Program Introduction

 

We would like to provide a brief outline of what you can expect from this program.  We would like everyone to be fully aware of our training plans and methods, why we are doing what we are doing, and when we are doing it, so it can all make sense to you.  We also want to outline our expectations from all of our participants, as well as what you can and should expect from us as coaches and administrators.

 

1.0            GENERAL TRAINING PRINCIPLES

Club volleyball is where young athletes can truly begin to develop all of their skills so that they can become proficient in the game.  The practice to game ratio is heavily tilted towards practicing much more than playing (especially in the first two months of the club season).  This volume of skill development is THE essential building block of athlete development.   A good house requires a strong foundation and a good team requires a strong foundation of skill to be consistently competitive. 

 

The club season is broken down into two distinct phases: Prepatory (general preparation & specific preparation-January & February), and Competitive (pre-competitive & competitive-March, April, May).  In the Prepatory phase (general) you will see a great deal of emphasis on movement, special awareness, and skill development through teaching and repetition.  In the specific cycle of the Prepatory phase, we will concentrate on linking all of the skills together as we move into the 2^nd phase of training.

 

The Competitive Phase (phase 2) will begin when the teams start to play much more.  In the pre-competitive phase, everyone will receive an equal amount of playing time as we strive to perfect our systems of play in a way that every athlete on each team begins to understand not only their own positions, but how every other position links together to form a smooth unit.  The final competitive phase will focus on competing to the teams’ full potential.

 

Club volleyball is difficult for coaches.  It is a 6 month season that requires a great deal of planning and preparation to consistently move a team forward until the end of the season.  A typical high school season might involve between 10-25 practices for the entire season whereas club volleyball will surpass this in the first 6 weeks of a 6 month season!  This is why club volleyball is much more challenging to coach.

 

2.0            PROGRAM PLANNING

I will be heavily involved in the daily planning aspect of each team as this is perhaps the most critical role that we play.  We will be meeting regularly with all of our coaches to set out plans for each month of training so we are all teaching in a similar manner so we can all reach a similar end-which is a well skilled, well prepared and consistent team, capable of being competitive with each and every other team within the age categories that we are competing.

 

3.0            SPORT CANADA-LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT (LTAD)

Our Club Volleyball general training principles mirror that of the Volleyball Canada LTAD model.  It is an educational tool for everyone involved in sport and we are using this model for our own Long Term Athlete Development within our own club.

 

4.0            GENERAL CONDUCT FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE CLUB

Without going into great detail, we will have a process for you to follow should any concerns arise.  We will ask for one volunteer per team to act as a parent liaison.  This is the first avenue for communication should a parent feel the need to voice a concern.  The parent liaison will then take the concern to either the Head Coach of that specific team, or to the Jr Bison Coordinator if it is unrelated to the team itself.  We would ask that you not approach the Head Coach of the team without speaking to the parent liaison first.  At that point communication between the Head Coach and the parent is acceptable.  We would also ask that you wait until the end of a competition before approaching the parent liaison as often times a concern subsides before the end of a tournament is completed.

 

We also encourage athletes on each team to communicate with their coaching staff if they are confused or upset about something in particular.  This problem solving approach is a critical piece to not only the athlete’s development, but to our coaches as well.  Most of the issues can be solved at this level if given a chance.

 

We would also ask that you show respect for all of the officials and others that work hard on behalf of our sport; nothing will ever be perfect but everyone does their best for all of the right reasons.  There are many stakeholders in this game, and all of these stakeholders are in it because they love it. 

 

All Jr Bison coaches will be signing a coach’s code of conduct and this will be available to you prior to the start of the season.  We expect a high degree of professionalism from our coaches as our reputation depends on our coaches.  We expect that everyone is in this for the right reasons and with a strong sense of mutual respect we can all enjoy a great season of club volleyball.

 

We also expect a high degree of positive conduct from our parents and participants in every way, and therefore athletes and parents will also sign a Code of Conduct prior to the season start.  

 

We look forward to another successful, safe and educational season and I’m sure you support this goal as much as we do.