Coaching Management 18.5 by Momentummedia

Coaching Management VOL. XVIII NO. 5

VOLLEYBALL

PRESEASON

EDITION

new situation

$7.00

2010

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Going Multi-Sport

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Q&A with Hope’s Becky Schmidt

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Up for the Challenge How to tackle a

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Minnesota’s Strength Program

Circle No. 100

CONTENTS

Coaching Management Volleyball Edition Preseason 2010 Vol. XVIII, No. 5

LOCKER ROOM

Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Two new professional indoor leagues to start in 2011 … Muncie (Ind.) High School uses Ball State players as assistant coaches … Mentoring a recordsetting setter … High school coach in Maine battles through ALS … Updates on sand volleyball legislation.

Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Becky Schmidt, Head Coach at Hope College, leads the Flying Dutch to their first appearance in the NCAA Division III semifinals.

at the net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 On the cover: University of North Dakota Head Coach Ashley Hardee has taken on the challenge of moving the program from NCAA Division II to Division I. His story, and four others, begin on page 14.

COVER STORY

Up for the Challenge

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Sometimes, the hardest part of coaching is dealing with something beyond the usual duties. In this article, five head coaches share their stories and strategies for hurdling what they hadn’t before.

LEADERSHIP

Best Dressed Athletes

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For most girls, the more clothes the better. But that’s only one reason for encouraging multi-sport participation.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Peak Performance

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At the University of Minnesota, a comprehensive training program enables athletes to reach their potential, as well as peak at just the right time.

Coaching Aids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Volleyball facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Team Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

BRACES & SUPPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Publisher Mark Goldberg Editor-in-Chief Eleanor Frankel Associate Editors Dennis Read, Greg Scholand Assistant Editors R.J. Anderson, Kenny Berkowitz, Abigail Funk, Kyle Garratt, Mike Phelps

Marketing Director Sheryl Shaffer Business Manager Pennie Small Administrative Assistant Sharon Barbell Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter Circulation Director Dave Dubin Circulation Manager John Callaghan

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The Coaching Management Volleyball edition is published in April and November by MAG, Inc., and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada.

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LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD New Pro Leagues On The Horizon Top college indoor volley ball players may soon have a place to continue their athletic careers at the professional lev el without traveling overseas. Two places, in fact. The Women’s National Volley ball Association (WNVA) and the Women’s National Volley ball League (WNVL)—indepen dent of each other—are cur rently taking shape with hopes of beginning play in 2011. In the meantime, both leagues are finalizing marketing plans and logistics. The WNVA is promoting its cause with a national “Bringing the American Tradition Back Home” tour, in which athletes representing the league will travel from city to city to con duct rallies and speak with media outlets. “We feel it is very important to make the country aware of our plans for this new league so we get the support we need to be success ful,” says WNVA CEO and Commissioner Ron DeShay. “[This tour] is the first time the world will see everything that is being done to bring this great sport back to the United States. It’s our first impression and we want to make a great one.” The WNVA will also hold a player combine in California that will serve as a tryout for spots on the league’s eight teams, and is even planning a reality television show to accompany it. The show will give viewers an inside look at the lives of athletes trying out for the WNVA and take fans behind the scenes of the cre ation of the league itself.

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ment, to make the WNVA suc cessful. “The main objective of the reality show is to give vol leyball a consistent mainstream platform that will work to stim ulate fan base growth of the association leading up to the inaugural season.” No dates for the tryouts, show, or tour have been released yet, but DeShay is confident all the pieces will come together. “[This is] life changing for col lege athletes and coaches,” he says. “Coaches can tell their athletes they now have a chance to play volleyball pro fessionally after their collegiate careers and they don’t have to go overseas to make that hap pen.” The WNVL, meanwhile, will begin play in the fall of 2011 with six teams based in Orlan do, Tampa Bay, Miami, Atlan ta, Chicago, and Minnesota. League organizer Vestee Jack son, a former NFL player who spent time with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, has been brainstorming ideas for the league for seven years.

“I watched the other league that started up, the United States Professional Volleyball League [in 2001],” he says. “I was hoping it would suc ceed. Unfortunately it didn’t, and shortly after that is when I started thinking a little bit more about starting my own. “My investors and I don’t want to take the same approach that some others have used when they’ve lost millions of dollars trying to get a league off the ground,” Jackson continues. “We’re taking a slower, smaller approach and we’ll build the league as the fan base grows.” The WNVL plans to hold open tryouts for all teams in January and February of 2011. Leading up to then, Jackson will focus on finalizing practice and game facilities in each city and lining up coaching and administrative staffs. He also plans to work on sponsorships, ticketing, and marketing the league. For Jackson, one key to the WNVL will be player sup port. “When I think back to

my time in the NFL and talk to people who used to play way back when, they tell me that when they started playing they made basically nothing,” he says. “They were playing for the love of the game. That’s the approach we’re taking. We haven’t made a final decision on what the players or coaches will earn, but I can say it’s not immediately going to be some thing they can retire from. “Ultimately, the success of the league is going to be up to the players and fans, and their support,” Jackson con tinues. “If the fans are there, the sponsors will come. Longterm, that’s what will keep the league around. We’re not try ing to be the NBA right off the bat—we’re hoping to develop it one day at a time.” For more information on the WNVA, visit: www.thewnva.com. To learn more about the WNVL, check out: www.wnvl.com.

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“It becomes a vehicle to edu cate the country about the sport,” says DeShay, who is a producer for the hit television series “American Idol” and is working with Leigh Steinberg, one of the country’s top sports agents, and his company, Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertain

Penn State University seniors Alisha Glass and Megan Hodge play defense during the NCAA Division I national championship game last December vs. the University of Texas, the final match of their collegiate careers. Starting in 2011, graduating players may have an opportunity to compete in not just one, but two new indoor pro leagues in America.

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LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD “Setting” A Record Thirty-seven is an impressive number—as in 37 victories and no losses for Concordia University, St. Paul during its perfect 2009 season, which culminated in a third straight NCAA Division II national title. But 7,351 is arguably an even more impressive figure—that’s how many assists Maggie McNamara earned in four years with the Golden Bears, setting a new all-time record for Division II. How did Head Coach Brady Starkey, whose career tally at Concordia now stands at 24020, develop his star? Mainly, he allowed McNamara to be her own critic and a confident leader on the court. “She’s a great player with a very strong skill set who probably could have played at a higher level,” Starkey says. “But she wanted to stay close

to home and follow in the footsteps of her sister, who played volleyball here. We basically lucked out in getting her.”

believed she had five teammates on the court who could terminate the ball, so she didn’t favor one or two.”

Starkey says McNamara’s prowess as a setter was mainly selftaught, with he and his assistants providing only occasional pointers on keeping a high hand position and using sound footwork. In his view, the traits that most set her apart were her flawless decision-making skills and ability to inspire confidence in her teammates.

To hone such decision-making skills in all his players, Starkey believes in running practices like an ongoing conversation with the team—an approach McNamara easily bought into. “We train our players to become students of the game by talking about situations and treating them like adults when they make mistakes,” he says. “We discuss what they should have done on a particular play and why a different approach would have worked better. And we encourage them to problem-solve with each other.

“She was very smart about balancing our attack by setting up different players throughout a match, which kept our opponents guessing,” Starkey explains. “And she understood the importance of keeping everyone confident in themselves. If someone made a mistake or missed a kill, she’d come right back and set them up again on the next point every time. She always

“That helps them become more intelligent on the court and make better decisions in pressure situations,” Starkey continues. “It’s something Maggie was excellent at and allowed her to be a great leader.”

As McNamara prepares to graduate, Starkey knows it won’t be easy replacing a fourtime All-American and twotime AVCA Division II Player of the Year—especially one who never missed a point in four full seasons. But he’s also excited to begin the quest for a fourth straight title. “The cool thing about coaching is that you always have to make adjustments based on which players you lose and gain each year,” he says. “We have a new setter coming in and I’m eager to see what she’ll be capable of. But you can bet we’ll miss Maggie.”

Creating Coaches There is no guarantee that Ethan Pheister will become the next head coach at the University of Kentucky or an assistant coach at Indiana University. But the senior Ball State University setter is following in the footsteps of those who have. For over two decades, Wes Lyon, Head Coach at Muncie (Ind.) Central High School and Asics Munciana Volleyball Club, has been asking Ball State players to serve as his unpaid assistant coaches, and Pheister is the latest. “There has been a pipeline of players from Ball State who get involved with our club or high school teams over the years,” says Lyon, who maintains communication with the BSU compliance officer to make sure the student-athletes aren’t violating NCAA rules.

Maggie McNamara puts up one of her 7,351 assists, which broke the all-time record in NCAA Division II. She also led Concordia University, St. Paul to three national titles, playing every point in every game during her career. Concordia Head Coach Brady Starkey says the traits that most set McNamara apart were her decision-making skills and ability to inspire confidence in teammates.

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Lyon is usually familiar with the players before they join his coaching staff. “They come to our high school matches or they may have worked a camp for us,” he says. “We also get to know them by watch-

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CARLOS GONZALEZ/NCAA PHOTOS VIA AP PHOTOS

“A lot of these guys and girls are teaching majors, so you have a natural mix,” he continues. “They are already playing volleyball and they want to coach.”

ing them play in college. The player has to be committed to coaching and teaching and not just treat it like some kind of part-time job.â&#x20AC;?

Pheister taught the Muncie Central players setting and was the freshman teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach. He also served as an assistant on Lyonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club team and his varsity team that won the 2009 4A state championship.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually they start out as position coaches in their area of expertise. Then we put them into additional roles as they develop their coaching skills.â&#x20AC;? Once on board, Lyon gradually gives the young assistants more responsibility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Usually they start out as position coaches in their area of expertise,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then we put them into additional roles as they develop their coaching skills.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The high school players are really excited when the college players come here because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s someone close to their age who they might already look up to,â&#x20AC;? says Lyon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have watched the Ball State athlete play in college and now they get a chance to play for him or her. When the college students make suggestions, the younger players are very eager to listen.â&#x20AC;?

trophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)â&#x20AC;&#x201D; also known as Lou Gehrigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diseaseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Hasch knew they had to deal with the challenge as a team.

Lyon hopes all his assistants continue to coach and sees them as role models for the high school and club players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time you bring in a college player it helps your program by adding a youthfulness to your coaching staff and a good perspective from an experienced player,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And they usually can bang a lot of balls for you.â&#x20AC;?

