In light of the holiday we would like to share some of our "thanks!"
We are thankful for...
1. The athletes in our club! We are so incredibly blessed to coach such AMAZING young women! Each year brings new blessings!
2. The parents of the athletes in our club. We are thankful to have you all on our "team" as we teach your daughters the game of volleyball and, of course, some life lessons along the way.
3. Our amazing club directors. Hands down they are absolutely THE BEST club directors in our area... and beyond!! The hours they put in would absolutely astound you. For those of you who don't know, to survive being a club director you have to really REALLY love these kids! haha
4. Our awesome head coaching staff. They all help formulate our club-wide coaching systems to be sure that our athletes are receiving the best, most up-to-date skill instruction available!
5. Our coaching staff. Hands down they are the most experienced, dedicated, and caring coaching staff in our area!! The behind-the-scenes work that goes into coaching club oftentimes outweighs the work that all can see. We are incredibly grateful for the time they give of themselves to all of the athletes in our club.
We hope that this week you will ponder on all that you are thankful for and enjoy the holiday!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM AMARILLO JUNIORS!!!
Showing posts with label athletes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label athletes. Show all posts
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Inside Scoop
Most people are innately nosey. Yes, we did just call you nosey.
For those of you that are willing to admit it (and, ok, those of you who aren't, too) here is a little peek at our first coaches meeting of the season!
Staff season theme: UNITY!
Unity is a noun. In fact, it is defined as, "The state of being one; a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one; oneness of mind, feeling, etc.; concord, harmony or agreement."
Anyone see a pattern here? How about the word "one"?
At Amarillo Juniors, we are focused on practicing what we preach. Individually, each coach in our club will preach "team team team" to our athletes all season long, doing everything short of pounding it into their heads with a hammer. (Ok so we don't really use physical violence to get that point across, but you see what we mean, right?) On that note, we believe it is essential for each of us as a staff to live out what we repeat season after season to our athletes - TEAMWORK!
One way our staff attempts to achieve that goal each year is by attending monthly meetings in which the entire staff gets together to discuss drill ideas, skill training, team building strategies, coaching techniques, and more.
One of our season quotes is, "The WE is greater than the ME."
Yes, that means we have each other's backs. That means we work as a unit. That means that, despite some differences in our coaching styles and variations in our skills training our foundation is the same.
In fact, it was years ago that this same core group of people decided to begin coaching cohesively across the board as a staff. Our rockin' head coaching staff (Jason Skoch, West Texas A&M head coach, Jason Culpepper, Randall High School head coach, Scott Sandel, Tascosa High School head coach, Jan Barker, Amarillo High School head coach, and Stephanie Bankhead, head club director for Amarillo Juniors) establishes yearly how we are going to teach our volleyball fundamentals and foundations to our athletes.
Some of you might also be interested in learning that each year the Amarillo Juniors coaching staff each individually sign a "Coaches Code of Conduct." This means there is no just "talking the talk," but a whole lot of "walking the walk."
Now, does this mean that at some point a parent (or player, but in the spirit of honestly we're going to let you know it is more often a parent) will not be upset by one of our coaches coaching styles or coaching decisions? Absolutely not, and truth be told, that line is often blurry, much to the frustration of everyone involved. We encourage the parents in our club to remain mindful that your athlete's coach truly DOES have her best interests at heart, and never makes any decision without a reason behind it. Oftentimes that reason is something you never thought it would be. Bottom line? Let the coaches do their job, they really do care about your kiddo!
At our meeting we also discussed the fact that the parents of our athletes are entrusting their daughters into our care to help teach them excellent volleyball (and therefore life) skills for 5-7 months of the year, and each coach on our staff takes this role extremely seriously. Collectively, we understand how difficult it is to step back and entrust your child's emotional well being to us, all the while knowing that there's a possibility not everything will go her way.
Bottom line is, our staff is hyper dedicated to our teams, and therefore dedicated to each individual athlete. We are dedicated to doing the best we can as often as we can and as long as we can to train our athletes and bring them to into their highest volleyball potential, ultimately leading to a successful collegiate career, should they so choose. We are committed to staying unified as a club and going at it as a team.
We are so pumped for what all this season will bring, and truly appreciate how many amazing families have chosen to be a part of it with us!
- Amarillo Juniors
For those of you that are willing to admit it (and, ok, those of you who aren't, too) here is a little peek at our first coaches meeting of the season!
Staff season theme: UNITY!
Unity is a noun. In fact, it is defined as, "The state of being one; a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one; oneness of mind, feeling, etc.; concord, harmony or agreement."
Anyone see a pattern here? How about the word "one"?
At Amarillo Juniors, we are focused on practicing what we preach. Individually, each coach in our club will preach "team team team" to our athletes all season long, doing everything short of pounding it into their heads with a hammer. (Ok so we don't really use physical violence to get that point across, but you see what we mean, right?) On that note, we believe it is essential for each of us as a staff to live out what we repeat season after season to our athletes - TEAMWORK!
One way our staff attempts to achieve that goal each year is by attending monthly meetings in which the entire staff gets together to discuss drill ideas, skill training, team building strategies, coaching techniques, and more.
One of our season quotes is, "The WE is greater than the ME."
Yes, that means we have each other's backs. That means we work as a unit. That means that, despite some differences in our coaching styles and variations in our skills training our foundation is the same.
In fact, it was years ago that this same core group of people decided to begin coaching cohesively across the board as a staff. Our rockin' head coaching staff (Jason Skoch, West Texas A&M head coach, Jason Culpepper, Randall High School head coach, Scott Sandel, Tascosa High School head coach, Jan Barker, Amarillo High School head coach, and Stephanie Bankhead, head club director for Amarillo Juniors) establishes yearly how we are going to teach our volleyball fundamentals and foundations to our athletes.
Some of you might also be interested in learning that each year the Amarillo Juniors coaching staff each individually sign a "Coaches Code of Conduct." This means there is no just "talking the talk," but a whole lot of "walking the walk."
Now, does this mean that at some point a parent (or player, but in the spirit of honestly we're going to let you know it is more often a parent) will not be upset by one of our coaches coaching styles or coaching decisions? Absolutely not, and truth be told, that line is often blurry, much to the frustration of everyone involved. We encourage the parents in our club to remain mindful that your athlete's coach truly DOES have her best interests at heart, and never makes any decision without a reason behind it. Oftentimes that reason is something you never thought it would be. Bottom line? Let the coaches do their job, they really do care about your kiddo!
