The Sand Club is dedicated to providing young athletes and coaches with the opportunity to grow and mature through the sport of beach volleyball. We offer muscle memory beach volleyball training, volleyball specific conditioning, weekly games and plenty of tournament opportunities for junior players ages 10-17 in Mesa, Gilbert and the surrounding cities of the Arizona Phoenix Valley.

Our Motto: Let’s Go BABY! (Be A Better You)

The Sand Club philosophy can be described in two words: Win. Learn. We do not believe in losing. We are always learning.

ALLEN ALEXANDER, DIRECTOR

The Sand Club has an open-door policy, which means parents and players are encouraged to give weekly or monthly feedback. Please feel free to complete this survey anytime during the season or send me an email: allen@thesandclub.com.

LOCAL, EXPERIENCED COACHES

The Sand Club continues to grow the game of beach volleyball with excellent coaches that have college experience with fingerprint clearance cards and background checks.

The Sand Club was established in 2007 and is an amazing resource for student-athletes who want to continue their beach volleyball journey after high school.  The Sand Club is an official partner with Sports Recruits. Sports Recruits unifies the college recruiting process to generate exposure, create connections, uncover opportunities, and help student-athletes play the sport they love at their best-fit college.

REGISTER FOR YOUR NCAA ELIGIBILITY

Allen Alexander, Club Director, is also partners with one of the most innovative virtual player profiles at Volleyball Life.  Besides creating a profile or athletic resume, great videos are the #1 priority of any student athlete that aspires to play college beach volleyball.  When you join The Sand Club, we will help parents and players understand what great video means with video services available through Hudl. Besides video, players should be registering for their NCAA eligibility.

Players that are competing in local and national events will need to visit these websites for memberships:

P1440 membership:

https://p1440.volleyballlife.com/member/levels

AAU membership:
https://play.aausports.org/login/tabid/36231/Default.aspx?returnurl=%2f

AVP membership:
https://avp.com/membership-sign-up/

USAV membership:
https://usavolleyball.org/membership/

This year, coaches and players will be taking online clinics. Parents are encouraged to watch the online videos with their athlete.  Knowing the rules will allow you to enjoy the many hours you spend watching this game much more.  Nothing is more frustrating than not knowing what the last call was all about – other than listening to the irate parent scream at the official over a call THEY knew nothing about!  There are 3 major associations and although the rules are similar there are a couple differences:

FIVB International Rules
AVP America Rules

Typically, Mesquite Beach tournament director will email highlighted rules about timeouts or rule variations.

The Sand Club offers physical testing (height, reach, vertical jump, broad jump, etc) and skill assessments (serving, passing, attacking assessments) that we use to place players on appropriate training teams.  Athletic potential, work ethic, drive/grit, willingness to be coached, respectfulness, competitive attitude, enthusiasm, and team chemistry will also be a factor in determining training teams.

Athletes are evaluated every 3 months and it’s highly recommended to ask for a skill assessment to be considered for a higher-level training team.  There are 4 seasons: August-October, November-January, February-April and May-July.  Physical testing is an additional $60/player (days and times are TBA).  If an athlete has a limiting physical or medical condition, she should talk with the Staff or Head Coach before the start of physicals or skill assessments.

*Best of Mesquite Beach (BOMB) Series results will also be a factor in determining training teams.  BOMB Series events demonstrate how players can adapt to different styles of players.  Individuals, not teams, are recruited by college coaches, so players are encouraged to play with different players throughout the season.

• Local Team (beginner and intermediate players training 2x per week, month-to-month commitment)
• Regional Team (intermediate and competitive players training 2x per week and playing at least one event per month, 3 month commitment)
• National Team (competitive players selected to train 3x week, playing at least one event per month and traveling to competitive events, 3.5 month commitment)
• All teams are recommended to compete in the BOMB Series (no partner needed)
• Regional and National teams are recommended to compete in at least one event at Mesquite Beach per month
• Regional and National teams are recommended to compete in at least one sanctioned event per month (p1440, AAU, USAV and AVP)

Note: Training teams will be determined by monthly skill assessments and/or BOMB Series competitions not by age division or packages purchased.  Players could find themselves moving from team to team on a daily and monthly basis due to the coaching needs and players’ progression.  One or two players that normally train with the National Team may train with the Local or Regional Team at the coach’s discretion to develop leadership of a National Team Player and the growth of competitive teammates.  Also, coaches may train different teams on a daily or monthly basis based on the needs of The Sand Club or the player’s best interest.