Minor Adjustments Only At Greely High School in Cumberland, Maine, Head Coach Kelvin Hasch and Assistant Coach Bruce Churchill have worked closely together since starting the program eight years ago. Hasch handles game strategy and personnel and Churchill calls plays and serving zones. So when Churchill was diagnosed with amyo-

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We called a meeting for all the players and parents, and I told everyone straight up what was happening,â&#x20AC;? says Hasch, who also teaches industrial technology at Greely. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I explained the disease, gave them a Web site address where they could get more information, and made it clear Bruce was welcome to keep coaching. From the beginning, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to hide anything. The kids understand the disease has a cruel end, but we get to enjoy Bruceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence as long as we can.â&#x20AC;? In the two years since that meeting, Churchill has gone from walking with a slight limp to using a cane, then two

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LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD communicates with players, and they look to him for leadership, just as they always have.” For some, it’s been a struggle to watch the progress of the disease, but throughout the process, players have grown closer as a team. For the past three years, the varsity and j.v. squads have participated in Portland’s Walk to Defeat ALS as “Churchill’s Champions,” raising thousands of dollars for medical research. This year, they created their own fouron-four intramural tournament dedicated to Churchill, which drew more than 20 teams. And they helped Greely host 2009’s Maine Games, which was renamed the Bruce Churchill Classic, with proceeds going to raise funds and awareness for ALS.

Greely High School Assistant Coach Bruce Churchill hands out plaques after the school, located in Cumberland, Maine, won the 2009 Class A state championship. Battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, Churchill managed to stand for the entire presentation ceremony. Head Coach Kelvin Hasch is in the background. canes, and now a wheelchair. He’s dropped his obstetrics practice, but continues to work as a gynecologist four days a week. And with only minor adjustments, he’s been courtside for every practice and game. Instead of Churchill coming to the gym on his own, Hasch meets him in the parking lot and wheels him into the building. Churchill no longer hits

Coaching Management

“We’ve made some changes, like conducting time-outs sitting on the bench instead of standing on the court, but that’s minor,” says Hasch. “Bruce still

Though the future remains uncertain—only 10 percent of people with ALS survive another 10 years after diagnosis— Churchill has no plans to quit coaching. “As long as he’s up to it,” says Hasch, “there will be a place for him on our team.”

Sandy Days Ahead Despite not having the support of the majority of Division I members, sand volleyball will be adopted as an emerging sport in NCAA Division I. However, it will take longer

Supporters of the addition believe the sand game will bring increased attention to the sport of volleyball overall. “This was a heck of a fight, but I’m pretty excited,” says Mick Haley, Head Coach at the University of Southern California, the first school to announce it will offer sand volleyball as an official team. “We’ve just added a tremendous lightning rod to our sport, and more people—sponsors, manufacturers, fans—are going to take notice of both the indoor and outdoor game as a result.” Sand volleyball was first added to the list of emerging sports in Divisions I and II in 2009 (Division III rejected it), but since then, Division I has been divided on whether it was the right decision. While Division II has gone ahead in developing—and approving—practice and playing season parameters and a financial aid model over the past year, enough Division I members submitted requests for an override vote that it was put on the January 2010 Convention agenda. An override, which needs a five-eighths majority to pass, fell just a few percentage points short, with 58 percent of members voting for it. Detractors cite a lack of funds as their main concern in adding the sport. Building a sand volleyball facility and putting up new scholarship dollars worries many administrators who are already struggling to cut back expenses amid tough economic times. In addition, they believe those schools that can afford to start the sport will have a competitive advantage in the indoor game as their sand team will attract the very best indoor players who want to play on both teams. “I don’t think the override vote almost passing is a direct reflection on the sport of sand volleyball,” Haley says. “I think

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ANNE BURTON

For more information about ALS and the Walk to Defeat ALS, go to: www.alsa.org.

demonstration balls during practices, handing off the task to the team captains, and rather than walking onto the court to talk to players individually, Churchill now waves them over to the sidelines. But he remains Hasch’s partner in leading the team to great things. Greely has won the last seven titles in the state’s strongest division, amassed a 128-4 record, and set a Maine record with 66 consecutive victories.

For Hasch, the lessons learned from working with Churchill are clear. “I see so many coaches who think they have to run their team by themselves,” he says. “From day one, my philosophy has been to use the help that’s available. I don’t know everything there is to know about volleyball, and I’m grateful for the day when Bruce first offered to help. He is an important part of our program, finding out what each kid does best and putting together the pieces of the puzzle to make us competitive season after season.”

than originally planned to work out all the details.

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LOCKER ROOM BULLETIN BOARD it was a reflection on the economy and those schools not wanting to add a sport—which I completely understand. But a lot of those schools that voted for the override will add sand volleyball once they realize it’s what’s best for the athletes. We’re always talking about adding scholarships for women, and the sand game is a great way to do that.”

I has pushed its start date to 2011-12 so it has more time to debate the specifics. Current proposals include 18 competition dates, six scholarship equivalencies, and a hierarchy financial aid model similar to Division II’s, which was for-

warded to the membership for a comment period that ended in mid-March. The Division I Legislative Council will then vote on the proposals in April, where they will likely be approved pending agreement from the Board of Directors.

“We’re not going to hire a separate coach, but another member of our staff whose assignment will be the sand game,” Haley says. “What we don’t want is a tug of war between two different entities over the same athletes. Like a cross country and track and field program, our coaching staffs will all work together and I’ll be the coordinator.”

How the sport’s financial aid package will be shaped is a big concern for those detractors worried about competitive equity. Administrators don’t want to see indoor teams stacking their squads with talented players on outdoor scholarships for fear of schools without sand teams not being able to compete with them on an even field.

In other news from the 2010 NCAA Convention, Division I approved a proposal that will allow most NCAA prospects to compete on professional teams prior to their college careers as long as they don’t accept more compensation than necessary for expenses. Previously, a prospective college athlete who played on a pro team alongside athletes who were compensated— even if the prospect accepted no compensation—lost their amateur status and NCAA eligibility. However, in March the proposal received enough override votes that it will be reconsidered.

Division II, which approved practice and playing season dates and scholarship equivalency proposals at the Convention, is aiming to solve the competitive equity issue with a hierarchy financial aid model. This would mean that any scholarship athlete who participates in both sand volleyball and on the indoor squad will count against the indoor team’s scholarship limits, ensuring that the five scholarships Division II approved for the sand game will go to new players only. Division II also set a maximum of 16 competition dates during the regular spring season and four during the off-season. A team must compete in a minimum of eight contests, including at least three dual meets, in order to qualify as a sport. And at least five two-person teams must participate for a contest date to count toward the minimum. While Division II is set to begin the sport in 2010-11, Division

At USC, plans for its sand team are beginning to take shape. The school hopes to build a small facility on campus that will accommodate a sand court and hire a coach with outdoor experience. Haley will serve in a supervisory position.

Geena Urango spikes a ball for the University of Southern California, which is the first school to announce it will begin a sand volleyball team. The sport has now been approved at both the NCAA Division I and II levels, with D-II beginning play next spring. “We’ve just added a tremendous lightning rod to our sport,” says USC Head Coach Mick Haley.

In Division II, the membership approved its “Life in the Balance” initiative, which aims to help student-athletes have more time for activities outside of their sport team. Volleyball had its season reduced by two matches, and its reporting date pushed one week later. Soccer, field hockey, baseball, golf, and basketball also saw their regular seasons cut by at least one contest date. In addition, a weeklong dead period over the winter holiday break was instituted for all Division II athletes.

Coaching Management

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MATT BROWN

Correction In the Postseason 2009 issue of Coaching Management Volleyball (Vol. XVII, No. 11), we incorrectly reported on a suspension during an alleged hazing incident at Taft High School in Los Angeles. An investigation into the incident completely cleared the head coach and he continues to coach at the school. We regret the error.

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Q&A

Becky Schmidt

Hope College

Like any institution of higher learning, Hope College greatly appreciates when its alumni give back to the school. And not many have been as generous as Becky Schmidt, a 1999 graduate who in six seasons as Head Coach, has turned the school’s volleyball program into an NCAA Division III powerhouse. Since taking the helm in 2003, Schmidt has led the Flying Dutch to five straight 20-win seasons, three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championships, and an appearance in the 2009 NCAA Division III semifinals—the team’s first. Under her direction, the program has gone 155-62, and in 2008, Schmidt was elected the NCAA Division III

CM: What have been the keys to your success at Hope? Schmidt: I didn’t have a five-year plan or anything like that. I just wanted to maximize our talent every year, work as hard as we could, and bring in the best student-athletes possible.

representative on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Board of Directors. During her career as a middle blocker at Hope, Schmidt was a two-time MIAA MVP and the program’s first AllAmerican. A kinesiology major, Schmidt was selected as the college’s outstanding female athlete in 1999 and awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She went on to complete her master’s degree in sport behavior and performance at Miami University of Ohio while serving as a graduate assistant coach. From there, Schmidt spent three years as Head Coach at Redlands College before taking over at Hope. In this interview, Schmidt talks about the ebb and flow of the team’s Final Four season, her approach to getting the most out of practice, and working with the AVCA.

The girls came away from that weekend understanding that success is about more than just executing on the court. They learned to put team first and personal glory second.

What did you tell your players after the national semifinal loss? I said I was proud of them. The team worked really hard in the off-season and went through some growing pains in fit-

In recruiting, I look for talented players who I think will be fun to work with and are women of character. I try to not leave any stone unturned in finding players who can make our team more competitive and successful. Once student-athletes are on board, my focus is on motivating them and helping them get the most out of their experience. What were the highs and lows of your 34-4 season last fall? We started the 2009 season by beating Washington University in St. Louis, a tremendously respected program. That showed we were capable of doing great things. The girls were confident going into that weekend, and they came away with even more confidence. But a few weeks later, we went to a tournament at Illinois Wesleyan and struggled. We experimented with a few things in our lineup and figured out what we needed to do to maximize our talent on the court. Even more importantly, the team learned some lessons on relating and communicating with each other.

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Hosting rival Calvin College, Hope volleyball attracted more than 2,000 fans to its DeVos Fieldhouse this past fall. Head Coach Becky Schmidt takes the time to educate and connect with fans however she can, which included holding a workshop for spectators before the first game of the 2009 season.

