Welcome to Warrior Volleyball!
As a player in this program you are expected to
 work hard to become the best individual player you can be.
 cooperate with others to become the best team player you can be.
 grow in maturity and responsibility to become the best person you can be.
Table of Contents
Team building .......................................................... 2
Warrior volleyball program philosophy................... 3
Team offense: the swing attack offense ............... 4-7
Team defensive formations ................................ 8-15
Mental toughness skills .................................... 16-17
Training ............................................................ 17-18
Goal setting ............................................................ 18
Rules, procedures, expectations, etc. ............... 19-20
Summer calendar and activities ..............end of book
2006 season game schedule ....................end of book
1
Team Building
We will be doing team building activities on a regular basis to improve trust, communication, and teamwork,
and to create a championship-level environment in our volleyball program.
What Volleyball Teaches Us
2
Warrior Volleyball Program Philosophy
a) Offensive philosophy—mine is to run an active, aggressive, high-risk offense called the Swing Attack
offense.
b) Defensive philosophy—mine is to have several defenses in which the blocking scheme is coordinated
with the positioning of the back row defenders.
c) Passing philosophy: I believe in lateral passing (reaching sideways to pass--blocking the ball--rather
than trying to move your feet to line up with every ball). I would like to teach the kids to play the ball
off their hip whenever they must move their feet and “block” the ball by raising their outside shoulder.
We must have exceptional passing to play the swing offense. Therefore, we must get our best passers
passing the ball. I also want the target area to be the MIDDLE third of the court rather than the right
third of the court.
d) Setting philosophy: We will use a two-setter system so that we always have three hitters in the front
row.
e) Hitting philosophy: We will use a system of numbers in our set-calling both in front of and behind the
setter. I want aggressive hitting for termination of the ball, but hitters must also know when and where to
roll, tip, or hit to a target area. Swing hitters will hit mostly high front and back sets, but should also hit
5’s, 2’s and probably 8’s or 9’s. Middle hitters should hit 3’s, 1’s, and 6’s, and right side hitters should
hit 4’s, 2’s, and 7’s. These, of course, are “in-system” sets. We should be able to hit these off of serve
receive, free balls, down balls, and other balls that are passed well. “Out of system” sets off bad passes
should be swings hitting front outside, middles hitting 2, and right sides hitting back outside sets. I also
think we need to have set plays for in system passes which can be called by the coaches or setter. I think
we can keep things fairly simple for our players in this way, yet still be able to confuse the defense.
Later on we may be able to incorporate “audible calls” in which each hitter calls out what she wants to
hit. We must work very hard on footwork for all hitters. And in the early progressions of learning the
footwork, they should only be tipping the ball. In the past, I thought our hitters sent too many downballs
on sets they didn’t like. We need to get them to jump even on the not-so-good sets and still it either deep
shots or rolls. This will keep the blockers honest and won’t allow them to back off the net. There were
many balls that were off the net or just not where the hitter wanted it that could still be attacked. Our
back row also sent too many free balls that could have been downballs or even attacks. This is
something we need to work on next season and always. The girls need to learn that they can still attack
these balls, just with a different mindset in their hitting strategy—that they aren’t trying to cream the
ball, just place it strategically. I also think we need to work on more down-the-line hitting.
f) Blocking philosophy: This is huge! We must work a great deal on blocking and blocking strategies. This
is our first line of defense and can make life much easier for our defense. Our middles and right sides
MUST have blocking skills! It is best if they have a standing jump reach of 7’ 9” in order to penetrate
over the net.
g) Defensive Specialists: Must, of course, be excellent passers, but must also be great diggers who are
willing to sacrifice their bodies and get on the floor.
h) Playing time: you EARN it. Don’t tell me you want to play; SHOW me. It doesn’t matter what grade
you are in; you must earn court time and you must beat others out at your position.
i) Team building is an absolute necessity and we will do activities that teach working together and getting
along
j) Mental toughness will be taught in both a classroom setting and on the court.
k) Game film, statistics: must be used by team and individuals to see strengths and weaknesses
l) Commitment: players must be willing to sacrifice their time for volleyball.
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The Swing Attack Offense
We will be running the swing offense, which will include set plays. Two important concepts you must learn for
play-calling are “in-system” and “out-of system”.
