What is the 24 Hour Rule?
The 24 hour rule is a common policy implemented by junior volleyball clubs to prevent communication during a tournament between parents and coaches specific to the coaching decisions made during the tournament, more often related to playing time. Almost all concerns are about playing time and parents feel that pain more than their child. The rule states that parents, athletes, friends, and family members are not permitted to approach a coach, director, or staff member during a tournament to discuss coaching decisions in person or electronically.
How to navigate the 24 hour rule?
24 hour rule policy states that at no time during the tournament and for 24 hours after the completion of the tournament should coaching decisions be questions until all parties have had the opportunity to reflect. At that time questions and concerns can be raised in person or in writing.
How to navigate the 24 hour rule?
If there is a request to talk to the coach after the 24 hour waiting period, the progression is:
- Athlete meets with coach to discuss concerns.
- Athlete and parent (s) meet with coach.
- Athlete and parent (s) meet with club director.
The criteria for parents meeting with the club director:
- Parents need to communicate the reason for the meeting
- Talking points
- Intended outcome.
This guarantees there is a structure to the meeting and goals in place for an outcome, so the meeting is a productive use of everyone’s time. At all times focus should be on the athlete themselves. Coaching and Staff will not discuss other athletes on the team. At no time should the conversation be about comparing skills/ talents. Discussion should remain focused on what the specific athlete themselves need to do to improve
Commitment to Communication
It is important to over-communicate with coaches, athletes and parents so they feel informed and in-the-know. This club currently offers “open” practices so parents can see the level of effort from their own athlete. Parents can see the skill / talent of their athlete compared with others. Please consider positions when considering comparison (It’s hard) but the skills required of a front row blocker are not the same as a setter, are not the same as a back row defensive specialist. What a parent hears from their athlete off the court / at home may not be the same as what is communicated by the coach.
The Playing Time Dilemma
This is not a pay to play organization. There is not guaranteed, fair or equitable playing time in competitive club travel volleyball. Playing time is earned but this considers many different factors – effort, attitude, coachability, skills/ talent, specific positions and specific game situations all require coaches to make decisions.
Different positions will inherently have different playing time outcomes.
Playing time is not measured by “minutes played”. Playing time is not measured by “points played”. In volleyball which is fast game where rallies can end quickly or more evenly matched teams could have extended rallies back and forth over the net can make a rotation move very quickly or take quite a while. In cases like this it may appear a front row player for example having never contacted the ball during play rotates across the 3 positions at the net very, very fast. This is true. Similarly if another team has a very strong serve and our team is struggling to pass the ball we could get stuck in a rotation on the back row for several points making it seem like a long time. Hence the impression of unfair playing time – especially if your athlete is on the sidelines waiting to be subbed back onto the court. Also true.
Managing Expectations
What is important to understand is that every player on the roster has a job assignment. The specific objectives and expectation of each athlete can be different the measure of “quality” time on the court is in their success to execute in the role at that time, in that set, of that match. If your athlete is unsure of their job assignment, they should discuss with their coach ahead of the tournament to be clear. They should in turn share that information with their parents / family so that everyone has the same expectations of what to expect. Parents should try their best to focus on their own athlete and the
assignment rather than judge other players whose assignment may not be clear to them or their own athlete.
By clearly outlining expectations, regularly communicating with parents, and fostering an open, structured approach to addressing concerns, clubs can create a positive, productive atmosphere for everyone involved. When clubs take the time to set boundaries, build trust, and maintain transparent communication, the focus remains where it should be—on the development and success of the players.