Volleyball Training Solutions June Newsletter

 Fall Coaching Interviews for VTS Members

Kevin Hambly-Illinois

This fall, VTS will begin a series of interviews with the top coaches in the country.  This will be a 10-15 minute session that will examine coaching philosophy, skill development and program organization.  The goal is to make these sessions a high level discussion of coaching skills.  We won't go into the often discussed topics of rankings, RPI, which conference is better, etc.  This will be a discussion designed to help the coaching community become more acquainted with how high level coaches approach their craft.  We will provide VTS members a chance to interact and pose questions to these successful coaches

VTS at the Ohio Coaches Clinic

I'll be speaking and presenting Volleyball Training Solutions at the Ohio Volleyball Coaches Association Clinic the last weekend in July   I'd enjoy meeting some of the Ohio VTS members.  Living in Denver for a couple years now, I'm going to have to re-adjust to the humidity of Ohio in the summer.

Video Schedule

We will be on a limited schedule in the month of July relative to adding video to the VTS library.  Once we get things going in the fall training sessions, VTS staff will once again be out to video the top programs as they begin to prepare for the season.

How Do We Learn?

One of my recent Facebook posts was an article on the Khan Academy: Link: Khan Academy-USA Today  The focus is on how information for students might be presented in a more effective manner.  There is no reason to think that volleyball athletes are any different.  I am convinced that the use of video and pictures are not being used sufficiently to support information and provide feedback.  I would encourage you to be creative in how you present information.  Coaches tend to be pretty good speakers, but sometimes other forms of communication is critical to the learning process.  Video is just another form of communicating.   Dartfish does a wonderful job of creating a format of both video and pictures that can be used effectively to providing a visual of how skills are executed in a proper manner.  I'll be sending out to members a link to download skills showing sequential images of skills.  An idea might be to copy into a poster format and post in your training facility.

Referral Program Coming

Expanding our membership is important to continue to provide quality service.  In that regard, we will be initiating a referral program for VTS members in the upcoming weeks.  On the VTS membership page, there is a place for "Referred By".  We will monitor referrals and establish a discount for the referring member.  More on this in a few days.

Team Folders

A service we will be providing in the fall is a private team video collection.  You can upload video for viewing by your team or fans.  This might include scout video, post match video that is edited using Dartfish Easy Tag (which is a wonderful app for your tablet), or highlight video.  Contact VTS if this is of interest for your program.

May Newsletter

 Changes on both Dartfish TV and VTS Website

There have been some positive changes on the VTS website that I want to make you aware.  We have placed a renew button at each of the levels.  So, members wishing to renew can just hit the "Renew" button, enter the appropriate information and you'll be good to go.  We will also be installing a PayPal button for those wishing to pay in this method.  Dartfish TV has made some great changes, mostly from an administrative perspective.  However, for members with private folders that have tagged video, you'll be able to bring up all your tags just by hitting a button.  So, for example, if you have tagged all of Suzie's serves, these tags are now easily accessible.

New Member "Go to Meeting" Orientation

We will be offering members, especially new members, the opportunity to go over all that Dartfish TV offers for you.  We can go over the site, make sure you understand how to navigate Dartfish TV and use the available tools.  If you're interested in this, just contact the VTS office and we can arrange a convenient time.

"Commented Videos"

I've received several inquiries about videos that have received comments from other members.  The question being how can they see the comment and the video.  I attached a picture that will assist.  Go to the "Home" logo, then click on "Commented" and all videos with comments will be listed in order of comment.  I would encourage comments and exchange of ideas within the membership community.

Using VTS in the Summer Months 

Having a private team folder and using VTS in the summer can keep your team engaged in the summer months.  Here are sample uses of VTS private team folders during the summer:

• Video your open gyms and upload video and place comments and key points that allow players to focus on key areas of development
• Video players performing skills and have VTS perform analysis and place in your collection so player can download.
• Strength and agility programs for your players
• Video from last season with comments and showing successes
• Skill video with analysis

 These are only a few ways to incorporate video into your player and potentially staff development.

