Overall understanding of the program
When new families join our program, we have a zoom meeting to explain details about the volleyball program we offer.
Common questions such as how the levels work, what are the expectations, tournaments, how make ups are offered, what is the refund policy, and also what the program focus is. All of this was explained during the zoom session that happened September 21st.
CLICK HERE to watch the zoom video.
CLICK HERE to check the program calendar with all dates, location, and the name of the players registered.
Follows bellow overall content of the meeting:
1) Sessions – recreational or performance? Performance. Structure:
• Drills with a lot of repetitions with proper technique / foot work, communication,
alertness, reaction. Discipline. Tournaments for every cycle. If 2 months cycle one
tournament. If 3 months cycle two tournaments. (explain difference mini
tournament and regular)
• Most of the players attend 1x a week session. Very important they practice at least
3x a week.
• Expectations: discipline. Respect for the coaches and assistant coaches, respect for
the school employees, respect to teammates.
• Coaches are there to teach the kids. Any issues parents have to reach out to me
(Louise).
• Im ahead of the program, I teach sometimes, and I am also a mom. I have seen
sessions at other places my son attended and I got very frustrated about the coaches
approach. Running a session, but not paying attention at the kids. Please reach out
to me and let me know if that is happening. We want the kids to learn. BUT very
important it is a group session, not a private session. There is a difference there.
• Every coach has a different approach. Your child might love it, hate it, or just be ok
with it. I cannot please everyone (talk a bit about each coach and what to expect).
2) Outside the court:
• As I mentioned, very important players practice at least 3x a week for concrete
results. This could be a moment of connection with the parents, or with friends.
• I understand the kids are loaded with activities at school, out of school. But very
important: they need to move. Sometimes parents reach out telling me their child
cant attend session due to too much homework. Im not sure if that is beneficial to
the child.
• Please be aware of the time your child spends in front of a screen. It is very
important to move throughout the day. I have spoken to many parents whose kids
have trouble with screen addiction. We have helped many families with our
program. Too much screen takes away their alertness, their will on moving,
socializing (…)
3) Each level:
• No rush - parents and players shouldn’t rush through the program. Every level has
something in specific we need to work on. And it has to be common to all players. I
cant have a player that lacks on basic technique with level 3. Because the focus
changes to court positioning, rotations.... So if the player is not ready, it is actually
detrimental to the player.
• No pressure – I hear all the time: “if my child plays at more advanced level she will
perform better”. That is a misconception. And also doesn’t matter what you tell me, I
have no control over the levels. It is up to the coach solely. I don’t interfere. I have
complete trust at my coaches.
• Down side of rushing a player through levels: instead of becoming confident, the
player will feel insecure. The player wont learn proper technique.
• I understand some kids get upset. But again: the mentality is to work hard to deserve
it.
• Completing a cycle doesn’t guarantee the player will move up to the next level. All
players learn in different ways, in different speeds. Of course that whatever is done
aside the session counts, and also the level of attention during the session counts.
• There is no guarantee a player achieved a level, and that is the level the player will
stay. The player might go to a higher or lower level. This might shift within the cycle.
Or the next cycle. Or after vacation.
Levels description:
1 – mostly foot work, basic technic for all volleyball skills, communication, ready position,
tracking the ball. What do they need prior to move to next level? Be in ready position, be ready
to move, communicate, basic techniques of how to perform all skills. Service under and
overhead. (This is the message I tell my coaches: “we can’t feel bad for a player and push to the
next level if they are not ready for it). Mini volleyball tournament.
2 – They need to be able to have the basic skills from level 1. More repetitions with the ball.
Session more dynamic. Progression over the drills from level 1. A lot of service. They need to be
able to perform basic skills with good ball direction. Understand to pass the ball to setter that
will set for attacker by the net. Mini volleyball tournament.
3 – They need to be ready to learn rotations (4x2, 5x1) and specific positions (setter, outside
hitter, libero…). I will be offering clinics to help those more in difficulty. At this level we start
inviting for teams (CYO and Club).
4 – All players to be moved to level 4 have to know rotations and have to have a specific
position. They will start playing more frequently, but we still need to work on proper positioning
or technique. Coach will observe games and implements needed drills based on what he sees.
5 – similar to level 5, but more focused on more experienced players.
4) parents – coaches are there to teach the kids, not to deal with parents.
• a lot of times the attention is only into your kid, seeing things the coach doesn’t see
because the coach is worried about the full group.
• Behavior – we are there to help those that want to learn and improve. We cant
reward bad behavior. If a player shows laziness, careless, lack of respect (rolling eyes,
trying to be funny at expenses, doesn’t listen), the coach will ask the player to sit
aside. Later coach will approach the player and explain why he did so, and what he
expects moving forward. If behavior persists, coach will ask player to sit aside until
end of the practice. Then he will text me or call me with the name of the player so I
can let the parent know.
5) Teams and tournaments – CYO and Club team
6) Website – how to navigate the website and find important information.
7) Refund policy – once the program started, we cannot offer refunds. There is a program
that stablishes what is being taught session by session. There is a need to follow the
program. If player can’t make to a session, notice has to be give within 24-48h in
advance so I can work on scheduling a make up (makes ups are limited). If participant is
feeling sick, proper doctor’s notice has to be presented so we can book a make up. If
your child missed a session and no notice was given priorly, there is nothing I can do.
OPEN QUESTIONS