That’s right, tryouts. You need to be thinking about them now. Answering the following questions and beginning to plan now will give you a leg up on the competition.
Why is my daughter playing volleyball?
What are her goals? Short term and long term.
How does she stack up against the competition? Others in her age group and at school.
Where does she need to improve? Skill wise? Physically?
Where can she improve? What are her limitations?
What are the options for next season? List them all even the ones you might not like.
Is she playing the right position?
Who do I know that can help? Different people can help with different aspects.
With these answers in mind you can help your daughter through the process.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
What Should I Do Between Now and Tryouts?
Plan, Plan, Plan! Get out a calendar and put down some major events. These include last day of school, first day of next school year, vacations, volleyball obligations (tournaments, team camp, etc.), and when tryouts are for both school and club. Then cross reference the camps or clinics that you are interested in.
From there look at what is left and see what is available for your player. Sometimes what is available is not always to right decision. The biggest mistake I see is parents sending players to camps, clinics, or lessons so they are doing ‘something’. Make sure that what you are doing is appropriate for your daughter.
Determining what is appropriate is the hard part. Ask around to see if people have experience with these opportunities. Also see who the coaches are going to be there. The instruction is what you are ultimately paying for. Although at some level you are paying for the opportunity to be seen and create relationships.
Next you have to look at your budget. Make sure that you are getting the most out of your money. This requires evaluating the opportunities again. Some of these decisions will be based on the questions posed above. Remember to set some goals and make decisions that help you meet those goals.
As for camps or clinics, I generally would recommend clinics that address the needs of your player. Although not as long, clinics have less fluff and can get the player valuable repetitions. Camps are okay for beginners to get a little of everything, especially before tryouts. However, beware in both cases the instruction may be less than stellar and the group your daughter is in may not be great. Clinics usually have less drills that can be affected by others in the group so your daughter’s performance is all up to her.
Overall, if you want your player to improve find opportunities with low player to coach ratios, players at the same level as yours, and the best coaching possible. Don’t know who the best coaches are, ask around. There are few elite coaches and the same names will come up again and again. Make sure it is someone that is knowledgeable about the game and works well with players. Just because they were a great player doesn’t make them a great coach.
It is also great to be able to work with the same coaches over an extended period of time so they can monitor the player’s progress and know what they need to work on.
My suggestion is to find the people and coaches you want to work with and set up consistent group lessons (3-4 people). You know what you are dealing with and they can be customized to fit your needs. Also by working with a small group rather than individually you can cut costs. On the other hand, individual instruction provides a great focused learning experience for your daughter.
Finally, after each time you attend something make sure to evaluate it and see what you took away from the experience. The coach should also be able to give the player a couple of ‘take aways’ after each session.
If you can’t find something that you want go to the people organizing these opportunities and tell them how they can get your business. Help them create situations where your daughter can succeed. Make sure to be very specific about all aspects that you require, including times, costs, and who will be there, players and coaches. They may not be able to help but it can’t hurt to ask.
In addition to having time where your player is receiving instruction it is also advisable to have them just play. If you have access to a court and a ball get a group together and play recreationally. Playing short sided (2 on 2, 3 on 3, or 4 on 4) can improve your daughter’s game, and it is fun.
Outside of volleyball, players should get in the best shape possible. Their physical capabilities will be measured at tryouts and can determine what team your daughter makes. Make sure that your daughter is always trying to increase her vertical, speed, agility, and strength.
From there look at what is left and see what is available for your player. Sometimes what is available is not always to right decision. The biggest mistake I see is parents sending players to camps, clinics, or lessons so they are doing ‘something’. Make sure that what you are doing is appropriate for your daughter.
Determining what is appropriate is the hard part. Ask around to see if people have experience with these opportunities. Also see who the coaches are going to be there. The instruction is what you are ultimately paying for. Although at some level you are paying for the opportunity to be seen and create relationships.
Next you have to look at your budget. Make sure that you are getting the most out of your money. This requires evaluating the opportunities again. Some of these decisions will be based on the questions posed above. Remember to set some goals and make decisions that help you meet those goals.
As for camps or clinics, I generally would recommend clinics that address the needs of your player. Although not as long, clinics have less fluff and can get the player valuable repetitions. Camps are okay for beginners to get a little of everything, especially before tryouts. However, beware in both cases the instruction may be less than stellar and the group your daughter is in may not be great. Clinics usually have less drills that can be affected by others in the group so your daughter’s performance is all up to her.
Overall, if you want your player to improve find opportunities with low player to coach ratios, players at the same level as yours, and the best coaching possible. Don’t know who the best coaches are, ask around. There are few elite coaches and the same names will come up again and again. Make sure it is someone that is knowledgeable about the game and works well with players. Just because they were a great player doesn’t make them a great coach.
It is also great to be able to work with the same coaches over an extended period of time so they can monitor the player’s progress and know what they need to work on.
My suggestion is to find the people and coaches you want to work with and set up consistent group lessons (3-4 people). You know what you are dealing with and they can be customized to fit your needs. Also by working with a small group rather than individually you can cut costs. On the other hand, individual instruction provides a great focused learning experience for your daughter.
Finally, after each time you attend something make sure to evaluate it and see what you took away from the experience. The coach should also be able to give the player a couple of ‘take aways’ after each session.
If you can’t find something that you want go to the people organizing these opportunities and tell them how they can get your business. Help them create situations where your daughter can succeed. Make sure to be very specific about all aspects that you require, including times, costs, and who will be there, players and coaches. They may not be able to help but it can’t hurt to ask.
In addition to having time where your player is receiving instruction it is also advisable to have them just play. If you have access to a court and a ball get a group together and play recreationally. Playing short sided (2 on 2, 3 on 3, or 4 on 4) can improve your daughter’s game, and it is fun.
Outside of volleyball, players should get in the best shape possible. Their physical capabilities will be measured at tryouts and can determine what team your daughter makes. Make sure that your daughter is always trying to increase her vertical, speed, agility, and strength.
Monday, April 21, 2008
I Can’t Help My Kid Because I Don’t Know Anything About Volleyball.
Don’t worry you are not the only parent out there that feels this way. However, there is more than just the game to know about. There are so many different options out there that it can be overwhelming not to mention the politics involved.
First, figure out the people that can help you. This may be your team’s coach, the club director, or another parent on your team. Another great source is a coach on a different team that you have a relationship with. Ideally, it is someone that has a broad range of experiences and will give you a nonbiased response to your questions. Remember coaches and club directors may give you the company line and will look after their own interests before looking after yours.
Second, watch good volleyball! Look for patterns, volleyball is full of them. Have someone that you have identified from above watch with you so that you can ask questions.
Third, read! There are numerous books and websites that can give you the information you need. This includes information about the game, tournaments, and organizations involved. There are also places to read commentary about these as well to get other’s opinions on what is out there.
First, figure out the people that can help you. This may be your team’s coach, the club director, or another parent on your team. Another great source is a coach on a different team that you have a relationship with. Ideally, it is someone that has a broad range of experiences and will give you a nonbiased response to your questions. Remember coaches and club directors may give you the company line and will look after their own interests before looking after yours.
Second, watch good volleyball! Look for patterns, volleyball is full of them. Have someone that you have identified from above watch with you so that you can ask questions.
Third, read! There are numerous books and websites that can give you the information you need. This includes information about the game, tournaments, and organizations involved. There are also places to read commentary about these as well to get other’s opinions on what is out there.
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