 Dear USYVL Families,
Welcome to the November issue of "Every Child Plays" focused on Thanksgiving.
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in the month of November every year, it is a time for communal thanksgiving, feeling gratitude, lavish feasts. It is a time to remember the pilgrims. The original pilgrims celebrated the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks. Today, we celebrate with families and loved ones. All in all, it's an appropriate time for us to spotlight some stand-out USYVL volunteers and families and to thank you for your ongoing support and love for our wonderful sport.
There is also time to register for our Spring '09 Programs, and you can save big if you make it by the December 15 deadline - but please make a note that it will only be on a space available basis. I urge you to book early to avoid disappointment!
In addition to reminding you about registration, I also urge you to get involved by volunteering as a coach. Not only will you receive the reward of helping kids learn our wonderful game, you are guaranteed hours of fun and excitement. What could be better than that?
On behalf of the USYVL, I thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for our wonderful sport, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Randy Sapoznik
Executive Director |
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USYVL is here for Spring 2009 - Don't miss out!
Sign up early to save. Come join in the fun of this fast growing sport. Early Registration until December 15. Visit www.usyvl.org for registration details. |
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Team Member Spotlight
Welcome Diana Presta, Director of USYVL Programs
 United States Youth Volleyball League is pleased and excited to announce the newest addition to their National Staff.
Diana Presta has been brought on as the Director of Programs for USYVL. Diana comes very highly recommended by AYSO, as she is the Regional Commissioner for Mission Viejo CA, which is a Platinum Award winning region. Diana's professional background includes 12 years as an accountant for a CPA firm in Newport Beach and Diana's AYSO experience includes 13 years as a member of Mission Viejo's board of directors. With her AYSO background Diana has an abundance of experience in virtually every capacity of the day to day running of the region. When asked why she commits so much time to AYSO and why she wanted to now come to USYVL she didn't hesitate to answer. "I want to be a part of an organization that makes a positive difference in the life of a child. This is my personal goal in life."
With her experience in working with volunteers, players, administrators and parents we at USYVL are confident that Diana will continue to take USYVL in a new and exciting direction of growth including player and program development. Diana resides in Mission Viejo California with her three sons, Brandon (21) Andrew (18) and Nick (15). |
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Volunteer Spotlight
Scott Hanssen: A Volunteer for all Ages
 USYVL is a magnet for attracting the most wonderful, and generous, volunteers around. And the steadfast clinician at its Thousand Oaks, Ca, site, is certainly no exception. You know you've seen him - he's everywhere! - and always with a smile and a whistle!
Scott Hanssen has been minding the fields in Thousand Oaks since 2001, but he's also been a fixture in Simi Valley, organizing their hectic "opening day," and at the main USYVL office, assisting with clinician training. ( Just try to beat him in the timed "take down the net " race - you can't ) He's also known to help out in Camarillo, Ventura and Oak Park, wherever and whenever an extra hand is needed to get the balls rolling. And from that very first season, Scott has quietly donated his clinician salary back to USYVL. "I volunteer for USYVL because I believe in the program" says Scott. "I enjoy working with kids, and have made many friendships over the years, with the staff at USYVL and with parents in the program. I believe I've been rewarded in many, many ways."
A retired engineer, and self-described "student of the game" Scott can be found anywhere a large white ball is in play. He volunteers as a linesperson at Ventura College, plays regularly on the beaches of Ventura, and attends local high school games, club volleyball tournaments, and collegiate matches - constantly looking for new ways to teach, and, of course, spotting familiar faces on the courts. "I'm always surprised at how many players have passed through our program. It's been fun watching them progress."
Eight years of Fun. Thank you, Scott. |
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Family Spotlight
The Godinez Family
How are a gold medal in the 18 and under Boys USA Junior Olympic Beach Volleyball Championships, UCSB Men's Volleyball team, a bronze medal in the Girls Volleyball 15's Open division of 2008 USA Junior Olympics, and USYVL connected?
The connection is the Godinez family of Ventura, California. When Peter Godinez, a two-time All American in the Decathlon at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, met his wife to be,  Elaine, in college-he never imagined they would one day have two children impassioned by volleyball. Nor he did ever envision himself coaching his young daughter basic volleyball skills ("Bullwinkle, Superman!") during USYVL's early years.
"Randy Sapoznik asked me to be a local director for USYVL in Ventura when things were just developing. I said, sure. Just tell me what to do. Randy gave me all the tools, instructions and support to make a gr.oup of parents and young kids into a volleyball diving board. We all jumped off together-and dived in."
