for ages 7 – 15 (limited to the first 150)        The Jayo Invitational is the country's most prestigious Celebrity-Pro-Am volleyball event. It is a best-of-brand event that combines the world of volleyball and fitness with the world of entertainment, showcasing the top names in the sport alongside stars from TV, film and music. Proceeds from the Jayo Invitational are allocated to charitable organizations that work to aid children in the advancement of health and education. Proceeds from the 2013 Jayo Invitational will benefit The United States Youth Volleyball League (USYVL). USYVL is the nation's largest grassroots youth volleyball league.  Founded in 1997 with 139 players, the USYVL has grown to over 10,000 players and 25,000 clinic participants annually. The USYVL allows every child between the ages of 7 and 15 an opportunity to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised environment.  The USYVL offers financial aid to those who need it and has never denied a child the opportunity to participate in the league for financial reasons. Schedule (subject to change) Kids Clinic Check-in   8:00 AM Beauty and the Beach Clean-up (mandatory for all kids clinic prticipants)    8:30 - 9:00 AM Kids Clinic with Sinjin Smith (Courts 1-10)   9:00 AM - 10-30 AM Kids Brunch   12:00 AM Tournament Check in   9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Kids Golf with Jack Nicklaus Learning    10:15 AM - 12:00 PM Tournament Court Assignments & Rules   10:15 AM Pro Demo Game   10:30 AM Adult Tournament Starts   11:00 AM Adult Luau of Laughs Lunch   1:00 PM Adult Golf with Jack Nicklaus Learning   12:30 PM - 3:00 PM Playoffs (top two teams from each pool)   3:30 PM Tournament Finals   5:30 PM After Party at Sharkeez Manhattan Beach (adults only)   Directly Following Tournament Final       (limited to 40 teams)       (We need 50 volunteers)

When one of our Site Directors from the West Sacramento site suggested a day in which kids can bring a friend to volleyball, we weren’t sure how it would work.

Would we have enough nets, coaches, how many kids would attend and how would we run practice?

Well, all that got sorted out and on its third season as part of the operation of each site, it is one of the most successful ways of introducing new players to the sport!

Sacramento, this Spring 2012 season, had a record 53 new players introduced to volleyball as part of the Bring a Friend Day!

The Laguna Niguel Clinician staff had a great addition this Spring, Tom Hoff!

He is bringing his experience playing and coaching volleyball to the volunteer coaches and players at the Laguna Niguel USYVL.  You might say that program is lucky! 

Tom was a standout at Ohio state and then Long Beach State where he was the AVCA First-Team All-American in 1995 and 1996.  

To top it off he was one of the most dominating players on the United States Men's National Team and won a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. 

AVP and FIVB beach volleyball star Phil Dalhausser stopped by USYVL Oxnard to show the kids his 2008 Olympic Gold Medal! Needless to say, the kids AND the parents were thrilled to see 6'9" Phil signing autographs and handing out golden volleyballs while demonstrating skills on a very low net. Thanks for coming out, Phil!

Setting is one of the most exciting skills of volleyball, it's like the quarterback in a football game.  

The hand position needs to be above the forehead.  Thumbs should be close to one another with wrists back and somewhat down.  Elbows should be slightly in front of the shoulders.  The hands should be in the shape of a volleyball. 

The movement that follows is the player extends their arms after contacting the ball, pushing it to the desired target.  Arms should finish fully extended. 

During the off season, take out your volleyball and practice setting! 

In the early stages of USYVL, clinics at schools were an integral part of introducing kids to the sport of volleyball. 

USYVL has gone back to its roots by adding a new division to its national office, Volleyball Clinics! 

This past Thursday, March 29, from 8 to 11 a.m., USYVL ran a clinic at Sunset School in Oak View,CA.

Over 120 students participated in the clinic and learned how to pass, set, spike and serve.

Each participant received an awesome USYVL wristband and got to participate in a trivia contest for cool volleyball prizes!

Hannah was one of the very first USYVL kids, starting at 6 1/2 years old.  She especially loved playing defense, digging and chasing balls was her specialty!  She grew into not only an excellent defensive player, but worked very hard to become an outstanding setter, as well. 

She continued to play competitively through middle school and high school, earning numerous awards as setter for Thousand Oaks High School including  1) Ventura County Player of the Year and 2) Marmonte League Player of the Year (twice!) 

She is currently a sophomore at the University of the Pacific, where she is the starting setter for their NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Team, playing in the Big West Conference.  She also loves playing beach volleyball and is looking forward to the spring, for the first season of NCAA Women's Sand Volleyball.    From early on, Hannah has loved the game, and credits USYVL for starting her on the path to playing at the highest level!

UC Irvine Players Sign Autographs for USYVL Kids

What a great opportunity to watch high level volleyball and be able to talk to the players.  That was what happened at the UC Irvine International Volleyball Tournament. 

USYVL players from Orange County sites had their game day at UC Irvine's Crawford Field.  Prior to the start of their games, they received a special treat from the UC Irvine Men's Volleyball Team.  

The team played a short exhibition game and then signed autographs for the kids.  Thank you to UC Irvine and David Kniffin for making this a special day for USYVL!

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The USYVL is all about good sportsmanship by learning and playing volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised environment.  "Every Child Plays" and is automatically a starter when they sign up to play in the USYVL. USYVL Instructors and coaches teach the proper volleyball skills and teamwork.  

Join a team today!