GOLD TEAMS
Peninsula Juniors’ Gold teams are designed for players who are looking for the most competitive club volleyball environment. Selection to a Gold team is very competitive and is determined by volleyball skill above the expected skill set for the athletes’ age group.
Practice
PJV Gold teams practice a total of 4 hours spread out on two days per week. This practice time includes 2 two-hour sessions of team practice that consists of individual skill building and technique, team systems and play, and conditioning, jump training, and plyometrics. Every practice session will also include some kind of scrimmage and smaller-team game play, essential for individual and team development.
Tournaments
PJV Gold teams play in the NCVA Power League. The power league offers the most competitive league structure available in Northern California. Power league tournaments are organized by strength of team as determined by performance in each tournament. Consequently, the location of each power league tournament varies; although some tournament dates may be in San Mateo or San Jose, other tournaments may be as far as Rocklin or Fresno. The power league consists of a two-day Qualifier, three league tournament dates, and a two-day Regional Championship (7 tournament dates).
PJV Gold teams play in the following tournaments in addition to the Power League:
California Kickoff - (January)
President’s Day Tournament -OR- Las Vegas Classic - (February)
Far Westerns Junior National Qualifier - (April, in Reno, NV)
The 14, 15, and 16 and under Power league teams will also attend one additional Junior National Qualifier located in one of a number of host cities throughout the United States. Should a team qualify for Junior Nationals, the team will travel to Atlanta, Georgia at the end of June for the tournament, thereby extending the season, time, and financial commitment. The 17 and under team will attend the Las Vegas Classic instead of the Presidents' Day Tournament.
Length of Season
PJV Gold teams begin practice in December and finish with at the end of May. Should a Gold team qualify for Junior Nationals, the season would be extended until the first week in July.
Playing Time
For all Peninsula Juniors teams, coaches will endeavor to offer as many team members as possible the opportunity to play in matches. However, coaches will never make promises regarding playing time and it should never be assumed that players will receive “equal” playing time. All decisions for playing time are based on the coach’s discretion and his or her goals for the team. Club dues pay for instruction, not for playing time.
For Gold teams, there is no minimum requirement or expectation of playing time of players for any particular match. It is the goal of every coach to give every player an opportunity to receive some playing time during a tournament day. Depending on a player’s ability, other players in her position, and the needs of the team, players will receive disproportionate playing time. Players are expected to compete in their positions to improve themselves and other members on the team and work hard in the role communicated between coaches and player.
All playing time philosophies operate on the assumption of 100% on-time attendance at practices and tournaments. Should a player break team rules or miss practice or a tournament, players are subject to sanctions that may affect playing time, as determined by the coaches and explained in the team handbook provided to each player at the beginning of the season.
BLUE TEAMS - (HYBRID)
Peninsula Juniors’ Blue teams are designed for players who are looking for a competitive volleyball environment with reduced and predictable travel requirements. Blue teams have a hybrid power and area schedule. They participate in NCVA Area League and tournaments like Far Westerns that include Power League teams. Selection to a Blue team is less competitive than a Gold team, but athletes should be expected to possess at least the average skill set for the age group, as determined by the PJV coaching staff.
Practice
PJV Blue teams practice a total of 3 – 4 hours spread out on two days per week. This practice time includes 2 one-and-a-half to two hour sessions of team practice that consists of individual skill building and technique, team systems and play, and conditioning, jump training, and plyometrics. Every practice session will also include some kind of scrimmage and smaller-team game play, essential for individual and team development.
Tournaments
PJV Blue teams play in the NCVA Area League. The area league is designed to minimize travel for the participants. Tournaments are located one hour or less from the location of each club involved. Because of this, the competition at area league tournaments varies, as tournaments are organized by geographical location rather than strength of team. The area league consists of a one-day Qualifier, four league tournament dates, and a two-day Regional Championship (7 tournament dates).
PJV Blue teams play in the following tournaments in addition to the Area League. Blue teams will be competing against other Power and Area teams in these tournaments:
California Kickoff - (January)
President’s Day Tournament - (February)
Far Westerns Junior National Qualifier - (April, in Reno, NV)
Should a team qualify for Junior Nationals, the team will travel to Junior Nationals at the end of June for the tournament, thereby extending the season, time, and financial commitment.
Length of Season
PJV Blue teams begin practice with limited contacts in December (one per week) and start full time in January, finishing at the beginning of June.
Playing Time
For all Peninsula Juniors teams, coaches will endeavor to offer as many team members as possible the opportunity to play in matches. However, coaches will never make promises regarding playing time and it should never be assumed that players will receive “equal” playing time. All decisions for playing time are based on the coach’s discretion and his or her goals for the team. Club dues pay for instruction, not for playing time.
For Blue teams, playing time is assessed by what the coaches feel will best develop their team and each individual player’s skills, while still endeavoring to win. Coaches will strive to provide each player the opportunity to make a contribution in each match to gain experience from tournament competition. However playing time will be disproportionate in regards to the team’s need to be competitive in any particular match, depending on a player’s ability, other players in her position, and the needs of the team. Players are expected to compete in their positions to improve themselves and other members on the team and work hard in the role communicated between coaches and player.
All playing time philosophies operate on the assumption of 100% on-time attendance at practices and tournaments. Should a player break team rules or miss practice or a tournament, players are subject to sanctions that may affect playing time, as determined by the coaches and explained in the team handbook provided to each player at the beginning of the season.
