It seems like we have been practicing FOREVER! We finally get to participate in tournaments. All of our teams will be competing in tournaments this weekend and/or next (with a few exceptions). Most of you have been involved in club volleyball for a few seasons, but we have several members that are new to this. Regardless of how long you have been involved, we can all use a few reminders about the "dos" and "don'ts" of competing in tournaments.

Here are a few things to remember. We will attend events in several venues. Regardless of where your team in playing, be respectful of the rules and regulations for the tournament site. Some venues permit you to bring any food into the site. Some don't permit you to bring anything into their site. Some have concessions and others don't. You need to check the "Tournament Details" in the Tournament Schedule on the OVR website for each event you attend. When tournament directors send us their site rules, we will try to send them to our members.

Coolers must remain in your vehicle. There are no exceptions. It doesn't matter where we are playing. You can't bring them into the facilities or leave them outside the doors of the venue. Smorgasbord style tables of food set up for teams and parents are not permitted. Grills, food warmers, slow cookers, crock pots, and any other type of electric heating devise are not permitted either. These are all rules for Ohio Valley Region sponsored events.

Here are some "Dos":

• Arrive early, with time to spare.
• Bring well rested athletes ready to play volleyball until 6 or 7 PM. We should play 3 matches in our pool play phase and 1-4 matches in the playoffs. Remember that if we lose in the playoffs we probably have to stay and officiate the next playoff round. Our policy is that everyone on the team stays until we can all go home. Leaving without permission and a verifiable really good reason can result in a consequence.
• Bring folding chairs in case seating is not provided. You can always take your chairs back to your vehicle if you don't need them.
• Bring blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows for the girls to relax in the designated camping area. Make sure we leave the facility looking cleaner than it was when we arrive.
• Bring nutritious food for your athlete to consume. Fruits and vegetables, subs, and salads are all good choices. It is best to eat a little something when you have a chance. Eating a lot at one time is not a great idea. Juices and water are always better than soft drinks.
• Bring a positive attitude. Support everyone on the team and the coaches. Review the policies in the Borderline Handbook before the season starts. You signed a contract stating that you have read and will abide by the policies stated in that document. If you or your athlete cause the club to be assessed a penalty for inappropriate behavior, you are responsible for paying that fine.

And finally some "Don'ts":

• Leave the boyfriends at home. They are not permitted in the team camps. They need to stay with the parents and seated by themselves (the seating capacity of most chairs is 1)! In most cases they are a distraction.
• Do not make comments to the referees or the officiating teams. If there is a problem or you feel the score is wrong, get the attention of the coach. Let them deal with it. For no reason is anyone not on the team permitted to walk into the playing area. Be courteous to members of the opposing teams and their fans.
• Don't tell the coaches how to coach or your athlete what to do. The coaches are paid to instruct and the athletes are expected to give them their undivided attention. Coaches are instructed not to discuss playing (or lack of) issues with parents at the event. If you are upset about something, you are not to discuss it with anyone at the event. Wait until the next day to try to resolve the issue.
• Don't use electronic devices or cell phones when your team is the support officiating crew. It is a 10 point penalty in our next set of our next match or a $100 fine. If the club is assessed a fine, the guilty party is responsible for paying it.

We will be hosting many of the events our teams participate in. Miami University has very strict rules concerning the consumption of food and beverages in their facilities. Everyone need to read the Miami University Facility Rules. Our club is responsible for enforcing these rules at our events. Please help us enforce these regulations. Be part of the solution, not a problem!