Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
“Elevate Your Game”
Website:
www.elevationvolleyball.com
www.sportsexpressvb.com
E-mail: info@sportsexpressvb.com
Phone number: 513-398-2400
Elevation Mission Statement
Elevation VBC will field multiple teams in all age groups (10-18), at the American and
National levels of play, within the Ohio Valley Region (www.ovr.org) of the USA
Volleyball Organization (www.usavolleyball.org). It is the intent of our Club, as we work
with the youth of today, to promote fairness and good sportsmanship as they learn,
compete and grow to love the greatest team sport in the world --- volleyball.
All Elevation National Teams will be registered at the Open level in the Ohio Valley
Region (OVR). The Coaches Director (with the help of the coaching staff) will determine
the level of play (open or club) in which a team will play at the USA, AAU or JVDA
National tournament in July.
Teams in the American division do not desire the travel associated with the National
division, but want a stronger level of competition than the Regional division. We will
have several teams that fall under this category. These teams have the opportunity to
play in a National “play-in” tournament within the OVR in order to play in the BID
tournament to try and go to National still. If they do not obtain a BID from the BID play
in or BID tournament, the American teams will end the season at Regionals.
Elevation Volleyball Club Guidelines
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
A. Team Structure
1. There will be a maximum of ten athletes per team for National Teams with the
option to add a player to teams going to Nationals (reviewed by the Elevation
Board).
2. A minimum of nine players will be selected for American Teams (exceptions
reviewed by Elevation Board).
3. There will be a maximum of two coaches per team.
 Head Coach and Assistant/Training Coach (not required to travel)
4. A volunteer team parent (registered) will be in charge of the administration of the
team such as: coordinating travel, arranging lodging, organizing fund raising, etc.
Other parents will need to help as well.
5. National/American teams 13 and above will practice minimum of two times a
week while maximum of two for 12 and under.
6. Expectations of CYO and basketball players: We WILL make an effort to work
around players multiple conflicts. We support CYO at Sports Express. There is
no penalty for missing due to these sports but the reality is that these athletes need
to make every effort to be here. We schedule practices on Sundays specifically on
Sunday to try and overcome these challenges.
B. Attendance Policy/Penalties for Athletes
Elevation VBC will enforce a practice and tournament attendance policy for every athlete.
This does not dictate that the athlete cannot play another sport during their participation
with Elevation VBC. The Head Coach will determine the policy for your team. Your
coach is required to provide a copy to the Club Director and to parent/athlete prior to the
start of the season. This form must be read and signed by every athlete. As far as the
club guidelines for attendance the following applies:
Practice/Tournaments:
1. The athlete will be allowed 0 unexcused absences during the season prior to
Head Coach and Club Director(s) review.
2. Snow Day Policy: There is no blanket rule for weather. Each coach will have
to determine their plan. In general, we’ve had more luck keeping the younger
practices because parents are driving. We need to be more cautious asking the
older drivers to travel in the snow.
3. Each coach is to have an injury, missed practice and missed tournament
policy (this includes reffing assignments). A copy of this policy is to be
given to the Club Director(s), parents and athletes prior to the start of
your season.
4. Injury Policy: Circumstances will vary depending on situation. In general,
team budgets are created on # of players. Unless the injured player is
replaced, they must expect to be at every practice (unless at therapy). Season
ending injuries are one of the most difficult. In the end, your coach will have
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
this policy in place prior to the season (i.e. Do they get that spot back after
recovery? Do they have to earn the spot back? etc.)
5. Flexibility will be extended to school departure time and school location as
well as, location of residence in relation to practice site, weather conditions,
etc. Need to inform coach in advance.
6. Attendance to USA, AAU &/or JVDA National tournament and all agreed
upon tournaments is mandatory. Failure to comply with this policy may result
in suspension from the club.
7. No team member is permitted to leave tournament site until all officiating
responsibilities are completed. There are circumstances where the coach can
give the athlete permission to leave. If the athlete leaves before officiating
duties are complete and without permission the Head Coach policy will be put
into effect.