Plan Ahead for the Fall Season

Consider having a private folder for your team.  You can upload and download team practices, matches and future opponents.  Players can access from anywhere with an internet connection with their I-Pads.  You can tag matches using Dartfish Easy Tag (free!), upload video, we will synch your video and tags, then you can watch edited video of your team.  Contact VTS and we can get you going.

Recent Video Additions

• Developing Armswing Mechanics 
• Jim Stone will focus on developing proper armswing mechanics for younger players using some lead up activities
• Lower Body Strength Development
• Ohio State strength coach, Anthony Glass, goes over proper fundamentals of lower body exercises in the weight room
• Munciana Peppers
• Coach John Rodriguez takes you through his 12 and under training session with great explanations and presentations of drills

Newsletter/Blog

I'll be developing a two prong approach to volleyball information.  The first will be a monthly newsletter, which will be in this format.  The second will be in a blog format that will focus on volleyball events of the day. The link to the blog will be on the VTS website. 

Use VTS to Store Team Video 

VTS can be used to store team video for the club or fall season.  You can take your match video or scout video and place on the VTS website for convenient viewing for your staff and players.  VTS will create a private folder for your team that only your players can access.  The use of Dartfish Easy Tag will allow convenient editing of your match video.  Call VTS for more information.

VTS Custom Membership

This level of membership is designed to meet the needs of your staff or team.  We can pretty much go any direction you desire.  Personal coaching development, team evaluation and recommendations, examples of drill and practice development, etc.  Just let us know and we can assist you in accomplishing your program goals.

Upcoming Video

This week we will do a setter training video on footwork patterns to move around the court.  We will also do a session on attacking.  Also upcoming are short interviews with top coaches on various aspects of coaching and developing your team.  I'll be sending to members this week some forms that might assist you in planning practice, developing game plans or match evaluation.

Suggestions Needed

Most of the focus to date for VTS has been developing quality coaching video for members.  In the upcoming year, we want to grow the site and raise the number of members.  We also want to diversify our offering to meet your needs.  I'd like to develop a referral program that will reward current members in some form.  I have a couple ideas kicking around in my head, however, if you have suggestions as to a referral program to both increase membership and reward members, feel free to pass along.

Support the Semper Fi-Injured Marine Fund

As you know, a majority of the proceeds of VTS goes the the Semper Fi-Injured Marine

Fund.  Become a friend to the Semper Fi Fund on Facebook and know that your membership on VTS goes to supporting soldiers who have given so much to their country.

As always, your insights, opinions and thoughts are appreciated.  Let us know
if we can assist your program in any way.

Coming in December-New Website and Logo for Volleyball Training Solutions

In conjunction with the upcoming VTS website remake, we are introducing a new logo.  Along with the new logo, we will be initiating some great new services.  These will be detailed on the new site, but in a nutshell, we will:

• Streamline the sign up/renewal procedure- You'll never leave the VTS site and there will be more payment options including easier processing of purchase orders.
• Interactive Level of Membership- your club or high school staffs will be able to participate in members only VTS webinars that will focus on the items of most importance to your situation.  VTS staff will also be available to comment of training sessions, competitions and offer suggestions for improvement.
• Private folders for your program on Dartfish TV.  VTS will create a private folder just for your team or club.  You can upload/download videos of training sessions, past competitions, scout video, etc.  This will be accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection.  This is will be wonderful communication tool for both coaches and players.  As part of this, if desired, the VTS staff can comment and offer suggestions.



Dartfish Analysis-a great learning tool !

• Skill analysis for players-Any player will be able to upload video of their skills for analysis.  For all skill analysis, we will use Dartfish Analysis Software.  The VTS staff will make sure that the players will benefit from a quality analysis with suggestions for improvement.  Players will download the video and be able to save on their computers.

So, we are making every effort to provide an increased level of service for both players and coaches.  If you have thoughts or suggestions, feel free to pass along to VTS.

AVCA Convention

Stop by the Exhibitors area at the upcoming AVCA Convention and say hello.  Our staff would enjoy the opportunity to meet you and talk about how we can serve you better.  We will also be taking some video about how you use Volleyball Training Solutions and the positive (I hope) impact it has had with your staff or players.

Also, Front Range Head Coach Jim Miret and I will be presenting at the AVCA convention on Friday12/16 @ 2:30 on "Innovative Training Methods in Volleyball". Stop by and ask some tough questions.