Coaching Management

Q&A ting into different roles. They improved a lot and showed a new sense of dedication.

addresses our players’ needs, they get the most out of that practice.

I was also proud of the way they handled themselves during the championships. They were very appreciative to be there and took full advantage of the experience.

What’s your approach to strength and conditioning? We don’t work out a lot with weight machines. Instead, we do a lot of functional training with elastic bands and medicine balls, and work on plyometrics, agility, and balance training. I don’t care how much weight our players can lift. I want our offcourt work to relate to volleyball.

Do you ask your athletes to set goals? I don’t have players write down goals— there are too many things in flux throughout the season in terms of playing time and opportunities, as well as our own limited resources in tracking progress. Instead, I try to focus on process goals: things you can do every day to maximize your experience.

I also pay a lot of attention to rest and peaking. Last season, I gave my team more days off than ever before. That downtime helped us peak for the NCAA Tournament.

“I try to help players figure out what motivates them and then create an environment that they want to be a part of. I make sure to connect with every player at every practice ... I’ll ask things like, ‘What do you want to get out of today’s practice? What are you thinking about right now?’”

We continually talk about the things we can control—our work rate, the way we treat each other, and the mental energy we bring to each play. Then I hold them accountable to work rate or work ethic. If people aren’t working hard, they hear about it from me. How do you inspire them to work hard? I try to help players figure out what motivates them and then create an environment that they want to be a part of. I make sure to connect with every player at every practice while they stretch so they stay focused on giving their best. I’ll ask things like, “What do you want to get out of today’s practice? What are you thinking about right now?” That helps each player stay motivated and helps me prepare a workout to address what each athlete is trying to accomplish that day. I believe it’s really important to be in sync with student-athletes about their training. We need to listen to them and find out what they think. If I have a practice plan that doesn’t address their concerns, then we have a problem. If the practice plan

Coaching Management

Most of your matches are very well attended, and you’ve set Division III attendance records while competing against your rival, Calvin College. How do you feed spectator enthusiasm? We’ve been focused on promoting the sport of volleyball as a whole, and worrying less about our own team. For example, we play music during introductions for both teams, instead of just ours. And our announcer shows enthusiasm for good plays on both sides of the net.

We’re also trying to educate spectators on good volleyball. Before our first match last season, I held a workshop for fans. It was a season preview, but also updated them on new rules and gave a behindthe-scenes look at what was going on in our league and in the game in general. They really liked learning exactly what makes a great play happen. We’re always looking for ways to enhance our relationship with the community and help people connect with the team. How did you become a member of the AVCA Board of Directors? I went to my first AVCA Convention when I was a college junior and was blown away by how much I learned. Being part of that event—talking to and learning from other coaches and seeing the community they had—was really special. I was so enthused for the sport and the profession after attending that I knew I wanted to give back to the organization. I started by working on committees, which allowed me to contribute to the mission of the AVCA. Moving into a board position

was the next step after that. What issues is the board currently working on? Sand volleyball is a big topic. How do we move forward with this growth opportunity while balancing the interests of indoor volleyball? We want to make sure resources aren’t taken away from the indoor game while providing continued growth opportunities for sand volleyball. We’re also working on educating coaches in more accessible ways. We’re very proud of the convention, but with budget constraints, we need ways to educate coaches that don’t require them to travel and take days off from school. So we’re making more classes available online— mainly through audio sessions—and looking at conducting smaller clinics around the country. Hope has two athletic directors. How does that affect you? I love the two-athletic director model, which provides additional administrative support for us coaches. We have an athletic director who is responsible for volleyball and knows the ins and outs of my program very well. It’s a lot easier to keep track of nine programs than 18, so she has more time for me. I also love the way our two athletic directors interact. I know that I can go to either of them with an issue or for advice. Having two people in those roles also allows for different perspectives. What are the keys to recruiting in Division III? Believing in your school is the most important thing. After that, it’s about finding ways to connect with student-athletes through phone calls and in-person interactions, and showing support by attending their matches. I can evaluate somebody pretty quickly in terms of whether they can make a contribution to our program. But I’ll still watch them a number of times to demonstrate we really support them and will be there for them. The student-athletes on our current team also have a lot responsibility for selling our program. Kids want to be a part of a team that they’ll feel close to. If they feel that closeness and cohesiveness on their visit, they’ll want to be part of our program. What is your dream coaching job? Hope was the place I always wanted to end up coaching. I honestly didn’t think I would be doing it this early in my career. I see myself coaching and teaching at Hope for many years.

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University of North Dakota Head Coach Ashley Hardee has recently taken on the challenge of moving the program from NCAA Division II to Division I. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to make competitiveness a priority and move that to the top of the to-do list,â&#x20AC;? he says. Here, he talks to outside hitter Devin Trefza, a first-team all-conference selection last fall as a sophomore.

Up for the

COVER STORY

BY MIKE PHELPS

ynor Mendoza said it was the worst experience he’s faced as a coach. After hearing his story, it’s easy to see why. His tale began last summer when, as Head Coach of the women’s team at Los Angeles City College, Mendoza was confronted with the possibility of his squad being cut. Looking at a massive budget deficit, the school had canceled its summer and winter break classes, and athletics was next on the chopping block. Not just the volleyball team—the entire department. Mendoza did what he assumed any coach would do in his situation: He fought for his team. But while Mendoza’s intentions were right, his assumption was off. When news broke that the athletics program at L.A. City would likely be cut, many of the school’s other coaches bolted campus to seek out new jobs. Ultimately, Mendoza saved his squad, while the other six programs at the school were canceled.

But as it turned out, Mendoza’s challenge was just beginning. Being a head coach of a solitary athletic team proved to be a predicament. While the situation at L.A. City is certainly unique, tackling a demanding challenge is something every coach encounters eventually. Whether it’s a difficult budgetary situation, taking a team to a higher level, assuming a new role, or even starting a program from scratch, one aspect of being a successful coach lies in your ability to handle the bumps in the road. Here, five coaches share their own experiences. Last Team Standing The volleyball team at L.A. City wasn’t saved by chance. While other coaches fled the scene or idly waited for the axe to fall, Mendoza sprang into action. He began lobbying for support from faculty members, mainly professors in the women’s physical education department. He Mike Phelps is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. He can be reached at: mp@MomentumMedia.com.

Sometimes, the hardest part of coaching

is dealing with something beyond the usual duties. In this article, five head coaches share their stories and strategies for hurdling what they hadn’t before.

Challenge

COVER STORY

talked about the team’s record of positive behavior and academic performance. He also turned to Jan McEveety, the chair of the department, who originally brought Mendoza to L.A. City to serve as coach of the then-club volleyball team. With McEveety’s help, Mendoza was able to schedule a meeting with one of the college’s vice presidents. Mendoza

ers, who began to feel guilty that they were given the chance to continue competing when others weren’t. Mendoza focused his efforts on keeping the team together and making sure the studentathletes realized they deserved to keep playing. He organized team-bonding experiences and frequently met with squad members to inspire them.

“It was an eye-opening experience for me. We had little to no fan support. I’d never been in a situation where we were the only program, and instead of people supporting us, they shunned us.” presented his ideas and a bare bones budget for keeping the team afloat. The proposal was forwarded to the president, who supported the plan. “I was given a contract stating that she was willing to support the program unless she found out any additional bad news about the overall budget,” Mendoza says. “If there were changes that meant the school wouldn’t be able to pay for the program, then she would cut it immediately. Somehow, some way, the budget came through and we were able to keep the team.” In order to fit within the constraints, Mendoza had to cut the number of tournaments the Cubs participated in and reduce the overall schedule from 24 to 19 games. He also tried to keep most of the team’s games at home to save money spent on travel, and did not even think about purchasing new uniforms. That turned out to be the easy part. Rather than rally around the school’s last remaining athletic team, many at the university began to point fingers and question why one team was kept over others that had traditionally been more successful in competition. “It was an eye-opening experience for me,” Mendoza says. “We had little to no fan support. I’d never been in a situation where we were the only program, and instead of people supporting us, they shunned us.” The pressure took its toll on the play16

Coaching Management

“I told them we were chosen for a reason,” he says. “I said, ‘We have to go out there, represent the school, and show everyone that we need programs like this here at L.A. City. There is a purpose to our season beyond wins and losses.’” While a few women chose not to remain on the team, the Cubs completed the season with their heads held high and even a few wins. “The girls showed a lot of heart, and you could see many of them elevate their games to the next level to prove we could compete,” Mendoza says. “That was really reassuring to me. It showed that I fought for a good reason and they understood what the point was for us to be playing.” Mendoza credits his proactive lobbying as the main reason why his program was spared from the budget cuts. He encourages other coaches to follow the same path should they encounter a similar situation. “Turn to the people you’ve made connections with, as they’re going to be your biggest allies,” he says. “Keep your ties, because the people who are there for you once will be there again. That’s what I appreciate about Jan—she was there when I needed her to start the team and there when we were going to lose it. She helped us every step of the way, and it was important to have her support.” Movin’ On Up Taking over a program as a new

head coach is tough enough. Now try mentoring a team that is in the midst of transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division I, and about to play its first true Division I schedule in a brand new conference. That’s the challenge Ashley Hardee took on when he accepted the job as Head Coach of the women’s program at the University of North Dakota one year ago. The Fighting Sioux ended up finishing the 2009 season 22-6 and won the Great West Conference regular season and tournament championship, but raising UND’s first volleyball banner was no easy task. While Hardee was used to the level of commitment necessary to succeed at the Division I level—he was previously an assistant at New Mexico State University—that philosophy was foreign to many of his players. “The team that I was handed was essentially a Division II team,” Hardee says. “I had to make competitiveness a priority and move that to the top of the to-do list. In Division II or III, an athlete can be a normal college student at times, but sacrifices need to be made when you decide to play Division I athletics.” The problem was that the majority of Hardee’s players hadn’t actually decided to play Division I volleyball—they joined a Division II program that just happened to upgrade during their time on campus. Thus, Hardee’s biggest challenge was convincing the team to buy into a higher level of commitment and showing faith that they could be successful at the most competitive level of college volleyball. “I was definitely met with some resistance when I first got here,” he says. “Right away, we were pushing the NCAA weekly hour limits to the max—we were in the gym and weightroom as often as we could be. There were times when I could sense the players were thinking, ‘Whoa, what’s going on here?’ “So I had a meeting with the team to talk about the amount of time we were practicing and how hard we were working,” Hardee continues. “We met in the arena and I pointed up to the rafters, where there were no volleyball banners. I said we were going to build a championship level program here.” The turning point for North Dakota came following an Oct. 1 loss to Utah Valley University, which would eventually finish second in the conference. Hardee thought the team wasn’t com-