In-system means that we have made a good pass, and that we will be able to run the play that has been called.
Out-of system means that we have made a bad pass, and we will not be able to run the play that has been
called.
When we are out-of system, we still need to get the best hit we can get in that situation. Because the
called play will not be run, both outside hitters, (L and R) should prepare for and expect a high outside
set. The hitter should make the best possible contact she can on the ball to keep it in play. It may also be
that we will send a back row attack, downball, or freeball. Our defense must then attempt to score by
blocking, or we will need to make a good pass to get back “in-system”. Rarely will we be able to get a
decent middle set when out-of-system, and it should rarely be attempted. 75% of the out-of system sets
should go to our left front hitter.
If the volley continues and we make a good pass to get back in system, then the last play that was called
should be run. (The play that has been called remains in effect until a different play is called.)
Obviously, the more often we make good passes, the more often we will be in-system, and the better our
chances will be of scoring. Therefore, as we all know, passing is extremely important.
By the way, “in-system” and “out-of-system” aren’t something we call out or yell. They must be recognized by
everyone on the court. There are, of course, verbal and visual clues. If the setter calls for help, we are out of
system. If the setter is pulled off the net and away from the target area, we are out of system.
This is also a good time to talk about the difference between passing and digging:
Passing is what you do with a served ball, a down ball, a free ball, or an easy tip. We expect most passes to be
accurate, and to put us “in-system”.
Digging is what you do with a hard-driven spike or a tipped ball that is difficult to get to. Digging is certainly
less accurate than passing. The ultimate goal of digging is just to get the ball up and in play. If we can dig a ball
to put us in-system, that’s great, but we will probably be out of system on tough digs. (That’s the main reason
we must put up a good block. Blocking is our first line of defense. If we can keep the ball from coming over the
net, we don’t have to dig it.)
Now, let’s get back to the swing offense. In the early stages of the season, while we are learning the offense,
plays will be called from the bench by the coaches. Ideally, however, plays should be run according to sets that
are called out by each hitter. We refer to these as “audible calls”. For example, as the ball crosses the net and is
being passed, the middle hitter calls out “1”, the right side hitter calls for a “7”, and the left side (swing hitter)
calls for a “9”. If we can progress to these audible calls later in the season, we will. But in the early season we
will keep things simple. We may have to simplify even more at the JV and freshman levels.
Understanding “Tempo” in Setting
In order to create an offensive attack that confuses the defense and keeps them guessing, hitters must learn to
attack different types of sets. Therefore, it is important that all hitters learn the various sets in our hitting
scheme (see diagram below). We will be using a system of numbers to identify our sets. Some teams also use
letters or even names for sets, but remember, we will keep it simple.
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In order to understand the system, you need to realize that sets are numbered according to these to factors:
 Tempo, which is the height of the set
 Location along the net
Tempo
There are three tempos, or heights, for sets. Therefore, tempo is a vertical location of a set.
 First tempo sets are placed just above the net. These are known as quick sets.
 Second tempo sets reach the top of the antenna at their peak.
 Third tempo sets are about 10 feet (or three antenna lengths) above the net. Third tempo sets can be
referred to as “regular” sets. They are used for setting outside on either the left or right.
Location along the net
Think of the net as having five “zones” along it’s horizontal plane. Sets are numbered base on these zones and
the tempo of the set. (Most coaches probably teach 9 zones—but let’s keep it simple.)
 “1” is a first tempo set one foot in front of the setter.
 “2” is a second tempo set one foot in front of the setter.
 “3” is a first tempo set about half way between the setter and the antenna.
 “4” is a second tempo set about half way between the setter and the antenna.
 “5” is a second tempo set out to the antenna.
 “6” is a first tempo set one foot behind the setter
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“7” is a second tempo set one foot behind the setter.
“8” is a first tempo set behind the setter and out to the antenna.
“9” is a second tempo set behind the setter and out to the antenna.
Front and Back are third tempo high outside sets.
It is important to understand that the location of sets 1, 2, 6, 7 move with the setter, while the
other set locations are static, or, never-changing.
Hitting Assignments in our swing attack
Remember, we will keep things simple at first. We will be using a 6-2 offensive formation so that we always
have three hitters in the front row. This makes blocking more difficult for the opponent.