IMPORTANT: If your R2 and Scorekeeper are not present to the head official
by the beginning of the first timed warm-up then one point will be given to their
next opponent, and one point will continue to be given for every minute that they
are late.
8. The Head Coach and Club Director(s) will evaluate all tournament absences
with proper documentation on a case-by-case basis.
NOTE: Please note that a poor attendance record may directly affect an athletes playing
time. If suspended/expulsion is a result of review board, NO REFUND will be issued.
C. Athletes/Parents Conduct
It is the intent of Elevation VBC to continue being a leader in the volleyball community.
It is also the intent of Elevation VBC to continue to lead by example; which means you,
the athlete, need to lead by example. These guidelines are set forth to protect the safety
and integrity of you, your parents, and the coaches. Please be aware that all circumstances
are not accounted for and in the event of an undue circumstance, the Directors will
enforce appropriate action. We wish to set the standard for other programs to mirror.
1. Equal playing time is not guaranteed. Coaches evaluate athletes during
training on a weekly basis. If you have a question about your playing time, set
up a time with your coach to discuss it.
2. “Conduct unbecoming to a lady or adult” will not be tolerated at any Elevation
function. This covers a wide variety of circumstances, for example the use
foul language or rude gestures towards other athletes, parents, or coaches.
3. For safety reasons, the athlete may not leave the playing/training site at
anytime without notifying the coach and obtaining his/her approval. A parent
or athlete must accompany you.
Elevation Volleyball Club Guidelines
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
4. In the event that friends attend a tournament, it should be understood that the
athlete’s first priority is with the team.
5. Proper nutrition is required. Training will be very demanding on your physical
abilities. Tournaments are an all day affair, and in some cases, two days in
length. Elevation had recommended appropriate foods. Please see the nutrition
manual that will be posted on the website. It is your responsibility to bring
your own food, liquids and cooler to tournaments.
6. Teams are responsible for officiating and score keeping during the tournament
(this is a USAV rule). Each athlete ages 14 and up is required to become OVR
certified in either score keeping or down officiating. Each athlete ages 13 and
under is required to become OVR certified in score keeping.
7. Athlete may be required to take game statistics as requested by the coach.
8. Only the captain or coaches are permitted to question an official.
9. If any Elevation teams are playing at the same tournament site, athletes are
encouraged to watch and cheer for the team.
10. Team will train with the same colored apparel at all times.
11. No electronic gear: 10 Point Penalty!!!!!! The use of electronic devices by
officiating crew will not be tolerated. Work teams and coaches are not to
use cell phones or other devices while line judging or scorekeeping.
Teams in violation of this will be assessed a 10 point penalty in their next
set that day. A financial penalty will be assessed if the violation occurs
after their last match.
NOTE: A Tournament begins when a team leaves from home base and does not end
until the team returns to home base.
D. Travel and Lodging Guidelines
Tournament info can come out as early as a month prior or as late as 3 days prior to the
tournament. We will pass along any information to your head coach at the moment we
receive it.
1. Stay as a team policy: We will be staying together as a team at hotels.
(acceptable exceptions: family in town). These exceptions MUST be
declared prior to hotel cancellation policy! Team meetings will take place
at these hotels etc. and all athletes, no matter where they are staying, are
required to attend.
2. Eating as a team: Coaches like to use team dinners as “team bonding”
opportunities. Please make every effort for your daughter to attend. If
there is a parent that will volunteer to make dinner arrangements, please
offer your help.
3. When at a restaurant, proper behavior and manners are required.
4. When at the lodging location, you are NOT permitted to leave the
premises at any time without notification to the coach and/or the
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
designated chaperone. Your parents may request (with prior notification)
to take you off the premises.
When at the lodging location, athletes must travel in pairs (as a minimum)
when walking around the lodging premises.
When at the lodging location, curfew will be observed as established by
the coach.
When at the lodging location, there shall be no display of disrespect
toward ANY Club coach, athlete, parent, chaperone, and hotel
guest/employee.
Parents shall provide transportation to and from tournaments. Athletes are
not permitted to drive.
