficient offensive and defensive tactics.
A continual source of frustration for players and parents alike is the issue of playing time. The reality is that equal playing time is not a guarantee. Our philosophy on playing time is stated below:
During tournament play, the coach has the right to determine the line-up that he or she determines is best suited to meet the goal of the particular level of participation. An “equal play philosophy” does not apply in many situations. It is each player’s responsibility to perform at a level that is consistent in keeping with the goals of the team. If the player does not, for whatever reason, fulfill their obligations on the court, it is the coach’s right to substitute them out so that the team may achieve its goals. Players are expected to perform certain roles on the bench as well, which greatly contribute to the success of the team.
Coaches will do his/her best to give each player playing time. THIS DOES NOT TRANSLATE TO EQUAL PLAYING TIME. The coach will base playing time on what the line-up/substitution scenario best offers the team a chance to be successful. The players (and parents) must understand that the playing time among the team members may be different. One player’s role may be to play three rotations, while another player’s role may be to play six rotations. A player that plays three rotations in every game will be considered a full-time participant.
All players earn their playing time in practice. It is the player’s task to work hard enough and learn enough to get on the court during tournament games. Some players will get specialized assignments while others must work to be the best alternate starter that she can be. Regardless of the role that evolves over the season, all players and parents are expected to remain positive and committed to the goal of having the TEAM do as well as possible by the end of the season.
Based on position, a player may play back row and rotate out or play front row and rotate out when reaching the back. It is important for players and parents to understand that the goal of the team is to compete successfully at tournaments and go to the highest level possible. If it is the player’s belief that she is not being treated fairly and playing an appropriate amount, she should discuss it with the coaching staff first and foremost. The coaching staff sees your daughter at each practice and may see something that parents do not. Parents and players should remember that playing time is earned. The players, by working hard in practice to improve skills and consistency, will determine how much playing time they will get.
In reaching our goal to educate players in life skills outside of volleyball, we feel it is important for players to create and maintain good dialogue with their coaches regardless of age.
The parent’s role is one of support to the players, coaches and club. Parents should not engage in “coaching” from the sidelines, criticize players, coaches or game officials or try to influence the makeup or operation of the team at any time.
Player Code of Ethics
A player is not merely an individual; a player also represents both the team and the Club. A player should:
1. Participate as a member of a unit, showing for the team effort.
2. Be concerned primarily with their own playing, leaving control of other people at an event to the appropriate officials and coaches.
3. Show respect for others, the coaches, and the officials.
4. Realize that successful sportsmanship at a game depends, to a large measure, on a player’s actions. Thus, a player is courteous on the court as well as on the bench.
5. Make every honest effort to win a contest but avoid deliberate actions which could cause harm to other players.
General Behavior
1. At all club activities, members and coaches are expected to act appropriately, keeping in mind that they are representing the club and our area. This includes practices, tournaments, and hotel or overnight accommodations.
2. Players, coaches, and parents must display good sportsmanship toward competitors, officials, and event staff at all events and venues.
3. No foul or abusive language will be tolerated from players, coaches, or parents at any time.
4. Parents must refrain from criticizing any player, including their own daughter, during tournaments.
5. Players and parents are encouraged to discuss any problems relating to their team with the coach. However, no coach will be allowed to speak with a parent regarding their child’s playing time, game strategies or any other team management issue during tournament play. The coach will schedule an appropriate meeting time before or after practice.
6. When you have a concern regarding your daughter, we expect you to use the following procedure; 1) the athlete should speak with the coach first, 2) the parent should speak with the coach, and then 3) if you feel the problem is not remedied the parent and athlete should meet with the coach and the Club Director(s). Players or parents not complying with this procedure risk expulsion from the club.
7. Many facilities have rules regarding what may and may not be brought into the facility or play location. Please adhere to all facility rules regarding food, drinks, chairs, and pets, etc. Teams may be penalized for failure to follow facility rules.