Volleyball is definitely a lifetime sport, you can get started even at your 80s. However, for someone who wants to have a chance to play volleyball at the highest level, then starting at a very young age is extremely important …
In this short article, I breakdown the best age range to get started and how to properly get involved in the sport, so, you or your kids would play the sport (why no) at a pro level in the future!
Best age to start volleyball for kids …
To encourage your children to start playing volleyball, it is important to know that they first need to be big and physically strong enough to play full-scale volleyball.
The best age for children to begin playing volleyball is between 8 to 10 years old.
It is recommended that you provide the child with some preliminary training before this age which can be used as general physical training.
Even other precursor sports like soccer or swimming can be indulged in before they move on to playing volleyball.
At what grade is it recommended to start volleyball?
Even though each area is different, most schools in the United States have school volleyball teams that typically begin from the seventh grade.
Some schools also offer volleyball as a sport at younger ages, but the majority start it by seventh grade.
This is because volleyball is considered to be a late sport and your child has to develop and grow as a player at the right age and have the right set of muscles to be able to play volleyball without risking some serious injury.
Most schools also do not want players to burn out on the sport by starting children too soon.
How to know if volleyball is the right sport for your kid?
There are some characteristics that you should watch out for in your child before you make any long-term commitment to volleyball.
These characteristics include …
- Height – Of course, not every single player has to be tall on the team, but on average, taller players have been found to be more successful in volleyball. If your child is tall, they have a stronger advantage in any position they play.
- Speed – While speed is needed in every sport, some sports like volleyball need it even more. In volleyball, your child needs to have reaction speed, decision-making, and be able to move on their feet to position themselves for success.
- Scrappiness – this is the willingness to dive, dig, and hustle. Players all the time need to fight every inch of the way for every rally, every point, and every set. Your child should be willing to take it to the floor, run into the stands, or, if needed, even crash into the scorer’s table if that’s where the ball takes them.
You can learn more about what would make volleyball the right sport for you or for your kid!
How expensive is it to get started? (Minimum gear for kids)
The exact cost of playing volleyball fluctuates from area to area. For the most part, though, volleyball is not a very expensive sport.
School programs for volleyball can fluctuate from being completely free to sign up for a spirit pack that costs around 100-200 bucks.
It also depends on the demographic of the school, how well the sports programs are funded in the school, and how the programs are being run by their coaches.
However, once you decide to join a club, the costs will go up significantly. Even the cheapest clubs will typically cost at least $1000 for the season dues.
Most are usually much higher than this as well. There is also the added cost of traveling to the tournaments …
Traveling fees and competitions are paid in three ways:
- Either the sports school will make the entire payment
- Or the expenses will be shared between the parents and the schools
- Or the third option is that the whole amount will need to be paid by the parents.
The main expense is a sportswear and outdoor activities. Balls and nets are provided by the organizers usually. You basically need a set of T-shirts and shorts and volleyball shoes (Just Like these).
Important Recommendation: One item that most parents tend to not buy for their kids is knee pad. Indeed, while kids are learning some hard movements like diving for the ball, they might hurt their knees in the process. That’s why it is extremely important to protect their knees. For example, those knee pads are reliable and can actually protect your child’s knees during games and practice sessions.
Benefits of starting volleyball that young
There are several benefits of starting volleyball at an early age. These include:
- The sport teaches kids about teamwork and helps them establish contact with their peers. This is especially important for children who have trouble socializing in daily life.
- It has a positive impact on their health. A variety of movements in the sport helps build all the muscle groups from a young age. It also strengthens the overall immunity of a child, along with boosting the cardiovascular system. Volleyball also improves body posture and eye movement.
- The sport creates positive qualities in a child that will be useful in life. These include hard work, responsibility, courage, disciple, and desire to win.
- Keep in mind: The later you start volleyball, the harder it will be to learn!
Risks of starting volleyball at a very young age
One of the biggest disadvantages of starting volleyball at a very early age is the risk of burnout. Playing the sport over and over again from a very young age can quickly become boring for young kids.
The child also needs to have the mental and physical strength to keep going and follow the same training schedule.
They have to commit to waking up early every day and training their hardest to become a better athlete. This can become tedious very quickly for a young child.
One of the other risks of starting volleyball at a very early age is the high risk of injury, which can lead to developmental or growth problems later in life.
There are many types of volleyball injuries that affect the muscles and bones of the body. If a child experiences a severe injury at an early age, it might lead to permanent problems as they grow up.
Final Thoughts …
No age is considered to be too late to begin playing volleyball. You can even start to play the sport when you are 13 or 14, or even older at 16!
All that matters is how badly you want to play and how sure you are about your commitment to the sport.
In fact, all fields of sports have a history of famous players who began playing the game at a much later age …
For example, Michael Jordan didn’t start to play basketball until he was well in the ninth grade. It all depends on your passion for the game.