The 24 hour rule is a common policy implemented by junior volleyball clubs to prevent communication during a tournament between parents and coaches specific to the coaching decisions made during the tournament, more often related to playing time. Almost all concerns are about playing time and parents feel that pain more than their child. The rule states that parents, athletes, friends, and family members are not permitted to approach a coach, director, or staff member during a tournament to discuss coaching decisions in person or electronically. Once tournament season begins, this is one of the most common stressors for coaches and directors.
Here are some suggestions to help you enforce the 24 hour rule at your club:
- Share the policy
Place your policy on your club website and share it regularly with your club parents, not only in your pre-season club meeting, but throughout the season. Mintonette Sports has their Parent/Athlete Handbook posted on their website that clearly states the 24 hour rule policy and 3 strikes if the rule is violated. Strike 1 is a written warning. Strike 2 is disqualification from the next practice or tournament. The player will shag balls or sit on the bench, so attendance is still expected. Strike 3 is dismissal from the club. The proper protocol for communicating concerns is set forth in the Handbook. - Over-communicate
No matter how long your club has been in existence, or how often you communicate the 24 hour rule, there will still be a handful of parents who simple cannot help themselves. It seems to be harder now more than ever for the parent to allow their child to advocate for themselves first. As important as it is to set boundaries and enforce the 24 hour rule, it is just as important to over-communicate with parents so they feel informed and in-the-know. What they hear from their child may not be the same as what is communicated by the coach, so send regular updates to your team parents through a communication app or email. Evaluating players early in the season, as well as mid-season is also helpful to set expectations and let the player and the parents know what the player needs to work on, and what their current role is on the team. This is especially helpful before the first big tournament. - Let the Coaches Focus on Coaching
It is important for Club Directors to have a process in place to handle problems with the athletes and/or parents, and alleviate the burden on the coaches as much as possible. Coaches can handle on-court problems during the tournament, but club directors need to have procedures set up to deal with problems off the court. If there is a request to talk to the coach after 24 hours, the progression is: 1) Athlete meets with coach. 2) Athlete and parent (s) meet with coach. 3) Athlete and parent (s) meet with club director. The criteria for parents meeting with the club director: 1) Parents need to communicate the reason for the meeting 2) Three talking points. 3) Intended outcome. This guarantees there is a structure to the meeting and goals in place for an outcome, so the meeting is a productive use of everyone’s time.
Clubs that offer different team levels (ie. local, regional, national) typically have different guarantees for playing time. For example, a National/Elite level team may state that “playing time is earned and not guaranteed. Coaches and Directors will not discuss playing time; however, direct feedback on how to improve will be given to the athlete to earn more playing time”. A Regional or Local level team may state that “playing time should be fair for all athletes. Please keep in mind that playing time cannot be equal due to the nature of the different positions in volleyball. We want every athlete to have a positive experience by learning through game-play.”
In the end, the 24-hour rule serves as a vital tool in maintaining a respectful and focused environment during tournaments. It not only helps to keep coaches and parents aligned but also ensures that players can develop without the added stress of constant external pressure. By clearly outlining expectations, regularly communicating with parents, and fostering an open, structured approach to addressing concerns, clubs can create a positive, productive atmosphere for everyone involved. Although it may not always be easy to enforce, the ultimate goal is to support the athletes and allow them to grow both on and off the court. When clubs take the time to set boundaries, build trust, and maintain transparent communication, the focus remains where it should be—on the development and success of the players.
