TRYOUT QUESTIONS

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Did 414 extend retention offers? How many spots are available on each team?

414 did NOT extend retention offers therefore all spots on all teams are available!

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When and where are tryouts?

414 will be holding tryouts on July 18 and July 19. Click here to view the full tryout schedule by age group. Tryouts will be held at the Milwaukee Sports Complex in Franklin due to the Wisconsin State Fair utilizing our WPP practice site over the summer. Elite and Regional teams will continue to practice at the WPP during the season!

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How do I know which age group to try out for?

USAV age groups are determined by the player's date of birth – view the Age Classifications Chart here. Players may compete in an older age division ("play up"), which is common when a player is young for their grade and wishes to play with their grade/recruiting class (recommended). However, players may NOT compete in an age division younger than the one permitted by their date of birth.

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IMPORTANT: The Parent/Guardian/person completing the registration form is responsible for selecting the correct age group for the player based on the USAV Age Definition Chart. If the player is registered for a younger age group than where their birthday aligns, 414 will not be able to roster the player for the offered team and cannot guarantee placement on another team.

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How do I know whether to try out for a Elite/National, Regional or Development team?

We offer three different types of teams – click here to learn more about each type of team including the fees and inclusions. Players are welcome to tryout for more than one type of team if interested.

• The Elite/National teams will be the highest commitment level and are geared towards athletes who want a longer season (Dec-June), access to a broader field of competition, increased exposure, and the opportunity to compete in National events / travel outside of Wisconsin. 

• The Regional/Blue teams are a lower commitment level and are a great fit for athletes who want a shorter season (Dec-April) and to compete exclusively in Wisconsin with strong competition close to home. We don’t consider our regional teams to be “2s” teams as they are very competitive in the region and we always have talented players who only want to play on a regional team due to other sports or commitments.

• The Development teams are the lowest commitment level and are a great fit for athletes who are new to club volleyball, building their fundamental skills, looking for a shorter season (Jan-Mar), or seeking a lower-cost option. Some players also choose this option as a way to ease into club volleyball before moving into a more competitive tier.

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I can’t attend tryouts.  Can I try out at another time?

Truthfully, it is very difficult to make a team without being there on tryout day because we can’t evaluate you alongside the other players in the age group.  With that said, we have had a few players in the past that have been evaluated at summer camps to be considered for a team.  If you absolutely cannot attend tryouts, please email  414mevolleyball@gmail.com to discuss limited evaluation options during our summer camps.

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Do I need to attend all tryout slots/days for my age group?

While it’s not required, we recommend that players attend both July 18 and 19 days of tryouts for their age group, when possible. Offers are planned to be given both days with the majority going out on day one and some held for day two. Any remaining offers (if applicable) would be given via phone call / email. If players are not able to attend both days, we highly recommend prioritizing day one (especially if 414 is your first-choice club). It's also acceptable if a player can only attend the second day of tryouts for their age group.

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Can multi-sport athletes tryout and play for 414?

Yes, we do allow and encourage multi-sport athletes (and have many with our program). We don’t believe in forcing a player to sacrifice another interest for 5-7 months out of the year. We believe that playing different sports can enhance overall athleticism, limit burnout and overuse injuries, provide well-rounded development for our athletes and more. Players should review 414’s schedule against their other sport/commitment schedules and communicate with the coach up front about potential conflicts. We hope that players will make sacrifices of all activities, weighing the different opportunities (ex: practice vs game) and keep in mind that missing excessive practices/tournaments can be difficult on the team and the player’s development. Players who commit to an Elite/National team are required to attend Nationals to avoid leaving a gap in the team at the final tournament and in consideration of the investment families are making to travel to Nationals.

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What time should I arrive for tryouts?

Players should arrive 15 minutes before their tryout start time. There will be a line, so don't wait until the last minute to arrive!

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Can I come late or leave early for other club tryouts?

Yes. We understand there are overlaps with other club tryouts in the area.  On the tryout day, let the appropriate coach know if you need to leave early and at what time.

 

Do parents need to come in for check-in? Can parents stay for the entire tryout?

We recommend parents are there for check-in with 14 and under players to ensure the check-in process goes smoothly. We will not have extra seating space for spectators and do not want parents crowding the courts/tryout space. Parents are allowed to be in the building during the tryout.

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What paperwork is needed at the tryout? Do I need a Badger Region Membership?

