Yes. Our focus on developing and growing boys volleyball in Wisconsin. We do partner with Madtown Juniors, but in Dane County we are the only boys-only volleyball club. We offer a National schedule with vigorous training and coaching to develop outstanding volleyball players.

Yes. We have a lot of multi-sport athletes in our club. We 100% support multi-sport athletes. We think that is very good and healthy for them to play different sports. It helps with injury prevention too. The coaches understand there will be some conflicts with multi-sport athletes and as long as they communicate well with their coach and schedule around conflicts it will not be a big deal. Coaches are used to this because we do have several multi-sport athletes in our club. Club teams usually practice two-three times a week and play tournaments on some weekends. We also usually take time off in April which compliments the high school spring sports season nicely. There are usually about 8-10 tournaments spread out over December – June. They are known well in advance so you can absolutely plan around them. Your son will likely have to do some juggling with their schedule but with advance planning and good communication with their coach it can be worked out.

The '23-'24 club season will be our first season hosting a Select program! The select teams will prioritize more regional tournaments and a shortened season so families who may be newer to club or are looking for a smaller commitment than the National program have an opportunity in our gym too.

Regional club teams tend to focus on local tournaments. They usually focus on tournaments within a few hours of their club location. They tend to attend fewer tournaments than National clubs teams. A regional team typically finishes their season in March while National teams will continue to July 4th. National club teams have the goal to complete in either USA Volleyball's Boys Junior National Championship (BJNC) or AAU's Boys Junior National Championship. They tend to attend more tournaments than a Regional club. Many of the qualifying tournaments require significant travel. In addition, the National Championships is a natioanl tournament with teams competing from all over the country. National club teams tend to have more practices and more touranments than a Regional club teams. The commitment is more significant for National club teams. As such, the cost tends to be higher to account for the additional practices and tournaments.

Madison Inferno started as a National club but we will be adding a Select program starting October of '23.

Yes. The Badger Region put together a really nice Parent Guide to help you navigate the Club Volleyball world. It can be found here: http://badgervolleyball.org/playerparent-guide/

Per the WIAA, we are not allowed to discount or offer scholarships on our Club Dues. Everyone is required to pay the exact same amount as everyone else. We are very happy to offer payment plans so that families can pay monthly instead of paying all at once. Several families have taken us up on that offer. We have also seen families setup donation links through Facebook and other websites to help with individual fundraising. Inferno cannot be a part of that, but individuals have done this one their own with great success. We also offer fundraising opportunities throughout the year. We want everyone to play volleyball and develop the same passion for the sport that we have. We never want money to be a limiting factor. We hope that given all the options described above, you can find the right one for your son.

Yes. Each player must register with USAV, AAU, and the Badger Region before becoming an Inferno Club member. On SportEngine you can purchase the required membership for the current year. This is required to participate in any club activity including, Tune-ups, Tryouts, Camps and Clinics.

Yes. You have to provide your own personal medical insurance for anyone participating in the club or for anyone coming to watch any part of the club's activities as a spectator. All club members must sign a release of liability waiver. It requires each athlete have their own personal medical insurance. The club does not provide any medical or any other insurance for the athletes.

Players are to treat others with respect at all times - whether it is teammates, coaches, opponents, referees, fans, teachers, etc. Respect is required on and off the court. This also includes social media. Remember what you choose to post still represents our club. Any activity relating to or including hazing, bullying, or poor sportsmanship will result disciplinary action according to USA Volleyball Safe Sport. Players are to let the coaches do the coaching. Players are to be at practice ON TIME - dressed and ready to go at least 5 minutes before the start of practice. Players are to follow all rules as stated in USA Volleyball Safe Sport code of conduct. Consequences are pre-determined and we have no ability to interpret/modify any of these rules or disciplinary actions, nor will we. Players are expected to earn their success and not look for short cuts. As a team we will do the small things well and focus on the details of our fundamental skills. Players are responsible for any and all team issued equipment and apparel. Appropriate apparel should be worn to all games and matches (including shorts). At National tournaments the team will be required to be in matching Adidas apparel. Players should have focused attention and effort for the entire training session and must listen with positive intent to learn. When a coach is explaining a drill or discussing game strategy athletes are expected to be attentive and display this through their body language. Players should maintain strong, confident body language and control their emotions/reactions even when others do not. Players on suspension from their school will not be allowed to participate in practices or games. They are still required to attend practice and help out by shagging balls, etc. They will continue learning plays and offensive /defensive sets. Players will maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and understand that participation in Madison Inferno VBC is a privilege and not a right. Players need to be students first and volleyball players second. If there are problems in school, we encourage the player and parents to contact the coaches immediately. Our coaching staff understands the importance of education and will do what we can to help.

