How to Host a Volleyball Tournament

The most important factors in ensuring that your volleyball tournament runs smoothly is planning and attention to detail. Hosting a tournament at a school or recreational site involves a lot of legwork and research regarding the gym, its facilities and amenities. The host must also gather information regarding the teams coming to the event before establishing a tournament schedule.

Things You'll Need

  • Gym
  • Volleyball net systems
  • Volleyballs
  • Itinerary
  • Brackets
  • Score cards
  • Score sheets
  • Lineup cards
  • Playoff boards
  • Accident report forms
  • Liability waivers
  • Results sheets
  • Tournament boards
  • Referees
  • Linespersons
  • Timekeepers
  • Tables
  • Chairs
  • Audio System
  • Water coolers
  • Cups
  • Towels
  • Floor mops
  • Brooms
  • First aid kit
  • Athletic trainer/medical personnel
  • Refreshments
  • Trophies
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a date and time for the event and determine the location. Ensure that the facilities can accommodate the number of teams you anticipate and check that the lights, air conditioning, bleachers and bathrooms are operating properly.
      Set up the equipment to verify that all the net systems are suitable for tournament play.

    • 2

      Choose a tournament format, such as single elimination, double elimination or round robin. This helps determine how long the tournament will last. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, it all depends how many teams are involved.

    • 3

      Promote the event. Contact teams within your league and other competitive leagues to inform them of the tournament. Provide information to athletic directors and league offices. If hosting a recreational tournament, contact other park and club offices. Make sure to advertise the event with sufficient notice so that participation is high.

    • 4

      Hire and assign personnel to crucial positions directly involved with tournament play, such as timekeepers, referees, linespersons, athletic trainers or medical assistance personnel.
      Prepare and organize materials for coaches. Draft an itinerary, prepare brackets, create score cards, score sheets, lineup cards, pool and playoff boards, accident report forms, liability waivers, insurance information, results sheets and tournament boards.
      Secure vendors and concession stands if you are planning to have food and refreshments.

    • 5

      Set up all equipment and areas the day before, if permissible. This includes registration tables, warmup areas, net systems, audio system and signs. If this is not possible, give yourself and your assistants plenty of time to complete these tasks the morning of the event.

    • 6

      Welcome teams upon arrival. Introduce yourself and provide an informational briefing to coaches and players as to how the tournament will operate, the locations of the matches, warmup areas and where results will be posted.
      Let teams know where they can find you or your assistant tournament director during matches, in case there are problems or questions.

    • 7

      Congratulate winners and present trophies at the end of the tournament. Give thanks to those who attended and to any volunteers or personnel that helped run the event.

    • 8

      Clean up the event site, returning it to the condition it was found.