Getting Through Your First Tournament

Looking forward to your first tournament experience?

It isn't complicated once you've done it — it just isn't obvious the first time. This guide walks through the format, what to pack, how the day typically flows, and how to be a helpful presence on the sideline rather than an added source of pressure.

Understanding the tournament format

Tournaments vary in length. Single- and two-day tournaments tend to be the most common, running on weekends. Larger ones — often bid events or bigger regionals — stretch to three days, Friday through Sunday. And the very largest, like AAU Nationals, can span most of a week.

Single-day events are generally straightforward — teams play between two and three games and head home.

A typical multi-day club tournament runs in two phases: pool play on the first day, followed by bracket play on the second and subsequent days.

Pool play

Teams are grouped into small pools (usually 3–5 teams) and play every other team in their pool once. Pool matches are typically played in a best-of-three format, or a fixed two-set format. Pool results (wins, set differential, or points) determine seeding for the bracket. Check the tournament guide published for your event for the exact details.

Bracket play

After pool play finishes, teams are placed into a single- or double-elimination bracket based on their pool finish. Bracket matches are usually best-of-three sets (25-25-15, win by 2), and this is where the day gets more intense, as teams tend to be more evenly matched within a bracket. As a team progresses through its bracket, it will eventually reach a single-elimination phase, where losing a bracket match means the day is over. Most tournaments do guarantee at least three matches a day.

Typically, the top three teams in the gold bracket will win the gold, silver, and bronze medals. The top teams in the silver and bronze brackets will also win their own medals. In larger tournaments, medals might also be awarded in lower-rated brackets. If you're unsure of the specifics, head over to the Championship Desk — it's usually easy to pick out, since it tends to be covered in branding and flags for USAV/AAU/JVA (depending on the tournament you're at).

Hotel bookings for travel tournaments

Some tournaments are local day trips, but plenty — especially bid events, larger regionals, or anything out of state — require an overnight stay, sometimes for two or three nights. Sort hotel logistics out early — most events are at venues with ample lodging in the area, but you may still need to book early to get your preferred hotel or room.

• Ask your coach or team manager about a team block first. Clubs frequently arrange a block of rooms at a discounted rate at one or two host hotels. Booking within the block keeps the team together, simplifies carpooling to the venue, and is usually the cheapest option available.
• Book early. Blocks are limited and release on a first-come basis — popular tournament weekends can sell out weeks in advance, and the discounted rate often disappears well before the cutoff date even if rooms are technically still available elsewhere.
• Watch for "stay to play" requirements. Larger tournaments sometimes require teams to book through an official housing portal as a condition of entry. If that applies, your club will tell you which site to use — don't book independently without checking first.
• Confirm cancellation policies before booking, since pool results and even weather can occasionally shift plans.

What to pack: the tournament bag checklist

A well-packed bag saves a lot of stress once you're in the gym for eight hours. Here's what we think are the essentials — your team's coach will likely have a list of their own as well.

For the athlete

• Two full uniforms (jersey + spandex/shorts) plus practice gear. This matters most for multi-day tournaments, but it's worth doing for single-day events too. Check with your coach on the expected kit to show up in and wear — spandex/shorts count as part of the uniform under USAV rules.
• Kneepads — bring a pair. Probably the next most important item for an athlete besides the uniform. They're not part of the uniform, so you don't have to coordinate them with the team, though some teams might have a standard kneepad they want everyone to wear. We've seen players show up with a single kneepad — that gets awkward. Check that you've got both before you leave!
• Extra socks. A spare pair isn't strictly necessary for most players, but it's worth having on hand. If a player gets a cut and blood stains their socks, they won't be allowed back onto the court without a clean pair.
• Phone charger / portable battery. Many tournaments run scoring digitally now, and athletes on work team duty will need their phone charged to last through their shift. Downtime between matches also means a lot of phone use.
• A personal water bottle and a couple of grab-and-go snacks. Even with the family cooler nearby, having something already set aside for match time means less scrambling between games.

Chairs, drinks, and food

This is the category families most often under-pack for on their first trip — gyms don't sell enough of any of it, and lines get long right when your team's next match is starting.

• Portable or folding chairs — bring your own. (affiliate link) Bleacher seating fills up fast and gym floors are not comfortable for a full day. A lightweight camp chair per adult is the single most-recommended item by veteran tournament parents.
• A cooler or insulated bag (if the venue allows it) with plenty of water. Bring more than feels necessary — one bottle per person per match is a reasonable baseline, plus extra for refills. Gyms run warm and concession lines are slow exactly when you need liquids fastest.
• A full cooler of food for the day, not just snacks — sandwiches, fruit, cut vegetables, and easy-to-eat protein. Treat it like packing for a full day out, since you may be at the venue for six-plus hours with only a short window for a real meal. Concession stand meals work if that's your thing — typical fare includes burgers, chicken tenders, and pizza — but if you're at a major tournament at least once a month, you might tire of those options quickly.
• Snacks that hold up between matches for the athlete specifically — fruit, granola bars, pretzels, nut-free options if the team requires it.

For the parent and accompanying family members

• Layers. Gyms run cold near the doors and warm near the courts — dress in layers you can adjust.
• Entertainment for downtime. A book, laptop, or work you can do — there's often significant waiting between matches, especially in pool play. If younger siblings are tagging along, pack something to keep them entertained too, since a tournament day is a long one for them as well.
• Ear protection. Tournaments are loud! Besides the crowd, players and teams are cheering each other on, and referees use very loud whistles to rise above the din. It's common for sustained noise levels to run at or above 100 dB at these venues. Foam or silicone earplugs, or headsets with either passive or active noise canceling, will help a lot!
• Confirmation of the entry fee / spectator pass, if the tournament charges one. Some venues require a printed or digital ticket at the door.

