The latest news and articles from JVA
Scroll to see blog articles by topic or filter & search using the bar below.
Recently Added
NIL Basics for Volleyball Club Directors, Coaches, and Parents
Preparing Your Volleyball Athletes for Future Opportunities With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) now a part of the college [...]
Blog Categories
An Athleader’s Journey: Dedication to Learning and Leading Others
Daniela Staton was introduced to volleyball in the spring of my 5th grade, and like most beginners, she struggled to serve the ball over the net. In 6th grade she made the “C” team, [...]
JVA Announces Addition of Nick Maruyama to the JVA Board of Directors
The JVA is pleased to announce that Nick Maruyama has been appointed to the JVA Board of Directors as the JVA Boys Representative. Maruyama is Executive Director of 630 Volleyball in Lisle, Illinois. Under [...]
Recruiting Solutions: 3 Important Updates for Volleyball Recruiting Coordinators and Prospective Student Athletes
In my D1 college coaching days, the NCAA rules were always difficult to navigate. I always did my best to understand the rules and represent my universities to the best of my abilities. The [...]
News
From the JVA Office: Turning Gym Rats into Business Rats
From its birth in 2006, the JVA has been an association that serves junior volleyball club directors, created by junior volleyball club directors who recognized the need for an organization that provided resources and education [...]
JVA Sets its Sight on Detroit for an Inaugural Boys Event
The JVA is excited to announce that it is hosting its first boys event, the JVA Showdown in Motown presented by Nike December 11-12, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The event will bring in top teams [...]
JVA Proudly Releases 2021 Ultra Ankle JVA Watch List
The JVA is proud to announce the 2021 Ultra Ankle® JVA Watch List featuring over 1,900 girls indoor junior volleyball athletes from nearly 130 JVA member clubs from across the US and Canada. The players [...]
Club Directors
The Valley Heat League Grows Rapidly in California’s Central Valley Community
The Valley Heat League in Fresno, California was founded in 2021, forming a Girls League and Boys League in the first year. The Girls Valley Heat League began with 10 clubs and 49 teams, and [...]
Business Solutions: The Responsibilities and Impact of a Director of Communication
Empowered Volleyball Academy was founded in 2011 as a year round beach club in the northern city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 2014 it added an indoor program so its athletes could enjoy both [...]
Legacy’s Metro Program Empowers Youth in Communities of New York City
Legacy Volleyball Club was created in December 2011 by Afrolatino community member and advocate, Joel Sanchez, with the mission to serve as a youth empowerment organization that offers various programs in underserved communities, exposing youth [...]
Coaches
Avoid the Mid-Season Slump with These 5 Tips
Regardless of your record, most teams will experience a mid-season slump of some sort. However, as a coach there are some things you can do to keep your team engaged and the athletes' morales [...]
Recruiting Solutions: Understanding the Rules Regarding Face to Face Communication at a Tournament
Club season is in full swing and during a given tournament weekend, the courts are crowded with players, parents and college coaches. Everyone is constantly intermingling throughout the tournament. In order to assist junior [...]
Recruiting Solutions: The Evolution of the Transfer Portal
The NCAA Transfer Portal is transformational in collegiate athletics. It was established October 15, 2018 as an online interface to systematically manage the transfer process from start to finish, add more transparency to the process [...]
Boys
Ultra Ankle Named Title Sponsor of JVA Player Awards
JVA is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with Ultra Ankle®, the new title sponsor of the JVA Watch List, JVA All-National Team, and JVA AthLeader Awards.
Top Beach Volleyball Bag Must-Haves!
By Molly Menard - Pro Beach Volleyball Player and CFO of the National Volleyball League Twitter: @menardbeachvb 1. Sunscreen You want to be 100% focused on the court and I promise you'll be thinking about your aching skin and not the next point if you're
5 Ways to Stay Cool in the Sand this Summer
Few things scream "summer" more than the start of the beach volleyball season. It is a time for soaking up some rays with the scent of salt water in the air and sand between your toes. According to the Environmental...
Girls
Recruiting Solutions: 6 Steps to Progress Your Recruiting Process Towards an Offer
The Division I Council re-extended the dead period for Division I sports through May 31, 2021 continuing the ban on in-person recruiting activities that began when the pandemic hit last spring. This means that high school [...]
3 Reasons Why a Volleyball Athlete Should Open Your Heart
In February - the month of love, we’re practicing heart openers. Practicing heart openers can sound terrifying because it implies being vulnerable and receptive to love and support. Before you decide this isn't for [...]
Recruiting Solutions: 3 Ways to Liven Up the Recruiting Process During the Dead Period
The recruiting process has changed a lot over the last couple of years, but one constant is the importance of being proactive and continuing to build relationships with college coaches. Here are 3 ways to [...]
