Volleyball Tryouts? HELP!!

Question
HI!  I just graduated from college (where I played V-ball) and I just got a job coaching girls high school v-ball in RI.  The problem is, none of these girls have any v-ball skills.  The only V-ball they know how to play is jungle ball.  I am holding tryouts in march, but because these girls have no v-ball skills I dont know what to do for tryouts nor do I really know what to look for in selecting my team?  Should I just hold tryouts to see how athletic each girl is and make my selections from that? please help!

Answer
Katie,

Take a load of freshmen. You will catch a beating for the first year or two but then you will have a base of juniors who know what you want and will help you train the new girls.  You need to take some athletic kids BUT if they are seniors all your work will be lost as soon as the season is over.

Look for kids that can pass.  Then look for kids that follow the corrections you make while the tryout is going on.  If a kid is a good listener at tryouts there is a good chance that the kid is very coachable.

Remember that when you coach, coach the way you wanted to be coached as an athlete.  If you hated it when the coach yelled at you, so will they.  If your coach did something specific that motivated you it will probably motivate them.

Good luck and write back if I can help in any other way.

Steve