At our meeting we also discussed the fact that the parents of our athletes are entrusting their daughters into our care to help teach them excellent volleyball (and therefore life) skills for 5-7 months of the year, and each coach on our staff takes this role extremely seriously. Collectively, we understand how difficult it is to step back and entrust your child's emotional well being to us, all the while knowing that there's a possibility not everything will go her way.
Bottom line is, our staff is hyper dedicated to our teams, and therefore dedicated to each individual athlete. We are dedicated to doing the best we can as often as we can and as long as we can to train our athletes and bring them to into their highest volleyball potential, ultimately leading to a successful collegiate career, should they so choose. We are committed to staying unified as a club and going at it as a team.
We are so pumped for what all this season will bring, and truly appreciate how many amazing families have chosen to be a part of it with us!
- Amarillo Juniors
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Monday, October 8, 2012
What to expect at tryouts and how to get noticed!
With so many athletes vying for positions on teams during tryouts, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. How do you get noticed at tryouts and more importantly, be remembered?
A peek into the coaches tryout process will help you, the athlete, know what to expect...
Yes, it's true that coaches do, typically, have a good idea of who will be attending tryouts and therefore who they have to choose from for their team selection that year. Occasionally there are athletes that show up as a surprise, however. Also, teams in ages 12u-14s are not solidified until the final day of tryouts.
First, coaches get a sneak peek of who is coming to tryout at pre-tryout clinics.
Next, coaches get to watch athletes at tryouts, take notes on them, and discuss their individual abilities with other coaches for further input on who to place where. You will see coaches walking around with clip boards and likely whispering to one another as you and the other athletes play. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!!!
Following tryouts the entire coaching staff gets together to discuss who they have selected for their team or who they are considering. It is important to know that the head coach and assistant coach are NOT the only ones who have made the placement decision for the athletes on their team. Other coaches in that age group and throughout the club that attended tryouts have the opportunity to give their input, and the club directors' opinions are also heavily weighed in. Our club operates as a unit, which means our coaching staff helps one another in our decision making and each coach is guided by the club directors and head coaching staff to make the best decisions possible.
That evening, after final decisions are made, calls will be made to athletes at the phone numbers given on tryout registration forms to inform them what team they made. Remember to STAY NEAR YOUR PHONE. It is easiest for coaches to be able to contact each individual athlete one at a time, and not have to bounce around on their list (or be interrupted while calling another athlete by an athlete returning their previous phone call). At this time you have the opportunity to accept or reject your team offer so BE PREPARED WITH YOUR ANSWER AHEAD OF TIME. Coaches do not have time to wait around on your decision. Additionally, everything is thrown massively out of whack if coaches receive a phone call late that evening or the next day (or even later...) that the athlete chose not to accept her offer.
Now that you have a better idea of what actually happens "behind the scenes" during the tryout process, here are a few tips to help get noticed at tryouts and be remembered!
1. BE LOUD!
It is extremely important to talk and communicate on the court AT ALL TIMES. This includes calling the ball, shadowing other players, discussing what kind of ball is coming and where it's going to go, who is covering what, etc.
On top of just the regular court communication (remember, this is important no matter how old you are!) encouraging the other athletes trying out is a huge factor that helps get the attention of coaches. It shows you are a team player and willing to celebrate others' success.
2. HUSTLE!
Whether you are going to get water during a break, shagging a ball, or going from one place to the next in a drill, hustle is extremely important and noticed by every single coach in the gym. Coaches need to see that you are willing to work hard without being told to do so. This also hints at your level of coachability.
3. BE COACHABLE!
When a coach gives you instruction, take it and apply it immediately. Making mistakes is not the issue; the issue is making the same mistakes over and over again. This is frustrating for a coach and shows that you are unwilling to change your bad habits. Even if you are playing at the upper level of the talent at tryouts, being uncoachable means that eventually your competition (your teammates vying for your spot included) will outplay you! Do as the coach says and try your best to apply it immediately. They don't talk just for the sake of talking. What they say to you is for a reason, and that reason is almost always to make you a better volleyball player and all-around athlete!
4. RELAX!
It is easy to get yourself so stressed out about tryouts that you can barely function. Remember, coaches do not expect perfection! Coaches are looking for an athlete that is willing to try their best 100% of the time. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. Try to not repeat your mistake more than once, but be mindful of the fact that mistakes are OK! No one is going to gun you down for missing that hit, serve, pass, and so on. Coaches want to see your willingness to try and you being aggressive on the court. Those two things are always accompanied by the occasional mistake. Once it's made, LET IT GO AND MOVE ON! Having a "next ball mentality" can be your most valuable tool as a volleyball athlete.
Good luck and see you at tryouts!
- Amarillo Juniors
A peek into the coaches tryout process will help you, the athlete, know what to expect...
Yes, it's true that coaches do, typically, have a good idea of who will be attending tryouts and therefore who they have to choose from for their team selection that year. Occasionally there are athletes that show up as a surprise, however. Also, teams in ages 12u-14s are not solidified until the final day of tryouts.
First, coaches get a sneak peek of who is coming to tryout at pre-tryout clinics.
Next, coaches get to watch athletes at tryouts, take notes on them, and discuss their individual abilities with other coaches for further input on who to place where. You will see coaches walking around with clip boards and likely whispering to one another as you and the other athletes play. THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!!!
Following tryouts the entire coaching staff gets together to discuss who they have selected for their team or who they are considering. It is important to know that the head coach and assistant coach are NOT the only ones who have made the placement decision for the athletes on their team. Other coaches in that age group and throughout the club that attended tryouts have the opportunity to give their input, and the club directors' opinions are also heavily weighed in. Our club operates as a unit, which means our coaching staff helps one another in our decision making and each coach is guided by the club directors and head coaching staff to make the best decisions possible.
That evening, after final decisions are made, calls will be made to athletes at the phone numbers given on tryout registration forms to inform them what team they made. Remember to STAY NEAR YOUR PHONE. It is easiest for coaches to be able to contact each individual athlete one at a time, and not have to bounce around on their list (or be interrupted while calling another athlete by an athlete returning their previous phone call). At this time you have the opportunity to accept or reject your team offer so BE PREPARED WITH YOUR ANSWER AHEAD OF TIME. Coaches do not have time to wait around on your decision. Additionally, everything is thrown massively out of whack if coaches receive a phone call late that evening or the next day (or even later...) that the athlete chose not to accept her offer.
Now that you have a better idea of what actually happens "behind the scenes" during the tryout process, here are a few tips to help get noticed at tryouts and be remembered!
1. BE LOUD!
It is extremely important to talk and communicate on the court AT ALL TIMES. This includes calling the ball, shadowing other players, discussing what kind of ball is coming and where it's going to go, who is covering what, etc.