Beach
Beach Volleyball Stats: 4 Skills that are Easy and Useful to Track to Win More Matches
Keeping stats in volleyball at any level, indoor or beach, can be very useful in tracking improvement and determining the focus of practices. While win-loss records can be the result of improvements in skill, there are many incremental skill improvements...
Beach Setting Basics
Stein Metzger just led UCLA to its first beach volleyball national title in school history. When he is not busy winning collegiate championships, Stein wears another hat, Club Director of Los Angeles Beach Volleyball Club. The JVA Club Director shares...
3 Ways Beach Coaches Can Prepare Their Athletes for the College Level
Transitioning from high school to college is no easy feat. Competing in varsity collegiate beach volleyball is a goal that many junior beach athletes work towards. Junior beach coaches have a large impact on whether that goal is attained or...
Culture
Events
3 Benefits of the Club vs. Club Format and Why It Is Essential for Junior Beach Volleyball
Similar to indoor, collegiate beach volleyball is a team game, and it is the fastest growing NCAA sport over the last five years in Division I. And the juniors are following suit. Now it's time for junior beach events to mirror the college game. Here are three benefits of the Club vs Club format and why it is essential for the continued development of junior and collegiate beach volleyball.
JVA Partners with the NVA to Bring Professional Men’s Volleyball to 3 JVA Events
The JVA is pleased to announce a partnership with the National Volleyball Association to bring live professional men's volleyball to three JVA hosted events this season. Participants will have the opportunity to witness high level competition during the JVA event, and the NVA athletes will be available for autographs, photo opportunities, and to answer any questions for aspiring youth. Read more about this exciting opportunity.
JVA Announces BVCA Club Challenge Series
Junior beach volleyball is now one step closer to the college game with the start of the BVCA Club Challenge Series powered by JVA. The new format includes 4 weekend events where junior beach volleyball clubs align their ranked teams to...
Awards
JVA Releases 2020 Ultra Ankle® JVA Boys Watch List
The JVA is proud to announce the 2020 Ultra Ankle® JVA Boys Watch List featuring 299 male junior volleyball athletes from JVA member clubs across the country. The featured athletes were selected by their respective [...]
JVA Announces Record Breaking 2020 Ultra Ankle® JVA Watch List
The 2020 Ultra Ankle® JVA Watch List breaks a new record with 1,797 girls indoor junior volleyball players from 129 JVA member clubs across 30 states plus Canada. The players nominated are among the best [...]
Juniors Volleyball Club Wins JVA Club of the Month
Juniors Volleyball Club was formed in 1998 by Jim and Jamie Neave with only 6 teams. One team from each age group from 13’s-18’s. Today JVC includes 9 affiliate clubs within the organization, including over [...]
Training
Better Your Team One Journal Entry at a Time
Get your athletes to buy into the practice of journaling in order to see long term benefits of embracing the journey. The club season can be a grind, and it's important that your players enjoy the process of learning and becoming better all-around volleyball athletes. Here's how a journal can help make it happen.
5 Reasons to Integrate Yoga Into Your Strength and Wellness Program this Season
Yoga is becoming more common in training regiments for junior athletes. Coaches are finding that their athletes' overall mental, physical, and even inspirational well-being improve as a result of incorporating yoga and mindfulness into practice time. If you are not convinced yet, let's look at 5 reasons to integrate yoga into your club's wellness program this season.
JVA Launches Take5 Fitness and Tuesdays with Mora Series
Volleyball players time is limited, however there can be a simple way to incorporate fitness, mindfulness and mental training into the weekly routine. The JVA has launched two brand new educational series that share short and easy ways for players...
Parents
5 Keys to a Positive Relationship Between Your Parents, Players and Coaches
Now more than ever, parents are very involved (some would say "over-involved") with their sons and daughters club careers that you must be ready for just about anything. But in order to maintain a positive club culture a positive relationship...
Taming the Recruiting Monster
We all know her! That wide-eyed little girl with the covers pulled up to her chin. She closes her eyes hoping when she reopens them, the MONSTERS in the closet are gone. She hears them rumbling around, moving her well...
Choosing a Volleyball Club
You’ve figured out what age division you need to play in. You’ve identified a few clubs in your area. Now for the hard part: picking just ONE club to play for during the upcoming season.
Recruiting
Beyond Athletic Abilities
There are volumes of information on the How To’s for everything…especially in the recruiting realm for collegiate sports. I have even written some over the past few years with the goal of aiding athletes and parents on the...
Changing ‘Skewed Perspectives’ Into ‘Productive Perspectives’
Over the past few club seasons, I have had the privilege of traveling across the country to meet with parents and present sessions that were designed to give them and their athletes tools to navigate the ‘Recruiting Journey’. It quickly...
The Current State of Recruiting
Just 10 years ago, college coaches were watching the top recruits in the country during their sophomore year. The players spent their junior year visiting campuses, attending college camps and looking for the best fit. That calendar, at least for the...
