Step 1 - Run Sign-Ups and Paperwork Early

Sign-ups and paperwork come first, because no student can practice until their forms are in. Start collecting them at least four weeks before your first session.

Your sign-up packet should include:

• A registration form with contact details for the student and a parent

• A medical and emergency information form

• A signed code of conduct for players

• A permission form for travel to away matches

• Any participation fee details your school requires

Check whether players need a physical before they can take part. MedlinePlus notes that most states require a sports physical before children and teens can play. Your school's athletic office will know the local rules.

Set a firm deadline for forms and keep a simple spreadsheet showing who's cleared to practice. On the first day, anyone missing a form can watch but not play.

Step 2 - Plan Practice Sessions Around the Basics

Good first-season practices focus on the core skills: passing, setting, serving and moving as a team. Most new players need repetition far more than complicated drills.

Warm-Up

Start every session the same way, with ten minutes of jogging, dynamic stretches and light passing in pairs. A predictable routine gets players moving quickly and gives late arrivals a clear way to join in.

Skill Blocks

Pick one or two skills per session and give each its own block. Short drills with lots of touches work better than long lines where players wait their turn. Rotate partners so stronger players spend time helping newer ones.

Game Play

Finish with small-sided games or a full scrimmage. Players learn rotation, communication and scoring much faster in a game than in an explanation. Write each practice plan before you arrive so you're coaching, not deciding what to do next.

Step 3 - Build Your Match Schedule

Your match schedule shapes the whole season, so lock it in with your athletic director as early as possible. Find out which league or conference you'll play in and whether there's room for a few friendly matches against nearby schools.

When you plan the calendar, confirm:

• Home and away dates, with start times

• Gym availability for every home match

• Transportation for away matches

• Who will keep score and run the clock

• Any tournament or end-of-season dates

Share the full schedule with players and parents as soon as it's confirmed, even if a few details are still pending. Families plan around it, and late changes are easier to handle when everyone already has the overall picture.

Alt text: Teacher talking with parents on the bleachers at a pre-season volleyball meeting

Step 4 - Keep Parents in the Loop

Clear parent communication heads off most problems before they start. Parents want to know when practices end, how their child is doing and what they need to buy or pay for.

Hold a short parent meeting before the season starts. Cover the schedule, your expectations for attendance, how playing time works and how you'll share updates. Then pick one channel for messages, such as your school's messaging app or a weekly email, and stick to it.

Be clear about what you can and can't discuss. Questions about playing time are best handled in a scheduled conversation, not on the sideline after a loss.

Step 5 - Prepare for Player Safety

A safety plan protects your players and you, so put one together before the first practice. Know where the first aid kit and the nearest automated external defibrillator are, and keep emergency contact forms with you at every session.

Concussions can happen in volleyball, from collisions, dives or a ball to the head. The CDC's HEADS UP program worked with the National Federation of State High School Associations to offer concussion training for high school coaches, focused on recognizing and managing concussions. Complete it before the season, and check whether your state or district requires it.

Make sure players bring water to every session and take regular breaks, especially in a warm gym. Agree on an emergency plan with your athletic trainer or school nurse, so everyone knows who calls for help and who stays with an injured player.

Step 6 - Plan Equipment and Uniforms

Equipment and uniforms take longer to arrange than most new coaches expect, so start planning in your first week. Check what the school already has before you order anything new.

Before your first practice, make sure you have:

• Enough volleyballs for partner drills, ideally one between two players

• A net, posts and antennas that meet your league's requirements

• Knee pads for every player

• A ball cart or bag for storage and transport

• Scorebooks and a first aid kit

Uniforms are where planning really pays off. Players need jerseys with numbers that meet your league's rules, plus comfortable shorts that let them dive and jump without riding up. If you're ordering volleyball shorts from Sports Gear Swag, for example, they come in a loose fit and a compression fit, so ask players which they prefer. Collect every player's size on the sign-up form, and place the order early enough to swap any sizes that don't fit before the first match.

Check your league's uniform rules before you order anything, including requirements for number size and placement and matching colors across the team. Order uniforms at least six weeks out so a delay doesn't leave anyone without one on match day.

Open Sign-Ups This Week

Put your sign-up packet together, set a deadline for forms and book a time for your parent meeting. Once those are in place, the rest of the season has a solid start.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should sign-ups open for a new school volleyball team?

Start collecting forms at least four weeks before your first practice. No student should practice until their registration, medical and permission forms are in.

Do school volleyball players need a sports physical?

MedlinePlus notes that most states require a sports physical before children and teens can play. Your school's athletic office will know the local rules.

When should I order volleyball uniforms?

Order uniforms at least six weeks before the first match, so a delay doesn't leave anyone without one. Collect every player's size on the sign-up form first.