• Practice facility locations for each team can be found on our website.  See “Practice Locations” on our website.
• All practices are open for drop-ins for $40 (two times per player).  Players are not allowed to bring a friend unless the friend is paying for a drop-in.  Parents are welcome to observe at practices. Coaching suggestions made from spectators will not be welcomed.  The Sand Club coaches have the authority to ask anyone to leave who is disruptive to the progress of the practice session.
• The practice times for each season will differ: June-September will be different from October-May due to heat or players progressing to a more advanced training team.  Coaches will send parents/players a practice calendar but parents should ALWAYS check their email before going to practice in case of any last minute changes.  June-September practices may be offered in the mornings.
• May-July season is typically structured for players that aspire to play National Events in California; however, all players are welcome to train all year round.  A focused training group will be organized for players playing in the Nationals. Updated practice schedules for those teams (May-July) will be communicated by the coaches.  Players on a team participating in AAU Junior Olympics and/or p1440/AAU/AVP/USAV Nationals are expected to attend all of the pre-tournament practices.

Practice will begin at the scheduled time. Players should arrive early for dynamic warmups. Parents/players are required to text/voicemail when anticipating a late arrival to practice, and the athlete should contact the coach directly with an approximate arrival time.

If an athlete cannot make practice, they should contact the coach directly. Injured athletes who can attend school are expected to come to practice. Even if you can not participate physically, there is a lot that can be learned though observing and listening to the coach.

Players are expected to leave all drama away from the facility AS WELL AS the parking lot. If the parent/player are reported yelling, crying and/or arguing in the parking or training facility, then the player is subject to a suspension. Suspensions are NOT refundable.

In order to build The Sand Club culture, it starts with pride and representing YOUR club. You are part of The Sand Club when you are training with us. The Sand Club swag is recommended at practice and required at events.

Tournament Dress Code
You are welcome to train at another club in addition to The Sand Club but you are required to wear The Sand Club jersey or shirt to all in-state and out-of-state tournaments, even if you are playing with a player from another club. Any player wearing another club jersey at a tournament will no longer be able to train at The Sand Club, nor schedule private lessons with any of The Sand Club coaches.
At events, players are encouraged to wear different colored jerseys than their teammate for videoing purposes.

Practice Dress Code
We are no longer allowing players to wear another club’s gear (other than The Sand Club) at practices. Players are welcome to wear a graphic t-shirt but not a competitor’s club gear (indoor or outdoor). Again, we are trying to build The Sand Club culture and it starts with pride and representing YOUR club. You are part of The Sand Club if you are training with us, with the exception of drop-ins.

Private Lesson Policy
Players are not allowed a private lesson with any of The Sand Club coaches unless they email the Club Director allen@thesandclub.com and agree to our tournament dress code. Our coaches will give private lessons to players that identify themselves as part of The Sand Club Beach Team, not to a player that identifies themselves with another club.

Private Lesson Fees
We have a new pricing program for private lessons or performance training with The Sand Club coaches that benefits players who are training at least 2 days per week. Parents will still receive a discount for private lessons and performance training when they are training 1 day per week (but only if players are playing for their high school team).

IMPORTANT: Parents cannot pay for monthly training, skip practice and receive a discount for private lessons. The discounts below are for practicing players only unless a parent emails allen@thesandclub.com for approval. Coaches should be Cc’d for complete transparency; just as coaches should Cc allen@thesandclub.com on all parent emails/text or conversations about private lessons.

Private Lessons (1 person)
(No Training During The Week) = $80/hr/person
(w/One-Day a Week Training) = $60/hr/person
(w/Two-Day a Week Training) = $40/hr/person

Private Lessons (2 person)
(No Training During The Week) = $70/hr/person
(w/One-Day a Week Training) = $50/hr/person
(w/Two-Day a Week Training) = $30/hr/person

Private Lessons (3 person)
(No Training During The Week) = $60/hr/person
(w/One-Day a Week Training) = $40/hr/person
(w/Two-Day a Week Training) = $20/hr/person

Private Lessons (4 person)
(No Training During The Week) = $60/hr/person
(w/One-Day a Week Training) = $40/hr/person
(w/Two-Day a Week Training) = $20/hr/person

Parents will need to email the Club Director at allen@thesandclub.com whenever partnering with a player from another club. Most club coaches work well with each other especially when they know before a tournament that they will need to collaborate with another club coach during timeouts.  The Sand Club will provide a coach at Mesquite Beach when two players from The Sand Club are partnered up but does not guarantee to provide a coach when a player is partnering with a player from another club.  The player still needs to represent The Sand Club and agree to the tournament dress code but parents/players need to understand that coaches have different approaches during timeouts.  Just because The Sand Club coaches may not be actively coaching during timeouts, does not mean our coaches are not watching.  The Sand Club coaches will be happy to discuss what the player did well, any player adjustments, and team strategies after the set with The Sand Club player.