On top of just the regular court communication (remember, this is important no matter how old you are!) encouraging the other athletes trying out is a huge factor that helps get the attention of coaches. It shows you are a team player and willing to celebrate others' success.
2. HUSTLE!
Whether you are going to get water during a break, shagging a ball, or going from one place to the next in a drill, hustle is extremely important and noticed by every single coach in the gym. Coaches need to see that you are willing to work hard without being told to do so. This also hints at your level of coachability.
3. BE COACHABLE!
When a coach gives you instruction, take it and apply it immediately. Making mistakes is not the issue; the issue is making the same mistakes over and over again. This is frustrating for a coach and shows that you are unwilling to change your bad habits. Even if you are playing at the upper level of the talent at tryouts, being uncoachable means that eventually your competition (your teammates vying for your spot included) will outplay you! Do as the coach says and try your best to apply it immediately. They don't talk just for the sake of talking. What they say to you is for a reason, and that reason is almost always to make you a better volleyball player and all-around athlete!
4. RELAX!
It is easy to get yourself so stressed out about tryouts that you can barely function. Remember, coaches do not expect perfection! Coaches are looking for an athlete that is willing to try their best 100% of the time. Volleyball is a game of mistakes. Try to not repeat your mistake more than once, but be mindful of the fact that mistakes are OK! No one is going to gun you down for missing that hit, serve, pass, and so on. Coaches want to see your willingness to try and you being aggressive on the court. Those two things are always accompanied by the occasional mistake. Once it's made, LET IT GO AND MOVE ON! Having a "next ball mentality" can be your most valuable tool as a volleyball athlete.
Good luck and see you at tryouts!
- Amarillo Juniors
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
"I love watching you play"
It's no secret that being the parent of an athlete is no easy task. What do I say and when do I say it? Do I instruct or just encourage? How hard do I push and when do I pull back?
Like we said, not easy.
So today we would like to offer YOU, parents, some encouragement. It's not easy, but your roll is the most pivotal in your child's sports career (yes, your role is even more important than the coach!).
Words of Wisdom
As a parent, your words can be the life breath of your child. They portray to your athlete what is in your heart, so we encourage you to be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Ultimately, there's no black or white answer regarding when to say what, but like this article says, the words, "I love watching you play" can be the best five words that ever float from your mouth to your child's ears. It establishes the difference between "parent" and "coach." It reassures your child that you are their parent, their support, and their biggest fan.
That same article also references the fact that many athletes who were surveyed said they most enjoyed when their grandparents watched them play. Why is this? Well, typically grandparents are far less invested in the child's performance in athletics. They don't mind if they have a bad game or don't get as much playing time as others, because they are simply there to enjoy watching their grandchild play. Take in every opportunity to just enjoy watching your athlete. As so many parents can attest to, the time flies by. Avoid creating cringe-worthy memories and focus on making memories you'll enjoy journeying back to in the years to come.
A Touch of Tough
What happens, though, when we hit the other end of the spectrum? Instead of parents encouraging their children or pushing their children to learn discipline and other aspects of athletics, a blame shift takes place. Child isn't getting enough playing time? Well by-golly, that coach just doesn't have a clue what they're doing! Another athlete assumes the role your athlete previously had? Are you kidding me? Little Suzy makes an average of 17 mistakes a game! She doesn't deserve that position!
WARNING: Do not fall into those common traps! These traps are 1) upset about playing time 2) blame shifting or 3) discussing other children and their abilities compared to the abilities of your own child... all in front of or even to your child. In this situation, we advise implementing what we call "a touch of tough." Encourage your athlete to focus on her/his role on the team and to apply what the coach instructs. A little toughness can typically go a long way. Remember, your child's feeling are important, but we all know that feelings can be fickle and misleading! Do your best to guide your athlete to make responsible, reasonable conclusions. This will invite them to open up to you in the future as well. It's OK to have a touch of tough when needed. We believe this also equips and prepares your athlete for adversity in arenas both in and out of sports.
A quick note to athletes... it is OK to respectfully discuss with your parents what things you best respond to. If you respond best to a period of silence after a tough loss, let them know this. We think it's safe to say that 100% of the time they have your best interest in mind when they do things like rehash the play-by-play of the match, which ultimately is reliving the pain of the loss for you. Kindly and respectfully let them know how hard this is on you. Or, if you are the type of athlete who would like to discuss things, let them know that to. Make the first move and open up. Transparency and honestly will benefit both you and your parents!
According to this study, an amazing 75% of children quit sports by the age of 13 largely due to the overbearing weight their parents place on them to perform. (Note: Be careful about this! You can do it without realizing it, simply with the words or tone that you use.) Overall, your role as parent greatly affects your child's successes and failures. When they know you've got their back, they'll trust you with their hardships. This goes beyond just the court or the field.
No matter how tempted you may be to comment on certain plays that happened during the match, how your child performed, or decisions made by the coach, until you are invited by your athlete to discuss those topics stick to the five magic words... "I love watching you play."
- Amarillo Juniors
We now offer affordable advertising opportunities! For more information email info@amarillojrs.com.
Check out our site! We update regularly and feature team results, Team of the Week, and other club events.
Connect with us for the chance to win contests and more!
Follow us here and get LIVE tournament updates!
Like we said, not easy.
So today we would like to offer YOU, parents, some encouragement. It's not easy, but your roll is the most pivotal in your child's sports career (yes, your role is even more important than the coach!).
Words of Wisdom
As a parent, your words can be the life breath of your child. They portray to your athlete what is in your heart, so we encourage you to be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Ultimately, there's no black or white answer regarding when to say what, but like this article says, the words, "I love watching you play" can be the best five words that ever float from your mouth to your child's ears. It establishes the difference between "parent" and "coach." It reassures your child that you are their parent, their support, and their biggest fan.
That same article also references the fact that many athletes who were surveyed said they most enjoyed when their grandparents watched them play. Why is this? Well, typically grandparents are far less invested in the child's performance in athletics. They don't mind if they have a bad game or don't get as much playing time as others, because they are simply there to enjoy watching their grandchild play. Take in every opportunity to just enjoy watching your athlete. As so many parents can attest to, the time flies by. Avoid creating cringe-worthy memories and focus on making memories you'll enjoy journeying back to in the years to come.
A Touch of Tough
What happens, though, when we hit the other end of the spectrum? Instead of parents encouraging their children or pushing their children to learn discipline and other aspects of athletics, a blame shift takes place. Child isn't getting enough playing time? Well by-golly, that coach just doesn't have a clue what they're doing! Another athlete assumes the role your athlete previously had? Are you kidding me? Little Suzy makes an average of 17 mistakes a game! She doesn't deserve that position!