Timing and logistics

Getting the timing right matters more than almost anything else on tournament day — arriving late to a warm-up window is one of the most stressful ways to start a match, not to mention risking the wrath of your team's coach. The table below should help you feel prepared for the first morning of the tournament.

A few other logistics worth planning for: parking at large tournament venues can take longer than expected, so build in buffer time. Multi-court gyms are loud and can be confusing to navigate — look for court numbers posted near each net or on a printed bracket sheet near the entrance. And schedules do slip during the day, so keep an eye on the actual court rather than only the printed start time. Always check with your team's coach about where your player needs to be, and when.

Understanding "work team" duty

Most club tournaments are run with teams officiating each other, working alongside a paid official (the first referee, or R1). At some point during the day, your athlete's team will be assigned a work team slot — a block of time where they staff another court as the second referee (R2), line judges, scorekeeper, or libero tracker while that match is played. This is a required part of the tournament, not optional, and it's built into the schedule the same way match times are. It is also one of the more unique aspects of club volleyball!

• Check the schedule for your team's work slot the same way you check match times — it's usually posted alongside the pool and bracket schedule.
• If your athlete needs to leave early or can't cover their work slot, talk to the coach ahead of time. Work team assignments are a commitment the whole team is responsible for, and the coach needs to know in advance to arrange coverage — don't just have your athlete skip it.
• Try to avoid bringing food or drinks to your athlete at the work table. It's understandable to want to check in, but it's distracting for a working line judge or scorekeeper mid-match. Better to have them eat and hydrate before or after their shift.
• Avoid chatting with the kids working the table or line. They're athletes doing a job that requires focus, not tournament staff — treat them the way you'd want your own athlete treated when it's their turn to work.

Nutrition and hydration for tournament day

Tournament matches demand a lot from athletes. What they eat before and between matches has a real effect on how they play throughout the day.

• Eat a real breakfast before an early start. Something with protein and complex carbs — eggs and toast, oatmeal, a bagel with peanut butter — rather than sugary cereal that leads to a mid-morning crash.
• Snack light and often between matches rather than one large meal. Fruit, crackers, trail mix, and simple carbs digest quickly and won't sit heavy going into the next set.
• Hydrate continuously, not just when thirsty. The short, intense bursts of activity can lead to dehydration very quickly. Water is the default; a sports drink can help on long, hot tournament days with multiple matches.
• Save the bigger meal for the midday gap between pool play and bracket play, when there's more recovery time (30–60 min) before the next match.
• Avoid anything new on tournament day. This is not the day to try a new snack or energy product — stick with what your athlete's stomach already knows and tolerates well.

Being a helpful presence on the sideline

This is the part of tournament day that's easy to get wrong with the best of intentions. Here's what tends to actually help:

• Cheer for the team, not individual plays. Blanket positive energy ("Let's go!", "Nice fight!") supports the whole team. Play-by-play commentary or correction from the sideline — even well meant — usually adds pressure rather than confidence.
• Let the coach coach. Athletes need one voice giving instruction during a match, not two. Save technical feedback for after the match, and even then, let your athlete lead that conversation.
• Be neutral about officiating. Youth officials miss calls sometimes — audible frustration from the sideline is one of the most common sources of tension at tournaments, and athletes notice it even when they're focused on the game.
• Keep between-match conversations low-key. "How are you feeling? Need water?" goes a lot further than a breakdown of the last set. There will be time to talk through the match later, away from the gym.
• Manage your own nerves. Athletes pick up on parent tension quickly. If a match is close, your calm is doing more for your athlete than you might realize.

Common first-tournament mistakes to avoid

• Packing just one uniform. Can't stress this enough — especially for multi-day tournaments, where a change of uniform is often needed.
• Skipping breakfast before an early start. A 7:30am first match with no real breakfast is a rough way to begin a long day.
• Assuming the printed schedule is fixed. Pool play in particular can run ahead or behind — check the actual court, not just the clock.
• Not knowing the tournament format going in. Understanding pool play versus bracket play in advance avoids confusion (and unnecessary stress) about what a loss actually means for the rest of the day.
• Coaching from the sideline. Even quiet technical instructions during play can undercut the coach and distract the athlete.
• Underestimating parking and arrival time at large multi-court venues, especially on tournament mornings when many teams arrive at once.
• Waiting too long to book team-block hotel rooms. Blocks fill up and discounted rates expire well before the tournament itself.
• Letting a work team slot slip without telling the coach. If your athlete has to leave early or miss their assigned work duty, that's a conversation with the coach in advance — not a no-show.

After the tournament

Long tournament days are tiring — for athletes and parents alike. A win or a tough loss both deserve the same low-key debrief: acknowledge the effort, let your athlete set the tone for how much they want to talk about it, and save any real technical conversation for practice, where a coach can actually help address it. Hydration, a good meal, and rest matter more on the drive home than a full recap of every set.

The first tournament is always the hardest to navigate logistically. By the second or third, the format, the packing list, and the rhythm of the day will feel familiar — and you'll be able to focus on what matters most: watching your athlete compete.