Junior Beach Team

GCVA Beach Team 2020                

112 Players in 2020 with 24 Qualifying for USAV Nationals

2x National Medalists

2018 - 16U Silver Medalists - Bella Lockwood / Ceci Harness

2018 - 16U Bronze Medalists - Kayleigh Shultz / Kailin Newsome

Program Cost - $625 $500

• $275 $250 deposit due upon registration 
• $175 $125 payments due June 5, July 5

Fee's Include:

• Practices (10). (14)  
• GCVA Tournaments - School's Out, Sunfest
• GCVA BNQ - May 23rd, June 27th
• GCVA BRQs - May 9th, June 7th, July 11th
• Beach Team Gear - Tank, Shorts, Jacket, Sand Socks, Practice Shirts
• Point Program - Points to use towards shirts, hats, backpacks and other gear. 
• Tournament Coaching - A shared coach at the USAV BNQ and BRQs
• Summer Drills - All GCVA summer drills are free for Beach Team players
• Qualified Teams - Will get free entry into USAV National Championships

General Information:

• GCVA Director - Vic Cliffird (832-928-4120) gcva@juno.com
• GCVA Beach Team Director - Travis Clifford (832-316-0323) travis@gcva.net
• Practices are Tuesday/Thursday from 7-9pm at the League City Sports Complex 
• Coaches have 10+ years experience playing sand. Head Coaches are USAV Beach Impact and BCAP Certified. We have a very good coach to player ratio!
• GCVA Tournaments will be on the weekends. (FREE entry for most tournaments including all USAV Junior Beach Tour National or Regional Qualifiers hosted by GCVA)
• Practice Location: Cheaster Davis Sportsplex (League City Sportsplex) 1251 Highway 96 -  League City, TX 77573

Additional Information:

• USAV Membership: Players must be registered with USA Volleyball Lone Star Region (outdoor memberships are $20 payable to USAV/LSR / lsvolleyball.org). If you are all ready a USAV/LSR member we just need your USAV#, indoor memberships are GOOD for outdoor volleyball.
• Beach Clbn: Players can play with any club. Club does not matter, anyone can play as long as they are USAV members.
• Teams: Players sign up individually, however they can select a partner or we can pair them with an appropriate competitive partner. If your daughter has a preference as to who she partners with, these recommendations can be made on the registration form or at the start of the program. Please understand that just because two players are good friends does not always mean they are good sand partners.
• First Practice: Thursday, May 7th Tuesday, June 2
• Player/Parent Meeting Thursday, May 7th
• Practice Ends: Thursday, July 16th  
• First Tournament: Saturday, June 6th (Beach Regional Qualifier) 
• Last Tournamet is Saturday July 11th (Beach Regional Qualifier)
• USAV Beach Championships: https://www.nationalbeachtour.com/news_article/show/1081957
• Team Party: Thursday, July 16th

Why Play Beach Volleyball?

• Doubles provides the best in random, game-like volleyball experiences with a high number of contacts per person.
• Each player's weaknesses are practiced throughout the game - if you're a bad passer, you get served; if you're a bad setter, you partner is served and you must set. You are forced to become a better player
• To extend your range on defense as you are required to cover the entire court.
• To develop communication skills with a single partner   before moving on to a 6-person system.
• To enhance strength and conditioning through increased movement.
• To learn equal part in the responsibility of every play with your partner
• Sand Volleyball is a NCAA Scholarship sport.
• To be one of the best sand players you do not have to be one of the giant indoor players.

Whether it's on the beach or grass, 4-on-4 or 2-on-2, outdoor volleyball is a fun and effective way to gain valuable playing experience and to get an edge on other players. Play hard, play often and play outdoors to become a better all-around player.  "A lot of indoor players are specialists, but on the beach you need to play all phases well, and you need a lot of ball control." – Karch Kiraly, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1984 and 1988 Indoor, 1996 Beach), Head Coach USA Women's Indoor  National Team

Note From Travis Clifford:

First off, I would like to say that my goal is for the growth of every athlete that wants to improve in volleyball.

I believe that one way to see a drastic change in skill level is through beach volleyball. I grew up playing beach volleyball and have been competing since I was 8. The benefits are endless (Not to mention it is a College Sport Now)!

1. Physical Conditioning • Aerobic fitness • Anaerobic lactic system • Jump • Core strength
2. Get Ball Contacts • Keep skills sharp • Play every rally • More practice contacts
3. Develop Mental Toughness • Strengths minimized • Weaknesses magnified • Nowhere to hide • Focus, self-control
4. Improve Weaker Skills • Setting • Serve Receive • Attack • Block • Defense • Ball Control
5. Tactical Adjustments • Self-coach during match • Offense & Defense • Plan B
6. Pull Self Out of Tank • No substitutions • No hiding • Refocusing • Simplify techniques • Execution under pressure
7. Pull Partner Out of Tank • No substitutions • No hiding • Supportive • Non-verbal communication
8. Mediation • Must work things out • Listening skills • Communication • Objective assessment
9. Teamwork Skills • Trust • Sharing responsibility • Working together

I really hope to see all of you on the beach this summer, working hard to improve their skills.