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COVER STORY

pletely focused on its goals and told of long days early on.â&#x20AC;? them so during the trip home. Then he In the end, the key to successfully issued a subtle challenge. transitioning the North Dakota proâ&#x20AC;&#x153;We have some players who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gram was to not treat it as a transition. travel, and I told the traveling players Hardeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal from the get-go was to win that I was going to hold a practice for immediately, and he did everything in those who werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t at the match when we his power to build playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence. got home, but it was optional for them,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big mental aspect to it all,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they wanted to come, great, he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time someone goes into but it was not mandatory because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d something new, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an uncertainty been traveling all day. The entire team that goes along with it. You tend to take showed up to practice. Everyone was things a little slower and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re careful, as there and ready to work even though opposed to going after it full speed. they certainly had an excuse not to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the beginning of the season, we there. From that day forward, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t struggled early in matchesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;being too lose another match.â&#x20AC;? careful and losing game one,â&#x20AC;? Hardee Hardee dealt with challenges off the continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But as the emotion of the court as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to say it match wore off and volleyball took over, was overwhelming, but a lot of things we realized we could beat our opponent. werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really in place when I got here,â&#x20AC;? We learned that just because the team he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have some of the best over- across the net was a Division I squad didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all athletic facilities in the country, but mean we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go out there and win.â&#x20AC;? the volleyball program was very bare. We were low on equipment, and I had to Substitute Coach hire a new staff. Trying to put everything It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the way Laura Gacayan from shoes to balls in place and manage envisioned getting her first varsity head my team at the same time made for a lot coaching job. Gacayan was happy to serve

as the coach of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;? teamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;made up of mostly freshmen with a few sophomores mixed inâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash., when tragedy struck. Head Coach Mark Petersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, Ryan, was diagnosed with leukemia, and Peterson was stepping down. He wanted Gacayan to take over as head coach. The day after Gacayan assumed the reins, Skyline was scheduled to play one of its biggest matches of the season. But the new coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest challenge wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t on the court. Instead, she had to manage the emotions of a team full of athletes who had just learned their head coachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son had cancer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was heartbroken for Mark and wanted to do whatever I could to make it easier for him,â&#x20AC;? Gacayan says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It all happened so fast, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lot of time to worry about my new role. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before the match, I sat down and talked to the team,â&#x20AC;? she continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it would be that hard to tell them what was going on, but it was. We all started crying. In a way it was good because it created a bond. The play-

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Circle No. 108 Coaching Management

COVER STORY

ers could see I wasn’t trying to replace Mark, just doing the best I could to fill in and help them finish out the season strong. They responded really well, played hard, and ended up winning the match.” Gacayan believes the situation also

Double Duty For some coaches, becoming an athletic director is part of a future goal— something to prepare and plan for when coaching loses a bit of its luster. For Jean Lojko, however, there was no advance warning. Last summer, the veteran Head

“Before I took over, there had been some drama about playing time and stuff like that. This was a reality check for the players—they quickly understood there are more important things in the world.” helped her players put some other things in perspective. “Before I took over, there had been some drama about playing time and stuff like that,” she says. “This was a reality check for them— they quickly understood there are more important things in the world than who’s playing how many points. It made them pull together as a team.” Peterson stayed in contact with Gacayan throughout the season, offering tips and advice on how to best attack upcoming opponents. He also shared his practice plans and gave Gacayan feedback on how to manage the team’s lineup. Despite keeping much of the dayto-day operations of the program the same, Gacayan says stepping into the head coach’s shoes was a huge challenge. “It was a great experience, but it’s a lot more stressful than what I was used to,” she says. “Everyone was looking at me to lead them, whereas before I was just part of the support system. I would come home from matches and be scribbling down all sorts of notes about what worked, what didn’t, and what I should do next time. I had never experienced that before.” For other coaches making their first foray into head coaching, Gacayan advises concentrating on the team itself, rather than any outside voices or influences. “Above all else, focus on the players and the program,” she says. “A lot of politics get thrown in the mix at the varsity level. The thing to remember is that it’s about the team and the players working together to be successful.” 18

Coaching Management

Coach at Greensboro College was asked to suddenly take over athletic directing duties when budget trouble forced the school to cut its athletic director position. So in early August, one month before volleyball games began, Lojko unexpectedly took charge of the entire department. “If I had been applying for the position, there would have been a lot of planning that went into it,” she says. “But I didn’t get a chance to plan for this. I was thrown into it as the volleyball season was getting ready to start and I just had to run with it.” Lojko says the key to balancing her two roles in her first year has been the support of her staff. The school allowed Lojko to promote three coaches—two into assistant athletic director positions and one to Senior Woman Administrator. “For anyone in my position, you have to trust your co-workers and delegate responsibilities,” she says. “We have a weekly meeting and I delegate, then everyone has to report back on what they’re doing and what’s been accomplished. A lot of times supervisors give other people jobs and they never know how those jobs are carried out. I do a lot of follow up.” While Lojko believes the transition into the athletic director position has been a success, it did take a toll on Greensboro’s 2009 volleyball season. In addition to taking over the athletic department, Lojko’s lone assistant volleyball coach quit on the first day of practice and she went three weeks

Circle No. 108

coaching solo. The Pride finished 10-28, Lojko’s second-worst season in 28 years as Head Coach. “It wasn’t a team that was going to win a championship, but I think we could have won at least six more matches than we did,” she says. “I didn’t miss any practices, but I had less time to prepare for them. I also had a ton of distractions. I was always thinking, ‘Is my mind on what my team’s doing, or the 30 other things I’m also supposed to be doing?’” Lojko is confident next season will be better, as she’ll have much more time to plan ahead for both of her roles. “I’m looking forward to the summer when I can map things out more in advance,” she says. “That’s when I don’t have volleyball practice or other teams’ games to attend or other coaches in my office. There also aren’t as many meetings over the summer. Right now, I have to react to things day-to-day. There’s not a lot of time to spend planning or getting ahead.” For any fellow coaches who are interested in moving into administration, Lojko advises making sure you know what you’re getting into. “First and foremost, you have to understand you’re not looking at a 40-hour-a-week job,” she says. “Sometimes, our coaches will come in to work later in the day if they had a game the night before. That’s not the case for me. I often have a meeting at 9 a.m. and a game the night before, so I have to be here all day and all night. “Expect to be putting in long, long hours,” Lojko continues. “Coaching is still coaching. You’re still recruiting, fundraising, doing everything you’ve been doing, and then as an administrator, you’re doing all of that for the 16 other sports that you oversee, too.” Uncharted Territory The first season of volleyball at Webster County High School in Dixon, Ky., featured taped-down lines on the gym floor, outdated equipment, no home matches, and a very inexperienced squad. But it also gave a group of high school girls a new opportunity. For Head Coach Stephanie Lancaster, that made all the initial headaches worthwhile. The opportunity likely never would have arisen if not for a Title IX audit that revealed the school needed to add one more girls’ sport to become compliant. The decision to add girls’ volleyball was based on a survey indicating a large porCoachesNetwork.com

T he O r ig i n a l

COVER STORY

tion of Webster County girls were interested in the sport. But Webster County’s inaugural squad—which competed at the j.v. level this past season but will play varsity next year—was starting from scratch in more ways than one. Of the 14 players on the roster, one had played the sport at another school before transferring, a couple more had experience on the intramural level, and the rest hadn’t played at all. Initially, Lancaster’s greatest challenge was simply getting her players to understand the level of commitment it takes to be successful. “They didn’t understand how you have to devote yourself to a sport and go to practice every day,” she says. “Girls would miss practice for various things and not think twice about it. Some wanted to just

A big boost came at a season-opening tournament where the team had a chance to play four matches. Despite a tough start to the event, Webster County ended up winning a match by the time the day was over. “They really started to come together,” Lancaster says. “In the first game, I think they were all nervous. We had never played on a real court, and never played with officials. In fact, the first game was pretty bad. But as the day went on, it was like a completely new team took over. Getting a win really helped build their confidence. “That was the first time they had seen what volleyball was truly supposed to look like,” she continues. “They were able to watch other teams and model them, which I think was a huge step in their learning

“We had never played on a real court, and never played with officials. The first game was pretty bad. But as the day went on, it was like a completely new team took over.”

come to the games so they could work an after-school job the other days. They didn’t get it. “So we had a team meeting and I gave them a handout of what I expected of them, including when I expected them to be in the gym,” Lancaster continues. “It helped that they had it in writing. I explained that you’re not going to play in a game if you don’t come to practice for a week.” On the court, Lancaster emphasized the fundamentals. She also got some help from other coaches in the area, who offered advice on drills and practice plans. One even offered to hold a full-day clinic for the Webster County players. “I had girls who had not only never played volleyball, but had never even seen anyone play competitively before,” Lancaster says. “We worked a lot on just passing back and forth, with a focus on being able to make contact with the ball. I was more worried about them being able to get the ball over the net than executing plays.” CoachesNetwork.com

process. Once they saw it live, they understood what I had been talking about and what they were supposed to do.” Next year, Lancaster hopes to have full j.v. and varsity squads. And with only one senior graduating from the 2009 team, she is excited to build on her team’s hard work. The key to making it through year one, she says, was to take her time and be as relaxed as possible. “You’re going to stress, have problems, and be frustrated, but enjoy it because the girls are there to have fun,” Lancaster says. “You’re probably not going to win any tournaments your first year, so just be patient and don’t let the team see it if you’re becoming frustrated. Remember that it’s a learning experience.” n I ntro d ucing

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LEADERSHIP

Best Dressed Athlete

For most girls, the more clothes the better. But that’s only one reason for encouraging multi-sport participation.

MIKE URBAN/SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

BY JIM FORNACIARI

Janelle Chow excelled in volleyball, basketball, and track and field at Mercer Island (Wash.) High School before suiting up for the University of Idaho volleyball squad this fall.

