Did you see it?

The Olympics have come to a close just like they have for 1000's of years. There were tears for victory and tears for defeat. Some athletes were injured and some set world records. The fastest man to ever live proved himself for the 3rd time leaving his footprint on all of sports. Another Micheal through his name in the ring of all time great "Micheal"s and to the tune of 21 gold medals. A child abandoned by her parents and saved by her grandparents showed us all that size doesn't matter and hard work does. Who the world picked as the top women's soccer team lost their breathe when the ball like water slipped in to the back of the net. The rebirth of the dream team had moments of a nightmare but closed the deal. Bikers biked and runners ran but did you see any of that? Fighters fought and jumpers leaped but did anyone see that?

Did you see any of that? 
According to ratings... No... no you didn't. I believe we witnessed the greatest athletic display under the sun but very few watched. If you didn't get to watch for whatever the reason maybe I encourage you to google some finishes and enjoy the show! 

Work Hard and Work Together

Do you have the heart?

Last year I met  Carolina Costagrande who is a member of the Italian national women's volleyball team. She shared her story with the players I was with and myself. She was born in Argentina and moved to Italy to pursue her career in volleyball and have a better life. She explained that she at a young age knew she had to move away from her family and friends to be the best she could be in volleyball. If you didn't know, Italy is one of the strongest countries in volleyball and as a lot of professional options in the sport. 
          Carolina Costagrande added about how she had to get out of what was easy for her. She had to push herself out of her comfort zone and step out on her on. There were lonely times and bad days she added. Days that she wanted to quit and go home however she knew that to be the best she could be in the sport she had to press on. She had the heart for it. The heart to step out on her own and to be great. 
          Do you have heart to step out and be great? Do you have the heart to leave your comfort zone and do what it takes for you to be great? Most of you don't. Some of you will think you do. Only a few of you will. No one wants to be uncomfortable and don't want to fail. As the saying goes, "no risk no reward" is very true in a lot of areas. Take the risk to get the reward...Risk by putting yourself in a place to fulfill your dreams. That maybe the risk of feeling uncomfortable and maybe it is fear of failure. 

         Do you have the heart for greatness? Do you have what it takes to be the best you can be? 

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

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!  

For more information

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!

For more information contact

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!

 

Who are you lying too?

Kids are the best at trying to lie. They give some crazy story that everyone knows isn't true. Such as I didn't steal the last cookie but they have cookie still around their mouths and on their shirt. Adults lie too and they are just as bad of lies as little kids most of the time. I always question if people think I am that foolish to believe their lies. I mean the truth always comes out one way or another. What is worst than kids or adults lying to you is you lying to you. We all do it to a point but we shouldn't. I always say the truth hurts sometimes. I recall a player I once had. She was good enough to make the team but was not starter level. Her teammates didn't really trust her and I didn't either. I only played her when we were winning by a lot and the game was heavy in our favor. Her parents (like great parents) always told her she was the best and she didn't need to change anything. They added it was just me not liking her that kept her from playing. I offered extra practices and she wouldn't show. One time she sort of talked to me after a practice what she needed to work on. I told her she needed more experience which she didn't want to hear. Remember, I offered extra practices to her and she didn't take them.  She had a awful season though we did very well as a team. She played a little and in big games. The point is she believed the lie that she was good enough and didn't need extra work. Had she worked extra the trust would have come and she would have felt more apart. She lied to herself. Who are you lying to today? What is it that you need to have a come to Jesus meeting with yourself over! The truth does hurt sometimes so maybe you don't want to admit it but I hope we ca all get our lives together and stop the lies. Worst than lying to your coach is lying to yourself... even if you parents or close friends agree. Be honest with you. 

Play hard. Play together.  

For more info Contact Coach Hannah 

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