College volleyball camps are a great opportunity to get evaluated by college coaches and show off your skillset against elite competition. With thousands of college volleyball camps across the country, how do you decide which one to attend?

First, consider camps at schools you’re interested in attending. These camps are an opportunity for you to get a better feel for the school. During your stay, walk around campus, get to know the coaching staff, tour the dorms and consider talking to an academic advisor.

In addition, it can benefit your recruiting process to attend camps based on the coaches in attendance. It is common for Division II, Division III and NAIA coaches to coach at major Division I camps. If you are interested in a specific program, these large camps can be an opportunity to get in front of the coach.

4 types of camps

In general, there are four types of college volleyball camps. Elite camps (Prospect/ID) typically give volleyball recruits the best chance of catching the attention of a college program. Be advised — if you’re hoping to get discovered, it is best to establish contact with a program before the camp. Position-specific camps focus on developing skills for your particular position. Whether you’re a libero or an outside hitter, position-specific camps offer in-depth training.

All-skills camps provide general skills development and are usually geared toward younger athletes, while team camps are a great opportunity for programs to develop their team chemistry. All-skills camps and team camps are usually less recruiting-focused, but both offer campers a chance to improve their skills and have fun.

Know what to expect before you arrive
College volleyball camps can be a great experience for volleyball players who want to play at the next level — as long as you go into it with the right expectations. Got your heart set on a specific volleyball program? Attending the program’s camp can be a good way to catch their attention. However, if you are seriously considering a school, try to establish contact to get on the coach’s radar before camp season.

At the camp, keep in mind that coaches are evaluating more than your athletic ability. Coaches want to see how you compete against top competition and how you react to success and failure. They are evaluating your body language and how you interact with your teammates.

During volleyball camps, you can expect to receive instruction from coaches and college athletes. You’ll participate in drills to sharpen your skills and positioning. Many volleyball camps also include tournament play and personal evaluation.

How should you respond to a volleyball camp invite?
Always get back to the coach promptly—no matter who the invite is from. Even if you can’t make the camp or aren’t interested in the volleyball program, a respectful decline is a much smarter recruiting play than no response. College volleyball coaches may move to another school. You never want to burn any bridges.

Email the coach before camp
Once you register for a 2019 college volleyball camp, reach out to the coach to let them know. If it is a large camp, tell them your schedule and which court you’ll be on to help them find you during the camp. Also include your highlight video, verified measurables, academic info and social media handles. Keep it short and sweet!

Remember to follow up after camp
Ride the momentum of your 2019 college volleyball camp. After the camp ends and you go home, follow up with the coach and send over any new verified stats. Thank them for the opportunity and ask for feedback on which skills you need to improve. Keep the conversation going by letting them know about your athletic progress and any upcoming volleyball tournaments or showcases.

Looking for more recruiting answers? Make sure to check out NCSA’s College Recruiting Guide before setting up your online recruiting profile.

For related reading on the volleyball recruiting process click HERE. For more volleyball education for athletes, coaches and parents click HERE.

About the Author

Matt Sonnichsen is the former Director of Volleyball and National Speaker for Next College Student Athlete (NCSA), the Official Recruiting Services provider of the JVA. Matt has over 20 years of experience coaching volleyball at the collegiate level.