04/30/2026
Sharing a post i saw recently. I try my best to get parents to understand this, but it gets harder and harder every year.
Just felt the need to share some thoughts. Playing time is a common theme in volleyball groups. Getting recruited is a common theme in volleyball groups. Parental behavior is a common theme in volleyball groups.
My son just completed his first college season. A friend’s daughter came to see a men’s game, and she has a goal of playing in college.
I was asked what the biggest difference is between club and college, and my answer was “Check your feelings at the door.”
Every player on the roster was the best or second best player on their club. College rosters can run from 14 to 25 players. College coaches get paid to win. If your child isn’t one of the six players who gives that coach the best opportunity to win at any given moment, your child will not be on the court, regardless of how hard they work in practice.
The team always comes first. Check your feelings at the door. As parents you better be prepared to cheer with your whole self for a player that you think your child is better than who is on the court instead of your child. You will need to learn to encourage your child who isn’t getting the court time they are used to while not tearing their teammates down in doing so. Hard work in practice may result in some court time during a blowout, or it may not.
Coaches vary, but most college coaches are going to treat your player as the adult they are, and parental input on coaching decisions will likely not be sought or appreciated if it is brought up.
So consider it a cautionary tale. The promised land of playing in college can be the start of a new and unfamiliar journey for you and your player.
