SHARE YOUR VOLLEYBALL WISDOM

Author	Comment
lawless	SHARE YOUR VOLLEYBALL WISDOM	Lead	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 121 (06/12/08 3:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Please share some wisdom that you have learned as a parent or coach Any volleyball topic: picking a club, playing time, skills training, playing up, private lessons, recruiting, club or High School etc. Thanks
UniversityAthlete		#1	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 135 (06/12/08 3:17 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	It's OK to take a month off. Players come back hungry. I guess that's more a coaching thing. How about: The number of recruiter looks you get at a qualifier is in direct proportion to the amount and quality of communication you do prior to the event. Last Edited By: UniversityAthlete 06/12/08 3:21 PM. Edited 2 times.
TRANSFORMEER	Hmm...	#2	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 58 (06/12/08 4:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Words of Wisdom "The spiel used by many club directors and coaches during player recruitment would make a used car salesman blush." "Pick the coach, not the club" "NQs and travel tournaments are not fashion runways, dress comfortably and pack light." "Alcohol solves many parent to coach issues during a tournament" "Your player is not the best thing since sliced bread. Don't coddle or put her up higher than she will be comfortably falling from." "If a coach loses a parent's support, the coach loses his ability to coach the player." "Offers from colleges are negotiable. Hold your ground and keep your poker face handy" "It's not only OK, but a positive, for a parental unit to not be at every tournament for every point." "Travel is expensive but it's the best. Know there are ways to cut cost." "Drop your player at practice and leave, if not for home, then a mall or bar." "Your player will never develop if not on the court under fire. Choose a level/team that gets her on the court." "Keep your PREP subscription current, look JT up at a tournament, and say Thanks!" Last Edited By: TRANSFORMEER 06/13/08 10:00 AM. Edited 1 times.
Volley Flower		#3	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 22 (06/12/08 4:38 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	TRANSFORMEER wrote: "It's not only OK, but a positive, for a parental unit to not be at every tournament for every point." "Drop your player at practice and leave, if not for home then a mall or bar." Love these two.
flyonthewall	a few for consideration	#4	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 368 (06/13/08 5:09 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	If you can't say something positive during match play keep your mouth shut. If you have to sit away from other parents so you don't get caught up in the negative emotion --- do it. Video tape a couple (not every) game starting when they are young lets them see how not only they, but their team plays on the court. Sometimes seeing is believing --- it can be the thing they need to help them understand why the coach is telling them to play a certain way or use a certain technique. Be very wary of the college recruiting game....don't let flattery lead your decision making. Use your practice commute time or tourney driving time to talk about important things other than volleyball -- especially as they get older. Your player is more than one dimensional (volleyball) --- you may be amazed at what they are thinking.
Phaedrus	Wisdom	#5	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2041 (06/13/08 6:51 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Stop thinking and play the game. Thinking should happen in practice. See the scowl and eye rolls on your kids face? Look in the mirror, look familiar? When at Northern Lights, use the Mall of Americas as incentive. Coaches should coach, parents should parent. Its a hard game, tears are unavoidable. You'll get over it. The ricochet off the block will land where ever you are not. When you are dug in for a monster hit, the hitter will tip where you are not. If you are ready for the top spin jump serve, the server will serve a floater that will hit you in the face. In the case of a tie in pool play, the tie-break rules always works against you. Great warm up teams are rarely good game teams. Great game teams are always good warm up teams. Always remember that passing , setting and blocking are the great equalizer when you watch the opposing team put dents on the floor during warm ups. #1 Cardinal rule for successful college recruiters: Lie. #2 Cardinal rule for successful college recruiters: see Cardinal rule #1. They're young, they need to make mistakes. The older I get, the smarter my parents become.
TheyPlayICheer		#6	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 100 (06/13/08 7:58 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Winning is a product of Loving the game, not the other way around. The most common question I ask my kids (as a reminder to them and myself) "Did you have fun?" Sure the practice was hard. Sure the coach made the team run liners and you are growing and your body hurts and you have a lot of homework left... Did you have fun? When you still love practice, the hard work leads to everything else. 2000 teams start the season. 100 teams go to a qualifier. 28 teams qualify open. 1 team wins it all. Winning cannot be your definition of success. Life is about the journey, not the destination. The lessons they learn on the court are far more important: dealing with adversity, hard work pays off, working harder for your teammates than for yourself, winning and losing with grace, bringing that hard work and competitive spirit to everything in life. The girls value the friendships with the other teams much more than the rivalries. Sport should be a lifetime thing
mnvbfan		#7	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 302 (06/13/08 8:06 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	1) After parenting kids involved in JO's for the last 9 years, I now know enough to know that I don't really know much...and that's OK! 2) just when I have it figured out, the rules change... or so I think.... 3)see number one
VBEye	Commendable	#8	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 1570 (06/13/08 8:44 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	This thread has started off really great. It is full of logic and reason.