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very region of the country is proud of its homegrown athletes who go on to make a name for themselves at the collegiate or professional level. Here in the Chicago area, two athletes I especially enjoyed watching develop were Cliff Floyd and Antwaan Randle El. Granted, I wasn’t thrilled to see Floyd come to the plate against my team with the bases loaded, and I’m sure

area football coaches were stymied when trying to stop Randle El from scoring another touchdown. But we all developed great respect for them as athletes and competitors. Floyd and Randle El come to mind because they are part of a quickly disappearing era—that of the multi-sport athlete. Floyd was an all-state basketball and baseball player before moving on to professional baseball. Randle El starred in three sports in high school and con-

Jim Fornaciari recently retired as Head Baseball Coach at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, where he continues to serve as a history teacher. His teams went to the state finals in 2002 and 2003 and his program produced a number of college and professional players. He can be reached at: James_Fornaciari@glenbard.org.

Coaching Management

LEADERSHIP

tinued to compete in all three at Indiana University before playing in the NFL. Both of these athletes came through high school when kids were encouraged to play two or three sports. That emphasis on diversifying one’s talents seems to be all but gone now, and in my mind, that is a negative. I believe we are doing a disservice to today’s young people by steering them toward sport specialization. And I also believe that as coaches, we should play a prominent role in bringing back the multi-sport competitor. Better Athletes? There is little doubt that modern training and weightlifting programs have helped produce stronger athletes. There is also no question that earning a starting spot on a high school sports team is more competitive than in years past. So it would seem to make sense for an athlete

Our student-athletes can also receive important team building lessons through playing other sports. A few years ago, my top pitcher found a way to help make everyone on the team feel valuable. The previous fall, he had completed his senior football season as a little-used backup quarterback, yet he still felt valued by the football team’s leaders. When the baseball season started, he brought this experience to our team. He understood that even though he was going to be one of our key players, he needed to appreciate every member of the team. That, of course, bolstered team camaraderie in a huge way. Even negative experiences can help an athlete in his or her next sport. If our basketball team struggles through a difficult losing season, the lessons learned about perseverance and holding one’s head high can be used in whatever sport is waiting for those athletes come spring. Another benefit is increased athleticism, which is what you want when your outfielder needs to make a leaping catch or your volleyball player has to save a ball rebounding off the net. “Learning how to move your body the way your brain is telling it to when you have to make adjustments on the fly is crucial to being a great athlete,” says Steve Stanicek, a former Major League Baseball player and current Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Football Coach at Lockport (Ill.) High School. “Today’s kids are bigger and stronger and faster than in the past, but they have a hard time moving their bodies in subtle ways.” Scott Lawler, Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of Notre Dame, sees this as he recruits players for the Fighting Irish. “Multiple-sport athletes train different muscles in their body and seem to be more athletic than athletes who play only one sport,” he says. “Onesport players have trained their body to do sport-specific movements, but so many movements cross over in an actual athletic contest.” Single-sport athletes also risk developing an injury through overtraining. The American Academy of Pediatrics Council

“Learning how to move your body … when you have to make adjustments on the fly is crucial to being a great athlete. Today’s kids are bigger and stronger and faster, but they have a hard time moving their bodies in subtle ways.” to spend his or her primary sport’s offseason lifting weights and concentrating on sport-specific skill development. But doing so comes at a price. The benefits of competing in different sports—with different coaches and different teammates—are many. When added up, they trump the plusses of an athlete spending all his or her time focusing on one sport alone. One major positive of going multisport is that the athlete will become a stronger competitor. Take, for example, a volleyball player getting ready to serve in a tie game. If she had faced the same type of pressure situation on the basketball court or softball field, she can use that competitive experience to mentally be prepared for the key serve. By experiencing similar—but different—situations in other sports, an athlete expands his or her toolbox of strategies for success. 22

Coaching Management

on Sports Medicine and Fitness recommends two to three months off per year from any one sport to reduce injury risk. The group also comments that time off can decrease risk of burnout. One more nod for the multi-sport athlete can be seen in attitude. As a baseball coach, I always looked forward to the arrival of winter sport athletes to our early season practices. My experience was that boys coming off a long basketball season or a tough wrestling campaign were often much more excited to start baseball practice compared to boys that put in monotonous hours in a batting cage all winter. The kids who played a different sport in the winter seemed energized by a change in their athletic routine. Developmental Benefits Athleticism, competitive drive, teamwork, and enthusiasm are all things coaches want to see in a team of athletes. But there are additional benefits for the multi-sport competitor as an individual. The first is that it allows a young person the flexibility to follow more than one interest. In high school, it wasn’t clear whether Randle El was best at football, baseball, or basketball. He was encouraged to compete in all three sports until he could figure out where his passion lay. And what if Jim Brown were in high school today? The NFL legend won a total of 13 letters in four different sports, even setting a Long Island basketball scoring record (that was eventually broken by future baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski). But now, he would likely be pushed into choosing one sport over the rest and football or lacrosse may have missed one of its greatest players ever. Playing several sports also teaches a young person how to use their talents in more than one way. In our changing workforce, most employers want to hire individuals who can adapt to changes and develop new skills with ease. The experience of shifting gears to a different sport each season is great preparation for the working world. For example, the backup quarterback/star pitcher I mentioned earlier learned the lesson of appreciating everyone’s value during the football season. What a great life lesson he could then bring to so many situations! Had he played fall baseball and missed the CoachesNetwork.com

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- Dr. Mike Hebert, Head Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Volleyball Coach, University of Minnesota. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2009 NCAA Div 1 Final Four â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2006 NCAA Div 1 Elite 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2004 NCAA Div 1 Champion Finalist â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2003 NCAA Div 1 Final Four â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2002 NCAA Div 1 Sweet 16

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limited snaps he received on the football field, he would have missed an opportunity to grow as an individual. Finally, let’s think about what we really want kids to get out of sports. In most cases, we want them to have positive educational experiences that help them mature. By playing different sports for different coaches, they will have a vast array of experiences and thus more opportunities to learn and grow. They will also meet more people, which can

and build bridges between coaches of different sports. Newly hired coaches may need to be educated on the importance of encouraging multi-sport participation. We can turn to our athletic directors to help us with meetings on this topic. We also each need to do as we say, since it can be easy to send mixed messages to athletes. For example, a basketball coach who publicly talks about the benefits of playing a spring sport but coaches a club team during the spring sends a confusing message. Coaches should also consider special recognition for multi-sport athletes. Some schools give out patches or awards to student-athletes who play several sports during the school year.

Along with a lot of communication, coaches need to walk the walk. For example, we can attend games of our athletes in other sports, which shows everyone we really do encourage players to be on other teams. open new doors. Adding variety to a student’s experience helps them to emerge as balanced young adults. Culture Shift for Coaches There are many factors that have played a role in the disappearance of the multi-sport athlete, which is why there is not just one solution. Overall, it will take a change in the attitudes of a lot of people. And it starts with us as coaches. One of the main reasons for sport specialization is the influence of coaches who believe winning comes through a year-round commitment. Can we change our tune? Can we tell our athletes that off-season training is optional and playing another sport is encouraged? And can we show them we sincerely mean it? One way to do this is for coaches to work more collaboratively. As a head coach, consider being an assistant coach in another sport and asking head coaches in other sports to serve as your assistants. Multi-sport coaches are in a great position to help foster the right culture and attract more students to play more sports. It can also be helpful to discuss this topic as coaches. Formal and informal meetings are a good place to talk about the benefits of multi-sport participation 24

Coaching Management

Educating Parents Parents are often the main culprits behind sport specialization, so it’s important to educate them about the benefits of multi-sport participation. We can take time during preseason parents’ meetings to broach the topic and then continue communicating the message throughout the year. Along with explaining all the physical benefits, talking about scholarships will often get a parent’s attention. Many parents think the path to a college athletic scholarship is through specialization. But more and more college coaches are looking for multi-sport athletes. “I often rank kids who play more than one sport at a higher level on my recruiting list because I know they stay competitive all year long,” Lawler says. Some college coaches are also concerned that a young person who has been specializing for several seasons has already reached his or her ceiling. While the athlete who played multiple sports might be raw in some areas, college coaches can foresee tremendous growth once that athlete gets their coaching at the next level. You can also emphasize the importance of multi-sport participation to parents through any communication you put out. As head baseball coach, I produced newsletters three times a year to keep parents and community members informed about important team news. With each issue, I was sure to provide a

list of the multi-sport athletes involved in my program, along with their accomplishments in their other sports. Athletes On Board Of course, we must also get the message across to our athletes. I found it worked well to simply talk a lot about multi-sport participation. For example, in practice I would reference instances of mental toughness or physical preparation in a sport other than the one I was coaching. From time to time, I gave my players brief reading assignments that focused on being competitive, and many of the stories highlighted contemporary athletes who made a multi-sport commitment in high school. Along with a lot of communication, coaches need to walk the walk. For example, we can attend games of our athletes in other sports, which shows everyone we really do encourage our players to be on other teams. And your athletes will appreciate the fact that you made an effort to support them. Transition times—when one sport season is coming to an end and a new one is beginning—present more opportunities to show your belief in multisport participation. I observed a veteran girls’ softball coach make a great statement last spring by canceling an indoor batting practice in favor of having her squad watch a basketball tournament game. Her message of support for a multi-sport culture was clear. One last example I learned from a rival coach. During the fall and spring sports seasons, this basketball coach clipped local newspaper articles about his players competing in other sports. He then sent the articles along with a positive note to his players highlighted in them. Although this communication was not done on a public level, it sent a very powerful message to the athletes. There is certainly value in working with private instructors during an offseason. There is also benefit that can be found by working in the weightroom. However, encouraging these activities at the expense of playing an actual sport is not in the best interests of young people who rely on our coaching and teaching. Let the kids play! n A version of this article is appearing in other sport-specific editions of Coaching Management.

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STRENGTH & CONDITIONING All-American middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer led the Gophers to the NCAA Division I semifinals in 2009.

PEAK PERFORMANCE

At the University of Minnesota, a comprehensive training program enables athletes to reach their potential, as well as peak at just the right time.

JERRY LEE

ou could justly describe

the 2009 University of Minnesota volleyball season as a breakout year. Despite not cracking the top 10 in preseason rankings and entering the NCAA Division I tournament as the 11th seed, we made it all the way to the national semifinals for the first time since 2004 and finished the season ranked fourth in the country. Even Head Coach Mike Hebert

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BY Sara Wiley admitted after our final match that he was surprised by just how far this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Gophers advanced. Yet while many people were caught off guard by our success, I saw it more as the logical culmination of a 12-month commitment on the part of our athletes. We have worked hard to build a training regimen focusing on the specific aspects of volleyball performance that we believe separate the elite players from the rest of the pack.