WARNING: Do not fall into those common traps! These traps are 1) upset about playing time 2) blame shifting or 3) discussing other children and their abilities compared to the abilities of your own child... all in front of or even to your child. In this situation, we advise implementing what we call "a touch of tough." Encourage your athlete to focus on her/his role on the team and to apply what the coach instructs. A little toughness can typically go a long way. Remember, your child's feeling are important, but we all know that feelings can be fickle and misleading! Do your best to guide your athlete to make responsible, reasonable conclusions. This will invite them to open up to you in the future as well. It's OK to have a touch of tough when needed. We believe this also equips and prepares your athlete for adversity in arenas both in and out of sports.
A quick note to athletes... it is OK to respectfully discuss with your parents what things you best respond to. If you respond best to a period of silence after a tough loss, let them know this. We think it's safe to say that 100% of the time they have your best interest in mind when they do things like rehash the play-by-play of the match, which ultimately is reliving the pain of the loss for you. Kindly and respectfully let them know how hard this is on you. Or, if you are the type of athlete who would like to discuss things, let them know that to. Make the first move and open up. Transparency and honestly will benefit both you and your parents!
According to this study, an amazing 75% of children quit sports by the age of 13 largely due to the overbearing weight their parents place on them to perform. (Note: Be careful about this! You can do it without realizing it, simply with the words or tone that you use.) Overall, your role as parent greatly affects your child's successes and failures. When they know you've got their back, they'll trust you with their hardships. This goes beyond just the court or the field.
No matter how tempted you may be to comment on certain plays that happened during the match, how your child performed, or decisions made by the coach, until you are invited by your athlete to discuss those topics stick to the five magic words... "I love watching you play."
- Amarillo Juniors
We now offer affordable advertising opportunities! For more information email info@amarillojrs.com.
Check out our site! We update regularly and feature team results, Team of the Week, and other club events.
Connect with us for the chance to win contests and more!
Follow us here and get LIVE tournament updates!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sportsmanship; A lost art form?
You hear the stories every day, maybe you've even experienced it for yourself... the irate fan who comes out of the stands at the referee or the angry dad who gets into a fist fight with another parent during a game.
Over the last few years, it seems, these types of stories have been more widespread, expanding across the country. So that leaves us with one very important question...
Has sportsmanship become a lost art form?
We recently happened across a very interesting column (that we posted on our Facebook page as well) written by columnist Patrick Hite on the newsleader.com website addressing a scary aspect of this very issue; coaches resigning their posts because the unruliness of fans; namely, parents. Read it HERE.
While we read through this we found ourselves nodding our heads in agreement, and recognizing certain stories from right in our own backyard. We know what additional obstacles this problem presents... unruly athletes, young male and female athletes with a lack of discipline, and promotion of the "entitlement generation," to name a few... but how do we combat it?
Coming at the problem head on
Sticking our heads in the sand and pretending like something isn't happening has never solved a problem. If you're saying to yourself right now, "Well, I'm not that (athlete) (parent) (sports fan)," we applaud you. However, we're sure you know of one (or two, or three...) that are. Here's a question for those of us who aren't actively expanding the problem... are we actively combating it? It's no secret that parental roles are vital to the success of a team. We have seen teams come apart at the seams because of unhappy parents, and on the other hand have seen teams win national championships at the encouragement and support of them. When your athlete says to you, "My coach plays favorites. That's why I'm only playing front row now," what is your response? Athletes are typically a direct reflection of their home environment and what they are hearing from their individual fans (often, their parents). Is your athlete surrounded by a positive, encouraging, hard-work supporting, "you can do anything you put your mind to"-promoting environment? Or rather, is the environment filled with, "Oh you poor thing, you are mistreated by your coach and other players, you deserve that spot so much more than little Suzy, little Johnny made 14 mistakes and you would've made less than that if given the chance so you deserve the position more than him" mindsets?
We know, this is getting deep.
Like the column said, it is very rare that any coach is ever out to be vindictive against your child. No. Rather, most coaches coach for the sake of the children. It's a low-paying, often thankless job, for those of you who were unaware. Mostly, it is done for the kids. It is done for a love of the game. It is done to educate, encourage, and mold young athletes into responsible, disciplined leaders who take life head-on and do their part to make their environment a better place.
Your words and their impact
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." Now, isn't that just the farthest thing from the truth you've ever heard? Words DO hurt. Words DO have an enormous impact on our athletes. What an important thing for coaches to remember. Coaches walk a fine line between speaking life into their athletes and holding them to a standard of excellence. Great coaches accomplish this feat. But once the athlete leaves the court, field, etc... is it continued on? For athletes out there, how does what you say impact your teammates? For parents, how does what you say impact your children? (Check out the "10 Commandments for Parents" of athletes HERE). Remember, your attitude towards your athlete's coach, other parents from the team, other players on the team, the referees, or the competition will be directly reflected in your child.
What is considered "unsportsmanlike"?
Yes, this is pretty much a "don't" list, but it's important. We all know how easy it is to become so emotionally invested that we get carried away (this is true for athletes, coaches, and parents/fans). So here are some things to be aware of that do nothing other than reflect poorly on you/your athlete/your team/your sports organization and cause ill-will.
1. Shouting rudely or obnoxiously (on the court or from the stands) at athletes, coaches, or referees.
2. Ripping your athlete from the stands during the middle of play for making a mistake.
3. Yanking your child directly following play because you disagreed with the coaches decision, or pulling your athlete from other responsibilities she/he may have had such as reffing duties because you are unhappy.
4. Approaching your coach (in an aggressive manner or otherwise) following play without setting up a time to have this meeting with a concern or issue you may have.
5. Commenting on the competition - their "rudeness" or what such-and-such player did or said etc. Remember, you can't control what other people do, but you can control your response to it.
Here's your sign...
If you ever find yourself opening with a statement like, "I'm really not the kind of parent who complains, BUT..." or "I respect your decisions as a coach, BUT..." or "I'm not the type of person ________, BUT..." catch yourself! After all, when you open with a statement that essentially contradicts itself, you need to reevaluate your purpose in the discussion.
Cut to the chase
Whenever you do find yourself in a situation where you, as an athlete or parent, need to have a meeting with the coach, remember to approach it in a very understanding and humble manner. A coach ALWAYS has a reason for every decision that is made, and specifically in the sport of volleyball, the variables that could have impacted said decision are essentially endless. Often you will find that a decision was made for a particular reason that you were completely unaware of. Ask the coach what you could do to make certain situations better. Expect honesty, and then accept it. Once the issue is addressed, leave it. Do not go "stir the pot" by whining in the ear of a teammate or other parent to get more people "on your side" in the matter. This is counterproductive for your athlete no matter the situation.