Sand Club shirts, jerseys, shorts, hoodies, team bag, and sand socks are charged separately from club fees.

Athletes accounts must be paid in order to participate in team practices and tournaments. This includes accounts from the previous season.

Parents are obligated for payment if they terminate their contract with The Sand Club. Extenuating circumstances will be considered and costs prorated accordingly but NOT required. Examples of extenuating circumstances would be moving out of the state, serious illness or injury with a doctors note. Costs such as uniform fees/purchased cannot be refunded. Prorated costs will include the number of tournaments remaining, the ability of the player to continue to participate in practices, etc. The final decision on the amount will be the responsibility of The Sand Club decisions committee.

Participation
When parents register their athlete for training that includes a tournament, players are expected to attend one scheduled tournament per month.  Some tournaments may require an additional fee. Scheduling conflicts should be brought to the attention of the coach at least 14-30 days before the event.  When players are unable to attend, players may be moved to a different training team during the week.  Missed events do not constitute a partial reimbursement of the participant fees.  The Sand Club does not refund for missed tournaments.

Best of Mesquite Beach & Sanctioned Events
Best of Mesquite Beach or BOMB Series events will be treated with the same importance as sanctioned p1440, USAV, AAU and/or AVP events.  BOMB Series events do not require a partner; in fact, players cannot sign up with partners at BOMB Series events.  Sanctioned events require athletes to register with a partner.

Working Team
The Sand Club athletes will be required to help with score flipping during tournaments.  An athlete who has a working team assignment may not leave a tournament before the assignment is completed.  Coaches will provide further information regarding keeping score and officiating clinics.  Parents are asked to help remind players that cell phones are not allowed when assigned as a working team except for live scoring.  The working team’s responsibility is NOT to call violations; however, working teams may be asked to share with the tournament director what they, the working team, saw.  Parents should remind their athlete’s that attentiveness of the game/match is critical.  Players should set the example despite how “bad” other players are during their working team assignments.

Tournament Policies

• Athletes are responsible for partnerships NOT the coach or club.  Parents may request phone numbers from the coach determined by the performance of the athlete during practices and previous matches, and is left to the discretion of the coach.
• Parents/players are responsible for supplying their athlete(s) healthy snacks and water.
• Parents are responsible for supplying their athlete with beach chair and shade, since most tournaments will have limited seating and shade.
• Parents/players are responsible for extreme weather preparation (sand socks, neck towel, ice, beach towel, sunscreen, layered clothing/blanket, etc).
• Athletes will be responsible for arriving to tournaments 30 minutes before check-in times in order to perform dynamic warm-ups, coach huddles and review game plans.
• Proper demeanor is expected of all members of the Club (athletes, parents, and supporters); this includes treating members of the officiating crew with respect.  Parents and supporters are not allowed to coach or correct score from the sidelines.
• Only The Sand Club jersey will be worn during tournaments.  Jerseys must be clean and parents are responsible for purchasing additional jerseys if needed.
• Athlete may not leave tournament site until excused by the coach.  Parents should expect their athlete attending each tournament until the end of the expected final.
• Athlete may be required to support and chart teammates after being eliminated.  Athlete may be expected to help cleanup after the tournament.
• Be respectful of referees, tournament directors, and working teams.
• Do not address ANY concerns at tournaments.  All concerns should be done through contacting the coach at a later time and setting up a meeting.  The Sand Club will email an optional tournament review in order to encourage feedback (positive and negative).

Coaches for The Sand Club will assign a “TA’s” or team assistants to help the coach as needed.  Team Assistants are volunteers only but are very much valued and appreciated.  One of the most important roles for a TA is to help with players safety (emotionally and physically.)  SafeSport online course and First Aid, Health and Safety online course by NFHS will be recommended for TA’s.

The Sand Club will not tolerate hostile, aggressive confrontations by a parent towards an official, a director, a coach, an athlete, or another parent. Violations of this policy may result in the athlete being dismissed from the club. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.

It is inappropriate for an athlete or a parent to involve other members of The Sand Club (third parties) in a problem the athlete or parent is having with a The Sand Club coach, objections to coaching decisions, or disagreements with an administrative decision.

Any member who, as a third party, hears remarks or stories being told about The Sand Club, its employees or its policies, that cause the member to be concerned is encouraged to call the Director immediately to determine the facts, or to alert the club administration to a situation it may be unaware of.

The influence, both good and bad, that a parent can have on their child’s introduction to or continuation in sports is often misunderstood or underestimated. Your valuable contribution to your athlete is appreciated by The Sand Club.

