1.  Introduction

This section summarizes answers to the questions that recur most frequently. For a better-organized account of the Ohio Valley Region, please review our web site, www.ovr.org and the Ohio Valley Region Handbook. Many of the answers presented here are provided as links to that information; doing so maintains context and improves consistency.

Other useful resource include our Site Index and, of course, our Search page. If you still haven't found the information you need, simply send your inquiry to info@ovr.org or phone the OVR office at 330-354-5332.

2.  General

2.1.  What is the Ohio Valley Region?

The Ohio Valley Region is a non-profit regional association of USA Volleyball dedicated to the promotion and growth of volleyball. We offer competition for juniors and adults of all ages and levels, educational programs for officials, coaches, and club directors, High Performance teams for elite juniors, and much more.

2.2.  Why join the Ohio Valley Region?

The Ohio Valley Region – USA Volleyball invites you to register as a player and to share this information with others who share an interest in playing, officiating, and/or promoting volleyball. The Ohio Valley Region, one of the largest regional volleyball associations of USA Volleyball with over 1,700 teams and 21,909 members (2016 figure), hosts a wide variety of tournaments, clinics, camps, and other events through which its members find challenge, growth as players and officials, and just plain fun. Whether you're an experienced collegiate player looking for the next level of competition or a casual player seeking something better than locally run games, the OVR is for you. Registration benefits include:

• Eligibility to participate in USA Volleyball events.
• A voice in local policy decisions and elections, influencing national policy and leadership selection.
• Liability and sports accident insurance for you and your teammates participating in USA Volleyball-sanctioned events and practices.
• Clinics, certification, and insurance for officials.
• Subscription to the national USA Volleyball magazine, Volleyball.
• A copy of the annual USA Volleyball Rule Book for all categories of registration except Junior Olympic.
• A copy of the USA Volleyball Guide for each team.
• Access to the OVR Handbook.
• An opportunity to purchase volleyball merchandise and event tickets, often at discount prices.
• The time and talent of local, regional, and national staff volunteers and professionals to organize and conduct events in which registered players can participate.
• Involvement with the national governing body for the sport that brings together all volleyball groups in the nation and represents them to the U.S. Olympic Committee.
• Affiliation with the top volleyball athletes and leaders including those who represent the United States in Olympic and world competition.
• Last, but not least, fun!

3.  Registration

3.1.  Can I register online?

Yes! In fact, only through online registration can support more than 22,000 individuals and over 1,700 teams at the level our members expect and require. Registration for the 2016-2017 season opens in stages, beginning September 2, at www.ovr.org/register/. Online registration is easy and secure, and your support will enable us to provide even better levels of volleyball in the Ohio Valley Region.

3.2.  What forms of payment are accepted?

The online system offers credit card payment but we also accept checks payable to Ohio Valley Region.

4.  Juniors

4.1.  How do I start a Juniors Club?

Registration materials:Request registration materials using our Joining the OVR link.

Players and coaches: You'll need at least 6 junior players, but remember to consider potentially competing activities such as spring sports, proms, etc. Registering multiple teams under one club helps to ensure that you always have full rosters with which to compete.

Club director(s) and coach(es): Club directors must be ASEP-accredited by their second year. Coaches must take an IMPACT clinic, and CAP I and II clinics are encouraged.

Division: Team divisions pertain to teams, not to individuals. See below for definitions of age divisions. The OVR runs tournament for 18 National and Regional, 17 National, American and Regional, 16 National, American and Regional, 15 National, American and Regional, 14 National, American and Regional, 13 National, American and Regional, 12 National, American and Regional, 11-and-Under, and 10-and-Under.

Season: Tryouts typically begin in November. The OVR junior girls' season begins in late January and culminates in the Regional Championships in May. Nationals are in June and occasionally early July. See the tournament schedule for complete details.

4.2.  What resources exist for new coaches?

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4.3.  How Do I Print My Member Card?

Here are instructions on: How To Print Your Members Card.

4.4.  How Do I Pick My Club?

After you sign with a club, you will need to pick that club on your membership record in Webpoint. Here are instructions on: How To Pick Your Club.

4.5.  Can I Attend Tryouts In More Than One Region?

Yes. As long as you have a valid USA Volleyball membership in a Region, you may attend tryouts in other Regions. You cannot have a membership in more than one Region. So, if you have a Tryout Membership in the OVR , you can attend tryouts in Keystone, Pioneer, etc. and visa versa. But your membership needs to end up being in the Region in which you will play. If you have a Tryout Membership in the Keystone Region but you sign to play for a club in the OVR, email herbert@ovr.org and we will work with the neighboring Region to get the membership record moved BEFORE you Upgrade to a Full Membership. The reverse is also true in regards to moving from the OVR to another Region.

4.6.  How to Change My Region?

If you most recently played or coached in a different region than the Ohio Valley Region or have moved from the OVR to another Region, we need to move your membership record into the correct Region BEFORE you complete your registration for the current season. Send an email message to: herbert@ovr.org with the member legal name, date of birth and previous or future region name like: Pioneer or Hoosier, etc.. We will send you an email back when the transfer is completed.
If you have already completed your membership and paid for your registration for the current season, we may need to get it canceled before the transfer can take place. In which case we will work with the corresponding region and/or USA Volleyball to get the transfer accomplished.