The cornerstones of our program are mobility and flexibility, movement mastery, and strength and power development. We strive to help every athlete excel in force absorption, power production, and jumping ability. To achieve those goals, we set precise priSara Wiley is Associate Director of Strength & Conditioning at the University of Minnesota. She can be reached at: wiley004@umn.edu.

Coaching Management

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

orities and devise targeted workouts all year long.

and changes in spinal alignment. That in turn may affect scapular alignment and ultimately play a role in a variety of Mobility & Flexibility shoulder ailments. We want all our players to move Volleyball players spend a lot of time around the court in ways that maximize with their hip flexors in a shortened posiefficiency and minimize injury risk. With tion due to the stances and movements that in mind, each strength and condi- required in the sport. To counteract that, tioning session begins with a dynamic it’s essential to invest time re-establishwarmup and flexibility/mobility training. ing a sound length-tension relationship We focus primarily on three body areas: between the flexors and extensors of the the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine. hip, mainly by working to lengthen the Ankles: Because the ankles serve as the flexors and promote efficient firing of foundation for practically every movement the gluteus muscles. of the lower kinetic chain, their mobilIn addition, while there is not much ity is key. Our ankle mobilization exer- research to prove a causal link between cises improve range of motion, especially injuries to the shoulder and the hip, we dorsiflexion in the sagittal plane. From have noticed that many athletes with a performance standpoint, especially for shoulder issues also seem to have a cordefensive specialists and liberos, this type responding problem with the opposite of mobility allows proper setup and align- hip. For that reason, our hip mobility ment in low defensive power positions. exercises always include at least one activity that requires coordination between the hip, trunk, and shoulder. By the time an athlete enters our Some of our staple exercises for building program, it’s obvious she’s found hip mobility include a way to make her movement spider lunges and backward lunge-and-reaches. patterns work on the court. But For engagement of the we still believe we can often take hip, trunk, and shoulder together, we use her game up a notch by correctstep-ups with rotation ing movement flaws and teaching and reverse lunges with new patterns. shoulder proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) diagonal Proper ankle mobility is also useful for movement (not to be confused with PNF keeping the knees optimally aligned. stretches). For corresponding glute actiTo achieve this mobility, we use exer- vation, we use three-way anterior reaches, cises such as single-leg tri-planar squats, the Cook hip lift, and bird dogs (opposite kneeling ankle mobility (the athlete arm-leg raises on hands and knees). takes a knee as if in a lunge position, Thoracic spine: Mobility in the thoplaces her hands on the ground, and racic spine is critical for practically every rolls her body weight forward while movement pattern volleyball players use attempting to keep the front heel down), on the court. A lack of flexibility in and ankle circles with a BAPS (biome- this area is associated with increased chanical ankle platform system) board. injury risk and inefficient movement. We also have the athletes perform squats Furthermore, poor thoracic extension and lunges in bare feet, which forces may lead to compensatory movements them to use the stabilizer muscles of the in the lower back to achieve adequate ankle to maintain balance and perform range of motion during the arm swing— the movement correctly. this frequently leads to volleyball playHips: At the hip, mobility exercises ers’ lower-back problems. seek to open the flexor muscles while To target thoracic spine mobility, we also improving range of motion in all use four-point kneeling with thoracic planes of movement. Shortened, overac- extension and seated rotations with side tive hip flexors can disrupt optimal pel- bends. We also use thoracic extensions vic motion and lead to lower-back pain performed over a physioball. 28

Coaching Management

Beyond those three key areas, we use PNF stretching throughout the year to focus on the quadriceps and shoulders. Our quad-hip flexor stretch is performed in a stretch-contract-relax-stretch sequence, while our shoulder PNF stretch uses the same sequence but with a locked overhead position that traps the shoulder blade. This helps the athletes stretch their internal shoulder rotators while performing trunk rotation. It also helps build sport-specific range of motion that’s especially valuable in the volleyball take-away position. Movement Patterns Even at the NCAA Division I level, there is wide variation in athletes’ movement efficiency during both lateral and vertical moves. Some of the most pronounced deficiencies occur in lateral movement, change of direction, and jumping and landing technique. By the time an athlete enters our program, it’s obvious she’s found a way to make her movement patterns work on the court. But we still believe we can often take her game up a notch by correcting movement flaws and teaching new patterns. Beginning early in the off-season (mid to late January), our training sessions include individualized instruction and drills that reinforce proper jumping and landing technique. Athletes receive verbal cues and hands-on positioning— we literally manipulate their bodies into the correct positions prior to a jump or after a landing, so they can feel the difference between that position and the one they’ve used in the past. Some of our favorite drills to reinforce optimal movement patterns are the simplest ones: in-place jumps with a stick, landing both vertically and horizontally and both single- and double-legged. We instruct the players to land “quietly,” using full-body coordination to absorb force and soften foot impact. We also tell them to pay attention to body position from head to toe—eyes up, chest up, shoulders in line with the knees, knees in line with the toes, and toes dorsiflexed. We address lateral movement by emphasizing push-slant and push-drive mechanics, which volleyball players must use regularly to cover the court. Although these drills seem rudimentary, they serve as the base from which we refine mechanics through more complex CoachesNetwork.com

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

and intense plyometric and agility drills. Once the players display mastery of the simple drills, we add shuffling and sprinting combinations, shuffling and jumping combinations, and short sprints with multiple changes of direction. We also add cone-based agility drills with various footwork patterns, using verbal or visual cues to signal changes in direction or activity, and sometimes incorporate a reaction component to the drill. For instance, when I flash a blue card, an athlete performing a footwork drill must cut left, and if I flash a red card, she must cut right. Other times, the athletes must react to the color cues by running to a cone of a corresponding color. The reaction challenge forces heads-up running and eliminates the potential for just “going through the motions” during a drill. Strength & Power Our strength program is designed to be as functional and sport-specific as possible, which for volleyball means focusing on ground-based compound movements such as squats, box squats, and front

squats, and their single-leg variations. previous training elements together into We also emphasize developing strength the same workout. in the posterior chain using Romanian At all times during our lifting prodeadlifts, glute-ham work, back hypers, gram, we instruct the athletes to move pull-throughs, and good mornings, again the weight as quickly as possible to along with their single-leg variations. stimulate and recruit fast-twitch muscle During our strength development phase, which begins in It’s very easy for volleyball March, we implement players to develop imbalances an isometric training block of two to three in the upper back and chest, weeks followed by an and those imbalances must be eccentric block of two to three weeks, then addressed in strength training finally a traditional to reduce injury risk. concentric block. The isometric emphasis comes first because that’s the best way to teach athletes to fibers. Because volleyball requires fredevelop tension and stay tight during quent lateral and rotational movements, the “weaker” (less strenuous) portions of we complement our core lifts with exera lift. Next, when we focus on eccentric cises that require the athletes move into movements, they experience high motor a full range of motion in the transverse unit recruitment and improve neuro- and frontal planes, such as lateral squats, muscular efficiency. In the final weeks, chopping movements, lateral step-ups, targeting concentric work, we put those and lunging in multiple directions.

Circle No. 114 CoachesNetwork.com

Coaching Management

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

For upper-body power development, we rely mostly on traditional vertical and horizontal pressing and pulling activities. We prefer dumbbells over barbells, because they allow the athletes to take greater control over shoulder positioning and require more engagement of the stabilizer muscles. During balance pressing work, we pay special attention to the athletes’ technique in scapular retraction, downward scapular rotation, and external rotation. It’s very easy for volleyball players to develop imbalances in the upper back and chest, and those imbalances must be addressed in strength training to reduce injury risk.

In addition to body rows and dumbbell rows, we target the lower and middle trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior, and external rotators of the shoulder with face pulls, kneeling reach roll-and-lift exercises, push-ups plus, and wall slides. To make force gains as functional as possible for volleyball, it’s vital to focus on the rate of force development. Volleyball is an explosive sport, and if explosiveness is developed at different rates in different muscle areas, players will suffer from inefficiencies and energy leaks. We combat this by incorporating total-body lifts into our training, including the power clean and power snatch—performed both

JUMP PHASES During the off-season, we break our jump training into three phases, each with its own unique emphasis. GENERAL PREP Duration

Exercises

Four weeks, beginning in January

Jump rope Line hops Squat jumps with stick Single-leg jumps with stick Forward, backward, and lateral jumps with stick Tuck jumps Pike jumps Barrier jumps with stick

Goals

Prepare for more intense work to come, master technique for in-place jumping and landing, build strength in landing positions, reinforce proper movement patterns.

STRENGTH DEVELOPMENT Duration 10 to 12 weeks, beginning in March

Goals

Introduce more complex and higherintensity jumping, include ballistic jumping to incorporate strength speed/power activities, add shocklevel plyos to maximize nervous system challenge

Exercises

Box jumps: isometric hold to jump Hurdle jumps Broad jumps Lateral bounds Block jumps Approach jumps Shock-level plyos: depth landings (in the final three weeks)

POWER DEVELOPMENT Duration Eight to 10 weeks, beginning in June

Goals

Improve rate of force production, improve force absorption (landings), maximize sport-specific gains

Coaching Management

Exercises

Approach jumps Shuffle blocks Push drive/slant block jumps Lateral bounds to jumps Lateral barrier jumps to vertical jumps Shock-level plyos: depth landings or depth jumps (in the final 3 weeks)

from the floor and from hanging positions—as well as the clean and jerk, clean pulls, and snatch pulls. As preseason approaches, totalbody lifts account for a larger portion of our training volume, and we begin to combine our strength exercises into complexes with jumping activities. The coupling of a loaded strength exercise with an unloaded explosive exercise further increases motor-unit recruitment and stimulates fast-twitch motor fiber. We boost arm and shoulder muscle power with medicine ball exercises, including overhead throws, overhead triceps tosses, pullover throws off a physioball, slams, and single-arm tossbacks. In addition, we employ timed lifts— requiring an athlete to perform as many reps as possible in four or six seconds—to build explosiveness. Once an individual reaches a rate of more than one rep per second, we add more resistance and they work to reach the same number of reps. Progressively increasing load and achieving the same number of reps with heavier weight translates into more work per unit of time: the very definition of power. Jumping In Jump training is one of the most important forms of development for volleyball players. From low-intensity ballistic jumping exercises to the technique refinement on take-offs and landings described earlier, practically all great volleyball players are highly proficient jumpers. During the strength development phase of our program, which typically lasts from March through May, the athletes perform jump training twice a week, and the activities mirror the focus of our strength training blocks. For example, during the isometric block, our jumping activities may involve an isometric push against a partner followed by jumping upon release. As we progress through the summer, we have two unique periods of programming that focus heavily on shock-level plyometrics—plyo work that involves high nervous system activation, such as altitude landings and depth landings. (See “Jump Phases” at left for how these periods fit into our broader jump training schedule.) Each phase lasts roughly three weeks and begins with two days of drop landings, which allow us to focus on the eccentric portion of the jumps and thereby improve the players’ ability to absorb and use accuCoachesNetwork.com

