We want to start off by saying that volleyball games can be played in a ton of different ways (different surfaces, net heights, player totals, position specializations, etc.). As a result, people will play at different skill levels depending on the type of volleyball game they’re playing. We have our own expectations for players at different levels; however, please remember that the requirements for our games aren’t a true “skill level” for our players, and are instead just a list of things we’ve found are important for us to provide volleyball games that are safe and fun for the majority of players.
One of Javelin Sports’ goals is to help as many people as possible add volleyball once a week to their lives. We can only do this if we make volleyball games that are safe and fun for the majority of people in the world. Placing an emphasis on skill level is one of the ways we achieve this.
We believe that skill level is more important for volleyball than any other sport. Thus, our skill level requirements are meant to serve as a guideline to help players learn where they should be. Overall, please remember that the purpose of our skill level requirements is to ensure games are both safe and fun for all attendees.
From the recreational to the intermediate level, our requirements are focused on getting and keeping the ball in play. Volleyball is only fun when rallies take place, so it’s important for players to really care about giving their teammates good passes and being in the right spot on the court. At the very high end of volleyball, some players are so good at offense that if all other players aren’t held to a very high standard for defense (either through passing or blocking), then rallies can never take place in a game, and in some instances the game can even be dangerous.
At the same time, we do want our advanced level to be theoretically obtainable for the majority of players. Thus, our passing or setting requirements should be achievable for most people if they’re willing to put the time and work into it. But please remember, it is REALLY HARD to get to the advanced level and takes most players years of training and practice, both on a volleyball court and in a gym.
Also, these are just guidelines to make it easier for hosts and players to understand where everyone should be. At the end of the day, things will be subjective and “case-by-case”. We cover some example cases in the FAQ at the bottom.
Overall, please remember to not be too worried about the skill level that you’re playing at. Drop in volleyball should be fun and low-stress to play in. We recommend you find a skill level that feels like that for you and play there!
Our definition of a beginner is someone with little to no volleyball experience. Reminder that every volleyball player was a beginner at some point, and there is absolutely no shame in being one. Javelin runs training sessions for players at this level to help beginners learn the sport.
Requirements:
Minimum requirements:
If you have never played volleyball, please start at Beginner.
Plus:
Players who don’t meet these requirements may be removed and banned from this level for 2 months.
Plus:
Players who don’t meet these requirements may be removed and banned from this level for 2 months.
Plus:
Note: Regardless of your position you are expected to have sound fundamentals for both front row and back row play.
Players who don’t meet these requirements may be removed and banned from this level for 4 months.
Plus:
Note: Regardless of your position you are expected to have sound fundamentals for both front row and back row play.
Players who don’t meet these requirements may be removed and banned from this level for 6 months.
There are 4 outcomes from you playing at a game:
We don’t record player stats on our games. Our stat requirements are to help set expectations for players and hosts to know roughly what everyone should be capable of.
We ask our hosts to assume “regular volleyball conditions” when grading players. There will always be a learning and communication period when new players are playing together. Most players usually take the first game of a session as a warm-up game. Overall, drop in games will usually be messier than a practiced team playing together.
We ask our hosts to be sure of a player before they either pass or fail them. However, if you’re playing out of position while in tryouts and are concerned about getting failed, please let your host know as it will make it easier for them to grade your play.
We hold players to a very high standard to pass them at a level. This helps ensure that after they pass, we are very confident in them playing at the level they’re at and they shouldn’t need to get graded again outside of extreme circumstances.
A reminder that drop in volleyball should be a stress free environment and we encourage players to play at the level that they find easy and fun to play at. If you’re stressed out about failing at the level you’re at, that is usually a good indication that you should be playing a level lower.
At the high intermediate and advanced level, an important part of the game is anticipating how a play will carry out. Thus, we think it’s important that everyone on the court is able to do what players would expect them to do. As a result, taller players (usually men) will be held to a higher standard for blocking and hitting. However, a reminder that at the high intermediate and advanced level, all players on the court should be able to contribute to their team’s success through either passing, setting, or blocking.
We occasionally run women only events, but unfortunately at the time of writing this (March 2024), we don’t feel we have the capacity to consistently run them. We do plan on doing more specialized events in the future (women’s, men’s, low net, different age ranges, beach, 4s, etc.), and will come up with requirements as we feel out the different levels. However, our focus as a company for our drop in runs will generally be on indoor coed 6s.
It’s up to players on the court to decide what they’re ok with. In some cases at Javelin runs, teams will run with a set middle and libero who stay front or back court the whole game. However, usually players will play both front and back row during games.
We believe it’s best for our games if all players can pass a ball; however, if a player can’t pass, but hits a ball so hard that they may injure someone at a lower level, we allow hosts to pass them at the current level they’re playing at.
Sometimes games can get competitive and setters will be relying on their best hitters to win a game, but given the spirit of drop in volleyball, we encourage our players to be inclusive of everyone on the court and generally find they are.
Also, a reminder that great passers tend to be a setter’s favorite player!
We leave it up to our game hosts to decide what they want to allow at their runs. If you’re unsure, you can message the host to ask. Reminder that the point of our rules is to ensure that games are safe and fun for all players.
Book a game at your level in the Javelin app. Every game is listed at one of six levels, so you always know what you’re walking into.