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Frequently Asked Questions
2010 Season ~ Sky High Jr Volleyball
Every year many people discover club volleyball for the first time and have many questions. While this will not answer all of them, we hope we can address many of the common questions asked each year.
Q. Does my athlete have to attend all tryout dates?
Sky High would like the athletes to attend both tryouts as it is certainly to their advantage to be seen as much as possible during the evaluation process. If the athlete is still competing with their high school team they should register and attend the tryouts (Girls only). The final selections are made during the FINAL tryout for each age group. If your team is still competing downstate in the IHSA (15-18’s only) event and you are unable to tryout, we will be sure to evaluate the athlete during a school match or private evaluation. If you have been selected to compete with Sky High you will be listed along with the others who were selected at the end of our final tryout. If you are still competing with your high school, it is very important for you to attend the tryouts, however, you will not participate in any physical or skills testing. All junior high and grade school athletes may tryout at any time regardless if they are still competing at their schools. If you are unable to attend a tryout please contact us.
Q. What are the age cut-off dates for each age group?
18 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1991
17 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1992
16 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1993
15 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1994
14 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1995
13 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1996
12 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1997
10 & Under Players born on or after September 1, 1999
Q. What is the difference between Junior Olympic and Regional Teams?
Compared to Regional, the Junior Olympic ‘JO’ teams compete in more competitive events and compete through mid to late June. Ninety to ninety-five percent of JO events are in the Chicago land area, however, most JO teams will attend one or two events out of town depending on the age group. Regional (REG) teams compete in all single day events in the Chicago land area (no more than one hour away) and the season runs through mid to late April. At this time we offer Regional teams in Crystal Lake, Prairie Stone and Vernon Hills only. Sky High only offers 'JO' teams for boys, and their season runs from October through February and the month of June.
Q. Should my athlete tryout for Junior Olympic (JO) or Regional (REG)?
Athletes who wish to compete at a high level and aspire to compete in college should tryout at the JO level. If your athlete attempts to tryout for the JO level and the staff feels they are not ready for this level, we will automatically try them out for Regional.
Q. How do coaches evaluate the athletes during the tryout?
The Sky High coaching staff is looking for ATHLETICISM, A POSTITIVE ATTITIUDE, and a STRONG WORK ETHICSKILL.
in the younger age groups (10/12/13/14). Height and skill are certainly a plus but not required. In addition to the above, athletes in the older age groups (15/16/17/18) are being evaluated for their Q. How many athletes will the club select?
Sky High would love to take all the athletes, but we are limited to space and a certain number of coaches. The number of teams per age group is based on the number of athletes attending the tryout and talent pool available. The JO teams (15/16/17/18) will have no more than TEN athletes per team. Most of the JO 13/14’s, 10/12’s and all regional teams, will have ELEVEN and never any more than TWELVE players on any team.
Q. How will I know if my athlete was selected to compete with Sky High?
After the "final" tryout Sky High will post the numbers of each athlete who have been selected to train and compete with the program. Following the final tryout, a short meeting will be conducted with all the athletes and their parents.
Q. Do you guarantee all athletes to play?
There is never a guarantee. You are paying Sky High to train your athlete in practice and they should receive about the same amount of practice as the rest of the team. Your athlete’s court time during tournaments is typically determined by attitude, dependability, skill and work ethic. We do “relax” our NO PLAYING TIME GUARANTEED” rule for all the Regional, 10’s and 12’s unless they are in the playoff round or any National event.
Q. Where do you find your coaches?
Sky High prides itself on having one of the best coaching staffs in the Chicago land area. Many of the coaches have been associated with Sky High for a minimum of five years. Some of the coaches have competed at the collegiate level and some have or are currently coaching at the collegiate or high school level. Sky High believes player’s benefit from the strengths of different coaches. While each coach is assigned a team, players may see other coaches during a practice or tournament to help out as needed. All coaches are Impact certified by USA Volleyball and many are also ASEP and/or CAP certified through USAV.
Q. How often do teams practice?
Regional teams of all age groups, 10’s and 12’s, practice twice per week. The 13/14 JO teams practice twice per week however they may practice a third time per week in December. The 15/16/17/18 girls JO teams practice three times per week.
Q Where are the practices?
