Tournaments
Tournament Logistics - Tournaments generally last all day and start around 8:00 A.M. Regardless of the time of the
team's first game/officiating assignment, players should arrive at 7:30 to warm up and/or prepare to officiate.
A Tournament Brief will be available on the website for each tournament. Additionally, your coach or team parent will have
the details to include driving directions and a specific arrival time. Directions may also be obtained from this web site or
the HOA web site.
Tournament Structure - A standard tournament is divided into two portions - pool play and bracket play. The
tournament will start with each team playing 4-5 matches of pool play with two sets per match. The pool play results will be
used to seed the brackets for single-elimination bracket play in the afternoon. Bracket play will be best 2 of 3 sets in a
match. The third set will not be played unless needed. All sets are rally scoring. The first two sets to 25 points - starting
with 4 points per team. The third set is to 15 points (starting at zero) and teams switch sides after the first team scores 8
points. In addition to playing, each team must ref and score other matches during both pool play and bracket play.
Team Area - Upon arrival, the team will identify a team area where the girls can leave their bags and hang out between
playing and officiating. The area may be a room or simply a spot in a hallway. Either way, the team area represents our
club and should be kept neat and organized at all times. Most girls will bring some type of blanket and/or pillow, a book,
an mp3 player or other items to help pass the time between events. Remember, the team area is not secure and
valuables will be left at your own risk. Also, be sure to properly dispose of any trash and leave the area as we found it
when the tournament is over.
Tournament Food - Most tournaments offer some type of concessions. However, the food tends to be somewhat
expensive - especially when you consider all members of your family in attendance. Therefore, in facilities that will allow it,
our club will organize a tournament food list with items for each player to bring to that tournament. The food will be kept in
our team area and everyone associated with our team will be welcome to have their share. We do ask that you let the
players have first access to the items since they must coordinate meals and snacks with their playing and officiating
schedule. The tournament food list for your team is available on the TEAMS page of this web site. Please bring only
those foods on the food list. Your coach or team parent will notify everyone if the list will be used for that tournament.
Behavior – Players and parents are expected to respect the facility, officials and other teams. Remember, you represent
our club. Please read the HOA Fan Behavior Letter on this web site.
Parent or Guardian - All players must have a parent or guardian in the facility at all times during the tournament. There
are LOTS of people at the tournament and your coach will have enough responsibilities without having to keep track of all
of the players ALL DAY.
Family Sport - Club Volleyball is a family sport – parents are encouraged to get to know one another and the club staff.
During the volleyball season we are one big family and we will spend long hours together during both practice and
tournaments. Let's all have fun together!
Tournament Playing Time - Remember, in competitive volleyball the emphasis is on fielding the most competitive team
possible – much like a high school team. Participation is not a factor. In competitive volleyball you are paying for
participation in practice, coaching, and individual player development ONLY. Tournament playing time is bonus and at the
digression of the coach. During tournaments, The Swarm will coach to win - particularly during the bracket play portion of
the tournament.
Inclement Weather - In the event of inclement weather, players should check the web site for notice of tournament
cancellations. Note that tournament cancellations are rare since it is extremely difficult to reschedule a time when all of
the teams are available.
Parent Feedback - Parents are asked NOT to offer instructional feedback to the players during competition. Feedback
from individuals other than the coach may be contradictory and cause confusion and/or problems for the player and the
team. Many times the coaching staff has a teaching sequence to develop a team over a period of time. The Swarm will
focus our efforts to train volleyball players and develop winning teams. Our hope is that, while we work toward this goal,
you will assist us by encouraging and supporting the players and the coaching staff. This would include positive
comments from parents in the stands toward The Swarm players and coaches, as well as the competition and the
officiating teams. If you have a concern or question, please be willing to discuss this with the coaching staff at an
appropriate time and place. Parents should ensure that they provide a role model that their child can emulate.
Tournament Logistics - Tournaments generally last all day and start around 8:00 A.M. Regardless of the time of the
team's first game/officiating assignment, players should arrive at 7:30 to warm up and/or prepare to officiate.
A Tournament Brief will be available on the website for each tournament. Additionally, your coach or team parent will have
the details to include driving directions and a specific arrival time. Directions may also be obtained from this web site or
the HOA web site.
Tournament Structure - A standard tournament is divided into two portions - pool play and bracket play. The
tournament will start with each team playing 4-5 matches of pool play with two sets per match. The pool play results will be
used to seed the brackets for single-elimination bracket play in the afternoon. Bracket play will be best 2 of 3 sets in a
match. The third set will not be played unless needed. All sets are rally scoring. The first two sets to 25 points - starting
with 4 points per team. The third set is to 15 points (starting at zero) and teams switch sides after the first team scores 8
points. In addition to playing, each team must ref and score other matches during both pool play and bracket play.
Team Area - Upon arrival, the team will identify a team area where the girls can leave their bags and hang out between
playing and officiating. The area may be a room or simply a spot in a hallway. Either way, the team area represents our
club and should be kept neat and organized at all times. Most girls will bring some type of blanket and/or pillow, a book,
an mp3 player or other items to help pass the time between events. Remember, the team area is not secure and
valuables will be left at your own risk. Also, be sure to properly dispose of any trash and leave the area as we found it
when the tournament is over.
Tournament Food - Most tournaments offer some type of concessions. However, the food tends to be somewhat
expensive - especially when you consider all members of your family in attendance. Therefore, in facilities that will allow it,
our club will organize a tournament food list with items for each player to bring to that tournament. The food will be kept in
our team area and everyone associated with our team will be welcome to have their share. We do ask that you let the
players have first access to the items since they must coordinate meals and snacks with their playing and officiating
schedule. The tournament food list for your team is available on the TEAMS page of this web site. Please bring only
those foods on the food list. Your coach or team parent will notify everyone if the list will be used for that tournament.
Behavior – Players and parents are expected to respect the facility, officials and other teams. Remember, you represent
our club. Please read the HOA Fan Behavior Letter on this web site.
Parent or Guardian - All players must have a parent or guardian in the facility at all times during the tournament. There
are LOTS of people at the tournament and your coach will have enough responsibilities without having to keep track of all
of the players ALL DAY.
Family Sport - Club Volleyball is a family sport – parents are encouraged to get to know one another and the club staff.
During the volleyball season we are one big family and we will spend long hours together during both practice and
tournaments. Let's all have fun together!
Tournament Playing Time - Remember, in competitive volleyball the emphasis is on fielding the most competitive team
possible – much like a high school team. Participation is not a factor. In competitive volleyball you are paying for
participation in practice, coaching, and individual player development ONLY. Tournament playing time is bonus and at the
digression of the coach. During tournaments, The Swarm will coach to win - particularly during the bracket play portion of
the tournament.
Inclement Weather - In the event of inclement weather, players should check the web site for notice of tournament
cancellations. Note that tournament cancellations are rare since it is extremely difficult to reschedule a time when all of
the teams are available.
Parent Feedback - Parents are asked NOT to offer instructional feedback to the players during competition. Feedback
from individuals other than the coach may be contradictory and cause confusion and/or problems for the player and the
team. Many times the coaching staff has a teaching sequence to develop a team over a period of time. The Swarm will
focus our efforts to train volleyball players and develop winning teams. Our hope is that, while we work toward this goal,
you will assist us by encouraging and supporting the players and the coaching staff. This would include positive
comments from parents in the stands toward The Swarm players and coaches, as well as the competition and the
officiating teams. If you have a concern or question, please be willing to discuss this with the coaching staff at an
appropriate time and place. Parents should ensure that they provide a role model that their child can emulate.