Left side hitter: Our left side hitter is our “swing” hitter, which means she hits third tempo sets at either
antenna (front or back sets). If all goes well, we can add second tempo sets for the swing hitter later.
Middle hitter: Our middle hitter will hit first and second tempo sets 1, 2, 3, and 4. If all goes well, we can add
more later, such as 6’s and 8’s.
Right side hitter (also known as the opposite hitter): Our right side hitter will hit first and second tempo sets
1, 2, 6, and 7. If all goes well, we can add more later. In the swing offense, the right side hitter is not “the
forgotten hitter” as in other offenses. The right side is essentially an additional middle hitter. Imagine being a
middle blocker on the opposing side and not knowing which person is going to hit a quick ball in the middle! Or
how about trying to help block on the outside when you don’t know if our swing hitter is going left or right!
That’s the beauty of the swing offense.
Hitting Approaches
All hitters will need to learn new footwork and approach routes for this offense. These are not difficult and can
be learned in a day or two. The more difficult skill for hitters will be learning timing for various sets, but that is
something that will be repeated in practice on a daily basis. Hitters will be using an inside-to-outside approach
from an imaginary mid-court “box” (see diagram below). Within that box, the hitters will be in “layers”. A
layer is simply the distance the player is from the net. The middle hitter is closest to the net, then the right side,
and the swing hitter is furthest from the net. This allows players to “hide” in each others “shadows”—to
“disappear” from the view of the defense.
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H3 is the left side (swing) hitter.
H1 is the middle hitter.
H2 is the right side hitter.
Footwork
Footwork for the middle and right side hitters will not be much different that what they have always done.
(Timing is probably a bigger issue than footwork.)
For swing hitter footwork, see the diagram below for an explanation of footwork.
Notice how far the swing hitter is from the net.
She is “in the box” and is the furthest hitter from
the net.
Before making her three step approach, the swing
hitter sprints to either the left or right basepoint
(marked with x’s in the diagram) and pauses. She
then makes her approach and hits on either the
left or right side.
The circles on the court indicate swing set
placement. Notice they are not pushed out all the
way to the sideline/antenna.
Passing
Our passing target will be slightly different than it has been in the past. Our general target area will be the
middle third of the front row rather than the right third of the front row. (See the diagram above.)This is not to
say we are passing middle. While the target area is the middle third of the front row, the setter should be
positioned at the right edge of the setter’s box. This places the setter in the typical target area, in between the
middle hitter and right side hitter. Passers should focus on making passes to the setter or in front of her. Passes
that go to the corner area behind the setter are extremely difficult to get to by anyone, especially the setter.
For serve receive at the varsity level, we will use a primary passing system in which the same three players
will be receiving serve in all six rotations. The three best passers will be the players who receive serve. I would
expect that one of those players will be the libero, and the other two will most likely be the two left side hitters.
At the freshman and JV levels, we will probably use a secondary passing system, which will also utilize a
three-person serve receive formation, but not with the same three players for all rotations. This is basically what
we have always done.
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Team Defensive Systems and Blocking
Team defense consists of frontcourt defense at the net (blocking) and backcourt defensive formations. Both the
front row and back row players must work together, and each must be aware of what the other is doing. The
block must be coordinated with the back row defense.
Remember, our side of the court covers 900 square feet. We cannot possibly cover every inch of it. We must,
therefore, decide which areas of the court we are willing to give up, and which ones we will defend. We must
play the percentages and take away the shots the opponents are most likely to use.
Individual Defense
You need to have the mentality that nothing will ever hit the floor. You must pursue every ball, even if you
think it is out of reach. This will keep you in constant state of hustle.
The most important individual defensive skill to learn is reading the development of the point of attack.
You must put yourself in the correct defensive position before the attacker’s contact with the ball.
It is essential that you train your eyes to see both the ball and the player making contact with the ball in order to
see the clues that will help you determine where the ball is going. Don’t just look at the ball; look at what is
happening to the ball!
You are responsible for a defensive area, not just one spot on the floor.
It is easiest to move from the outside edges of the court toward the center of the court, so use the sideline and
end line as a guide to your positioning.
Your body position needs to be low, on the balls of your feet with weight slighty forward. Keep your butt down
so you can come up to the ball, not go down with it.