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

mulated kinetic energy from downward momentum. Absorbing force effectively results in shorter coupling times between the eccentric and concentric components of a jump, leading to greater jump height over time. During drop landings, we begin at a height equivalent to the athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vertical jump in inches, which is tested in January right after winter break, in early May before the spring semester ends, and in August when the athletes return for preseason camp. The height then progresses slightly each week, provided the athlete can maintain landings with good form in terms of knee bend, not sinking the upper body below the knees, and avoiding heel touch. Because shock-level plyometric work is extremely stressful, we use it only during those two distinct phases of the training cycle. The last phase of shock work ends in mid-July, roughly three weeks before the start of preseason camp, giving the athletes adequate recovery time prior to testing and the start of team training. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to note that the training

described above applies to all our players, but we do account for some positionspecific needs. For the liberos and defensive specialists, jump training includes a greater emphasis on lateral movements, with activities such as skater hops and lateral bounding. We also stress sustaining eccentric forces in defensive postures, using Jump Stretch bands to create a speed overload into a lateral drop step. In addition, defensive players focus on push lungesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a partner applies force in the form of a controlled shove, the player lunges with the shove, and she â&#x20AC;&#x153;sticks the landingâ&#x20AC;? in an athletic position. Timely Peaking Once preseason training camp begins, on-court activity takes priority. As the players increase their workload through team practices, we scale down weightroom and jump training work significantly. Strength training occurs in the form of medicine ball drills for the upper body and trunk, and the athletes hit the weightroom roughly twice a week for short sessions at 80 to 85 percent intensity.

Once the competitive season begins, the players continue to strength train twice a week with low training volumes. Early in the week, we use lower intensities (65 to 75 percent of max effort and resistance) and emphasize speed of movement. The last session of the week includes higher intensities (up to 85 percent) to help the athletes maintain their strength levels. Our exercise selection aims to not overstress the body before competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we use basic pulling and compound movements and jumping is limited to 20 to 30 reps per session. Using this strategy, our athletes are primed for optimum performance every time they step on the court. They hold onto the strength gains they made during the off-season, their risk of injury from overuse or poor mechanics is reduced as much as possible, and we hope to see them reach new heights every year. n A version of this article was previously published in our sister magazine, Training & Conditioning. Find it at: www.Training-Conditioning.com.

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subtotal $ + shipping $ NY residents add sales tax $ Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery. = TOTAL $

PRICE

Coaching a ids

Helping You Succeed

A Product that Delivers

For coaching or individual training, nothing is better than AirCAT. It enters a consistent ball and lets the player focus on technique. Powered by air, it’s more precise, consistent, adjustable, and powerful than other drill machines, and it is also very safe. AirCAT can deliver perfect, powerful floater serves—up to 1,200 balls per hour. It’s the digging, spiking, setting, tipping, serving, passing, blocking, fully automatic, batteryoperated drill machine. For a free video, call toll-free or go online today. Airborne Athletics, Inc. • 888-887-7453 www.aircatvolleyball.com Circle No. 507

The Economy Power Jumper adds approximately 32 pounds of resistance at 100-percent elongation. The userfriendly design and portability make it ideal for training athletes in role-specific situations. Perform resisted squats, lunges, leaps, and jumps. The unit includes two sets of resistance tubing (two 45-inch tubes on each side) with nylon loop anchors and a harness or belt. Use it for indoor or outdoor training. Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.power-systems.com Circle No. 503

At Your Service

Improve your speed, strength, and overall fitness with the new comfortable, formfitting Infinity Vest. Increase the intensity of body weight exercises, jump training, and running on the track due to the added resistance. The breathable design offers adjustable quick-release buckles, reflective stripes, and a secure pocket for your phone or mp3 player. One size fits most, the unit is available in six- and 10-pound models, and it should not be machine-washed or soaked in water. Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.power-systems.com Circle No. 500

Both the Gold and Silver models of the Volleyball Tutor can vary ball trajectory and speed to produce any desired set or pass while delivering serves at speeds up to 60 mph. The Silver model’s 5-1/2foot high release point is perfect for serves, and it features a separate dial to control the amount of topspin and underspin. The Silver model can also be angled down to practice dig drills. The Gold model can automatically throw six volleyballs at intervals ranging from five to 20 seconds. The unit is completely portable and is available with either AC or battery power. Volleyball Tutor models start under $1,000. Sports Tutor • 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com Circle No. 504

Speed, Speed, Speed

A New Design

Vested with Resistance

The Attack has new wider, contoured volleyball throwing wheels, increasing speeds to surpass the fastest of international jump serves. From national teams to college to club teams, everyone can benefit from the Attack’s powerful game-simulating repetition of drills from floaters to jump serve receiving, digging, spiking, passing, and setting, all delivered from a realistic over-the-net (men’s) release point. Sports Attack • 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Circle No. 501

Coach from Above

The Coaches Box is a lightweight but sturdy coaching platform that puts you or your athletes at volleyball net height to isolate specific skills and game experiences. You can deliver the ball from the top of the net to simulate game-like blocks and kills, or focus on hitting or blocking skills without worrying about jumping. The Coaches Box has a large platform, a non-skid top, and rubber feet, and it weighs only 28 pounds. It folds to a closed position of three inches for easy storage. Sports Imports • 800-556-3198 www.sportsimports.com Circle No. 502 34

Explosive Training Anywhere

Coaching Management

The Attack II volleyball machine now has a new throwing head with four-inch contoured volleyball wheels for increased speed and greatly reduced ball wear. A spring-loaded elevation pin simplifies ball release point adjustments. As a result, you get better performance and easier use. Perform drills from floaters to jump serve receiving, digging, spiking, passing, and setting, all from a realistic over-the-net (women’s) release point. Sports Attack • 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com Circle No. 505

For Smarter Practices

Manage your players and your space with NetworKs from Airborne Athletics. NetworKs catches and collects volleyballs, so you don’t waste valuable training time. Use it as a training station for hitting, serving, setting, or passing without taking up a court. The volleyball net is 10 feet wide and adjusts from six to nine feet high. A 12-foot backstop net collects the balls and funnels them to a trap door. NetworKs is ideal for inseason or off-season training at school or in a driveway. It sets up and collapses in seconds. Visit www.networksvolleyball. com or call today to request a free video. Airborne Athletics, Inc. • 888-887-7453 www.aircatvolleyball.com Circle No. 506 CoachesNetwork.com

Between The Lines In Its Own League

Spalding’s new antenna package sets the company apart from the competition. With increased durability over previous designs, the antenna has been tested to withstand serves over 60 mph, making it virtually unbreakable. A typical volleyball antenna fits nets in the range of 36 inches to one meter (39 3/8 inches) in height, but Spalding’s will adjust to fit nets measuring anywhere from 35.5 to 41 inches. Higher net adjustments and tougher nylon clamp materials ensure these antennas have no boundaries. Spalding • 800-435-3865 www.spaldingequipment.com Circle No. 520

Hit the Sand

Easy set-up, superior net tensioning, and a lifetime warranty on the posts and 26:1 worm gear winch—all the great features of Bison’s Centerline Elite indoor system are now available for the sand court. Special weatherproofing features include TwistLock removable stainless steel sand sockets and stainless steel hardware. These same three-inch Centerline posts can be used on your indoor court without modifications. Get free post pad lettering on complete system orders. Bison • 800-247-7668 www.bisonvolleyball.com Circle No. 521

VOLLEYBALL facilities

Lightweight and Easily Adjustable

The #6067NGS Aluminum Ace Power two-pole system (without ground sleeves and net) from Blazer Mfg. adjusts easily for men’s (7’ 11-5/8”), women’s (7’ 4-1/8”), junior (7’), and youth (6’6”) heights. Constructed of 3.5-inch O.D. lower powder-coated aluminum tubing, these poles are high in strength and have a combined weight of 69 pounds. Ace Power volleyball poles are shippable via UPS. Blazer Mfg. Co. • 800-322-2731 www.blazerathletic.com Circle No. 522

Aerospace Technology

Sports Imports has raised the bar again with Stealth, Senoh’s lightweight carbon upright. The Senoh Stealth volleyball upright is the first competition net system to feature aerospace composite technology. It provides an unbelievably lightweight competition net system with three times the strength and deflection of aluminum. This unit weighs 26 pounds and fits all three-inch sleeves. It also adapts to all other sleeves without compromise. Sports Imports • 800-556-3198 www.sportsimports.com Circle No. 523

THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOLLEYBALL EQUIPMENT

AthleticBid.com is a free service

The Most Innovative On-Line Buyer's Guide

l View complete product lines, seeing all of the products offered by the company. l View catalog pages or spec sheets with detailed product information. l Read a profile or description of the company or a company representative. l Request to be contacted by the company using an e-mail link direct to the company. l Ask for a catalog and sales literature from the company—again using an e-mail link direct to the company.

The “original” carbon fiber volleyball post system

CARBON FIBER UPRIGHTS ARE: Lighter than aluminum As stiff as steel Easy to set up Precise net heights Fits all sleeves Lifetime Warranty

CARBON FIBER UPRIGHTS

Use links and tools on AthleticBid.com

www.kalbreesports.com 1-877-311-8399

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Coaching Management

Directories Circle Company No.

106. . . 111. . . 116. . . 108. . . 115. . . 107. . . 118. . . 112. . . 110. . . 114. . . 120. . . 117. . . 109. . . 103. . . 113. . . 119. . . 100. . . 101. . . 105. . . 102. . . 104. . .