Nip it in the bud
So we end with a problem still on our hands. Alas, sometimes that's just life. Our charge to you is this...
What can you do to become a part of the solution?
If you hear a teammate or other parent/fan complaining, yelling, or otherwise distributing any of the aforementioned signs of unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively pull them to the side. There you can remind them or bring to their attention what it is they were doing and how that not only poorly reflects on them, but on the entire team or sports organization. Oftentimes you can be the voice of reason and cool someone's jets before things boil over.
Remember, the best thing you can ever say to your athlete is, "I so enjoy watching you play. I'm so proud of you!"
We love this game, and want the best for all of our athletes. We promote positive lessons learned on the court that will carry on into adulthood. Remember, it takes a village, and no team has ever had a winning season where division, anger, and selfishness were the frontrunners. Parents, you are the foundation of your athletes and their success on and off the court. Join with coaches in teaching hard work, discipline, focus, determination, flexibility, teamwork, resilience, humility and leadership on the court and off.
Every season, like every situation, is what you make of it. It can work for you or against you, but the choice is yours.
Happy playing!
- Amarillo Juniors
Check out our latest Team of the Week, join in on our contests to win prizes, see live tournament updates!
Over the last few years, it seems, these types of stories have been more widespread, expanding across the country. So that leaves us with one very important question...
Has sportsmanship become a lost art form?
We recently happened across a very interesting column (that we posted on our Facebook page as well) written by columnist Patrick Hite on the newsleader.com website addressing a scary aspect of this very issue; coaches resigning their posts because the unruliness of fans; namely, parents. Read it HERE.
While we read through this we found ourselves nodding our heads in agreement, and recognizing certain stories from right in our own backyard. We know what additional obstacles this problem presents... unruly athletes, young male and female athletes with a lack of discipline, and promotion of the "entitlement generation," to name a few... but how do we combat it?
Sticking our heads in the sand and pretending like something isn't happening has never solved a problem. If you're saying to yourself right now, "Well, I'm not that (athlete) (parent) (sports fan)," we applaud you. However, we're sure you know of one (or two, or three...) that are. Here's a question for those of us who aren't actively expanding the problem... are we actively combating it? It's no secret that parental roles are vital to the success of a team. We have seen teams come apart at the seams because of unhappy parents, and on the other hand have seen teams win national championships at the encouragement and support of them. When your athlete says to you, "My coach plays favorites. That's why I'm only playing front row now," what is your response? Athletes are typically a direct reflection of their home environment and what they are hearing from their individual fans (often, their parents). Is your athlete surrounded by a positive, encouraging, hard-work supporting, "you can do anything you put your mind to"-promoting environment? Or rather, is the environment filled with, "Oh you poor thing, you are mistreated by your coach and other players, you deserve that spot so much more than little Suzy, little Johnny made 14 mistakes and you would've made less than that if given the chance so you deserve the position more than him" mindsets?
We know, this is getting deep.
Like the column said, it is very rare that any coach is ever out to be vindictive against your child. No. Rather, most coaches coach for the sake of the children. It's a low-paying, often thankless job, for those of you who were unaware. Mostly, it is done for the kids. It is done for a love of the game. It is done to educate, encourage, and mold young athletes into responsible, disciplined leaders who take life head-on and do their part to make their environment a better place.
Your words and their impact
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." Now, isn't that just the farthest thing from the truth you've ever heard? Words DO hurt. Words DO have an enormous impact on our athletes. What an important thing for coaches to remember. Coaches walk a fine line between speaking life into their athletes and holding them to a standard of excellence. Great coaches accomplish this feat. But once the athlete leaves the court, field, etc... is it continued on? For athletes out there, how does what you say impact your teammates? For parents, how does what you say impact your children? (Check out the "10 Commandments for Parents" of athletes HERE). Remember, your attitude towards your athlete's coach, other parents from the team, other players on the team, the referees, or the competition will be directly reflected in your child.
What is considered "unsportsmanlike"?
Yes, this is pretty much a "don't" list, but it's important. We all know how easy it is to become so emotionally invested that we get carried away (this is true for athletes, coaches, and parents/fans). So here are some things to be aware of that do nothing other than reflect poorly on you/your athlete/your team/your sports organization and cause ill-will.
1. Shouting rudely or obnoxiously (on the court or from the stands) at athletes, coaches, or referees.
2. Ripping your athlete from the stands during the middle of play for making a mistake.
3. Yanking your child directly following play because you disagreed with the coaches decision, or pulling your athlete from other responsibilities she/he may have had such as reffing duties because you are unhappy.
4. Approaching your coach (in an aggressive manner or otherwise) following play without setting up a time to have this meeting with a concern or issue you may have.
5. Commenting on the competition - their "rudeness" or what such-and-such player did or said etc. Remember, you can't control what other people do, but you can control your response to it.
Here's your sign...
If you ever find yourself opening with a statement like, "I'm really not the kind of parent who complains, BUT..." or "I respect your decisions as a coach, BUT..." or "I'm not the type of person ________, BUT..." catch yourself! After all, when you open with a statement that essentially contradicts itself, you need to reevaluate your purpose in the discussion.
Cut to the chase
Whenever you do find yourself in a situation where you, as an athlete or parent, need to have a meeting with the coach, remember to approach it in a very understanding and humble manner. A coach ALWAYS has a reason for every decision that is made, and specifically in the sport of volleyball, the variables that could have impacted said decision are essentially endless. Often you will find that a decision was made for a particular reason that you were completely unaware of. Ask the coach what you could do to make certain situations better. Expect honesty, and then accept it. Once the issue is addressed, leave it. Do not go "stir the pot" by whining in the ear of a teammate or other parent to get more people "on your side" in the matter. This is counterproductive for your athlete no matter the situation.
Nip it in the bud
So we end with a problem still on our hands. Alas, sometimes that's just life. Our charge to you is this...
What can you do to become a part of the solution?
If you hear a teammate or other parent/fan complaining, yelling, or otherwise distributing any of the aforementioned signs of unsportsmanlike conduct, respectively pull them to the side. There you can remind them or bring to their attention what it is they were doing and how that not only poorly reflects on them, but on the entire team or sports organization. Oftentimes you can be the voice of reason and cool someone's jets before things boil over.
Remember, the best thing you can ever say to your athlete is, "I so enjoy watching you play. I'm so proud of you!"
We love this game, and want the best for all of our athletes. We promote positive lessons learned on the court that will carry on into adulthood. Remember, it takes a village, and no team has ever had a winning season where division, anger, and selfishness were the frontrunners. Parents, you are the foundation of your athletes and their success on and off the court. Join with coaches in teaching hard work, discipline, focus, determination, flexibility, teamwork, resilience, humility and leadership on the court and off.
