2010 Winter Training Teams        

This session will include position specific training as a part of the schedule
allowing coaches to touch on some finer points at each position!
We will also be using the hurdles, cones, jump ropes, and med balls at the end of many practices.
       
November 1- December 23 (32 hours of court time)

Online Form

1st-2nd volleyball classes ($60) -  Starting October 1st, and continuing Fridays from 5-6pm
 3rd-4th volleyball classes ($60) - Starting October 1st, and continuing Fridays from 6-7pm

Online Form

Age Groups:  For fall we are looking to form Training Teams in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th 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.  All players will be evaluated during the 1st week of practices so we can form more even skill groups.  It is necessary to put players in similarly skilled groups to make practices better and we expect the skill level of the groups to increase each year.  Some players may be cut if we have a large turnout.   Players in the 4th and 5th grades will be taken 1st come 1st serve (no cuts) and then split by skill level at practice.  If you are playing on a public Jr High volleyball team during the fall you may not participate in this activity according to OHSAA rules.    

Format:  The fall teams in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grader will meet twice a week.  4th and 5th grade Training Teams practice once a week.  Practices are 1 hour and 50 minutes long and will begin the week of September 7th.  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.  It is an important function of this program that your daughter learn where to be on the court and why.  This can not be taught on the fly in a league.  We value the ability to "slow teach" team concepts at our practices so players can understand how everyone moves as a team.  If you are looking for league play then this is not for you.  We run practices with coaches who know how to teach the sport not stand on a sideline.  There will also be a plyometric/conditioning component in many practices.  We may even include some sand volleyball conditioning days if the weather permits.  Our personal trainers will also attend selected practices to run players through quickness/agility/power drills.

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.  Current and past coaches include Jeni Case, Amanda Schuler, Lisa Schaad, Rose Grafton, Katie Holly, Mike Seibert, Lynn  Morris, Cheryl Korfhagen, Karen Miranda, Karen Hess, Casie Garland, Kristen Rust, Erin Iceman-Wilson, Chris Lovett, Gene Toms, Marni Rhoads, Amy Doran-Cooper, Amanda Binggeli 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 $1800.  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 practice.  All checks are held until the teams are selected.  Any players not making a team will have their checks voided and destroyed.  This winter session for 7th and 8th grade will cost $240 and includes plyometric workouts, 32 hours of practice (courts, instructors, balls, misc. equipment), and t-shirts.  This winter session for 6th and 9th grade will cost $175 and includes plyometric workouts, 24 hours of practice (courts, instructors, balls, misc. equipment), and t-shirts. 

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

What to do now:   Wait for the online form to appear!  Our new online form will 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.