4.7.  What is the birthday cutoff date for age group competition?

Age divisions for the current season are detailed on our Juniors' Divisions page.

4.8.  What are Grade Level teams?

Grade Level teams are composed of players in the same grade in school. These teams cannot participate at USAV Qualifying Events.

4.9.  Can junior girls teams compete in adult tournaments?

Junior girls teams are allowed to play in adult women's tournaments only if there are openings left after the entry deadline (usually one week before the event). Adults need to have the opportunity to take the spots first.

Junior girls can compete in these adult divisions, or higher, only:

18 N, 17 N	AA
18 A/R, 17 A/R, 16 N, 15 N	A
16 A/R, 15 A/R, 14 N, 13 N	BB
14 A/R, 13 A/R and under	B

4.10.  What is the difference between "National" and "American or Regional" teams?

National teams are supposed to be composed of the more talented players who wish to play at a higher skill and tactical level.

Tom Kohl, OVR Juniors' Tournament Director, 1/14/14

4.11.  How many scholastic players can play together on a juniors' team?

The number of scholastic players that can play together on a juniors' team is determined by state athletic associations. For Ohio, this is OHSAA, the Ohio High School State Atletic Association, and the authoritative reference for Ohio scholastic eligibility is www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/default.asp.

A straightforward summary of OHSAA policy is given by Bill Zehler, OVR Girls' Program Director:

The OHSAA (and other high school athletic associations) regulations for non-interscholastic participation prohibit coaches from instructing athletes from their school in the off-season. A high school coach (Varsity, JV, or Freshman) may not coach athletes that played at their high school during their club season. A middle school coach (7th or 8th grades) may not coach athletes that participated in their middle program.

High school coaches that had no involvement at their middle school program may coach athletes that participated on their middle school teams. Middle school coaches that had no involvement with their high school program may coach athletes from their high school program.

Please direct any questions on policies relating to girls' eligibility to Bill Zehler (zehler@ovr.org, and any questions on policies relating to boys' eligibility to Matt Mihelic (mihelic@ovr.org.

See also: Protecting Juniors' Eligibility.

5.  Adults

5.1.  How can I find an Adults' team in the Ohio Valley Region?

If you're an adult player new to the Ohio Valley Region, the following resources may be of help:

• See our complete lists of Men's and Women's Clubs and Teams
  » 2016-2017 season (registration begins September 2)
  » teams from last season (many of which will return)
  

• Occasionally teams advertise openings on the Players' Connection.

• Alternatively, you may wish to start your own team. See the Adults' Registration Information for complete details.

5.2.  How do I start a team?

Registration materials: Request registration materials using our Joining the OVR link.

Players: You'll need at least 6 adult players. Most teams run with 8 or more to allow for busy schedules, injuries, and other absences, anticipated and otherwise. Registering with a club is another way of planning for possible short-handed rosters.

Division: Team divisions pertain to teams, not to individuals. Make your best estimate as to the division in which your team will be competitive (the ordering is B, BB, A, AA, with AA being the highest for normal season play in the region). If your initial estimate is too high or too low, your tournament director may adjust your team's division to provide challenging competition for all.

Season: The men's and women's season in the Ohio Valley Region begins in early January and runs through the Regional Championships at the Columbus Convention Center in mid-April. See the tournament list for complete details. Following Regionals, some teams choose to compete in the US Open.

Budget: You'll need $35 per player for registration, $75 per regular-season tournament, and funds to cover uniforms and any travel your team may choose to do. The entry fee for Regionals is higher ($140), as is that for the US Open ($900).

See also: Policies and Guidelines for Men's and Women's Teams

5.3.  What are the restrictions on player movement within a club?

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5.4.  Can a player play both days of a large tournament?

Yes, including at the Regional Championships. For other applicable tournaments such as Air City, a player may play both days in keeping with the restriction on club play detailed above.

6.  Officiating and Rules

6.1.  Where can I find USAV Rules?

The USA Volleyball rule book is online at www.usavolleyball.org/officiat/indoor.htm. The Rules section of this site summarizes recent changes in USAV rules, rules for other governing bodies, and other publications dealing with rules, interpretrations, and officiating.

6.2.  How do I become a USAV Certified Official?

The document How to Become a Certified Referee in the Ohio Valley Region and Vicinity document is online at ##www.ovr.org/off_rules/howto.html##. See also the Officiating and Rules section for recente changes in USAV rules, rules for other governing bodies, and other publications dealing with rules, interpretrations, and officiating.

6.3.  What are the the official volleyballs for OVR competition?

Molten® volleyballs are required for all OVR-sanctioned events.

The OVR offers these top-quality volleyballs volleyballs at special region price. Free drop shipment is available for Molten® balls, and pickup is also available throughout the region for your last-minute needs. Visit the OVR Store for complete information on volleyballs, carts, and floor tape.