Every season, like every situation, is what you make of it. It can work for you or against you, but the choice is yours.
Happy playing!
- Amarillo Juniors
Check out our latest Team of the Week, join in on our contests to win prizes, see live tournament updates!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Hit or miss; a "gamer"
Most have heard about or know someone who is considered a "gamer." A "gamer" is the athlete that, during practice and training, does not perform well, but in the face of a game can outplay most of those on the court, somehow morphing into a "stud."
There are many arguments as to whether this is intentional or "just the way a player operates."
So what are coaches faced with when they have this type of player? Their biggest question is, "Can I depend on this player?"
Most coaches determine playing time, positions, and overall team roles based on play during practice. Some coaches even utilize systems such as Gold Medal Squared's "Competitive Cauldron" (explained HERE). In this system, good play in practice is of the utmost priority to the athletes competing against one another.
The hardest part of determining whether a "gamer" is worthy of a more prominent role on a team is deciphering this particular athlete's work ethic. For instance, is the underlying issue that she/he simply does not want to work hard and focus during training and then turns up the heat during competition? If so, this player strikes up a point or two on the untrustworthy scale. A facade like that cannot be sustained forever, and ultimately this type of player will be "out-skilled" by her/his teammates in the long run.
Many coaches have argued, however, that some athletes simply thrive on the adrenaline rush of play; and therefore up the ante, so to speak, during competition. How do coaches combat this? Well, to put it simply, they can design more competition-focused practices.
In most sports, and especially in volleyball, your "gems" are your consistent athletes. These are the players you can trust to put a ball down in a crunch situation, or step back to the service line and serve aggressively without fearing the fact that they are serving on game point.
Coaches, if you are faced with coaching a "gamer" take your time to really evaluate the situation. How does she interact with her teammates during practice? What is her level of hustle? How much fortitude does she have when faced with chaotic drills designed to induce stress? Often, paying specific attention to the athlete's reactions during these situations will give you hints as to what is beneath it all. But take your time in doing this, and try not to jump to conclusions without a thorough investigation.
Players, if you feel like you play better during competition than during practice, you may be in need of a self-evaluation. What is your mental status before you practice? How does that change before the start of a match? How emotionally and physically invested are you in practice vs play? Do you think you thrive in a more competitive environment? What circumstances can you, personally, change to be sure you are benefiting from play AND practice? Have you discussed these issues with your coach? Plan a short sit-down session with your coach for their input on how you can make some changes in the right direction.
Not everything in sports is cut and dry - hence the existence of sports psychologists! However, with some careful evaluation of self or athlete the situation can be molded in a way that benefits both coach, player, and team.
- Amarillo Juniors
Check out our "Team of the Week" on our website! www.amarillojuniors.com
Join the conversation! www.facebook.com/amarillojuniors
Stay in-the-know with live tournament updates! www.twitter.com/amarillojuniors @amarillojuniors
There are many arguments as to whether this is intentional or "just the way a player operates."
So what are coaches faced with when they have this type of player? Their biggest question is, "Can I depend on this player?"
Most coaches determine playing time, positions, and overall team roles based on play during practice. Some coaches even utilize systems such as Gold Medal Squared's "Competitive Cauldron" (explained HERE). In this system, good play in practice is of the utmost priority to the athletes competing against one another.
The hardest part of determining whether a "gamer" is worthy of a more prominent role on a team is deciphering this particular athlete's work ethic. For instance, is the underlying issue that she/he simply does not want to work hard and focus during training and then turns up the heat during competition? If so, this player strikes up a point or two on the untrustworthy scale. A facade like that cannot be sustained forever, and ultimately this type of player will be "out-skilled" by her/his teammates in the long run.
Many coaches have argued, however, that some athletes simply thrive on the adrenaline rush of play; and therefore up the ante, so to speak, during competition. How do coaches combat this? Well, to put it simply, they can design more competition-focused practices.
In most sports, and especially in volleyball, your "gems" are your consistent athletes. These are the players you can trust to put a ball down in a crunch situation, or step back to the service line and serve aggressively without fearing the fact that they are serving on game point.
Coaches, if you are faced with coaching a "gamer" take your time to really evaluate the situation. How does she interact with her teammates during practice? What is her level of hustle? How much fortitude does she have when faced with chaotic drills designed to induce stress? Often, paying specific attention to the athlete's reactions during these situations will give you hints as to what is beneath it all. But take your time in doing this, and try not to jump to conclusions without a thorough investigation.
Players, if you feel like you play better during competition than during practice, you may be in need of a self-evaluation. What is your mental status before you practice? How does that change before the start of a match? How emotionally and physically invested are you in practice vs play? Do you think you thrive in a more competitive environment? What circumstances can you, personally, change to be sure you are benefiting from play AND practice? Have you discussed these issues with your coach? Plan a short sit-down session with your coach for their input on how you can make some changes in the right direction.
Not everything in sports is cut and dry - hence the existence of sports psychologists! However, with some careful evaluation of self or athlete the situation can be molded in a way that benefits both coach, player, and team.
- Amarillo Juniors
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| 13 Royal - LTK - after their 2nd place finish! |
Check out our "Team of the Week" on our website! www.amarillojuniors.com
Join the conversation! www.facebook.com/amarillojuniors
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Sunday, December 4, 2011
3 Tips on how to better juggle your hectic schedule
You have your big semester project due in 3 of your classes, 2 major exams and 1 essay due in your others. You're in season for school basketball, so you have 2-hour practices directly after school and you're playing club volleyball so twice a week you go straight from basketball practice to a 2-hour volleyball practice. You'd think the weekends would be a nice, relaxing time for you to get caught up on everything you left undone during the week, but after Friday night's game you're packing up in the car, headed to your out-of-town club volleyball tournament. You trade off between catching up on homework and catching up on sleep in the car. When Sunday rolls around you're barreling in late that night from the tournament and have to go crash hard to squeeze in your 5 hours of sleep before it all starts again Monday morning.
And managing your social life... oh wait, what's a social life? Who has time for that, anyway?
Being an athlete saddles right up along with being so busy it can make many people's heads spin. It just comes with the territory.
So how in the world can you juggle it all?
Here are our top 3 tips on how to better juggle your schedule to keep you from LOSING YOUR MIND!...
1. Whose turn is it? Make sure you have your priorities straight.
Sit down and really think thoroughly about what "to do" on your list needs attention first. Remember, maintaining good grades is JUST AS IMPORTANT as maintaining your speed, vertical and agility in your sport(s). If your goal is to play collegiate ball of any kind, grades have to have the utmost priority. Make sure you know what needs to be done first on your list!
