How Registration, Recommendations & Program Levels Work at REC It Volleyball
Table of Contents
One of the most common questions we receive is:
“When should I register my athlete for the next program?”
Usually, while they are still attending their current program.
We know that can feel early—especially if you aren’t sure whether your athlete should repeat their current level or move up.
Here’s how our system works, how recommendations are made, and the best way to contact us depending on whether you are a new or returning family.
Why Our Programs Work Differently
REC It Volleyball has been growing and evolving for five years. We
started with only two levels and have expanded into several practice and tournament programs.
Our levels are based primarily on:
Volleyball experience
Skill development
Understanding of gameplay and rotations
Readiness for the next concepts
They are not based only on age.
Two 13-year-olds can have completely different volleyball backgrounds. One may already understand rotations and team concepts, while another may be brand new.
Grouping them together simply because they are the same age could leave one athlete overwhelmed and the other not challenged enough.
Our goal is to help athletes build a strong volleyball foundation, regardless of what age they begin playing.
When Should I Register for the Next Session?
Most REC It programs run for 4–5 weeks, and the next round usually begins shortly after.
We generally post upcoming programs about three weeks before they begin.
Because of that, returning athletes will often register for their next program before their current session is finished.
But that creates another question:
“How do I register if I don’t know which level my athlete should take next?”
That’s where our coach recommendations come in.
Registration Calendar (click to expand)
Fall 1: Sept/ Oct: Classes between: Sept 10- Oct 11, On Website: Beginning of August
Fall 2: Oct/Nov: Classes between: Oct 12-Nov 15, On Website: Middle of September
Winter 1: Nov/Dec: Classes between: Nov 15- Dec 20, On Website: Mid/ Late October
Winter 2: Jan/Feb: Classes between: Jan 2-Feb 7, On Website: Early December
Winter 3: Feb/Mar: Classes between: Feb 8- Mar 14, On Website: Early/ Mid January
Spring 1: Apr/May: Classes between: April 5- May 16, On Website: Early March
Spring 2: May/ June: Classes between: May 10- June 27, On Website: Early April
Summer Camps: Jun/July/Aug: Camps Between June 28- Aug 27, On Website: December
Summer 1 Practice Programs: Jun/July: Classes between: Jun 27- July 30 On Website: Early May
Summer 2 Practice Programs: Aug: Classes between: Aug 1- Sept 1:On Website: Early June
When Will I Receive a Recommendation?
For most programs:
4-week program: Around Week 2
5-week program: Around Week 3
Our coaches evaluate athletes during practices and communicate their recommendations to management. They may also speak directly with the athlete or parent.
We are looking at much more than whether an athlete can perform one individual skill.
Coaches are watching how the athlete:
Learns and remembers new concepts
Performs during drills and gameplay
Moves and communicates on the court
Understands team concepts
Responds to coaching
Improves throughout the program
Attendance Matters
The more practices your athlete attends, the more accurate our recommendation can be.
Some athletes need a week or two to adjust to our coaches and teaching style before we can really see their pace of improvement.
If a coach has only seen an athlete once or twice because of absences, predicting which level will be appropriate several weeks later becomes much harder.
Whenever possible, consistent attendance helps us make the best recommendation.
New Families: Start Here
If your athlete has never participated in a REC It Volleyball program, the best place to begin is our website contact form or placement quiz.
We receive messages through phone calls, email, Instagram, Facebook, and several other places.
A message that simply says:
“Can you send me information?”
usually isn’t enough for us to recommend a program.
We still need to know things such as:
Athlete's age
Gender
Previous volleyball experience
Current skill level
Preferred location
That can turn one simple question into several emails or messages back and forth. With the volume of inquiries we receive, occasionally a conversation can also become buried under other notifications.
Our Placement Quiz Helps Solve This
We are adding an interactive General Program Recommendation Quiz to help families narrow down the best starting level.
The questions change based on your answers and ask about your athlete’s volleyball experience, skills, and understanding of the game.
At the end, you’ll receive a suggested starting level that can make finding the right class much easier.
Can I Still Call?
Absolutely. We want parents to call us.
In many cases, you’ll speak directly with Cliff, one of our owners, who enjoys helping families determine the right program.
If possible, have your athlete nearby. Sometimes asking them a few volleyball questions directly makes placement much easier.
We simply ask for patience if you don’t immediately reach us.
Because we use paid advertising and work with many families, we receive a high volume of inquiries. Our average parent phone conversation lasts approximately 5–12 minutes because we want to understand the athlete instead of rushing through the call.
If we don't answer, we may already be helping another family.
We do our best to return every inquiry, but occasionally someone may fall through the cracks. If that has happened to you, we sincerely apologize. Please reach out again.
Returning Families: Ask Your Coach
If your athlete is already enrolled, you have one of the best resources available to you:
Their REC It coach.
Around Week 2 of a 4-week program or Week 3 of a 5-week program, you should begin receiving information about your athlete’s recommended next level.
If you haven't received a recommendation, speak with the coach at the beginning of practice.
You can simply say:
“We’re trying to register for the next session. Can you please watch my athlete today and let us know which program you recommend?”
Bring your athlete over with you so the coach knows exactly who you are asking about.
Why Ask Before Practice?
Asking beforehand allows the coach to intentionally watch your athlete throughout the session with placement in mind.
If you ask after practice, the coach can still give you feedback, but they may not have been specifically evaluating your athlete for their next program during that practice.
Our coaches communicate directly with management, and we trust their recommendations because they are the people working with your athlete on the court.
The Simple Registration Timeline
Weeks 1–2: Attend consistently and give your athlete time to adjust to the program.
Week 2 or 3: Look for your athlete’s recommendation. If you haven't received one, ask the coach before practice.
About 3 weeks before the next round: Upcoming programs begin appearing online.
Once you know the recommended level: Register for the next session. You do not need to wait until the current program ends.
Why We Do It This Way
Our goal is not to move athletes through our levels as quickly as possible.
Our goal is to make sure athletes are learning the right concepts at the right time.
Sometimes an athlete will move up.
Sometimes we will recommend repeating a level so they can become more confident with certain skills or concepts before adding something more difficult.
Completing one session does not automatically mean an athlete needs to move to the next level.
We would rather give an athlete enough time to truly understand something than move them forward simply because of their age or because they completed a program.
Ultimately, we want every athlete to leave REC It Volleyball with a stronger foundation, more confidence, and a better understanding of the game.
Comments