Sky High offers five locations for the girls. Teams are practicing at the Sky High Center in Crystal Lake, Lake Barrington Fieldhouse in Lake Barrington, Northfield Community Center in Northfield, Prairie Stone in Hoffman Estates and our newest facility in Vernon Hills. (It is possible we may host a few teams in Libertyville, however, the team roster must be made up of players who live in the Libertyville area or further north.) Please note all tryouts for the Northfield and Vernon Hills sites will be hosted in Libertyville or Vernon Hills only. Tryouts for the Crystal Lake, Lake Barrington and Hoffman Estate sites will be hosted in Crystal Lake and Hoffman Estates only. (See the tryout brochure or refer to our website for more details on dates/locations/times.) There is a one-time tryout fee regardless of the number of tryouts/locations you attend. You may tryout for multiple locations if you are open to more than one practice location. Simply carry your online paid receipt with you to all tryouts and wear the same tryout t-shirt/number to all tryouts.
Q. Are the players evaluated during the season?
All head coaches are responsible to evaluate all of their respective players in writing twice per year. Once during the month of February and the final evaluation during the final month of the season (April for Regional and June for 12's and JO). A parent and the player must sign the evaluations prior to the coach sending the originals to the Director(s) for their review.
Q. How long is the season?
Teams begin the week of November 30th. 10 & under teams are done competing in late March or early April. All Regional teams are done competing in mid to late April. All girls JO and 12 & under teams will finish their season in early to late June. Note any teams qualifying for US Junior Nationals will attend this event in late June or early July.
Q. How much travel is involved?
It depends on the division and age level. All Regional and 10 & under teams will never travel outside of the greater Chicago land area to compete. Most of the older JO teams (15/16/17/18) are out of town 2 to 3 times not including the US Junior Nationals (must pre qualify). The reason for the travel is to compete against the BEST teams regionally and nationally. The 12's may take one overnight trip during the year and if they qualify for Nationals, they will attend the US Junior Nationals. The 13/14 JO teams will usually attend 1 to 2 overnight (Central Zone, Qualifier, etc.) out of the town events. It has always been the philosophy of Sky High to enter the most competitive events available for all JO age groups to help take each team to the next level and give the older (15 - 18) athlete maximum exposure with the college scouts. Over the past 20 years more than 95% of the female Sky High seniors from our JO level have received a scholarship to compete at the collegiate level.
Q. What if my athlete is a multi-sport athlete?
Sky High does not turn away a good athlete if they play another sport. We simply ask you give your coach the practice and competition schedules. If there is a conflict they are excused. We do ask to see some effort on the athlete's part to attend a portion of the practice and tournament if there is not a major overlap.
Q. What do the fees (dues) include?
The fees cover much of the fixed costs of playing including, gym rental, coaches, equipment, most tournament fees, recruiting liaison (college bound athletes), administrative costs, insurance, and USA Volleyball membership. Also included are the plyometric, strength and conditioning workouts (15-18 JO only). There are additional fees for uniforms and travel costs (JO and 12 teams only). These costs vary depending on how much your respective team travels. Sky High works very hard to keep these costs to a minimum, in an effort to make the sport available to as many athletes as possible. Sky High is one of the least expensive "competitive" programs available in the Midwest.
Q. When are fees due and how can we pay?
All 15-18 JO teams pay in FOUR monthly installments. All other teams pay in three monthly installments. Sky High will ask you to pay a $200.00 deposit (cash, check or money order only), when you check-in at the final tryout. After we announce our final selections you will pickup your deposit prior to departing the tryout if you are not selected or simply choose not to play. Your deposit becomes non refundable if your athlete is selected and you leave your deposit with us. This is due to the fact we are "cutting" other players on your athlete's behalf and this will secure her position with Sky High. If your athlete is selected we will also ask the athlete to order and pay for their required uniform. This will allow the club to order the uniforms and be delivered in time prior to our first event. Other than your deposit you will be able to pay by check, money order or credit card (Mastercard, Visa or Discover only). If you choose to pay by credit card you must complete and sign our credit card authorization form.
Q. When do practices begin?
Practices begin the week of November 30th. All practice schedules are posted on our website monthly. Sky High attempts to keep your practice schedules consistent throughout the year to make life a bit easier for everyone involved. In most cases we have the ability to change days/times if necessary.
Q. Are any fundraisers required?
No mandatory fundraisers are required however, Sky High does offer many optional team and individual fundraisers to help give families an opportunity to defray some of their costs. Many of these fundraisers will be presented during tryouts and/or at our general parent meeting.
Q. What is involved in the Parent's meeting?
The paperwork you receive at the final tryout will need to be reviewed and completed with some required information. You will need to turn in the completed paperwork at this meeting along with your first dues installment less any deposit. You will also have the ability to order any additional accessory items on the uniform order sheet that were not ordered at the final tryout. Sky High will discuss in detail the expectations, financial commitment, practice, and tournament schedule. This is a very important meeting.
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