TEN EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS OF ATHLETES: Make sure your child knows that win or lose, you love them, appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them. This will allow them to do their best without a fear of failure. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement. Show them you are pleased that they chose to play sports and accept all the challenges that come with trying to better themselves in practices and games. Let them know that you understand how hard it is to constantly put themselves on the line in front of peers and spectators. Be completely honest about your child's athletic ability, attitude, and sportsmanship. Remember that you don't know what happens in practice; you can't second-guess the coach's decisions, because you don't have all the information. Let your children live their own lives. Try not to relive your athletic life through your children. Don't pressure them to shine for your own ego. Remember that you made mistakes too. Provide direction on your son’s attitude, but don't provide coaching on skill. Leave that to the team coach. Refrain from the inclination to try to make your child just a little better by giving them tips on the way home from matches, or at dinner, or when they are trying to go to sleep. Don't compete with the coach or the referees. You each have different roles to fill; leave them theirs and work on your own. "It takes a village to raise a child." Be glad they have an excellent adult role model contributing to the upbringing of your child. But remember, they are human; they will make mistakes. Never compare the skill, athletic ability, or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least not within their hearing. A team needs all kinds of different athletes to fulfill essential roles. Celebrate your child's special attributes. Know your child's coach. Because of the special circumstances of a coach-player relationship, the coach has a tremendous potential to influence your child. Be aware of the coach's philosophy, attitudes, ethics, and knowledge. Remember that children tend to exaggerate both when praised and when criticized. Allow them time to cool off. Chances are, tomorrow they will have more appropriately evaluated a situation, while you may be just beginning to investigate. If the situation warrants following through, investigate quietly before overreacting. Make a point of understanding courage and the fact that it is relative. Some are afraid of a mouse but not of a bull. Everyone is frightened in certain circumstances. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear but a means of doing something in spite of fear or discomfort. Be proud that your child has chosen to participate rather than spectate, to risk stumbling and rise to try again. Be supportive and encouraging, congratulate them when they succeed on their own.

Communication is the key to our success. Misinformation can spread quickly and lead to misunderstandings between coaches and players, coaches and parents, or the program and the volleyball community. We must work hard to foster a positive environment where every player is encouraged and does not tear down their fellow teammates. Each team will have a group message (GroupMe) set up to communicate practice times, changes, and upcoming events between players and coaches. Each player is expected to monitor GroupMe and is responsible for reading and responding to messages. Coaches will send out emails informing parents about tournaments and other important information/changes. There will be a private Facebook page set up to help facilitiate parent communication. This will be in addition to the club social media accounts. There will be an update section on our website for last minute information as well (ex: snow cancellations of practice). Remember, it's better to overcommunicate than undercommunicate. When in doubt, just talk face to face with the coach. The best form of communication is always face to face.

All players are expected to arrive at practice at least 15 minutes early to provide for adequate time to have ALL equipment on and ready to start practice 5 minutes before practice starts. The coaching staff will do their best to arrive at practice early; however, due to unexpected traffic problems that may arise, the captains are to start warm-ups exactly at the designated practice start time. Players that arrive with less than 15 minutes prior to practice, must be fully dressed by the time the captains start warm-ups or will pay the penalty of disciplinary actions to be determined by the coaches. All players should have proper equipment including shorts, knee pads (optional), court shoes and active ankle braces (if necessary). Also on certain circumstances, boys will be instructed by the coaches to bring running shoes, or extra apparel.

We have the privilege of using practice courts at three different locations. It is not our right and therefore we must always leave the court in better condition than when we found it. The players have a major role in making sure that happens. Our ability to use these practice facilties can be revoked at any time, so all players must be on their best behavior when traveling to and from all courts so as to not disturb other events or property. Coaches or captains will designate players to set up the nets to the correct height and the ball with ball carts out, this is to be completed prior to the start of warm-ups. After practice, balls are to be removed from the court and nets must be folded up, as well as the poles placed back against the wall or in the appropriate place.