Do not flop on the floor unnecessarily!! You should not touch the floor before you contact the ball!! Lunge,
sprawl, roll, or dive as a last resort. Be aggressive but under control.
Defensive Concepts
Every hitter has a tendency. Most players hit the ball cross-court (on an angle).
The six defenders on the floor must work as a unit.
Back row positioning is determined by the blocking scheme, such as
 The number of players blocking (1, 2, or 3)
 Positioning of the blockers (angle, line) What area of the court are the blockers taking away?
Defensive systems must have one player who is responsible for the tip.
Team Defense
Remember, the most important aspect of defense is reading the play correctly. Defense consists of constant
adjustments in position. These adjustments are made based on mental/visual clues. The positions are
 Base
 Read
 Adjust
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Base
Players must move to base position at the instant the
ball crosses the net to the opponent’s court. Front row
players must take their blocking positions at the net,
while back row players move to their designated
positions, in the low, ready position described earlier.
We refer to left back and right back as the wing
players. I want the wing players facing each other as
we go into base, and their first priority is to watch for
(and pass) a setter tip.
The goal is to be in the assigned base positions before
the opponents FIRST contact. Some teams play a manup defense, while others use a man-back defense. We
will use a man-back defense. These will be covered
later.
While in base defense, watch the ball and what is
happening to the ball.
Read
Remember to continue watching the ball and what is happening to the ball.
In the read position, the defender is stationary (not moving).
Players should remain in base if any of the following occur:
 An overpass by the opponent (or a pass that is tight on the net)
 A setter dump or tip (or tip by another player)
 A first tempo (quick) attack by the opponent
If none of the above occurs, the defensive players now have time to read and react to:
 Set direction (forward or backward) determines each defender’s area of responsibility on the court
 Set placement (height above net, depth off net, and zone along the net)
 Attacker approach (angle or straight; early or late)
 Attacker tendencies (most players probably don’t have many shots perfected)
 Use of the antenna and court (the hitter must get the ball inside the antenna)
Adjust
This position is the exact spot where the defender should be to intercept the ball.
The player may need to adjust her position 1-3 feet after the attacker contacts the ball. (The defender must be in
the correct read position before adjusting this short distance to the exact spot).
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An attacked ball will be traveling 40-80 mph (depending on the level of play), giving little time to react. This is
why the player must first be in the correct read position.
Defenders may also need to move more than 3 feet to pursue a ball that has changed direction after a block
deflection, dig, or mis-hit by the attacker.
Defensive Alignments
Remember, any defense must have one person who is responsible for the tip. Some teams use a man-up, while
others use a man-back defense. We will be using a man-back defense (middle back), which is nothing new to
you. However, we do need to work on your understanding of the concept.
In general, our defense will have two players blocking, one player responsible for the tip, and three players
responsible for digging. We will most likely play rotational defense most of the time, but we will also need to
learn perimeter defense. It is important to remember that blocking and back row positioning are used together
in any team defense.
Rotational defense uses a pre-defined rotation (movement) of players during the read position which is based on
the set direction. This is the defense we have used in the past, but we must work on coordinating the block with
the rotation that is happening in the back row.
Rotational Defense vs. opponent’s strong side attack.
In rotational defense for an opponent’s
strong side attack (our right side) we will
zone block angle with two blockers.
Zone blocking means we will allow the
attacker to hit the ball anywhere she wants
(over and around the block), but NOT through
the block.
Back row players will adjust to cover the
open angles, hoping that any ball hit in the
“shadow” of the block will be blocked or
tipped into the air by the blockers’ hands.
Diggers should not be caught behind the
block (in the “shadow” of the blockers).
Diggers should be positioned inside or outside
the block in the angles we are leaving open
for the hitter.
B=Blocker
D=Defender
D1 (RB—setter) is responsible for tips.
B4 (LF) drops off the net to become a
defender
D6 (MB) covers down-the-line.
10
Rotational Defense vs. opponent’s weak side attack.
In rotational defense for an opponent’s weak side
attack (our left side) we will zone block angle with
two blockers.
Zone blocking means we will allow the attacker to hit
the ball anywhere she wants (over and around the
block), but NOT through the block.
Back row players will adjust to cover the open angles,
hoping that any ball hit in the “shadow” of the block
will be blocked or tipped into the air by the blockers’
hands.