The online registration (which includes all required forms digitally) must be complete prior to tryouts.  No paper forms are required at check-in other than proof of USAV Membership (which can be a digital or physical copy).

• If the player has a full Membership from the 25-26 club season, that is still valid for summer tryouts and a new membership doesn’t need to be purchased prior to tryouts. If the player doesn’t have an active membership from the prior season, the $10 Badger Tryout membership can be purchased for tryouts.

• Once a player accepts an offer, they will be able to purchase a membership for next season (or upgrade their tryout membership).

• Players that turn 18 prior to July 2027 need to get the membership that includes "SafeSport Required" in the membership title upon accepting an offer.

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What should I wear to tryouts?

Everyone will receive a t-shirt when they check in at tryouts. In addition to the tryout t-shirt, players should come dressed in whatever athletic apparel they feel most comfortable playing in. This may or may not include spandex shorts, kneepads, etc. 

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How will I be evaluated at tryouts?

During tryouts we are evaluating skills, general athletic ability, attitude and potential. Our goal is to identify athletes who not only have the skills and athleticism but also the right mindset and potential to contribute positively to our teams. Near the end of tryouts, we may place athletes on a court together for more game-like situations. Athletes may be grouped together for a variety of reasons, not limited to strictly volleyball skills. These groups are not necessarily an indication of who will receive offers to join specific teams.  

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How do I know if I made a team?​

Players who receive an offer during tryouts will be provided with a verbal offer, a written offer packet, and a follow-up email containing instructions to officially accept their position through SportsEngine.

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Additional offers may be extended after tryouts via phone call and follow-up email as roster spots become available and team needs are finalized.

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Does everyone make a team? Have you thought about expanding the number of teams you offer at each age group?

No, unfortunately, everyone does not make a team. We generally offer two teams per age group (plus additional development teams for 11s and 12s) with an intentional focus on QUALITY over quantity.

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While we have enough interest to expand and have more teams at each age group, our priority is to ensure that each athlete receives a strong coach, solid growth/development throughout the season and limited shared court space during practices. By maintaining a limited number of teams, we can provide a more personalized and impactful experience for our players. We may consider expanding in the future pending qualified coaches, additional gym time and confidence of maintained quality.

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Is there a chance of moving “up” to another team than the team I was offered at tryouts? 

Yes, typically movements occur when players choose to not accept an offer for a higher team. When this happens, we begin pulling people up to fill the open spots. When, and if, a spot becomes available we will reach out as soon as possible to begin the movement process.

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What is the deadline for responding to summer tryout offers?

414 encourages players to respond to offers as soon as possible.The first official commitment date/deadline will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22 for all clubs. Players are encouraged to promptly weigh their offers and let clubs know of their intentions as soon as possible – this way if a player declines, the club can extend an offer to the next player in line before the deadline!

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GENERAL CLUB QUESTION​S

 

What is club volleyball?

Club volleyball is a competitive, team-based program that provides athletes with a longer season to train, compete, and grow through regular practices and tournaments.

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Why should we choose 414?

414 is a family-oriented environment that truly cares about the development of each athlete, on and off the court. We are focused on providing a quality experience at a lesser cost than others. We have experienced and dedicated coaching staff in addition to approachable and responsive leadership. We know that families have a lot on their plates so strong communication and organization is a priority. We deploy proven training plans, techniques, strategies and systems and offer a competitive program.

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Beyond volleyball, we strive to create a club culture where players build meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, give back to the community, and feel connected to something bigger than their individual team. Programs such as our Sister Team Program, Elite Player Committee, and community service initiatives help create a unique experience that develops confident athletes, strong teammates, and future leaders.

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How many players will be on a team?

We typically have 10-11 players on each team.  

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Who will your coaches be for each team?

Coaches’ team assignments and bios can be found here.

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Where can I find your tournament schedule?

2026-2027 TENTATIVE Tournament Schedule Outline - COMING SOON – Subject to Change. Please note: most clubs in WI do not post their tournament dates until late summer / fall. As these and other dates become available, the gaps in our tournament schedules will be filled in.​

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When and where will your teams practice?

• Our Elite/National and Regional teams will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Wisconsin Products Pavilion (WPP) at State Fair Park in West Allis. 14 & Under Teams practice from 5pm - 7pm and 15 & Up teams practice from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.