Boys are NOT permitted in the rooms or hallways of the athletes lodging
at any time. The only exception to this policy is relatives to the athlete.
Violation of the policy will result in immediate expulsion from the Club.
Public display of affection at tournament sites, practices, or Elevation
functions is not permitted.
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, first offenses of any of the above guidelines will result
in warning to the athlete, with notification to parents. A second offense will result in
expulsion from Elevation.
E. Expulsions and Suspensions
While it is not the intent of this Club to suggest there will or could be problems, the
mission statement and integrity of this Club should be foremost in our minds.
Suspensions have been identified where appropriate in this document. The coach and the
Director will evaluate all situations. Fairness to all is our objective; use your common
sense in all situations. The club will support the following:
Automatic expulsions/suspension will result for the following offenses:
1. Social Media Policy: In general, abuses in social media will not be
tolerated. Attacking another club, player, teammate or coach can lead to
expulsion from the club. Each individual incident will be reviewed by
Club Directors.
2. Bullying: This is a very serious offense. It takes on many forms and will
be dealt with immediately. Please alert your coach and/or club directors if
you feel any kind of bullying is taking place.
3. Smoking at any Elevation function
4. Using alcohol or drugs at any time during a Elevation function
5. Leaving lodging premises without notifying coach and without a
chaperone
6. Having boys in your room (other than relatives) or public displays of
affection
7. Approaching a coach, athlete or any other club member in a non
appropriate manner at any Elevation function
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
8. Anything deemed as criminal activity
9. If player has more than 8 absences (subject to Coaches Director Review).
NOTE: Any individual that has knowledge of the above offense without reporting it will
be suspended for one tournament. Money will not be refunded
F. Grievance Procedures (athlete and parents)
The procedure is designed to help athletes and parents with questions, concerns, or
problems that may occur during the course of the season. It ensures open communication
between all parties involved. Coaches will not field questions, complaints, opinions,
or any other issues at a tournament. All issues are to be addressed off site at an
appropriate time.
1. Athlete must first ask for a meeting between the coaches and herself to discuss the
issue at hand. In the case of younger players, the parent may request a meeting.
2. If issue is unresolved, parent must ask for a meeting between the coaches, athlete
and themselves to discuss the issue. The discussion should take place at a location
that is considered adequate for a private discussion agreed by both parent and
coach (not at tournament and/or practice).
3. If issue is unresolved, parents and athlete must ask for a meeting between the
Director, the coaches and themselves to discuss the issue. Again, a scheduled time
away from practice or a tournament is appropriate.
4. If issue is unresolved, parents must ask for a meeting between the Board of
Directors, the coaches and themselves to discuss the issue at scheduled time away
from practice or a tournament.
5. The decision of the BOD is final and not subject to appeal.
G. Business Policies
1. Communication: We (coaches) will be contacting you via text. Coaches need to
know what numbers to use for texting purposes. Texting between players and
coaches will only be allowed for club related information.
2. Payment Policies: If you have extenuating circumstance and need a different
payment arrangement than what is stated below, please contact Lisa or John Paul
by sending us an email with arrangements that may work for your family.
3. If fees are not paid by the date specified, or a plan has not been set, the player will
not be allowed to practice with the team or play in tournaments until the fee has
been paid.
Elevation Volleyball Club Guidelines
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Elevation Volleyball Club Athlete Guidelines
1st payment due: At first team meeting (50% of team fee).
2nd payment due: January 15th (25% of team fee).
3rd payment (final) due: March 15th (25% of team fee).
Sign-off Sheet
As an ELEVATION athlete, I have read and understand the Athlete Guidelines set forth. I
understand that I am responsible for my conduct while participating with Elevation.
As a parent or guardian of an Elevation athlete identified, I have read and understand the
Athlete Guidelines set forth by the Elevation. I understand that my athlete is responsible
for her conduct while participating with the Elevation.
Athletes Printed Name
Athletes Signature
Parents Signature
Date
Participation in Elevation VBC is not permitted without a signed copy of this sheet.
Elevation Volleyball Club Guidelines
11/1/2015