Help us Grow

VTS on Facebook and Twitter- Like and Follow

The next time your on Facebook, go to the VTS page: Facebook-VTS and click the Like button.  We want to use Facebook and Twitter: VTS on Twitter as a important tool of communication with members.  We all get tons of e-mail, so if we can communicate via these tools, it will help make your inbox less congested.

If you like VTS and can help us grow, all help is appreciated.  Word of mouth is the best advertising, so mention us to colleagues, on chat rooms and forward our website to interested parties.  

VTS Staff at Clinics and Conventions

If VTS can assist in finding great staff for your state or area coaching clinics, we'd be glad to help out.  All the contributing coaches on VTS are obviously very willing to assist in the growth of volleyball.  If their schedules allow, I know they will assist you in any way.  Just drop a note to the VTS office and we will follow up right away.

Simple Drill to Work on Movement and Posture

This is a very simple drill for younger players that will provide lots of contacts, movement and work on posture.  We put cones on the floor to be used as guides for the players to work on movement in specific directions.  Keys for the drill; 1) keep head level when moving, 2) just shuffle step to the ball, 3) work on platform management with a focus on angle the platform to the target.

Front Range Volleyball Club Implementing Dartfish TV into Staff/Player Development

Volleyball Training Solutions and Dartfish TV will be a major focus of staff and athlete development in the upcoming year.  With the use of tools offered in both Dartfish TV and Dartfish  "EasyTag", the ability to share video information will be at the fingertips of coaches, players and parents within the Front Range program.  

For Coaches

• Every team within the Front Range club will have a folder on VTS-Dartfish TV that is accessible by both coaches and players. The coaches, using "Easy Tag" will be able to mark video events within practices and competition.  The "tagged" video will be uploaded to the team folder for viewing by players either at the practice facility or at home.  This will allow timely feedback for players on recent practices or tournaments.  Also in the video folders will be "model" video so players can have a visual of the desired skill being performed.
• There will be a coaches video folder that Front Range Head Coach, Jim Miret, can place video of drills, skill keys, or points of emphasis for staff coaches to view and implement into their training sessions.  This will allow Front Range coaches  to be consistent within the club as to teaching skills and planning practices.

For Players

Testing Leg Strength

• Front Range physical therapist, Djimmer Bosman, will video athletes during physical screens.  These screens are performed to identify potential physical issues with athletes.  The video is placed into a player folder to show the athlete the video of the screen, along with video of rehab exercises that can be done at home.  The parents of the players will be part of this so they know the exercises to be done by the athlete.
• Players will have skill video uploaded to VTS-Dartfish TV and using Dartfish software, will have their skills analyzed with drawings, voice overs and suggestions for skill development.
• Players will be able to download video from matches and training sessions to their personal computers to develop their own video library.

For Club Directors

Jim Miret- Front Range Head Coach

• The challenge for all club directors is to create a communication tool so all coaches on their staff are constantly developing their coaching skills.  Dartfish TV allows for the easy distribution of video teaching keys that staff members can access from anywhere.  In the Front Range program this is being used for practice organization, teaching cues, sport psychology presentations by staff member, Tim Engels, physical training concepts by Billy Gilsan and video feedback of training sessions.

So many clubs have multiple teams and training sites.  To monitor the progress of coaches and athletes is a never ending challenge for club directors.  Using the Volleyball Training Solutions site on Dartfish TV is a wonderful tool for club directors to disseminate video information and feedback to both athletes and coaches.  

Visit to Kansas State

Suzie Fritz

I had a great visit to Kansas State to watch a training session as they prepared for their upcoming match with Missouri (which they won in five sets).  Head coach Suzie Fritz and her staff, Jeff Hulsmeyer and Jeff Grove were wonderful hosts.  I thought the practice was very productive and the players were engaged.  The emphasis upon statistical evaluation of performance within the practice, as well as coming into practice was extensive.  The coaches, based upon statistics, focused upon transition attack and defending against specific sets.  During drills the statistical performance of the team during that drill was provided with the appropriate feedback.