Diggers should not be caught behind the block (in the
“shadow” of the blockers).
Diggers should be positioned inside or outside the
block in the angles we are leaving open for the hitter.
D5 (LB) is responsible for tips.
B2 (RF blocker) drops off the net to become a
defender
D6 covers down-the-line.
D1 (the setter) is now a defender.
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Rotational Defense vs. opponent’s middle hit
If it is a QUICK middle hit, we stay in base.
If the middle set is higher, adjust as shown. RF covers
tips.
Or we might try this for a higher middle set.
RB (setter) moves to middle up position to cover tips.
RF drops off the net to play defense.
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Defense vs. Freeball or Downball: We will use this new technique called “flattening out”
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Mental Toughness
We will use both classroom sessions and drills in the gym to teach mental toughness. Mental toughness includes
not showing frustration on the court, the ability to make the big play, the ability to forget mistakes and move on,
the ability to step up when things are not going well for the team, the ability to be a leader and encourage your
teammates rather than roll your eyes at them, the ability to come back when we are behind on the scoreboard,
etc.
A huge factor in mental toughness is positive self-talk. Don’t think or speak in negatives such as “I’ll never be
able to block her,” or “I can’t miss this serve.” Think in positives: “To block this girl, I need to use the
fundamentals I’ve been taught: footwork, timing, penetration,” or “I’ll serve this ball in by making a good toss,
step, and swing.” Visualization is another important technique that goes hand-in-hand with positive self-talk.
In practice you will repeat skills over and over in order to perfect them. Visualization is simply repeating
positive images in your mind in the hope that your body will do what the mind has practiced. It works! Try it
throughout the season and see! The best times to use visualization are just before practice or a match. For away
matches, visualization should be done on the bus ride. For home games, you will need to find some time and a
place to spend some time visualizing. See yourself making an ace serve, stuff-blocking an opponent, digging a
great spike, etc. Your image should be very detailed. See the face and number of the player you are defeating.
You can also visualize on a bigger scale, such as visualizing the look on the Lena Winslow players faces after
we beat them, or our team raising the Regional Championship trophy above our heads.
Visualization is closely related to goal setting. We will set both individual and team goals at the beginning of
the season. However, it is not enough to just set goals. We must be constantly reminded of what our goals are.
Write down your goals and put them where you will see them often. Team goals will also be posted in the
locker room. Visualize your goals often, and use positive self-talk to help achieve them. In other words, talk
yourselves into it! If you can’t picture it, it probably won’t happen. Keep goals in mind during practice to help
you train harder, focus more, and make decisions that will lead you to the desired outcome.
“What the mind believes, the body achieves.”
When you display a lack of self control, you are being selfish. You are saying to everyone that “I am more
important right now than the team is.” You must learn to keep your negative emotions in check. Do not show
disgust or anger with a teammate; don’t pout or hang your head. Everyone knows you have made a mistake.
You don’t need to display your emotions about it. Nobody makes a mistake on purpose. It is my philosophy
to let you play through your mistakes, unless you begin to repeat them. If I take you out of the game, it will be
to talk to you about the mistakes, not to punish you.
I believe the skills of our team are equal to every other team in our conference. That’s why I believe in
this:
When you see two teams competing, what you are watching is more of a test of wills rather than skills.
Skill is only important if the skill level of one team is so superior to the skill level of the other, that the will is
never tested.
The team with the will to prepare, to fight through adversity, and to keep fighting will emerge victorious in the
end.
Every event is a battle of wills, with one eventually winning, and the other eventually giving in.
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It is your choice—you will decide exactly how much effort you will give and how hard you will compete...and
then you will live with that decision forever because…
…what you save you will never again have the opportunity to give.
This is what we mean when we say “leave it all out on the court.”
After every match, you must ask yourself “Did I give everything I had, or did I hold back; did I save some?”
After a match, any effort saved is wasted because at that point you can’t ever use it again—the moment is gone.
I believe we can beat every team if we have the will—the will to prepare and to fight through adversity.
Training
Dee Olson enrolled in our Be An 11 class in January of 2002, a frustrated, part-time, back-row volleyball player with a defeatist attitude.
