Looking for beach volleyball camps near you to gain college exposure and take your game to the next level? Attending beach volleyball camps, tournaments and showcases is a key step in the recruiting process. Use our list below to find upcoming events and get answers to top questions about beach volleyball camps to make the most of your opportunities.
Understanding beach volleyball camps, showcases and tournaments
Unlike indoor volleyball, beach volleyball recruiting happens at smaller tournaments, showcases, and camps hosted by clubs, colleges and third parties. These events give players valuable college exposure and the chance to compete against top talent. Keep reading to learn how to find the right beach volleyball events and how they can impact your recruiting journey.
- Attending beach volleyball camps
- Beach volleyball showcases
- Beach volleyball tournaments
- Beach volleyball skills development
College beach volleyball camps: Get in front of college coaches
Many college beach volleyball programs host their own volleyball camps, inviting recruits to their campus for drills and competitive play. These events allow college coaches to evaluate players in person and assess their skills, work ethic and potential fit for their program.
How to stand out at a college beach volleyball camp
College beach volleyball camps can be competitive, and not every athlete gets equal attention from coaches. Many programs invite a large number of recruits, but on camp day, coaches focus mainly on the players they are actively recruiting. That’s why it’s important to connect with the coach before the camp so they know who you are and that you’re seriously interested in their program.
Before attending, email the coach to introduce yourself, express your interest in their program and let them know you’ll be at their camp. Include your highlight video, club experience and contact information so they can get familiar with your game ahead of time.
Insider Tip: Give coaches everything they need in one place! Your NCSA profile makes it easy to share your highlight videos, stats and contact info before and after camp. Don’t have a profile yet? Create one today and start connecting with college coaches.
Following up after a beach volleyball camp is just as important as preparing for it. Here’s what to include in your follow-up message:
- Thank the coach for the opportunity
- Ask if they were able to watch you compete and what they thought of your performance.
- Request feedback on areas to improve.
- Share your upcoming tournament schedule and invite them to a match.
Taking these steps before and after camp can help you stand out and stay on a coach’s radar as you continue your recruiting journey. To find beach volleyball camps near you, use our event finder above.
Beach volleyball recruiting showcases: Play in front of multiple college coaches
Beach volleyball showcases are a great way to compete in front of multiple college coaches at once. While not as common as tournaments, showcases tend to attract top recruiters because they focus on high-level athletes.
Some elite beach volleyball showcases require athletes to qualify by attending a previous camp or meeting certain performance criteria, while others are open to all players. Before committing to a beach volleyball recruiting showcase, research which college coaches and division level programs will be attending to make sure it aligns with your recruiting goals.
Here are some of the top college beach volleyball showcases:
Just like college camps, follow up with coaches after a beach volleyball showcase to show your interest and see if they’re recruiting you. You can also ask if they need anything else to evaluate you.
Beach volleyball tournaments: Gain exposure and compete against top competition
Playing in beach volleyball tournaments is a great way to gain experience, challenge yourself against top competition and get on the radar of college coaches. These events provide year-round opportunities to showcase your skills and build your recruiting profile.
Top Beach Volleyball Tournaments for Recruiting
Most major beach volleyball tournaments happen between May and August. Here are some of the biggest tournaments for college exposure:
Beach volleyball camps for skill development
Not all beach volleyball camps are about recruiting. Sometimes, you just want to focus on improving your skills, and that’s totally okay! There are plenty of camps designed to help athletes develop their game, like US Sports Camps Nike Beach Volleyball Camps. These programs provide top-tier coaching to help players refine their technique, strategy and overall performance.
USA Volleyball Beach High Performance (HP) hosts the more well-known and recognizable skills development programs in the country. Coach Simic recommends starting with local or regional HP programs, and working your way up to the national or international level. While HP may not give you direct exposure to college coaches right away, they are a great way to make sure you have all the skills needed to compete in college. And the higher up you go, the more college coaches are going to take note. They host both training programs and competitions, providing multiple opportunities to get what you need as a beach volleyball athlete.
Ask us, we’re the experts!
Not sure which beach volleyball camps, showcases or tournaments are right for you? NCSA can help! Whether you’re looking for the best events to attend or need recruiting advice, we’ve got you covered.
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