Monday, July 11, 2016

By the numbers


In 2015, a study found that 1787 colleges and universities sponsored varsity volleyball teams. These teams have an avg roster size of 15 players per team. That is 26915 players playing in the 2015 season. In high school, there were 432,176 players playing for varsity and JV volleyball in the US. The chances of a high school volleyball player playing in college comes to 5.9%.  That means 94.1% do not play at the college level. 

Most high school varsity rosters have 10 players. That means by the numbers 1/2 a player will play in college. Now, we both know a half a player can't play but you get the idea. This doesn't include club players that don't play in high school. 

Three things come to mind after looking at these numbers. 

1. How important is it to play for a good club? VERY! If you want to make the 5.9% you need to make sure you are getting the best coaching, the best matches, the best training, and being pushed to the next level. The local up the street club may not cut it. 
2. The sport is more than just playing. It is about learning life skills. Learning how to work in a team is key to life. We are social beings and we all have to work in teams at some point. It is key to work with coaches that are going to teach their players how to be leaders. Teaches them how to be good people through the sport. 
3. You have to work very hard to make the cut. There is no sitting back and just waiting on things to happen.... Do it yourself or no one else will! 

For more information check out the site below! 
You can also contact me: Coach Hannah
http://www.scholarshipstats.com/volleyball.htm

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Pre-School season tips!

Summer is coming to an end for volleyball players. 2nd weekend in July means August is coming quickly! The last three weeks are very important to get ready for school season. High school season will start in the middle of august so time is short! As someone who has coached middle school and high school teams I know that it is so important to have your players ready even before the first morning of tryouts! Here are a few tips to help get you ready!

1. Get in shape! As coaches we know you have a life. Vacation happens and its hot. Laying around can happen and sometimes does! That is okay but get in shape! Start jumping and running! 
2. Eat healthy. Nothing any worse than eating junk food all the time. Food is fuel. The food you eat becomes your body. Think about it. The best players aren't eating nothing but cheese puffs! 
3. Lot's of water. July and August are hot months. You can't drink enough water during these times. 
4. Practice and camp. Maybe you didn't get signed up for a camp but you can practice! Practice like there is no tomorrow so to speak. Work on your passing. Ball handling is everything. 
5. Weight train. Start working your muscles. You need to be as strong as possible. Get in a gym! 
6. Attend open gyms. Your school will host open gyms and you need to be there! No excuses. 
7. Mentally prepare yourself. Get your mind right and your body will follow.
8. Set goals! Big goals and small goals! All goals need to be wrote down and posted where you can see them!  

These steps will help you be ready for school season. Time is passing quickly and now is the time to be ready! Go get them!

Work hard. Work Together!  

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

What can you do!

Since I first discovered this quote 10 years ago as a budding college athlete, it has been one of the best quotes to me. Maybe, I was struggling with the skills I couldn't perform as well as others or maybe I was trying to motivate myself to keep working hard on what I was good at but regardless I fell in love with this quote.  Let's look at it together!

                                 Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.

Wow! What powerful words. "Don't let what you can't do" There will always be something we can't do. There are things I can never do. As an athlete height is very important.  I will never be 6"4'... I can pretend. I can wear heels, I can even stretch out as much as possible yet at night when I go to sleep... I am still 5"9'. I can't change that. 
"stop you from doing what you can do" I maybe wasn't the tallest girl on the floor but I was strong. I knew I was strong. I knew that pound for pound I was stronger than any other player I would face. I gave up the height at the net but bless God I was going to push the ball through your block (as a hitter). 
What are you letting hold you back? What can't you do that you are so focused on that you forget all the good things you can do? Maybe you are very fast, smart, hard working, tall, short, strong, quick, and whatever else you could be!  Whatever you can do.... again... WHATEVER YOU CAN DO do it! Don't let what you can't do hold you back! 

Be great today! Be your best today! Do what you can do and work on what you can't do!

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Happy 4th July

Wishing everyone a happy 4th of July. Impedance is bought not given freely. The price is high yet men and women haven willingly given their lives for the freedom we as Americans enjoy. I am blessed and honored to be American. To have the right to pursue happiness in anyway I see fit is something some people can't have. Be grateful for freedom. Be thankful for those who bought it for you!