Youth World Championships in Thailand

USA Youth Team - Silver Medalists

I just returned from coaching at the FIVB Youth World Championships that brought together the top 20 teams in the world.  I am pleased to say that after recovering from a 1st match loss to Slovenia, the USA team recovered to finish with a Silver Medal.  We beat Brazil in 5 sets in the semi-finals, then suffered a 3 set loss to a very, very good China team. This is the first time that any USA team, at any age level, has received a medal at a World Championship.  I must say the level of play was very high and I was most pleased with the efforts given by the USA ladies.

Ray Gooden-NIU

Most recent and Upcoming Travels for VTS Video Library

If I was paid by the mile, I'd be a rich guy.  Upon returning from Thailand, I was off to visit some great coaches in the midwest.  I am in the process of posting video from recent visits to Louisville, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ball State and Northern Illinois.  Great coaching going on and I'm very appreciative of those coaches allowing me to share what they do in their training sessions.  If the opportunity allows, please go out of your way to contact these coaches and let them know you're appreciative of their willingness to help share their expertise.  Beginning next week, I am scheduled to visit Michigan, Ohio University, Marshall, South Carolina and still lining up other successful programs.

Dartfish Express and Video Lockers on VTS

I highly recommend the app Dartfish Express for use on your I-Pad or I-Phone.  This is a wonderful piece of analysis software that allows coaches to video, take pictures of your athletes, make verbal and written comments on the video, then, either show the athlete immediately, or, from your device, upload directly to Dartfish TV.  We have many clubs and collegiate squads opening their own private video lockers on VTS.  They take team practice or individual footage, make comments, then directly place on the VTS folder so players can view at their convenience.

Keep Your Players Healthy

Dr. Robin Hunter

One of the keys to a successful season is keeping players healthy. In general, coaches spend most of their efforts in this area in the weight room or track working on developing the physical aspect of the athlete.  More attention needs to be devoted to injury prevention. I would encourage VTS members to access the Four Part Series by Dr. Robin Hunter on the VTS site.  Dr. Hunter does a wonder job of presenting keys to identify potential areas of concern and rehab methods that will keep your athletes on the court instead of sitting beside you on the bench.  For a sample, view one of the video at:

Dr. Robin Hunter

Good luck with those coaching this fall.

New Offerings from Volleyball Training Solutions

Fall Webinars

For the first time, in conjunction with the fall season VTS will be hosting webinars for member coaches.  We will invite you to suggest topics and potential guest coaches.  I'm looking forward to th opportunity to allow an exchange of ideas, thoughts and opinions from guest coaches and VTS members.  If you can't make the live sessions, everything will be recorded for future play.

AVCA Video Tip of the Week

For the second year, VTS and the AVCA will team up for the AVCA Video Tip of the Week.  We are happy to provide the AVCA with quality video information to assist coaches of all levels.

Recent Uploads

If you want to stay up to date, go to our VTS Facebook Page.  If you "Like", you'll see updates, new video, articles specific to areas of coaching interest, etc.

Don't Forget "Digging Deep" Podcasts

There is some really good information being provided on our Digging Deep podcasts.  Our most recent offering was a great conversation with Jill Womsek, Head Trainer for the USA Women's National Team.  Jill offered some thoughts on how coaches can identify and possibly avoid some of the common volleyball injuries.

Private Video Collection for Your Team 

You can create a private video collection just for your team and staff.  This collection will be a password protected collection that allows video upload and download that can only be viewed by your team.  This collection allows for comments, questions and identification of key aspects of the training

session or match that you want your players to focus upon.  Players can access video from home, dorm or their phone.  What is really exciting is that coach and players can
exchange ideas via the channel.  A player from their home can pose questions on what they see and the coach can respond.  wonderful way to share video and expedite the learning process.  Contact the VTS office to get things going for your fall season.