bluknight		#9	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 655 (06/13/08 9:54 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Someone is always taller, faster, stronger than you; but if you have a smile on at the end of the day that is all that matters. When people make you angry; smile, nod, wave. If your body speaks to you; you should definitely listen. If the ball starts talking to you; you need a nap. Player Qualifier survival kit: FHP, Hair-Ties, Banana, TP, Spare socks, Water Parent Qualifier survival kit: Water, Chair, Book, Earplugs
mnvbfan		#10	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 302 (06/13/08 10:04 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	ok so let me add something relevant than... I have learned that as soon as you take the time to get to know the other parents - the ones on the opponents side of the net, it makes the game so much more fun to watch. I have learned that there are some pretty smart people on this board and they put tons of time into sharing their thoughts and ideas. I have learned (recently) that humor sometimes does not come across well on a thread... Happy Friday the 13th
VBBOOKWORM	Hmm....	#11	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 102 (06/13/08 10:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ten Wisdom Offerings from the "Worm": "Players want you there, but don't want you *there.* Stay in the background, it's their and their teammates deal." "Officiating at an NQ is a mind numbing, back-breaking task of endless matches, at different age and skill levels. Officials screw-up." "Trying to get all the parents in the parents group to reach consensus on travel, hotels or food is like trying to herd cats." "Know that if your playing on a -2 team or below, your probably subsidizing some of the fees for the -1 teams by use of last years equipment/uniforms or unequal assignment of club overhead." "The best ages are 16-18s where they can drive themselves to practice." "Uniform numbers are put on with HEAT, dryer HEAT will take them off almost as quickly." "A coach that was a former collegiate player is not necessarily a good coach anymore than a former pro football player is a great play-by-play announcer...different skill set." "For every front row specialists dying to play back row, there's a back row specialists dying to play front row." "If Starbucks ceased operations, there would be no parents watching matches before 11 a.m." "A hotel room during a travel tournament can be made just as comfortable as your own home...whoops disregard that one!" Last Edited By: VBBOOKWORM 06/13/08 6:00 PM. Edited 1 times.
WIVBCRAZY		#12	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 759 (06/13/08 2:12 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	My number one thing to pass on from the parent standpoint is: Enjoy every moment - it all goes by too fast even when it seems it won't. The high gas cost, miles on your car, nights in hotels is all worth it when you see the girls become young women, and they are thankful you spent so much time with them. From the coaching standpoint- Let the coach do the coaching and don't be disappointed when you point out something to them, they smile, say ok, and still do their thing. If you have picked your club well, you should have a knowledgeable coach that understands the level the team is at and has a plan to get the most out of the group even if it isn't your agenda. From the officials point of view: Watch and cheer for your team, leave the opponents out of it and leave the reffing crew out of it. A good official will take care of what needs to be taken care of. Of course - we good officials are few and far between according to the coaches and parents!
vb15fan	Just call me the fly on the wall...	#13	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 65 (06/13/08 6:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	"Drop your player at practice and leave, if not for home then a mall or bar." Sorry volleyflower but my "wisdom" differs slightly... -Be realistic about your players role on the team. Watch practices as it gives you a better idea of what the coach is basing decisions upon. You can see the differences in skill level and work ethic. Hopefully you accepted an offer based upon what you realistically assessed your daughter's role on the team was, and didn't get caught up in the cachet of a "one" team without asking the right questions. Be a wall flower while you are there but this is part of what the coaches base their playing time decisions upon so watch now and then. -Be a positive cheerleader but follow your daughter's lead. I remember a tournament where most of us parents were on the quiet side and after a poor showing in game one our daughters came back on the court and said, "YOU'RE TOO QUIET!!! We proceeded to whoop and holler in support and they won an inspired game two and took the team to a 14-16 tiebreaker. They had previously always lost to this tough team in a quick two so they were dissapointed but held their heads high. Sometimes I think they really need the moral support.
groupguy	I can't believe someone else hasn't said this	#14	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 102 (06/13/08 7:07 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Subscribe to prepvolleyball.com
flyonthewall	was said	#15	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 368 (06/13/08 8:54 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Transformeer's post...last point...referred to PREP subscription...but definitely worth many mentions...wish I had remembered to say it vb15fan---you can join me on the wall anytime---I agree watching practices sometimes can be helpful in a parent seeing the whole picture.