Coaching Management

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Active Ankle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Airborne Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Athletic Bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Bison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Blazer Athletic Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 California University of Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cho-Pat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Coaches Network Film Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Cramer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CustomInk.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Gatorade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Kalbree Sports Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Laundry Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Mueller Sports Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 NFHS Coach Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Spalding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Spike Volleyball. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Sports Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sports Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Worldwide Sport Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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543 . . Active Ankle (Power Lacer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 . . Active Ankle (Volt ankle brace). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 . . Airborne Athletics (NetworKs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 507. . . Airborne Athletics (AirCAT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521. . . Bison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522. . . Blazer (#6067NGS two-pole system). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525. . . Blazer (Spike/Set Stand w/Ball Rack). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541. . . Cho-Pat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542 . . Cramer (Excel ankle brace) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531. . . Cramer (Sideline Emergency Kit). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532 . . CustomInk.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526. . . Kalbree Sports Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 534 . . Mueller (Kinesiology Tape). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 544 . . Mueller (The One). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503 . . Power Systems (Economy Power Jumper) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 . . Power Systems (Infinity Vest). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520. . . Spalding (antenna package). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 524. . . Spalding (volleyball equipment). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 533 . . Spike Volleyball (Ichiban volleyballs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530 . . Spike Volleyball (Matrix Hitter). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501. . . Sports Attack (Attack) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 . . Sports Attack (Attack II). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502 . . Sports Imports (Coaches Box). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523. . . Sports Imports (Senoh Stealth). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 . . Sports Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535 . . Worldwide Sport Supply (ASICS shoe). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536 . . Worldwide Sport Supply (Tachikara ball cart). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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CoachesNetwork.com

Between The Lines Many Key Features

Spalding builds volleyball equipment to exceed the highest standards for durability, performance, and ease of use. The new adjustable-height referee platform has three levels of adjustment with bottom telescoping legs to allow for men’s and women’s height. The new standing platform dimensions have increased, providing additional standing area along with a thicker comfort pad for extended periods of standing. The adjustable-height referee platform provides four key elements: adjustability, collapsibility, mobility, and comfort. Spalding 800-435-3865 www.spaldingequipment.com Circle No. 524

It’s a Convertible

The Spike/Set Stand with Ball Rack (#4900) from Blazer Mfg. is an outstanding training aid for spiking and setting. Welded with 1-1/4-inch steel square tubing, it has a 30-inch height, a ball rack, and wheels that come off to make it a plyo box. Lightweight and easy to roll for

Volleyball Facilities

storage, this product has a builtin ladder. The volleyball rack top removes and folds flat for storage. Blazer Mfg. Co. 800-322-2731 www.blazerathletic.com Circle No. 525

High-Flying Posts

Kalbree Sports has introduced the “original” VB3000K carbon fiber volleyball post system. Designed for use in stealth fighter planes, carbon fiber offers the ideal volleyball upright combination of lightness and stiffness. Unlike traditional metals, carbon fiber uprights have no memory and will not permanently deflect like aluminum. In addition, the innovative VB3000K system includes an internal winch mechanism for perfect net height adjustments and a 26:1 ratio nettensioning winch. It fits all existing floor sleeve designs. The uprights and net winch are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Kalbree Sports 877-311-8399 www.kalbreesports.com Circle No. 526

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Stretch your purchasing dollars with timely money-saving offers from leading manufacturers and suppliers. Look for frequently updated Budget$avers featured on MomentumMedia’s Coaches Network website.

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Coaching Management

THE

ONLINE

SOURCE WHERE COACHES CONNECT

te am equipment

Everything You Need

Born on the Track

The New ASICS Gel-Volleycross 2 combines the best virtues of a running shoe into a volleyball shoe. It features a lighter-weight midsole, two layers of memory foam, more natural rubber content for enhanced traction on the court, and an anatomically correct lacing environment that reduces the potential for irritation and provides improved comfort and fit. Worldwide Sport Supply • 800-756-3555 www.wwsport.com • Circle No. 535

Essentials On Hand

With a heavy-duty PVC tarpaulin shell, the Cramer Sideline Emergency Kit is designed to bring together all the necessary emergency management tools into one easily identifiable and easyto-organize wheeled bag. The four interior bags can be labeled for a variety of specific needs, and they’re color-coded for fast visual recognition in an emergency. Cramer Products, Inc. • 800-345-2231 www.cramersportsmed.com • Circle No. 531

Stand Out

Show your team pride while displaying your team name and logo on custom T-shirts from CustomInk. Create your own design or have the company create a design for you. From basic cotton to wicking tees, you’ll find the perfect shirts to display your team name. Enjoy free shipping and free expert design help seven days a week. Use voucher code CM0410B to save $10 on your order of six or more shirts. CustomInk T-Shirts & More • 877-803-5884 www.customink.com • Circle No. 532

Buy Five, Get Six

COMMUNICATE with other coaches, exchange ideas, share solutions

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PROVIDE athletes’ parents with educational resources

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Coaching Management

Spike Volleyball is your exclusive source for Ichiban volleyballs. The game ball features soft top-grain Japanese leather for instructional, recreational, or competitive use. As a coach’s special, you can buy five Ichiban balls and get the sixth free. Ichiban volleyballs are now in stock at Spike Volleyball—your source for everything volleyball. Spike Volleyball • 800-SPIKE-IT www.spikevolleyball.com • Circle No. 533

Relax with This Hammock

The Tachikara hammock ball cart, the top-selling volleyball cart, features a galvanized steel frame and a durable hammockstyle nylon basket that includes a matching nylon carrying bag with an adjustable shoulder strap. It’s completely collapsible and accommodates up to 24 inflated balls. There are eight team colors to choose from. Worldwide Sport Supply • 800-756-3555 www.wwsport.com • Circle No. 536

Feel the Wave

Designed to help increase the natural blood flow around muscles, Mueller Kinesiology Tape features a revolutionary wave-pattern adhesive that moves with the skin and muscles to reduce muscle pain, increase mobility, and enhance recovery. Designed to aid in the treatment of ligament injuries, muscle conditioning, fascia repositioning, and even carpal tunnel syndrome, it is applied to the skin in patterns to mimic muscles. The 100-percent cotton tape is latex-free and available in four colors and with an eye-catching retail-ready display. Mueller Sports Medicine • 608-643-8530 www.muellersportsmed.com • Circle No. 534

Look Great

Spike Volleyball offers the exclusive Matrix Hitter semi-fitted sleeveless jersey. This amazing jersey has a perfect fit and feel. It’s a great look for every school team, club team, and camp. Team pricing for 12 or more units is just $15.99 each. Uniform packages are available for as low as $34.99. Enjoy free one-color numbering on all jerseys. Spike Volleyball • 800-SPIKE-IT www.spikevolleyball.com • Circle No. 530 CoachesNetwork.com

br aces & support

Essential Protection

testimonial

Smooth Moves

The Volt ankle brace by Active Ankle is engineered to include the latest carbon-fiber technology. The polypropylene shell is reinforced with carbon fiber—the same high-performance material used in racing cars and bicycles. It also features a molded bearing-design performance hinge for smoother range of motion, strengthening ribs for a thinner profile, and fabric-backed EVA foam pads for durability and comfort. Active Ankle Systems, Inc. • 800-800-2896 www.activeankle.com Circle No. 540

The Perfect Fit

Cho-Pat’s Calf Compression Sleeve combines warmth, compression, and reinforcement to help reduce pain and discomfort in the calf and enhance healing. The four-way stretch material contours anatomically for maximum fit, comfort, and effectiveness. In addition, the knit material is breathable and facilitates the movement of moisture away from the skin. This American-made sleeve does not contain neoprene or latex and is available in three sizes to provide more specific and effectual results. Cho-Pat • 800-221-1601 www.cho-pat.com Circle No. 541

Best of Both Worlds

For athletes who prefer the comfort and mobility of a lace-up brace but want the added support and security of a traditional tape job, the Excel ankle brace from Cramer features a unique circumferential lacing system that tightens all the way around the brace for a better-conforming and more comfortable fit. The brace also incorporates nonstretch vertical nylon straps that imitate the effects of the heel lock technique used in taping the ankle. Cramer Products, Inc. • 800-345-2231 www.cramersportsmed.com Circle No. 542

Simple Stability

The Active Ankle Power Lacer is designed for the athlete who desires added support in a lace-up style ankle brace. It features distinctive Y-shaped vertical stabilization straps for control of the forefoot and heel, dual spring stays for ankle support, and a neoprene nylon shell for comfort. The unique “pull and play” design allows for easy use by athletes. Active Ankle Systems, Inc. • 800-800-2896 www.activeankle.com Circle No. 543

Coaches Praise Equipment that Stands the Test of Time “Throughout my career, Senoh and Sports Imports have gone with me. With this system, when we put it in the floor and put it up, we know exactly what we are going to get. That’s what I love about it.”

—Mary Wise, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, University of Florida

“It’s very unique to have a volleyballcentered company that understands the sport and the needs of its coaches, listens to those needs, and is constantly trying to establish relationships and do what’s right for the sport by making a product that lasts. You can purchase the product and know that it’s not going to break down.”

—Bonnie Kenny, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, University of Delaware

“I have been working with Sports Imports and Senoh for almost 30 years now. Over that time, we have used a lot of net systems at facilities I have been involved with, home and away. I think without question it’s the best upright system available. It is the most dependable, and the workmanship and quality are the highest. It’s also the most user-friendly system.”

—Jim Stone, Former Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, Ohio State University

“The One” You Need

The One ankle brace is extremely light and low-profile, so it’s comfortable to wear in shoes or cleats during competition. Offering all the traditional benefits of taping but with the adjustable flexibility of a soft strap brace, The One protects against inversion and eversion ankle sprains. Anti-slip crisscrossing side straps can be adjusted while the shoe is on the foot to help prevent slippage and ensure a tight, comfortable fit. Side-pulling stirrup straps imitate the effects of taping while a cushioned, breathable tongue keeps the brace comfortable. Neoprene and latex free, The One fits right or left feet and comes in black and white. Mueller Sports Medicine • 608-643-8530 www.muellersportsmed.com Circle No. 544 CoachesNetwork.com

Sports Imports P.O. Box 21040 Columbus, OH 43221 800-556-3198 Fax: 614-771-0750 info@sportsimports.com www.sportsimports.com

Coaching Management

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