Volleyball Training Solutions-March Newsletter

Upcoming Video Trips

Tonya Johnson

We will be visiting the south next week as VTS takes a look at the training sessions of the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.  Lizzy Stemke is at the helm of the University of Georgia.  Lizzy is a former All American setter at the University of Wisconsin and a past member of the USA National Team.  Tonya Johnson, a alumnus of the Louisiana State Tigers, has a highly competitive team at Georgia Tech.  I have no doubt both will contribute to the VTS video library.  In the upcoming weeks, we will also visit legendary Orange County Volleyball Club with Head Coach Charlie Brande.  Coach Brande has won multiple national championships with the Orange County program. 

Paula Weishoff Podcast

Paula Weishoff

It was a great conversation with former Olympic coach and player, Paula Weishoff.  We spoke extensively about her training with former national team coaches Arie Selinger, Chuck Erbe and Terry Liskevych helped her form her own coaching philosophy.    Also, we talked about her most recent experience with Hugh McCutcheon.  Great insights from a legendary player, who is currently the Head Coach at UC-Irvine.  Paula has coached numerous Youth and Junior National team, to go along with her most recent experience with the USA National team at the London Olympics.

VTS Tops 200,000 Views

We are happy to focus on the Volleyball Training Solutions site on Dartfish TV recently surpassed the 200,000 view marker.  VTS is happy that so many coaches are taking advantage of a tool to broaden their coaching skills.

Share Video Collection

Pending interest from VTS members, we will create a separate video collection from members so you can share favorite drills.  I would really like to see this concept advance.  I know there are some good things going on in various training sessions.  If interested, drop me a note and I can get things cooking.

Technology Ideas from Rise Volleyball 

I'm always interested in what coaches are doing, especially from a technology perspective.  Below is a note from a VTS member, Loren Anderson.  I thought it was great use of technology to provide feedback to players.

News and Notes for January 2013

VTS Initiates "Digging Deep"

Tom Pingel

Our first podcast that we have given the title of "Digging Deep" is available.  Actually, we wanted the title to be an indicator of content.  Or goal is to explore how good coaches approach the game, their philosophies of coaching, how they pursue excellence within their programs, etc.  So, you definitely won't find discussions of ranking, recruiting and similar items that seem to dominate the discussion.

Our first guest is Tom Hogan, former assistant coach with the USA Women's National Team and current assistant at the University of Denver.  Tom talks about the 2008 Olympics and his experiences working with Lang Ping, how international training methods differ than those in the USA and suggestions for USA volleyball to improve the game.

We will follow this interview next week by talking with Tom Pingel, Coordinator of the High Performance program with USA Volleyball

Parent Video

 We recently placed in the Download Collection on VTS a video designed for parents of younger age players.  So often, parents want to be of assistance to help their young athletes in becoming better players, but are not real sure how to help.  This video is designed provide parents with some basic concepts of the game that can be addressed with simple activities in the backyard.  Thanks to Bob Poulter and Jen Pokraka of the Front Range Volleyball Club for putting this together.

Stretching?  Yes?  No?

There are some coaches "out there" that feel stretching and flexibility work is a borderline waste of time.  There was an interesting article recently in the Wall Street Journal that focused on the San Francisco 49'ers and their commitment to stretching.  The feeling inside the team is that the flexibility routine is one of the major reasons they are experiencing significantly fewer injuries this year.


Dead Frog Far Out Volleyball Club

This highly successful club out of Michigan is using the VTS channel on Dartfish TV to communicate effectively with their players and staff.  Video of matches is uploaded to their private channel with comments by coaches pointing out key aspects of play.  Video is also shared by coaches to assist coaches in their practice planning.  Great work by the DFFO staff !!

Dartfish Days

VTS staff will come to your training sessions to video players and provide skill analysis using Dartfish software.  Or, send in video and we can place analyzed skill in your folder.  Contact the VTS office for more information.  There is no better way for a player to acquire skill and/or make skill modifications than by seeing themselves in action.  In the analysis, we provide key positions, comments and video comparison with successful players.

Share Your Video with Colleagues

On VTS, we have a collection available for coaches that want to share video of their favorite drills.  One of the core missions of VTS is to provide a vehicle for sharing volleyball information to coaches.  Let me know if you want to be involved in this project and we can get you involved.