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Faculty Name
Dept.
Project Title
Warners, Amber
Kinesiology
Volleyball Position Specific Tactical Training and On Court Meaningful Communication
Among Volleyball Players Using a 6­Way Wireless Microphone System.
Project
Abstract
Sabbatical research (Spring, 2015) was conducted to pursue a novel, cutting­edge approach
to coaching the tactical aspect of the game of volleyball as it applies to specific position play. Using a 6­way wireless microphone system, quantitative data was collected using some of
the most elite volleyball players in the world (5 top level D1 volleyball players as well as
players on the US Olympic team) to find out what they are tactically thinking and seeing about
the game between each point and also during the middle of a rally that is specific to the
position that they play. The audio was synced to the player’s video. The data was collected in
the spring of 2015 and currently the research is in the stage of coding the audio data. In
addition to this tactical data, I would like to encode the data to explore meaningful and
intentional communication between volleyball players on the court as well as negative and
positive self talk and how that affects performance of skills. I would like to further the research
project with the help of a student to decode the already gathered data to find patterns during
the time frames of when the ball is in play, immediately after the play is done, walking to the
huddle, in the huddle, and the time between the end of the huddle and next serve. Project
Outcome
I would like to include the following publications and speaking events:
1. One article would target volleyball coaches and players communicating the findings of the
project. This would likely be done in partnership with the American Volleyball Coaches
Association (AVCA). I have had a close working relationship on this research with Kathy
DeBoer, the head of the AVCA.
2. One article on how to use this wireless technology/instant feedback to train volleyball
players based on the results. I would also include position­specific tactical training
information for what players should be focusing on between points and during play.
3. One article on my overall experience visiting these programs as a volleyball coach.
(Completed: Volleyball Magazine, that was published in the December 2015/January 2016
edition about my overall impressions of my visits as a volleyball coach.
http://www.joomag.com/magazine/coaching­volleyball­magazine­december­2015­january­
2016/0722299001450274072?short)
4. Speak at two volleyball conferences to present findings and training methods based on
results from the project and offer practical advice on implementing the technique. This would
likely be done at the Michigan High School Coaches Clinic (MIVCA) and at the AVCA
Coaches Convention.
Broader Value:
The benefits of this project would be to develop research­based strategies for a more
advanced way of training volleyball players. The long term goals of this research would:
1. Be a way for me to increase my knowledge and enhance my abilities as a coach.
2. Allow me an avenue to advance the game of volleyball and make an impact in the sport
nationally and possibly worldwide using a novel, cutting­edge approach. 3. Give me the opportunity to be on a national stage for publishing the research as well as
creating practical ways to train volleyball players. 4. Open up many opportunities to speak at clinics and conventions and possibly become a
future consultant in the sport and other sports. 5. Change the sport of volleyball and possibly other sports ­ in the way we train our players
and teach them the tactical aspects of the game that have never been found out yet. 6. I also think this could have an impact on any future Calvin College student that plays
organized volleyball before coming to Calvin.