VbBEAR	Hmm...	#16	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 66 (06/13/08 9:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Words of Wisdom, Huh? "Regardless of the redundancy of clothing stores at home and on the road, your player will always find something she needs at one of them when traveling" "It will never cease to amaze me that a parent will take weeks researching before buying a car, but will jump at the first club offered made to their player" "Do something special for the sisters and brothers not involved in volleyball" "If the only way you can find your way home is with a Garmin, your team travels too much" "Regardless of what time a practice starts and ends, your player will always have homework remaining" "Take a good, hard look at the $27 Tournament T-shirt your player buys at the NQ...you'll never see it again unless looking in the bottom of her drawer" "If you pack for your player, you will be held responsible for anything forgotten" "There's no such thing as "playing-up". There is however playing at the correct level to challenge and develop" "The only ranking that matters is the one at the end of the season...and even its value is open for debate" "Never "Dis" Texas volleyball. There's just too darn many of them. How did they ever lose the Alamo?"
RIP THREAD	Hmm..	#17	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 66 (06/13/08 9:55 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	vb15fan wrote: "Drop your player at practice and leave, if not for home then a mall or bar." Sorry volleyflower but my "wisdom" differs slightly... -Be realistic about your players role on the team. Watch practices as it gives you a better idea of what the coach is basing decisions upon. ...yes and lets spread that train of thinking to other learning environments, as practices are: How about sitting in on every class at school? Seeing what grades and class rank are based on? Maybe having your boss sit at your desk all day? So he/she can award pay and bonuses on performance of your every move...as the sweat pours off you. There is simply no way for a player to disassociate or ignore a parent in the gym watching every move, every screw-up, every great play. It is a pressure not needed in a teaching/learning environment. If you took your time, and picked the correct coach, cut the apron strings and let the learning process happen. Keep the communication lines open among your player, the coach and yourself but not by "bird-dogging" practices.
Phaedrus		#18	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2041 (06/14/08 2:46 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	VbBEAR wrote: How did they ever lose the Alamo?" They didn't, it still sitting in the middle of San Antonio, I've seen it.
alvbfan	some more	#19	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 146 (06/14/08 8:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	The girl sitting on the bench on the club team can be a star on the shool team. The girl who is always on the court on the club team can be sitting the bench on the school team. No matter how dominant a player looks in the 12's and 13's, it means little when playing 16's and above. Don't let your girl get discouraged at an early age. People's bodies mature at different rates, as do their reflexes and determination. The dynamic 5'6" OH at 13's could be just a backrow 5'6" DS in 17's. Different coaches see different things (and potential) in each player. Stay away from club coaches who spend extra practice time with their top 2 or 3 players, but not the rest of the team. If you are paying equal, you should all get coached equal. School ball can be for fun, and club ball for being serious. Or the other way around. Don't demand that every day of practice in both be so important that a bad practice will ruin them. Everyone has their bad days. The team that looks great in the first match of the day probably isn't. The team that looks mediocre in the first match probably isn't. Don't judge your odds of winning a tournament based on watching first matches. Reffing a match after you lose has to be one of the worst ways to run any sport. When reffing, tell the girls to pay attention, especially to the LINE and not the ball. Few parents understand volleyball statistics, and how to keep them. Always find and remember a Subway or Quizinos location on the way to the gym. Forget the fancy food table. Focus on a few basics (water and fruit) and let the parents supply the food for thier own kid. It is a volleyball tournament, not an Iron Chef buffet contest. Thank god for Ipods. Before they came along, each team had a huge boombox. Texting scores to the missing spouse is the best way to update them.
Phaedrus		#20	[-]
Registered Member Posts: 2041 (06/14/08 8:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	alvbfan wrote: Stay away from club coaches who spend extra practice time with their top 2 or 3 players, but not the rest of the team. If you are paying equal, you should all get coached equal. Slight disagreement her alvbfan. I will not spend any more time with a kid if she refuses to be coached.