Sep 29

Another strong 3-hour Adult clinic today at Great Lake Center. Here’s the format and flow…

15 minutes warmup - following the same warmup as session #1 with the following modifications: (1) Walking lunges are done yoga warrior style. This is, arms straight up in the air then touch the floor, then reach up and repeat. (2) Add side-to-side action on the squats to work the hips flexors. (3) Add side lunge press, static feet, touch the floor on one side and then twist to the other side with arms high and back.

5 minutes stretch- same as session #1

20 minutes - Conditioning (following principles of interval training)

  • On the line runs using cones (figure 8).
  • Back-and-go - Pair drill, one ball, run back to half court, run forward and bump the ball after one bounce.
  • Sumo chair (open squat touch the floor, jumping jack into a chair arms up)
  • Jockey Squats Interval - (1) feet shoulder apart for short squat, (2) single side-side or one leg jump, (3) fast double time hops.
  • Core – laying down straight with arms up. Banana and place ball high up on your leg as you crunch.
  • Hop squats Interval - (1) wide feet squat jump small, (2) Put arms up same jump, (3) Touch the floor same jump

90 minutes - Skill Development

Pepper (2-person)

Ball chase (odd number of players in a big circle, player 1 and 2 with balls. Must pass skipping one player)

Three’s company (A B together, C across. A sets C and runs across, C passes back to B)

Double Blocking - Concepts: forearm distance away from the net, max jump with deep squat, ab or crunch so that feet come forward, jump after the hitter, middle blocker bumps against the outside, outside sets/anchor the block, outside blocker move close to center.

Block and move drill (2-side blockers, middle line, run and block middle, then move to one side and double block, outside blocker moves to back of line)

Block and dive drill (line one side, block, then dive angle back, block middle, then dive)

Double blocker drill (surprise setting, overpass block)

Cover the hitter (full team one side – receiving and 3 pair of blockers on the other side)

Service - Concepts: needle point forward, stripes vertical, keep serving elbow high, toss ball low - step about 15 feet behind serving line and aim to back line on opposite court.

Serve drill

Serve-receive (5 player, 3-passers, one setter, one server)
Serve reception drill (3 hitters in line, 3 passers across, one setter target. Hitters down-ball to line passers, hitters move side)

2 vs. 2 inside 10 foot line full game (looser team out)

Court position and team play (we did not have time to do these)

Off the floor (kid’s play, push-up and table) passing

Blind passing

Suicide hitting (men pushups, ladies run to back line)

Progressive or king of the court doubles

Scrimmage

written by osaez \\ tags: , , , ,

Sep 14

Another good adult volleyball clinic today. A bit more relax since we covered some volleyball fundamentals, more specifically passing and serving. Here’s the routine with some of the tips for reference. Think ball control 24/7!

Warm-up

  • Run (straight, side step, cross leg)
  • Lunges in passing position (two court lengths)
  • Squats
  • Stretch (same as last session)

Conditioning & Skill Development

  • On the line runs
  • Plyometrics - lunge jump, squat jump, knee tug, frog jump
  • Three’s company (A tosses B who sets to C who grabs and turns into A)
  • Passing fundamental (put backspin on the ball) - always stay on ready or athletic position - roll forward (mini lunge) on ball contact - keep narrow arm swing - legs never come up (stay in ready/athletic position all the way)
  • Pass and shimmy (left and right)
  • Off the floor passing Blind passing
  • Serving fundamental (floater) - needle point forward - stripes vertical - keep serving elbow high, toss ball low - step about 15 feet behind serving line and aim to back line on opposite court
  • Serving and run (triples back row)
  • Suicide hitting (men pushups, ladies run to back line)
  • Progressive or king of the court doubles

written by osaez \\ tags: , ,

Sep 07

About 14 adults came out this Sunday morning for a 3-hour Volleyball training session at GLC. I had the pleasure to design and coach this routine based on several principles that have helped my athletic ability and improved my overall game.

The focus is on agility, conditioning, ball control and coordination during high muscle strain. I’m confident that stretching beyond confort should have sustained benefits. This routine assumes intermediate level of volleyball ability as well as decent core athletic ability. Here’s the routine with all the details (runtime: 90 minutes):

Warm-up

  • Run (straight, side step, cross leg)
  • Lunges in passing position (two court lengths)
  • Squats

Stretch

  • Quadriceps
  • Glut
  • Wide leg hanging down
  • One leg hamstring stretch (standing)
  • Side Lunge
  • Runner’s stretch
  • Plank to downward dog (calf stretch)
  • Head roll
  • Tapas (on squat position, extended arms sideways with palms up)
  • Shoulders (circles)
  • Hip side yoga
  • One arm across shoulder and triceps combo

Conditioning & Skill Development

  • On the line runs
  • Plyometrics (blocking) - lunge jump, squat jump, knee tug, frog jump
  • Off the floor passing
  • Scatterball
  • 2-person pepper
  • 4-person pepper
  • Blind passing
  • Hitting drills (target aim deep - line and cross court)
  • off the floor doubles
  • Suicide hitting (men pushups, laddies run to back line)
  • Progressive or king of the court doubles

As summer is coming to and end, you guys are ready to take the game to the next level. Wow! I was glad and inspired to see your dedication and intensity. Now, I hope that you can survive the next two days of potential soreness. Nice job!

written by osaez \\ tags: , , ,

Aug 23

What a great feeling! In the heels of a great TV watching experience with the beach volleyball Olympics, I was inspired and pumped as I conclude my own summer beach volleyball season. Back in November of last year I talked about my goals for the upcoming year. I endeavored to win an A-level beach EVP volleyball tournament in Chicago. Today, my partner and I won the EVP Open/AAA Level Tournament and qualified for Pro Beach level. Wow! While working out of pool play was a test of skill and ability, winning the tournament was a test of mental and physical endurance. This was an great accomplishment that I celebrate with my partner Rodney Johnson, my personal coach Taye Im and my training buddy, P90X. I can’t say enough about the power of believing in yourself along with good-ol’ fashion consistency, determination and attitude. What a great ride.

Here are my full* season stats:

  • Jun 7, 08 - EVP Level A semifinals (top 4 inish)
  • Jul 6, 08 - EVP Level A finals (2nd place finish)
  • Jul 19, 08 - EVP AA quarterfinals (top 10/24 finish)
  • Aug 23, 08 - EVP AAA/Gold winner (Pro qualifying)

* Non qualifying events not included (i.e. big loosers or rec ball)

written by osaez \\ tags: , , , ,