 Dear USYVL Families,
Welcome to the May issue of "Every Child Plays" focused on the people who give so much.
First off I must acknowledge the amazing job all of the Site Directors are doing. Without quality leaders like our Site Directors the programs could not exist. Next time you arrive at your site please join me in saying "Thank you" to all our Site Directors.
Second we must acknowledge the Clinicians and Coaches who by following the USYVL curriculum are helping assure the integrity of the program we are delivering to the kids.
This past month Olympic Gold Medalists Phil Dalhausser and Reid Priddy made site visits to Ventura and Mission Viejo respectively. Over the past number of years we have been treated to a number of Professional and College Volleyball players who have taken the time to visit USYVL Sites including Misty May, Dain Blanton, George Roumain, Chris Harger, Mike Whitmarsh, Canyon Ceman, Sinjin Smith, Jeff Nygaard, Donald Suxho, Curt Toppel, Ashley Ivy, Heather Lowe, Billy Allen, UCI Men's Volleyball Team, Portland State Women's Volleyball Team, Oregon State University Women's Volleyball Team, Cal State Long Beach Women's Volleyball Team, Stanford Men's Volleyball Team and a few others who just showed up unannounced.
On behalf of the USYVL, I thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for our wonderful sport.
See you on the court!
Randy Sapoznik
Executive Director
|
Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhausser Hosts USYVL Youth Volleyball Game Day
 We would like to extend a huge thank you to Phil Dalhausser, 2008 Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist, for visiting our Ventura site on May 9th. In front of a large crowd, he discussed his golden career, how he learned to play, and even showed the kids his gold medal.
"I came out here for the kids," Phil commented. Like many kids in the USYVL program, Phil grew up playing many different sports, including baseball and basketball. It wasnt until he was 17 that his high school coach recognized his height and athleticism and taught him the fundamentals of the game. If only USYVL were able to develop his talents a little earlier. Just imagine how good Phil would be if he started playing at age 7!
During Phil's talk the kids wanted to see his 35-inch vertical leap. He was hesitant to jump around without warming up, so USYVL director Randy Sapoznik told the kids that instead of seeing him simply "jump" around the site, they can see Phil play on the Versus Channel all summer! Phil seemed relieved that he did not let the kids down and we were relieved that nobody sustained an injury...
Phil currently competes on the AVP and FIVB pro beach volleyball tours. He is the #1 ranked player in the world along with partner Todd Rogers. In 2007 he won 11 tournaments and was named AVP Most Valuable Player. In 2008 he had 15 victories and was awarded a 2nd MVP award.
|
| |
|
|
USYVL and Reid Priddy
A week after Phil Dalhausser visited us, another 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist paid us a visit. Reid Priddy, starting Outside Hitter for the USA men’s indoor team, visited Mission Viejo this past Saturday. He talked about learning the game at age 15, playing professionally in Siberia, Russia, and training hard to achieve your dreams. He also gave a passing demonstration which was helpful for the kids and the adults!
The kids can sometimes be restless on Saturday mornings, but with one of the world’s best players standing in front of them, they were all-ears. After his intro and demonstration, he signed autographs for each of the hundreds of kids in attendance. The line was long, but Reid didn’t mind. He was thrilled to see so many kids interested in volleyball.
Reid has played on the USA National Team for nearly a decade and has become one of the best players in the world. He has played professionally in Italy, Austria, Greece and Russia, and also has played on the AVP beach tour. He is very active in promoting volleyball. He can be heard on his radio show, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/the-NET-LIVE and seen on his website, http://reidpriddy.com.
|
|
End of Season Sales on Official USYVL Outdoor Net Systems
With the long days of summer ahead, this is the perfect time to take advantage of a great deal on net systems (poles, lines, and stakes included!) offered exclusively by the USYVL. The whole package sells for $165 (a $249 value). These are the very same nets that participants have used through the course of the season. Contact your Site Director for further information as soon as possible. Quantities are limited. Contact the National Office at: 1-888-988-7985; or via email at Questions@usyvl.org
Donate to the USYVL
Make a difference in the lives of your children and your community. The United States Youth Volleyball League is in constant need of donations in order to provide such a quality service. Be it time, money, net sponsorship, or merchandise, the USYVL needs your help. Contact the National Office at 1-888-988-7985 or your Sponsorship Administrator to see how you can make a difference today.
|
Coaches Corner by AVP Pro Billy Allen
Keys to Passing
Passing is all about angles. Having your arms together and out early, creating the angle you want the ball to go after contact. Too many players try to direct the ball by swinging their arms and “shoveling” the ball to their target. A good passer wants his or her upper body still and relaxed, not jerky.
Now most players can pass well when the ball comes right to them. But in a game a passer is responsible for covering a lot of court not just the serve that will hit them. Don’t expect the ball to land in your lap. The first key to passing is being ready to move. Attack the ball with your feet first by moving your body into the right position so you are not reaching and leaning outside your bodyline to pass. Keep in mind though, that as the lower half of your body is motoring to the ball your upper half needs to be calm and steady, creating the correct angle and finishing on target.
Another passing problem is finishing your pass too early. As soon as you make contact with the ball your arms come apart or you move to hit, screaming, “SET ME!” A good passer will hold their arms angled at their target a full second after contact with the ball to ensure an even touch and the correct angle, much in the same way as a basketball player holds his follow-through after shooting. Finish your pass, do not rush through it.
-Be ready to move to the ball
-Create the angle early with your arms.
-Hold after contact to finish your pass.
Some basic passing drills I like are 10-20-30 and Triangle Passing. These drills are slower paced so players can work on their form.
10-20-30
Purpose – To get a feel for how much to push the ball from different parts of the court. Short, medium, and deep.
Drill - Done with partner standing at the net on the same side. Person at the net tosses and catches as the passer stands on the 10ft line and passes 10 good balls to the catcher. Then moves back and passes 10 good ones from the 20ft line and then 10 from the 30ft line. Be strict when judging the pass, if the ball is just an “ok” pass (too low or the target has to step to catch it) it does not count.
Variation – Repeat drill a second time passing overhand or setting.
Triangle Passing
Purpose – Work on creating angles with your arms to direct the ball to target.
Drill – Done with three players. Passer stands on left side of court, tosser is directly in front of them on the other side of the net, and catcher stands on the same side as passer in target position (right front) creating a triangle. Passers must change the direction of the ball from coming straight at them to land at the target to their right by creating the correct angle with their arms. Keeping your left foot forward will help turn your hips and body in the right direction. Pass 20 balls and rotate.
Variation – Tosser can serve or hit down balls at the passer.
|
|
|
© The entire contents of this eNewsletter are copyright 2009, USYVL and may not be produced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. The views and opinions of the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the USYVL. Please direct any questions or comments to Questions@usyvl.org. While we welcome your contributions, please note that we are not responsible for lost or damaged photographs or materials.
|
|
|
|
|
Our Sponsors
|
|
United States Youth Volleyball League
2771 Plaza Del Amo, Suite 808,
Torrance, CA 90503
Toll Free : (888) 988-7985
Phone: (310) 212-7008
Fax: (310) 212-7182
|
|