  • We offer positional / skills sessions on 1-3 select Wednesdays per month throughout the season for Elite and Regional team players at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex.

• Our Development teams will practice on Mondays and Thursdays at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin. Practice time will be 5:00pm – 6:30pm.

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When will practices start for teams?

Regular practices will start November 17, 2026.

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What is 414 Milwaukee Elite's coaching philosophy?

At 414, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to player development. Every team is unique, with different strengths, opportunities, goals, personalities, etc. As a result, we do not use a "master coach" model where every team follows identical practice plans.

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Instead, our experienced coaches are empowered to evaluate their teams and create practice plans tailored to their team's and players' specific needs, priorities, goals, and stage of development. While all 414 coaches operate within shared club standards and expectations, they have the flexibility to adjust training throughout the season based on what will best help their players and team improve.

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All 414 coaches are trained in the club's proven training methods, techniques, strategies, and systems. This provides consistency in our overall approach to player development while still allowing coaches the flexibility to customize practices and instruction for the athletes they coach.

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Are players guaranteed equal playing time in club volleyball?

No. Playing time is not guaranteed and is determined by each team's coaching staff based on a variety of factors, including attendance, effort, attitude, skill level, positional needs, matchups, practice performance, and the team's competitive goals.

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While recreational volleyball programs often emphasize equal playing time, club volleyball is intended to be a more competitive environment focused on player development and team success. As a result, playing time may vary throughout the season and from tournament to tournament based on team needs and player performance.

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CLUB FEE & PAYMENT QUESTION​S

How much does it cost to play at 414 Milwaukee Elite? 

Club fees vary based on the type of team and can be found on our website here. Elite/National teams have higher fees due to their longer season, increased number of practices, tournaments / play dates, national-level events, coaching expenses (including travel), uniforms, and other associated costs. Regional and Development teams have lower fees based on their shorter seasons and reduced travel and tournament schedules.

We work hard to be responsible stewards of our families' investment by keeping our fees lower than many other clubs and as reasonable as possible while continuing to provide a high-quality, differentiated club experience.

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What is included in the club fee?

Club fees cover the majority of costs associated with participating on a 414 Milwaukee Elite team, including coaching, practice facilities, tournament entry fees, equipment, administrative expenses, the team uniform package, etc. Families will not receive a separate uniform package charge.

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What expenses are not included in the club fee?

Club fees do not include travel-related expenses such as hotel accommodations, transportation, meals, parking, or other personal expenses incurred while attending tournaments. Families are also responsible for obtaining and maintaining a current USAV membership (and AAU membership for Elite/National teams).

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Optional purchases such as spirit wear, additional apparel, and fan gear are not included in club fees. Backpacks are also not included in the uniform package. Many of our players return to 414 for multiple seasons, and we do not believe families should be required to purchase a new backpack every year.

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Are payment plans available?

Yes. 414 Milwaukee Elite offers installment payment plans to help families spread club fees over several months. Regional and Development teams are divided into three installments, while Elite/National teams are divided into five installments.

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Families who would benefit from a different payment arrangement are encouraged to contact the club, as custom payment schedules can often be accommodated.

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Are fees refundable?

Club dues are generally non-refundable once a player accepts a roster position. Acceptance of a position reserves a roster spot that typically cannot be replaced once teams have been formed. In addition, the club immedietely incurs expenses specifically on behalf of that player, including uniforms, tournament registrations, coaching salaries, etc. Those expenses are not redistributed among other players if a player later chooses not to participate.

 

The exception is a season-ending injury that prevents a player from participating for the remainder of the season. Refund requests related to season-ending injuries must be submitted in writing with medical documentation. Season-ending injuries are eligible for refunds as follows:​

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Elite/National Teams

• Injury prior to January 1: Up to 50% refund

• Injury between January 1 and February 28: Up to 30% refund

• Injury between March 1 and March 31: Up to 15% refund

• Injury on or after April 1: No refund

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Regional Teams

• Injury prior to January 1: Up to 50% refund

• Injury between January 1 and February 28: Up to 30% refund

• Injury on or after March 1: No refund

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Club dues are not dependent on the number of tournaments, practices, or events a player attends, nor are they based on playing time. Each member of the team is responsible for the full season dues regardless of their level of participation.

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If you have additional questions, please email: 414mevolleyball@gmail.com