Practical step: Write down your entire "to do" list, categorizing it by schoolwork, class, sport, and chore. Now, take a highlighter of your choice and highlight the top one or two things that must be done first in each category. Decide that you will finish those today instead of tomorrow, and get crackin' until they are crossed off your list! Tomorrow, repeat.
2. But there's just no time! ...Make time.
It's really easy to get so overwhelmed that we start speaking in absolutes... "I'll NEVER be able to get this done in time!" or, "There's just NO WAY I can do this." Even though it feels like there's no time, it can be found.
Practical step: This is where the "power hour" comes in to play. During this hour of your choosing you set literally everything else aside but what you have to absolutely get done. Yes, that means no cell phone, no Facebook, no Twitter, NO INTERRUPTIONS for 60 minutes straight! Plug away, doing as much as you can as fast you can.. You'd be amazed at how much can get done when we refuse to be distracted!
3. Get enough sleep.
Hey, we heard that! Yeah, you, mumbling under your breath, "Who has time to sleep?" Well, it's important, so buckle down and make it a priority. A sleep-deprived student is an unhealthy student. Trust us, we really do know how you're feeling because we've been there! But when you don't get enough sleep your focus is lacking, your motor skills are slower, and your brain retention lessens. That said, going to bed an extra hour early is well worth rearranging your schedule a little bit.
Practical step: Pick 2 or 3 nights a week that you will absolutely, positively go to bed at a decent hour and get enough sleep. Try really hard to stick to these "sleep days." It will start to become a routine, and you'll be amazed at how much better you perform with just those few extra hours of sleep a week!
Remember, high school and college athletes are simply the best students out there. They are focused, determined, and goal-oriented. Athletes usually have high success rates in their grades and eventual careers because managing a hectic schedule has become second nature to them. If you are feeling buried, you're not alone! Many before you have gone forth and conquered... and you can too!
Happy juggling!
- Amarillo Juniors
And managing your social life... oh wait, what's a social life? Who has time for that, anyway?
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| Borrowed from searchingtheinnerme.blogspot.com. |
Being an athlete saddles right up along with being so busy it can make many people's heads spin. It just comes with the territory.
So how in the world can you juggle it all?
Here are our top 3 tips on how to better juggle your schedule to keep you from LOSING YOUR MIND!...
1. Whose turn is it? Make sure you have your priorities straight.
Sit down and really think thoroughly about what "to do" on your list needs attention first. Remember, maintaining good grades is JUST AS IMPORTANT as maintaining your speed, vertical and agility in your sport(s). If your goal is to play collegiate ball of any kind, grades have to have the utmost priority. Make sure you know what needs to be done first on your list!
Practical step: Write down your entire "to do" list, categorizing it by schoolwork, class, sport, and chore. Now, take a highlighter of your choice and highlight the top one or two things that must be done first in each category. Decide that you will finish those today instead of tomorrow, and get crackin' until they are crossed off your list! Tomorrow, repeat.
2. But there's just no time! ...Make time.
It's really easy to get so overwhelmed that we start speaking in absolutes... "I'll NEVER be able to get this done in time!" or, "There's just NO WAY I can do this." Even though it feels like there's no time, it can be found.
Practical step: This is where the "power hour" comes in to play. During this hour of your choosing you set literally everything else aside but what you have to absolutely get done. Yes, that means no cell phone, no Facebook, no Twitter, NO INTERRUPTIONS for 60 minutes straight! Plug away, doing as much as you can as fast you can.. You'd be amazed at how much can get done when we refuse to be distracted!
3. Get enough sleep.
Hey, we heard that! Yeah, you, mumbling under your breath, "Who has time to sleep?" Well, it's important, so buckle down and make it a priority. A sleep-deprived student is an unhealthy student. Trust us, we really do know how you're feeling because we've been there! But when you don't get enough sleep your focus is lacking, your motor skills are slower, and your brain retention lessens. That said, going to bed an extra hour early is well worth rearranging your schedule a little bit.
Practical step: Pick 2 or 3 nights a week that you will absolutely, positively go to bed at a decent hour and get enough sleep. Try really hard to stick to these "sleep days." It will start to become a routine, and you'll be amazed at how much better you perform with just those few extra hours of sleep a week!
Remember, high school and college athletes are simply the best students out there. They are focused, determined, and goal-oriented. Athletes usually have high success rates in their grades and eventual careers because managing a hectic schedule has become second nature to them. If you are feeling buried, you're not alone! Many before you have gone forth and conquered... and you can too!
Happy juggling!
- Amarillo Juniors
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Wednesday, October 26, 2011
What's my role as the parent of an athlete?
At Monday night's parent meeting we had Licensed Professional Counselor (and mom of a 12-year-old in our club) LeAnn Sorrels speak to the parent's in attendance about their role. LeAnn, who has 23 years of experience in her field, now has a few years under her belt as the mom of a club volleyball athlete. Between that and her job, she's learned a few things that she shared with the group.
Her acronym: SUPPORT.
S- self-confidence
U- understanding
P- positive visualization
P- parental role
O- optimism
R- respect
T- team
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| Licensed Family Counselor and mom of an Amarillo Juniors athlete LeAnn Sorrels talks at Monday's 12s parent meeting. LeAnn shared what she has learned in her experience as a parent of an athlete combined with her 23 years of counseling practice. |
Self-confidence is something that every person, at some point in time, has struggled with. On and off the court, learning how to have and maintain confidence is essential to success on all levels. As a parent (trust us, we've all been there!) we know how easy it is to get absolutely absorbed in the game. You feel what your child feels. You yearn to see your child succeed. Overall, though, according to LeAnn, your best bet as a parent is to be your child's biggest cheerleader. Which leads to the "U" - understanding. Be encouraging and help instill self-confidence in them by providing encouraging words before AND after their games, at home, away from home, at school... positive reinforcement, LeAnn says, really is key. After all, most players are hard enough on themselves already!
Positive visualization is something you will hear most life-coach professionals talk about. It's important to see yourself succeeding at whatever you're doing, and that stands true on the volleyball court. Always encourage your child to focus on how they want to perform a task, not on how they didn't perform it well the first time. Help them to imagine where it is they want to be and then guide them in taking steps toward those goals. Coaches call this "next ball mentality" - which is essentially a player's ability to move on from the last play and focus on the play at hand. "Not commenting on what your child is doing well is creating a cognitive path to focus on mistakes not accomplishments," LeAnn said, "instead of a cognitive path to 'I will get this; it will come as I practice and visualize!'"