There are two specific items that I will relay that were good ideas for all coaches.  Jeff Grove indicated that in every drill, there were three items to be considered 1) how to score or evaluate the drill, 2) how the ball is entered (serve, toss, etc.), 3) the focus of the feedback.  Jeff indicated if the focus of the drill was hitting, for example, they probably wouldn't give a lot of feedback on defense.

The other item that I thought was nice was that in advance of practice a player would write down what she was going to work on that day.  A teammate would then volunteer to help her in that effort.  The thought was that if players are working to both improve themselves and a teammate, the training really becomes a team effort.

Dartfish TV for I-Pad Coming Soon

VTS members have expressed a desire to be able to view videos on Dartfish TV via their I-pads.   Many coaches would like to take their I-Pads to practice so players can view from the VTS libary on Dartfish TV the drills or skill keys that might be of emphasis on a particular day.  This will be happening soon as Dartfish TV is in the advanced testing stage of allowing the viewing of Dartfish TV via various mobile units.

In advance of that, if there are favorite videos in the VTS library that you would like to view on an I-pad, let me know.  I will need to re-upload the desired videos in a different format to allow viewing on your I-pad. 

Observations from the Road

I've just returned from a 10 day road trip that allowed me to visit some highly successful programs.  I always find these opportunities to visit other coaches in action both exciting and fun.  So often I will see or hear things that I definitely put into my coaching routine.  I also am so happy there are successful coaches "out there" that want the game to improve and are willing to share their knowledge.

I was at the University of Illinois, the current AVCA #1 team in the country.  Also, six time Indiana state champion, Indianapolis Cathedral and NCAA Men's Champion, Ohio State University.  I mixed in 2010 NCAA tournament teams Indiana and Dayton.  As I visited the training sessions of these successful teams one theme was common to all.  That theme was the focus on detail in every aspect of the training sessions.  All these coaches have an eye for detail, organized to the minute practice plans, focus on the part of coaches and players to every aspect of every repetition during training.  The coaches know exactly what they want from every drill and provide quality feedback for both team and individual performances.  They are also very aware of and attempt to influence the "atmosphere" in the training sessions. There is a difference between implementing a drill and really understanding what is necessary for the drill to accomplish desired goals.  These coaches really understand the nuances of a drill or a skill that take on importance at the higher levels of play.

Jean Kesterson

Coach Jean Kesterson, from Indianapolis Cathedral, ran all drills by the scoreboard clock.  Again, a high level of emphasis placed on serving with hoops placed on the floor in the target areas of the day.  Lots of drills were organized with the number of successful contacts.  Upon completion of the drill, players would touch the team/school logo and yell "I'm a winner".  Coach Kesterson explained that not all young players feel that they are winners and she is making the attempt to reinforce an important attitude.  Also, with every successful serve to target, players would yell "Irish" (school mascot).



Coach Hambly was very focused on serve and pass.  I have never seen a team serve as many balls during a training session.  The serve reps took place in small increments periodically during practice.  But, if you total the number of serve attempts for the entire session, it would be a significant number.  He also placed a high priority on video feedback during practice.  Players would go back and forth from the video station back to the drill with keys to focus upon. 

Coach Sean Byron, fromt the OSU men's staff, did a wonderful presentation on blocking.  It is very obvious that the OSU men focus on every detail of the skill.  The blocking video that I was able to gather is valuable for coaches of every level.

Indiana Coach Sherry Dunbar ran a great practice in Bloomington.  Great attention to blocking footwork and execution.  All the middle blockers went through countless repetitions of moving from the middle to the outside.  This combined with lots of focus hand movement above the net was a valuable session for the middles.  From my perspective, blocking is always the last thing that young players learn.  With the focus that Sherry is placing upon the skill, I have no doubt that Indiana will bring this group of young athletes along very quickly. 

 Dayton v St. Louis- VTS lets you listen in!!

It was an interesting experiment when Dayton played St. Louis last Friday.  Both Coach Sheffield from Dayton and Coach Miller from Dayton agreed to wear a wireless microphone during the match.  It was a well played match and both coaches were impressive relative to the information they were giving to their team.  Lots of keys that provided important information to their players.

Videos from the above training/competition sessions, as well as training video from Ohio University, West Virginia, Cleveland State and the Ball State Men will be on the VTS site in the upcoming days.