Introduction

At AMVJ Martinus, the youth division is thriving. We are experiencing a large influx of members. Volleyball in Amstelveen is becoming more and more popular. We have had to create a membership stop for the youth and during the season we receive many requests (in between) from youth who would like to join our club.

In recent years the selection policy was not always clear and transparent. From now on we are going to change this. We also try to clarify what we expect from our members. Volleyball is a team sport. In a team sport, the team is as good as the the weakest link. A team supports each other through thick and thin, helps each other, cheers with each other and deals with setbacks together. As a member of our club, you understand this well and act accordingly.

Through this new procedure, we as Youth Commission want to provide clarity on the selection policy for the selection teams (MA1 and MB1) and how the other team divisions are determined.

Technical Policy “Methodology”

AMVJ Martinus wants to continue to build on its youth training. We educate trainers, we educate coaches, all with the goal of taking youth training to the next level.

For this we use the following methodology:

VOLLEY FITT[1]

Vurig – Ontwikkeling – Leergierig – Loyaliteit – Eenheid – Yell – Fun – Inzet – Techniek – Tactiek

Vurig: Being fiery and going into matches fierce is a requirement for our players. In addition, a healthy degree of fanaticism is also important. A player must be driven, have a fanatical attitude, be coachable and have a winner's mentality.

Ontwikkeling: Development of our players, coaches and trainers will be central in the coming years. This will be worked out in the coming years.

Leergierig: A player must be eager to learn, must want to understand the positions, must want to get better in terms of technique. Players are encouraged to come and watch higher teams.

Loyaliteit: Loyalty is important because AMVJ Martinus invests in its players and training. From selection players (MA1 and MB1) more loyalty is expected than from lower classified players. Attendance at training sessions and all matches (leaving aside exceptions for illness) is expected.

Eenheid: Unity, having an appearance with the whole team that impresses the opponent (think also about the uniform!). This starts with a disciplined arrival at the hall where the game is being played. Being together as a team and not breaking up into groups. The coaches have an important role in this. Warm-up together and doing it with passion and concentration are also important.

Yell: A good yell is half the battle in Volleyball. Every team should have a good yell. The yell serves as a motivator during matches, both when points are won and when a point is lost.

Fun: Fun, pleasure, laughter, there should also be room for that. Not continuously but at set times. This strengthens the bond in the team and the bond between the players and trainers / coaches.

Inzet: Dedication during practices and games speaks for itself. Players should be able to be reminded of this.

Techniek: Technique is a foundation of volleyball. Serving, passing (overhand and underhand), blocks, smashing and much more are indispensable techniques that every player must master and develop.

Tactiek: How will we play by age category, what positions are there and which are used where. Per age category and class the tactics of a team can change.

 

AMVJ Youth Teams Goals

In addition to the aspects of VOLLEYFITT that we like to see in our members, we have established a number of goals that we want to pass along for each age group. Both to the youth and to the trainers and coaches. These objectives are listed below.

First, we choose NOT to play with a libero in the youth. Each youth member must develop in all facets of volleyball and a libero denies that opportunity.

1^ste year C-youth

·         playing together in a team of 6 (switching from CMV to volleyball)

·         improving technique, speed and condition

·         dealing with bigger field and higher net

·         active attitude during passing

2^de year C-youth

·         improve technique, speed and condition

·         active attitude during passing

·         start serving overhead

·         understanding game / understanding ball trajectory

·         system knowledge 2-4 or 3-6

·         2^nd half of season playing in 1st division (highest team)

·         dealing with bigger field and higher net

·         preparing for B youth

·         looking at set positions (playmaker, middle attacker, outside attacker)

1^ste year B-youth

·         improve technique, speed, conditioning and insight

·         active attitude during passing

·         overhead serving

·         insight/use of larger field

·         learn positional play

·         system knowledge 2-4 or 1-5 with or without penetration

2^de year B-youth

·         improve technique, speed, conditioning and insight

·         play 2-4 or 1-5 with penetration

·         optimize overhead serving

·         improve active stance

1^ste year A-youth

·         improve technique, speed, fitness and insight

·         optimize overhead serving

·         improve active posture

·         system knowledge playing 2-4 or 1-5 with penetration

·         prepare for senior competition

2^de year A-youth

·         improve technique, speed, fitness and insight

·         improve active posture

·        optimize all previously mentioned facets

·         get ready for senior competition
Team composition (selection) teams

AMVJ Martinus' selection teams are the following teams:

MA1 and MB1.

The MA1 and MB1 train twice a week. The other youth teams of AMVJ Martinus train once a week.

Annual structural team classification

Players are initially assigned by year of birth:

-          A-youth: on September 30 of the season not older than 17 years of age

-          B-youth: on September 30 of the season not older than 15 years of age

-          C-youth: on September 30 of the season not older than 13 years of age

 

For the 2025-2026 season, the age categories are then as follows:

-          Born after 1-10-2013: CMV youth. Exceptions are possible for children who are already attending high school but are actually too young for C. Generally children born in October, November or December this year.