• Remember that where we practice and play is like your workplace, respect the workplace.
• Make only positive encouraging comments to or about players on BOTH teams.
• Remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process – don’t criticize.
• Discuss your concerns away from the players and away from your child.
• Show respect for the officials, coaching staff, parents, and players.
• Control your emotions.
• Get interested in your child’s sport.  Ignorance is not bliss for those around you.  Learn the rules of the game.
• Don’t coach from the sidelines – don’t coach at all.  Simply reiterate what you may have heard your child’s coach say at practice.
• Get your child to games and practices on time, which is 10-15 minutes early.
• Don’t allow your child to talk negatively about a teammate, a coach, or an official – stick with the facts, not emotions.
• Don’t proliferate your child’s negative behavior when they are discouraged. Help them realize the positives.

Athletes should be aware that postings on social media sites are viewable by media, faculty, future employers, and college officials. Inappropriate material found by third parties affects the perception of our club and more importantly the players. The Sand Club does not condone these examples of inappropriate and offensive behaviors online: photos, videos, tweets, retweets, comments, or posts showing under age drinking, personal use or possession of alcohol, drugs, tobacco/vaping, and paraphernalia; photos, videos, tweets, retweets, comments or posts that are of a sexual nature. This includes photos that could be perceived as seductive or links to websites exhibiting pornography and other inappropriate material; content posted online that is unsportsmanlike, derogatory, demeaning or threatening to any individual or entity or political party; comments about our club, another club, coaches, teammates, opponents, and those of differing socioeconomic background, gender, and race. No posts should depict or encourage illegal, violent or unacceptable activities such as hazing, sexual harassment/assault, using the middle finger, full or partial nudity, fighting, vandalism, academic dishonesty, gambling, drug/alcohol use.

Remember, everything you post is public information and can become out of your control the moment it is placed online – even on private accounts, Snapchats and if you limit access to your profile/site. Once you post to a social networking site, any post, photo, or comment becomes the property of that site and may be searchable even after you remove it. If you are ever in doubt as to the appropriateness of a post, consider whether it reflects positively on you, your family, your club, and community.

Protect yourself by maintaining a self-image that you can be proud of for years to come!
Our coaches or director will address the player of any situation brought to our attention. The Sand Club will find the best solution to protect the player and players at our club.

Good nutrition is essential for the athlete to be able to compete at a consistent level, not to mention maintain a healthy body. While The Sand Club may be able to assist in guiding the athlete to consume balanced meals and healthy snacks while at events and on trips, you as the parent are the ultimate tool in creating good nutritional habits for life.

Knowing when to communicate and how to communicate with your athlete’s coach is a concern for almost every parent at some time.  Most often the concern is how to inquire about issues surrounding a player’s progression and level of training team.

Athletes should be encouraged to talk to the coach when a problem arises (i.e. regarding unclear expectations in practice or competition). The appropriate manner for the athlete to approach the coach is to ask what the athlete needs to do to progress and train with a higher-level team.  Parents can best help their athletes by guiding them through this process and supporting communication with the coach.  Athletes should be the ones to approach a coach regarding “coaching decisions”, not the parents.  Coaching decisions include, among other things: practice organization, training teams, etc.

An athlete’s training team is the result of a coach’s complex determination of the athlete’s ability, the athlete’s potential, the team’s needs at the moment, and the team’s chemistry.  The coach will not be required to defend his/her thought process or conclusions in these determinations. It should be expected, however, that the coach be able to relay information to the athlete to explain the athlete’s current role on the team and what the athlete needs to improve upon to resolve the concern.

The athlete and parents SHOULD:

1. Approach the coach to ask for a meeting time to be set. Consider calling/texting the coach to set a meeting time.
2. Expect meetings to be at a location other than a tournament.
3. Expect that the meeting should be between the coach of the team and the player.
4. If the concern remains unresolved, approach the coach to ask for a meeting time to be set. This meeting should be between the athlete, the coach, and the parents.
5. If the concern remains unresolved, the parent should contact the Director.

The parent or athlete SHOULD NOT:

1. Confront a coach during practice or tournaments.
2. Expect meetings to be set during practice or tournament participation.
3. Attempt to “compare” or evaluate another athlete.
4. Use profanity towards the coach.
5. Harass or threaten the coach.
6. Discuss their concerns with any other parents or players until a resolution has been reached with the coach.

By clicking submit for any registration payments, the parent and player(s) has read, understands and agrees to The Sand Club Academy Player and Parent Handbook. Parent and player(s) agree to frequently check the Player and Parent Handbook above for any updates. Parent agrees that updates will NOT constitute the right to terminate the contract to continue payment.

Players are not eligible to train until this Memorandum of Understanding is complete.

Contact The Sand Club
480-560-5090
allen@thesandclub.com