“Volleyball is just a really intense version of ‘Don’t let the balloon touch the floor.'” & “It’s not how tall you are, it’s how high you play.”
– Unknown for both quotes
13GEM Sporting Fall Volleyball 2026
Program Overview
13GEM Sporting Volleyball will be providing a multi-tiered program for boys and girls ages 4-17. Players will be divided into three groupings: Coed 4-6, Girls only 7-17, and Boys only 7-17; each age grouping will have its own time slot. Weekly sessions occur on consistent days and times. All skill levels are welcome- from beginners to advanced. This program will be coached by Coach Jacob and other 13GEM Sporting coaches, so all players will receive expert coaching and high-quality programming that results in massive growth and major joy in your child(ren). Sessions will focus equally on skill development and gameplay with an emphasis on growth and learning, not merely participation. This is a major feature of all 13GEM Sporting programs.
Program Schedule & Registration Fees
Practice Times
5p-6p Coed ages 4-6
6p-7p Girls only ages 7-17
7p-8p Boys only ages 7-17
Fall Schedule
- Tue Sep 15 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Sep 22 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Sep 29 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Oct 6 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Oct 13 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Oct 20 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Oct 27 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Nov 3 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Nov 10 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
- Tue Nov 17 5p-8p MAPS- Redmond Gym
Olympic Gold Medal Event - End-of-Season Trophy Ceremony
Registration Fee: $300/player
+6% Registration Fee
Pay-in-Full and Payment Plan Options Available
EARLY REGISTRATION OFFER: $275/player
ENDS SEP 7, 2026
Registration Deadline: OCT 5, 2026
Families registering multiple siblings in concurrent programs will receive a 13% Multi-Child Discount on each additional registration after the first child.
What to wear to 13GEM Sporting practices?
13GEM Sporting uses a single uniform kit for the entire club, regardless of sport, age, or gender. This fosters a greater sense of unity amongst the players. The uniform kit consists of a fully customized jersey with player-chosen name and number on back and 13GEM Sporting branded shorts.
All new players are encouraged to purchase a Replica t-shirt or customized uniform kit from the 13GEM Shop for a separate fee. You will answer uniform kit customization questions during registration and complete payment via the Online Shop. (see below)
Starting Fall 2026, families can choose from three uniform kit options to customize:
- Authentic Uniform Kit (long sleeve): $85
- Authentic Uniform Kit (short sleeve): $80 (shown right)
- Replica Uniform Kit (short sleeve): $50
- Replica T-Shirt (short sleeve): $20
Returning players from any previous 13GEM season with a fully customized kit have a choice to continue using the previous customized kit or purchase a new kit. This kit will be used for the next several years (or until the vendor discontinues it), so it is advised to buy the kit a bit large so players can grow into it over several seasons.
New players who do not want to purchase 13GEM garments from the Shop must wear all black to 13GEM practices. Please do not wear other colors, uniform kits or shirts from other clubs or organizations. This includes local youth clubs as well as professional sports teams.
Players not wearing all black or 13GEM garments will not be permitted on the court.
Practice Time focused on Growth and Development
Each practice will have periods devoted to developing skills and conceptual understanding- regardless of age or skill level. Players will interact with other players on the team during the practice portion to develop skills and learn concepts. Each practice will focus on developing fundamental skills of serving, bumping, setting, spiking, digging, and blocking. One major differentiator of 13GEM Sporting programs is the ability to teach abstract concepts such as team spacing, maintaining zones of responsibility, communication, proper sequence of hits, basic algorithms of when to hit the ball or when to yield to a teammate, and much more.
Game Time focused on Synthesis and Fun
Small-sided and full-sided gameplay periods will allow players to synthesize skills and knowledge learned in practice, express creativity, develop decision-making algorithms, and just have fun playing Volleyball. Players will be placed into a variety of game-like situations within Volleyball and play amongst each other. The objective is for players to play as much as possible so they can apply skills and knowledge learned during practice time. Players are taught the procedures of Volleyball during gametime, such as serving rules, rotations, three-hit rule, and scorekeeping. We heavily emphasize the development of teamwork, sharing the ball through the bump-set-spike sequence, and the beginnings of teammate awareness through communication during gameplay. Gameplay is how we end each Volleyball session, all players get equal play time, and the resultant score is de-emphasized.
How will your player develop in 13GEM Sporting Volleyball?
Skills
Communication
Spacing
Foundational skill development is the cornerstone of this program. 13GEM Sporting excels in maximizing growth and development across all skills of serving, bumping, setting, spiking, digging, and blocking. Activities are designed for high participation rates because the only way to learn Volleyball is to get lots of touches on the ball. Algorithms like "hit or yield" are introduced.
Spacing
Communication
Spacing
The first major abstract concept 13GEM coaches is spacing. Players are first taught the layout of the court, then are taught how to maintain responsibility for their zone while yielding to teammates' zones. Practice activities are designed for players to explore all zones of the court and start to develop a mental map.
Communication
Communication
Communication
The second major abstract concept 13GEM coaches is communication; we are an "anti-clump" program. We start teaching zones of responsibility and using communication to work as a team. Using phrases like "me, me, me" or "you, you, you" requires players to have an awareness of teammate location and ball trajectory. Learning to be patient, yielding to teammates, and passing the ball are emphasized.
Awareness
Communication
Communication
Awareness arises naturally when skill, spacing, and communication understanding coalesce into a single player. Awareness is reading the game, making decisions, and executing each play. 13GEM implements activities that challenge players to not only play Volleyball, but to process Volleyball. 13GEM specializes in developing awareness in players of all ages.