And next comes parental role. Ahhh parental role. What a fine line walked, eh? According to LeAnn, some of the biggest mistakes a parent can make are:
1. Pushing too hard.
"This stifles the fun of learning and creates a path for them to start beating themselves up if they make mistakes," LeAnn said. "Be sure this is your child's dream, not just yours."
2. Yelling/coaching during the game or between games.
Essentially there are too many chiefs! Your child's eagerness to please both you and her coach can take its toll. Also, she may be getting conflicting messages between you and her coaches, LeAnn said.
How about this one (the glass is half-full!)... optimism! What an important life-tool. Again, this goes back to positive reinforcement. Teach your child to always be optimistic about what she can achieve, and she will likely get there! (Insert parental lesson here: We can all benefit from this! If we talk positively and optimistically to ourselves instead of negatively we are far more likely to succeed.)
Also, be sure that you are respecting the leadership of your child's coach. For any parent out there who has ever coached a sport, you can attest to the fact that it's not easy! LeAnn has learned that you have to trust and respect your coaches' decisions, she said. It's not always easy to understand why your daughter may have a certain role on her team, but it's important to remember that a coach has a reason for everything. Respect the coaches' knowledge of the game and, if necessary, schedule a time to talk more extensively (and calmy) about why certain decisions have been made.
And lastly, team. Every team-sport athlete has to have a "WE is greater than ME" mentality. The bottom line is, all decisions that are made have to best benefit the team, not just the individual. In club sports, parents, too, are members of the team. Obviously, you parents out there play an essential role in helping the coach guide your athlete to success. If you all work toward the same goal together and "play" for one another, not against one another, the season will be successful AND it will be FUN!
Thanks, LeAnn, for sharing your insights with us!
- Amarillo Juniors
Follow us on Twitter! @amarillojuniors
Keep your eyes on our website! Its new design will be rolled out SOON!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
A chat with Misty May-Treanor
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor How important is #club #volleyball to getting a college scholarship? #livechat
We were curious about Misty's opinion on the importance of club volleyball in getting a collegiate scholarship. Obviously, we think it's very important. Her answer was right in line with what we think!
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I think that playing club is important, that is where most of the college coaches search out players, also training is key.
We couldn't agree more! To add to that, since high school volleyball seasons and collegiate volleyball seasons coincide, most college coaches only have the opportunity to scout athletes during off season, which so happens to be club volleyball season. Additionally, when college coaches go to large club tournaments they have the opportunity to see many athletes in one location, as opposed to a visit to one particular high school to watch one athlete.
We were also curious about what age Misty thought is a good starting point for girls to play club volleyball. This is definitely a hot topic, not just locally, but nationally as well. In the Panhandle it's typical for girls to start playing club volleyball around ages 9 and 10.
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Thanks! We agree! What would you say is a good age to start playing #club #volleyball? #livechat
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I started when I was 10 but I like kids playing all the sports that they can along with club volleyball
We thought this was interesting, so we asked...
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Gotcha. What's your no. 1 reason for preferring kids play multiple sports in addition to #club #volleyball?
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I think it prevents overuse injuries, burn out, and helps them develop into better all around athletes
Very good points! Burn out is especially an issue for athletes who play a single sport year 'round starting at a young age. As athletes get older, however, it becomes harder and harder to be a multi-sport athlete. (Not to mention more expensive and time consuming for you parents out there.) Misty herself grew up playing tennis and soccer in addition to volleyball. She was also in dance. Aaaaand now she is the winningest female volleyball player with 107 career wins and a two-time gold medalist at the summer Olympics in both 2004 and 2008, according to her website, http://www.mistymay.com/. We can see her point, here, for sure.
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors be supportive and be a fan.
- Amarillo Juniors Volleyball Club
We'd love to know what topics YOU would like to see covered in our weekly blog. Comment below or hit us up on Facebook and Twitter to connect.
Reminder: Our website is under construction but will be rolling out soon! Keep your eyes HERE for its new look and all things Amarillo Juniors!
For dates and to register for our 15s-18s pre-tryout clinics and tryouts, click HERE.
 |
| Misty May-Treanor digging a ball. Photo courtesy of zimbio.com via Google images |
Today we chatted live with Misty May-Treanor on Twitter ! It was very cool. We got to pick her brain a little (in under 140 characters - yes, it was impressive). In case you missed it, here's a quick re-cap...
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor How important is #club #volleyball to getting a college scholarship? #livechat
We were curious about Misty's opinion on the importance of club volleyball in getting a collegiate scholarship. Obviously, we think it's very important. Her answer was right in line with what we think!
We couldn't agree more! To add to that, since high school volleyball seasons and collegiate volleyball seasons coincide, most college coaches only have the opportunity to scout athletes during off season, which so happens to be club volleyball season. Additionally, when college coaches go to large club tournaments they have the opportunity to see many athletes in one location, as opposed to a visit to one particular high school to watch one athlete.
We were also curious about what age Misty thought is a good starting point for girls to play club volleyball. This is definitely a hot topic, not just locally, but nationally as well. In the Panhandle it's typical for girls to start playing club volleyball around ages 9 and 10.
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Thanks! We agree! What would you say is a good age to start playing #club #volleyball? #livechat
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I started when I was 10 but I like kids playing all the sports that they can along with club volleyball
We thought this was interesting, so we asked...
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Gotcha. What's your no. 1 reason for preferring kids play multiple sports in addition to #club #volleyball?
@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I think it prevents overuse injuries, burn out, and helps them develop into better all around athletes
Very good points! Burn out is especially an issue for athletes who play a single sport year 'round starting at a young age. As athletes get older, however, it becomes harder and harder to be a multi-sport athlete. (Not to mention more expensive and time consuming for you parents out there.) Misty herself grew up playing tennis and soccer in addition to volleyball. She was also in dance. Aaaaand now she is the winningest female volleyball player with 107 career wins and a two-time gold medalist at the summer Olympics in both 2004 and 2008, according to her website, http://www.mistymay.com/. We can see her point, here, for sure.
To wrap up our Q&A we inquired about the important role a parent plays in their child's success or failure in a sport.
@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Good point! Last question from us: Any words of wisdom to the PARENTS of athletes out there? #livechat
Well Misty, we couldn't agree more!
- Amarillo Juniors Volleyball Club
We'd love to know what topics YOU would like to see covered in our weekly blog. Comment below or hit us up on Facebook and Twitter to connect.
Reminder: Our website is under construction but will be rolling out soon! Keep your eyes HERE for its new look and all things Amarillo Juniors!
For dates and to register for our 15s-18s pre-tryout clinics and tryouts, click HERE.
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