2011 Fall Training Teams        

This session will include a few sand volleyball days if the weather permits!
We will also be mixing in some conditioning using our hurdles, cones, jump ropes, and med balls.
       
Tues, Sept 6th - Thursday, Nov 3rd (32 hours of court time)

Online Form

Players who score in the lower 1/3 of our evaluation will be placed in Drill Teams focusing on more skill work than team concepts.  The more experienced players in each age group will begin scrimmaging each other about 1/2 way through the session.  

Online Form

Also look into our Training Classes for the younger players
1st-2nd volleyball classes ($60) -  Fridays from 5:30-6:30pm starting September 9th
 3rd-4th volleyball classes ($60) -Thursdays or Fridays from 6:30-7:30pm starting September 8th

 

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 achieve our team goals.  This activity is 1st come 1st serve but your evaluation will determine which group you are in.  Players who score in the lower 1/3 of our evaluation will be placed in Drill Teams focusing on skill work more than team concepts.  The more skilled players in each age group will begin scrimmaging 1/2 way through the session with their teams. 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 6th.  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, Mike Seibert, Cheryl Korfhagen, Katey Wygant, Karen Hess, Chris Lovett, Gene Toms, Marni Rhoads, Amy Cooper, Jessica Russell 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, cost, or other sport conflicts.  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 roughly on $7.5/hr 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.  The fall session for 6th, 7th and 8th graders will cost $240 for 32 hours of practice (courts, instructors, balls, misc. equipment) and 2 practice shirts.  4th and 5th graders will pay $125 for 16 hours and 1 practice shirt.   

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

What to do now:   Fill out a form!  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 placed on a team.

To find a JO team in your area click here.