PBV Club Tryouts & Open Gyms
Join us for our Pre-Tryout Open Gyms and Tryouts! Open gym sessions are reserved exclusively for players actively interested in trying out for our club travel teams. These sessions allow prospective athletes to meet our coaching staff, experience our training style, learn our club culture, and interact with potential teammates.
Session Format: Players will participate in skill drills (serving, passing, setting, hitting), small-group games, and 5v5/6v6 scrimmages.
Competitive Selection: With over 120 athletes competing for roster spots this season, tryouts will be highly competitive.
Roster Cuts: Due to gym capacity and coaching constraints, cuts will be made at all age levels, and we unfortunately cannot offer positions to every participant.
2026-2027 TRAVEL CLUB TEAMS
BOYS 18U & 17U (Grades 12 & 11)
Open Gym: Sunday, July 26; 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM @ Crane
Tryouts: Sunday, August 9; 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM @ Crane
Tryout Callbacks: August 23; 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM @ Crane
BOYS 16U (Grade 10)
Select Run: August 23; 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM @ Crane
Open Gym: Saturday, September 5; 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM @ SPHS
Open Gym: Tuesday, September 8; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryouts: Wednesday, September 16; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryout Callbacks: Tuesday, September 22; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
BOYS 15U (Grade 9)
Select Run: August 23; 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM @ Crane
Open Gym: Saturday, September 5; 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM @ SPHS
Open Gym: Monday, September 14; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryouts: Tuesday, September 22; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryout Callbacks: Monday, September 28; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
BOYS 14U (Grades 8 & Under)
Open Gym: Monday, September 14; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryouts: Monday, September 28; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Tryout Callbacks: Wednesday, October 7; 6:00 PM -7:45 PM @ MS
Crane - Crane Community Center; 1001 Vine St 2nd Floor, 19107
MS - Masterman School; 1699 Spring Garden St, 19130
PRC - Palumbo Recreation Center; 725 S 10th St, 19147
SPHS - South Philadelphia High School; 2101 S Broad St, 19148
CHECKLIST: WHAT TO DO, BRING & WEAR
Online Registration: Ensure your Philly Boys Volleyball Registration Form is fully submitted prior to arrival.
Check-In: Stop by the registration desk to pick up your assigned tryout number and/or name tag.
Gear & Attire: Bring court shoes, knee pads, and a full water bottle. Remove all jewelry before stepping onto the court.
Mindset: Bring a positive, competitive attitude! Play hard, support others, and have fun.
10 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRYOUT
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Volleyball is highly competitive, and dozens of athletes compete for a limited number of roster spots. Proper preparation can be the difference between making the team and going home disappointed. Follow these suggestions to maximize your chances on tryout day:
Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at least 15–20 minutes before registration opens. Arriving early allows you to check in stress-free, mentally prepare, and complete a thorough physical warm-up so you can perform at your peak from the moment drills start.
Put Away Your Cell Phone: Keep phones turned off and tucked in your bag. Coaches look for mature, focused athletes who are ready to engage, not players who need to be managed off the court.
Hustle and Pursue Every Ball: Never let a ball drop without an aggressive attempt to touch it—even during warm-ups. Show relentless effort by running to shag balls, sprinting back into line, and jogging to water breaks.
Demonstrate Coachability: Coaches value players who improve under guidance. If a coach offers feedback, acknowledge it positively with eye contact and immediately apply the correction on your next repetition.
Listen When Coaches Speak: Give 100% of your attention whenever a coach addresses the group. Maintain eye contact, nod to confirm understanding, and raise your hand to ask for clarification if directions are unclear.
Communicate Loudly and Call the Ball: Voice is a skill you can completely control. Call every ball loudly, communicate with your teammates on the court, and bring high energy to every drill.
Outwork the Competition: Skill matters, but coaches will almost always choose a relentless worker over an effortless talent. Consistently push your pace and show a tireless work ethic in every drill.
Shake Off Mistakes Immediately: Don't carry a bad play into the next repetition. Stay positive, avoid negative body language, keep a strong presence, and show evaluators that you enjoy competing under pressure.
Be Flexible Across Positions: Demonstrate versatility by stepping into whatever role or drill position the coaching staff needs. Display confidence in your overall ability to adapt to any on-court situation.
Be an Exceptional Teammate: Volleyball requires total group cohesion. Celebrate your peers' great plays, give high-fives, communicate support during scrimmages, and deliver clean, hittable balls to set your teammates up for success.
Bonus Tip: Wear general athletic gear or neutral apparel—never wear a t-shirt or jersey from a competing club to tryouts.