Attendance at every practice is absolutely necessary. Pracitce is how you get better. If you are unable to make a practice, it is the player's responsibility to contact their coach at least 72 hours in advance and let them know they cannot attend. The coaches prepare practice plans and they need to know how many athletes will be at practice so they can devise their practice plans accordingly. This is why advanced notice for missing a practice is important. In the case of a same day illness, we understand if 72 hour notice cannot be given. We do understand that things come up, schedules are busy and athletes will miss some practices. We will work with you as best as we can with those excused absenses. Understand that practices are were athletes get better so playing time can be impacted for those individuals that miss significant practice time. Coming late or missing a practice (without communication) shows a lack of commitment and respect for your coach and your fellow teammates. Players who are inexcusably late for, or miss practice/meeting, will not be able to practice and will miss up to the first set of the next match. The coach will consider extenuating circumstances with their decision being final. The coaches will deal with additional tardiness as they see fit.

This answer to this question will be different for the 2020-2021 club season than other, future club seasons. Because of COVID-19, we anticipate significantly less overnight travel to tournaments. It is our expectation that we will do less than normal overnight travel to tournaments. We will focus on scheduling more local, one-day tournaments that avoid the requirement of hotel stays. We will also look to host tournaments here locally in the Madison area. We want the players to get the benefit of several tournaments without a lot of the overnight, hotel travel. Based on feedback we've received from parents, we don't think there is a strong desire for hotel travel in this current COVID-19 environment. We want to respect that. The one exception to that for the 2020-2021 club season is the BJNC in Kansas City. We are a national club and have every intention of attending the BJNC in Kansas City this coming season. Those details will need to be worked out as we get closer to those tournament dates. But it is our goal to travel to Kansas City for the BJNC. For future club seasons that are not impacted by COVID-19, we expect a more traditional national club travel schedule for tournaments that inclde multiple trips to Chicago, St. Louis and potentially other overnight travels.

Let the coach know in writing at least 2 weeks in advance of the tournament. If someone were to miss a day (or entire tournament), we could be at a significant disadvantage so earlier communication is very helpful for planning.

Players are to arrive at least 45 minutes before game start time if the team starts competing. Any uniform problems should be dealt with prior to these 45 minutes. Make sure you always bring ALL sets of uniforms. Don't make assumptions on what uniforms will be worn that day. If the team refs (and therefore are not playing) the first match, players are to arrive at least 30 minutes before game start time. Players must have all equipment on, including appropriate shorts, 30 minutes prior to game start. Warm-ups will include dynamic stretching, pre-determined defense drills and pre-game hitting.

We strongly recommend each player gets a minimum of 8 hours sleep the night before a tournament. Good rest is essential for good performance. Regardless, each player should be in bed no later than 11 PM the night before a game. This is a strong recommendation of the coaching staff and may be enforced by parents if they so choose; however, as young adults we expect you to make the right decisions for you and your teammates. Your performance impacts the entire team.

That's a great idea. We encourage parents to organize team meals before/after tournaments. This is a great way for the boys and families to develop positive relationships. This is also a great way to know the coaching staff better. Go for it!

If a player has a concern of any kind, they should set up a time to talk to the head coach either before or after practice, NOT during. Players are encouraged to ask for clarification if there is something they don’t understand. Athletes are expected to behave as young adults and should be able to confront and deal with problems as they arise. The first path for resolution should always be the player and coach talking it out. If after the player and coach talk through an issue and it is not resolved, then the parent should schedule a time with the coach where the player, coach and parent can have a discussion and resolve the concern.

Our staff has an “open door” policy. We want to hear any concerns you might have. It's important to talk through them and get a resolution. We are happy to talk with parents about volleyball or their child’s development (ex. camps, lessons, extra drills, etc.). We can be reached by phone, email and/or after games/practices as time permits. We will NOT discuss playing time or personnel decisions made during games/tournaments. First hand communication is the most accurate, and questions that players have should come from the players directly, not through a parent. We will apply a 24 hour rule. If you want to discuss playing time or personnel decisions made during practice/games/tournaments, please reach out to the coach at least 24 hours after the practice/game/tournament. If a parent has a concern about their player’s health or well-being, they are encouraged to call immediately so that we can work together to help their child. If a parent wishes to file a complaint about the coach, they are to set up a time with the Club Directors. This meeting must be at a mutually agreeable time when the directors, coaches, parents, and player can meet as one group.