-          Born between 1-10-2013 and 30-9-2012: First Year C

-          Born between 1-10-2012 and 30-9-2011: Two Year C

-          Born between 1-10-2011 and 30-9-2010: First Year B

-          Born between 1-10-2010 and 30-9-2009: Second Year B

-          Born between 1-10-2009 and 30-9-2008: First Year A

-          Born between 1-10-2008 and 30-9-2007: Second Year A

-          Born after 1-10-2007: Ladies or Gentlemen

 

·         When assigning teams, we assume a maximum of 10 players per team.

·         It is allowed to have one or maximum 2 boys play on a girls' team in the C age category. Dispensation must be requested for this team.

·         Classification of players in the teams per age category takes place progressively from the first (highest) team, followed by the second team, etc.

·         For the selection teams of AMVJ Martins (MA1 and MB1) there are separate (extra strict) rules regarding attendance. We expect these players to be present at all games and all (two per week) training sessions throughout the season (barring illness and other unexpected events). Players who want to be considered for a selection team must commit to this. If the commitment is not met, a player from these teams will be put back to a lower team.

·         Commitment is also required of all players on non-selection teams. Practicing other sports / activities is of course allowed but cannot and must not be at the expense of attendance at AMVJ Martinus.

·         If players receive too little resistance within their own age category to develop optimally, early advancement to an older category is considered in consultation with all involved. The final decision whether or not to do this is made by the youth committee.

·         The older the age the more specific the team composition and so-called balance in the team is taken into account. Players are trained more specialized for and tied to certain positions on the team (setter, striker etc).

·         By definition, youth players do not play in the senior teams, unless the youth player is very talented and has a structural place and plays in the first selection AMVJ Martinus.

·         The team selection process takes place at the end of each season in the months of March, April and May. Of course, the picture of the other months is included in this. The trainers of the individual teams have an advisory role in this process.

·         Grading is done with care. The intention is to prevent the transfer of players to a lower team as much as possible. Practice shows that this does not always succeed, because the development of a youth volleyball player is often erratic and/or afterwards the choice made turns out not to be the right one

New members

In March and April we make it possible for newly interested members to join 3 trial trainings. Whether these members can become members or be placed on the waiting list depends on the cancellations at AMVJ Martinus, which will not be processed until June 1. Around June 15 we can let interested new members know if they can be placed or will be put on the waiting list.

The youth committee and some designated coaches will be present at some trial practices to check out new members. New members (where there is room) will be assigned to their appropriate level whenever possible.

Side entry (entry during the year)

During the year, we at AMVJ Martinus deal with youth who would like to enroll. The basic principle here is that a lateral entrant enters the lowest team in a category and only if that team can still place members (maximum 10 players per team). If there is outflow in a higher team, advancing “own” members prefers and a player from the waiting list is placed in the lower team. No trial training sessions can be taken during the year. This is only possible in a specifically designated 3-week period in March/April.

 

Season calendar selection

No.	Description	Date
Preparation
1	Start selection procedure	1 februari 2025
2	Identifying who will play in which category in the 2025/2026 season. - Including the CMV youth - If already known, not including youth who are going to leave the club.	3 t/m 7 february
3	For each category, determine the number of teams with the help of the current insights (at step 2)	7 february
4	Communication to all members regarding the selection procedure for the next year.	14 february
5	Compose selection committee	Before 15 february
Prepare preliminary team composition
6	Organize selection trainings. ·         26 february en 5 march: all C and A youth. ·         27 february en 6 march: all B youth. Regular training sessions will be cancelled.	26 and 27 feb 5 and 6 march
7	Asking players regarding their commitment.	10 t/m 14 march
8	Make preliminary MA1 and MB1 selection teams	18 march
9	Make preliminary team allocation other teams	18 march
10	Announcing PRELIMINARY team classifications	27 march
Understanding new and leaving members
11	Trial training sessions open to any new members	Week of 24 march Week of 31 march Week of 7 april
12	Trial training candidates can indicate if they want to become a member. This depends on the placement options we have. A waiting list will be made for new members for whom there is no room.	Week of 14 april
13	Cancel membership before June 1 juni 2025	1 june
14	After the cancellation round, look at the waiting list and write to new recruits who can still become members.	15 june
Decide on final team composition
15	Looking at the cancellations and new members: review team composition and make any adjustments. Draw up final team composition.	15 june t/m 20 june
16	Announcing DEFINITIVE team composition selection teams and other teams	23 june

 

 

Disclaimer

This procedure has been drafted with care and attempts to provide clarity in our selection policy.

Ultimately, the youth committee, supported by the board, is responsible for implementing this policy. We strive at all times to be able to explain choices made.

Head of the youth committee is Marc van Esch, who is assisted by experienced volleyball players from our club.

For all questions regarding the choices made, please contact the youth committee in writing at jeugdcommissie@amvjmartinus.nl.