I discovered Olson’s dream was to be an outside hitter on the VOLLEYBALL TEAM for her senior year, even though she had next-to-no
chance because she was too short to play front row. Says Olson, “I’d been told by everyone, ‘It’s useless!’” I took a different approach.
I asked Olson, “What if we went to work and you out-jumped all those other front-row players?” She responded, “Can I do that? Is that
possible?” “Let’s go to work and find out,” I answered.
In our Be An 11 class at Estacada High School in Estacada, Oregon, those athletes not in season do the BFS program on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they are in the classroom working on the mental aspects of performance
enhancement. Our Be An 11 curriculum focuses on attitude, motivation, goal setting, affirmation and commitment utilizing the Five Power
Axioms of Success, the BFS Steps to Success and the Ultimate Success Formula.
At first Olson was intimidated by all the football players in the program with just a few girls there for support. Fortunately, one of those
girls was Brynn Cogdill. Cogdill was a state champion and school record holder in the 800- and 1500-meter runs and earning a full scholarship
to Portland State. Cogdill’s work habits at our school are legendary, such as lifting in the morning before school, running five miles after a
complete basketball practice and simultaneously competing for both the soccer and cross country teams. Olson fell right into step with Cogdill,
and they trained together until Cogdill was off to college.
Olson discovered she could keep up with the guys during the running part of the conditioning program, and that was all she needed to launch
herself into the rest of the program. To be able to train with Cogdill was a bonus because she was a four-year vet of our Be An 11 class and
she passed along her training wisdom to Olson. Olson’s hard work enabled her to set personal records of 115 in the power clean, 125 in
the bench press and 275 in the box squat at a bodyweight of 115.
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Come volleyball tryouts, Olsen was ready. Not only did she win a spot as outside left hitter for the team, she led the team through
conference play to a second-place finish at state and was named to the All State Tournament Team. But that’s not the end of the
story.
Olson discovered a passion for running during her training, and during her senior year she joined the track team. Everyone had expected
Cogdill’s records to last for years, but Olson broke both of them during her first track season (with bests of 2:15 in the 800 and 4:35 in the
1500). She was also conference and district champion in both, finishing second in the 800 and third in the 1500 at state. To beat Olson’s
performances, the winners had to run new state meet records in both events. To top it all off, Olsen has accepted a full scholarship to the
University of Idaho!
Dee Olson credits BFS as being a major building block in her success. The program helped her transform a “What if . . . ” wish into
“Wow, what a season!” in not one but two sports.
Now that’s the way to run with it!
Goal Setting
We will set team goals, individual goals, conference goals, etc. You should even set goals for what you want to
achieve this summer!
Here are some ideas for goal setting. You are not required to do this right now, but it can’t hurt. We will set
goals at the first practice on August 14th. You should come to practice with some ideas.
1. Write your goals down. (Or they will just become lost thoughts.)
2. Write down a specific plan for how you are going to achieve each goal. (This is very important.)
3. Give yourself a deadline for achieving each goal. (Since you're not playing as often as you do during the
school season, make sure to give yourself a fair amount of time.)
4. Sign your name to your goals. (When you attach your name to it, it means that you’re dedicating yourself to
your goals!)
5. Make multiple copies of them and place them where you'll see them everyday. (The number one reason
people don't achieve their goals is that they lose sight of them.)
6. Give a copy of your goals to your coach. (How can they help you achieve your goals if they don't know
what they are?)
7. Do daily visualizations of yourself playing/acting at the level you want to achieve.
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Rules, Procedures, Expectations, etc.
See also the Extracurricular Handbook for rules not covered here.
1. We will add the BFS (Better Faster Stronger) training program to our volleyball practices.
You will lift weights to increase strength, and work out to improve agility, quickness, speed, and jumping.
During the season we will incorporate BFS into our regular practice time.
2. In general, practice time is 2:45-5:30. At times we will have to adjust due to junior high home games and
other unforeseen interruptions. On nights of junior high games, practices will be held immediately after the
8th grade match until 8:30 pm. We are increasing the length of practices in order to make time for BFS,
classroom sessions to view instructional videos and/or game tapes, and participate in team building
activities. Friday practices MAY be shortened to allow attendance at AWAY football games, but we will
probably practice for 90 minutes on Sunday nights. Do not expect to get out of practice early for home
football games, with the possible exception of Homecoming.