Photo Credit John Carmen (VB photographer)
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Coaches Corner
The Libero: An Equal Opportunity Position
By Billy Allen
Coach & AVP Pro Volleyball Player
Volleyball today is largely dominated by tall people. Yet all the height in the world cannot help you pass, set, or master the fundamentals of the game. One position in particular that offers shorter players the opportunity to compete at even the highest of levels is the libero. The libero plays only in the back row and specializes in passing and defense and is a large part of any team's success. The following are some keys to becoming a great libero.
Ball Control. The libero is relied on to pass the majority of serves and is known for having the best ball control on the team. Good passers keep their arms straight and steady creating the right angles for the pass instead of swinging their arms towards their target. Passers should always aim for a specific target, all the way to the net and a few feet to the right of center. This is where the setter stands. One thing that leads to erratic passing is hitting the ball to a general area versus a specific location. Only be satisfied with the perfect pass that lands right on your setter’s head, then you’re passes won’t stray too far from that target. Remember, aim small, miss small.
Be sure to practice overhand passing. At the college level you will see most players taking float serves and freeballs with their hands in a setting motion as opposed to passing with their arms. The overhand pass offers you more control by getting all your fingers around the ball pushing it to your target as opposed to an underhand pass or “bump” where the ball bounces off your arms. Be aggressive with taking the ball overhand, you will find both your strength and accuracy improving.
Quickness. Volleyball is not an aerobic sport. You are not asked to run a mile at any point in a game. What you are asked to do is short quick bursts of speed on defense such as running down tips and errant passes or digs by a teammate. Liberos should work on short sprints and agility drills to improve their speed to the ball.
One thing that will improve quickness in a game is to always be ready. The average volleyball rally only lasts a few seconds so there is no reason you should ever be caught off-guard or staring into space for those seconds. If a player is low with their knees bent, butt down, and on their toes they are ready to move and get the ball up before it hits the ground. Your arms should also be out in front of you and ready, not down by your sides. A volleyball comes at you fast, and you should have your hands out ready, expecting it to come your way.
Attitude. A good libero is aggressive and fearless. An attacker’s job is to hit the ball hard to the floor. A libero’s job is to get between that ball and the floor. You need to be aggressive and go after every ball sacrificing your body by diving even for balls that might prove out of reach. It is important to have an aggressive attitude that does not hesitate.
Leadership. Like the setter, the libero fills a natural leadership role. They are the quarterbacks of both passing and defense, the one the other players defer to. A libero leads both vocally and by example. A key to success in volleyball is communication. Six players cover a small area and it gets confusing who’s ball it is. A libero will call for the ball or direct traffic on the court. A good player will also lead by his or her work ethic in going for balls and never giving up. In volleyball there is nothing more inspiring to your team than if you hustle after balls and physically give it your all every play.
Although it helps to be born seven feet tall and jump fifty inches, it does not guarantee success. To be successful you have to mix fundamentals such as ball control with a passion for the game and a desire to work hard, improve, and win. If you love the game of volleyball it will become a part of your life. How well you do is up to you, no one should be told to give up or to stop following his or her dream. A good volleyball player will be successful at any level regardless of whether or not they have to duck under doorways.
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Cross Over
The GEL-Volleycross (TM) combines the best features of ASICS(R) running shoes and volleyball shoes to provide an incredibly comfortable alternative to standard volleyball shoes.
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Popular Flip Short
Smack Sportswear, the leader in custom volleyball apparel is now offering the popular Flip Short for only $22 to all USYVL members! (Retail price is $34.95). Our compression Flip Short is by far the most comfortable Spandex short you will ever wear. The Flip Short is offered in a variety of colors with sizes XXS-XXL. If your school or club is interested in receiving samples of any of our top-of-the-line custom uniform apparel, or if you need a discounted quote, please call us toll free at 866-SMACK88 or email us at
info@smacksportswear today. |
Legacy Volleyball Club
Legacy Volleyball Club is a first year club in Santa Clarita. Legacy will be offering club teams for both girls and boy's teams at all age levels down to the 12 and under category. Club volleyball is the next logical step after USYVL, and an excellent way to prepare your child for the more competitive atmosphere of high school volleyball. The coaching director for the club is Walt Ker, former assistant coach at UCLA and head coach at Cal State Northridge. Coach Ker has coached 8 teams to national championships over his 35 years in volleyball. He is considered one of the leading technical coaches in volleyball. "Our tradition will be built on having coaches who do a tremendous job of teaching fundamentals.
Learn more
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To advertise please contact Randy Sapoznik at 310-212-7008
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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 |
| © The entire contents of this eNewsletter are copyright 2008, 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. |
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