Freshman

Express Training

INCOMING 9th grade - Evaluation day is Friday, June 12th from 3pm - 5pm (Cost $110)
Practices are Fridays from 3 - 4:50 beginning June 19th - July 24th.
32 players will be taken into this session (1st come, 1st serve)

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Age Groups:  For spring we are looking to form Training Teams in the INCOMING 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.  For beginner 3rd and 4th graders we offer volleyball classes.  All groups are made up of 16 players with 2 coaches.  This will allow us to scrimmage and enables us to hold a full practice even if we have a percentage of players sick or at another activity.  Players in the INCOMING 7th and 8th grades will have to tryout for these teams if we go over the number offered.  We want to put similarly skilled players together to make practices better and we want the skill level of the groups to increase each year.  Players in the INCOMING 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th grades will be taken 1st come 1st serve and then split by skill level at the evaluation day and 1st practices.  We will only accept forms from enough players in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 9th grades to fill the teams that are offered.  There is no limit on the number of players from any one school that can play together during the summer session.

Format:  The summer teams in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grader will meet twice a week.  Incoming 4th, 5th, and 9th grade Training Teams practice once a week.  Practices are usually 1 hour and 50 minutes long and will begin the week of June 1st.  The tryout/evaluation day is your 1st practice.  Most practices will be just that, team practices with drills and team concepts being taught along side drills to improve skills.   "Skills days" are dedicated to a specific skill if it is identified as necessary for any of the teams.  There will be no "league games" or tournaments requiring travel but there will be scrimmaging between the groups so we can work on team concepts.  There will also be a plyometric/conditioning component in many practices.  We may even include some sand volleyball conditioning days if the weather permits.

Goals:  Each team has a set of goals for the season which will include learning either Rover, Rotation, or Perimeter defense.  Some teams may be introduced to all 3.  Serving, attacking, passing, blocking (where applicable), and setting will be worked on by the entire group.  We will teach a 6-2 offense to most teams (younger teams may start with a 4-2) and we will at least introduce the group to many of the things they will see in the future.  We want to focus on training at a reasonable price and time commitment.  Our best coaches are committed to this endeavor.  This offering is for players who wish to pursue volleyball as a high school sport.  It is not a sign-up and play activity or something to get your daughter out of the house for some exercise.  We want to positively impact girls who think they may pursue volleyball as their future high school sport.  Teams with beginner players will be expected to compete in the same or similar drills as we push the more advanced players.  Each player will get out of this what they put into it.  Since wins and losses are not a factor in this activity, it does not matter that everyone is not at exactly the same level but we do have tryout/evaluations to split players into skill groups to help practices run smoothly. 

Coaches:  This program is being developed and run by The Sports Express Junior Olympic Volleyball Club.  The 2008 coaching staff included Jeni Case, Amanda Schuler, Lisa Schaad, Rose Grafton, Katie Holly, Mike Seibert, Ginger Hineline, Lynn  Morris, Cheryl Korfhagen, Karen Miranda, Karen Hess, Casie Garland, and other guest instructors.  For your daughters volleyball development you're going to be hard pressed to find more knowledgeable coaches than these trainers. We are continually updating this offering to get the most out of our practice time with the girls.  The goal is to give players an opportunity to learn from upper level coaches at a price that is much less than JO's.  To enter 2 sessions of Express Training (about 5 months) would cost less than $500 as opposed to a Regional JO team which costs about $1000 or a National JO team which costs about $2000.  The other advantage is not having to travel and you get a National level coach who can commit to this activity because of the schedule.  At the U10-U13 age groups this is a very good option.  By U14's most players who are playing volleyball as their main sport will gravitate toward JO's but not all due to the schedule and costs.  Having a set practice schedule, a great coach, and a facility and staff committed to volleyball ensures that any effort you give will be rewarded with better play and a better knowledge base.

Cost:  The cost for Express Training is based on roughly $28 per week of practice plus any fixed costs like shirts or balls that the players then get to keep.  The entire balance is due at your 1st evaluation or tryout.  All checks are held until the teams are selected.  Any players not making a team will have their checks voided and destroyed.  This summer session will cost $250 and includes all courts fees, instructors, balls, misc. equipment, and 2 team shirts.  4th, 5th, and 9th grade teams will pay $125 per player while the 3rd and 4th grade classes cost $60 for 8 weeks.  All players receive T-shirts.  Players in the Incoming 4th grade should attend the Friday classes if they have not played before.  Training Teams are for players with some experience.  5th and 6th grade players can should think about summer camps if they have not played before.  We will allow you to register for a Training Team at that age with no experience but the group will be pushed at a faster pace than you may be comfortable. 

More information can be found on our FAQ's page.

What to do now:   Submit a form or call 398-2400 to register over the phone.  Our new online form should direct you to a confirmation page once you send your form and an automated email should follow shortly thereafter.  From there you'll just need to have your daughter at the tryout/evaluation day to be considered for a team.

To find a JO team in your area click here.

Please fill out the fields below and submit your form.  You will receive a confirmation email.  No deposit is required to hold your spot at this time.  You must bring your entry fee check with you to the tryout/evaluation day listed on the information page in order to be selected for a team.