3. We will have organized and productive practices. Coaches will meet to plan practices that provide many
drills and activities. Often drills will be broken down by position, not just by teams. There will be little or no
idle time at practices. All teams will have set-up and take-down duties as follows:
Freshmen will get out and put away all training equipment every day. This includes the AirCat, two
spiking devices, jump ropes, plyometric boxes, agility ladder, etc. This equipment will be out every day and
will be used every day.
JV will be responsible for the first aid kit, ice, balls and ball carts, and vinyl court markers.
Varsity will set up and take down the net system every day.
4. No player will enter the gym until she is completely dressed for practice. You will be considered late if
you do. This will include socks and shoes! There will absolutely NOT be any sitting down upon entering the
gym. Practice is not a time to sit, and you should expect that you will not be sitting at all during practice in
the gym. There will be no idle time. You will be participating is some activity at all times, except during
drink breaks. All players have set-up responsibilities and will help with them immediately upon entering the
gym.
5. Set-up, stretching, and warm-up WILL be completed by 3:00. After your team completes its set-up, the
team should stretch together. We will NOT stretch in a circle formation, because it creates too much
gabbing. You will stretch in rows, all facing the weight room end of the gym. Chit-Chat will be severely
limited during practice. Practice is not the time for gossip. If it’s not important to volleyball practice, don’t
say it. You will focus on volleyball. After stretching, if time still allows, you will be assigned a warm-up
activity until 3:00.
6. You will not walk in practice. You are expected to run or jog everywhere. Look at it as conditioning.
Rather than spending extra practice time conditioning, you will condition yourself at all times! (This is not
to say that we will not do conditioning drills.)
7. Missing practice, arriving late, or leaving early. Being at practice is obviously very important. There are
really only two good reasons for missing all or part of a practice: you are sick or have a family emergency.
If you are absent from school all day for either reason, I will know because I check the attendance sheet.
If you leave school early for either the two reasons given above, please make sure you or someone in the
office informs me.
I can also accept missing for these reasons as long as you communicate with the coaches and let us
know in advance:
It is acceptable to come late to practice because you are making up work or getting help from a teacher
IF you let me know in advance AND you bring a pass from the teacher with the time you left for practice.
It may be that you must come late to practice or leave early from practice due to a school or church
event. I think these are rare, but they are excused IF you tell a coach in advance.
Even though the above absences are excused, the practice time that you miss could result in
a. teammates becoming better than you;
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b. not learning a new skill, new offensive play, etc.
c. the loss of your physical conditioning.
Therefore, you may lose your starting position or playing time. This is not punishment or penalty; it’s just that
teammates who didn’t miss practice have passed you by.
When you miss practice, make sure that it is unavoidable.
Missing practices for reasons other than those above, or lying to a coach about the reason, will result in some
type of physical consequences such as running, sit-ups, etc. The team will not be punished; the individual will.
Other behaviors that will receive the same kind of physical consequences include
1. Losing control with teammates, coaches, managers, officials, etc. anytime.
2. Disrupting the team, coach, practice, etc.
3. Upsetting a teammate by carelessly talking about her or acting in a way that hurts her feelings.
4. Disobeying a coach’s instructions or rules not covered here.
These physical consequences will be done in the form of a “20-50” drill. A 20-50 is 20 physical exercises of
one type and 50 physical exercises of another. For example, a player may do 20 full court sprints and 50 sit-ups.
All 20-50’s will be done AFTER practice, so as to be an inconvenience to the player, not to the team. If a player
cannot stay after, the 20-50 may be done on another day. Only ONE 20-50 can be done each day. If a player has
over six 20-50’s, she will sit out the next match. She will wear street clothes and sit on the bench during the
match. Sitting out does not reduce the number of 20-50’s owed.
More rules for athletes are covered in the Extracurricular Handbook.
The Four A’s of Success in Warrior Volleyball
In order to have a positive experience in our volleyball program, remember the four A’s:
Academics is the reason we are here. You must meet all academic eligibility requirements
Athleticism is a necessary part of playing sports. It is something that can be improved with hard work.
Attendance at practices, games, meetings, etc. is essential.
Attitude tells a lot about you. No matter what your skill level, you can always bring a good attitude.
The coaching staff reserves the right to add or edit rules as the season progresses.
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