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The Club Season: Let's Do It
Right!
-By Dave Cross
Ok, it's soap box time! Club season is gearing up across the nation, and
with it, are the yearly occurrences of some things that, in my book, just
aren't as they should be.
First of all, my philosophy of the club season is simply that it should be
used to prepare for the more-important next high school season. So, if you
feel differently on this, which many do, you may not agree with some (or
maybe all) of what I have to say here. All I ask is that you read the following
with an open mind-and possibly give my ideas a thought:
1.Coaches: Quit bad-mouthing other clubs in
your area in an attempt to recruit a player to your club. If a player has
played for another club, and is now considering coming to yours-they already
know why they don't want to return to the prior situation. Instead, how about
pointing out the positives that your organization brings to the table? And
if a player tells you they are thinking about going back to their old club-let
it go. Don't lower yourself and start telling
them why that is a bad decision and why they should come to your club instead.
What happens then, if the player and her parents buy into your negative "sales-job",
and for some reason, your club doesn't deliver? How have you then effected
that player's future? What do you say to them then?
Here's a good one for you: I actually had AN OFFICIAL at one of our
tournament matches a few years ago get my attention during the pre-game player
announcements to tell me he was going to "steal my big freshman for his club"!
Hello? What was this guy thinking? And why was he thinking it at that time?
Well, one thing was for sure, he had to buy a ticket to get into my
gym after that!
Take the players that come to you because you offer a good learning experience
for them. Sure, I think it's alright to inquire into a player's plans for
the upcoming club season. But, let's not talk each other down-coach with
class!
2.Coaches: Players need to play the postions
that they need to improve on for their high school team. Please don't put
winning at the club level above improving for the school team. I suggest
taking the players you have, play them where they want to play, (which usually
will be where they need to play to improve for the next school season), and
do the best you can with that lineup.
An example for you: One club season my #1 middle
and setter were on the same team. The coach decided to play my middle outside,
even though the other middles were not as strong-because she thought this
was the best way to win for this club team. The team did alright. But, my
point is, they would have still done alright with my middle playing her position.
My middle ending up being Honorable Mention All-State that fall. And my question
is: How would she have done if she had played her position, working with
her setter, all that club season?
Every year, I will also hear of teams running a 5-1 with the strongest setter,
while the team's second setter plays libero. Or girls that need to improve
their back row skill only playing front row. At least do this: Pick out the
weaker
teams you will play against at a tournament and give these girls time in
their school positions against them.
3.Players: Give the same commitment to your
club team that you give to your school team. Be at practice and attend all
your tournaments. Never miss for reasons that wouldn't be accepted at your
school. Your teammates and coach are counting on you-and just how are you
going to improve if you don't show up consistently? Now, if you are playing
a school sport at the same time, that's a different story. I feel very strongly
that your school sport should come first when you have a scheduling conflict
and you are supposed to be in two different places at the same time. And
when picking a club to play for, I strongly suggest you make sure this is
their philosophy also before signing on to play for them.
Every year I hear stories of players that miss club practices and tournaments
for reasons that just aren't acceptable. When this happens, it hurts everyone
involved-including the player in question. Whether you are
playing to improve for your school, or simply playing for fun-you have to
be there to accomplish either! Even if
you feel your teammates aren't as committed as they should be, take the "high-road"
and do what you truly know
is right-instead of lowering yourself to a level you know in your heart is
not.
Here's one for you: A setter missing a tournament
because she had a hair appointment. Aye-yi-yi-enough said on that one.
And another thing, be ready to play on tournament day.
Take care of yourself-get your rest the night before. There is nothing
more frustrating than watching a player scuffle through the day because she
had a date the night before-or a sleep-over. You know way in advance when
your tournaments are-so plan your social life accordingly. Your teammates
and coach are counting on you-and even if, again, you have teammates that
aren't doing as they should in this area- that is no excuse to let yourself
slack off.
4.Parents: Please conduct yourself as you would
during the school season. Just because there aren't any "school administrators"
around doesn't mean you should change your behavior. Support the girls and
let the coach do their job. If you have a concern, please go through your
clubs established channels to address it. Getting negative or loudly voicing
your concerns at a tournament site will undoubtedly embarass your daughter
and put a sour-taste in the coach's mouth. And honestly, what good will this
do in the long run? The vast majority of club coaches earn even less than
they do during the school season-they are coaching simply because they love
the game. Take away that love, and more times than not, you'll also take
away their desire to do the best job they can for your daughter's team.
And of course, I have an example: A player gets
disrespectful with her coach and the coach sits her down. So, the parent
decides to loudly try to persuade all the team's parents to take their daughters
and go home-right in the middle of the tournament, (and right in the middle
of a match, too).
Ok, there you have it, I feel better now! :) Look, the club experience is
a very valuable one in the growth of player. If you will think closely about
what I am saying here, my main point is this: Let's
make sure our main focus is
on the quality of this experience for all involved-and nothing less.
-Dave Cross
National Director
Yes I Can Volleyball
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