The Great Bay Training Academy (formerly “Practice Squad”) will be undergoing a few changes this year due to the high demand and success of the program over the past several years. Details about the 2013 Training Academy (including informatoin about boys volleyball) will be announced here soon.
It is an excellent opportunity to improve general and specific skill sets while also improving Volleyball IQ. We hope it will improve each player’s chance of making a team now or in the future; whether it is for this club, their high school team or any other team. Any player interested in learning will be welcomed regardless of their level of knowledge or skill, within the limitations of court space and available coaches. Consideration for the practice squad is given to (in order) : players who attended Great Bay Tryouts, former Practice Squad players and then open enrollment.
The Training Academy will be run primarily by Mike McDonnell, Dan Brodeur, Sean Stewart & Kristie Holtz. The Training Academy is not age dependent and we will make every effort to be inclusive of all. We will divide by appropriate skill level when safety and common sense are at issue. Should the need arise during the season, all Training Academy participants will be eligible for openings on Great Bay teams. Coaches may move players between teams (any teams) at any point during the season within the rules of the league and for any of the following reasons (included but not limited to): injury, illness, scheduling conflicts, etc. A coach may also bring a player up if he or she feels a player on the squad has improved to the point where that player will benefit his or her team.
We will be training using Gold Medal methods. Ideally, we will do some shared or stationed drills at the beginning of practice and then split into groups as numbers allow. We will progress to a more advanced set of skills as the season continues. These skills will include individual and team defense, offensive strategies and other skills that will help improve Volleyball IQ.
When the balance of players is correct, we will also scrimmage at the end of practices. From time to time, we will also have “guest coaches” come in and run practices when they are available (Steve, Jenn, Rick, Laurie, Megan, Katie etc.). This will be a great opportunity for all of our coaches and players to continue to learn from each other. Remember that we welcome coaches (and players) from other Great Bay teams at any time in our gyms. In fact, it is mandatory for each Great Bay coach to visit another Great Bay coach’s practice at least twice during the season (see our “Policies and Procedures” handbook).
Training Academy spots will be offered first to players who tried out and, for whatever reason, are not playing on a team. If spots are sill open after tryouts, open enrollment will begin on a first come, first served basis. As of 2012, our enrollment has exploded to over 45 players in two groups over 3 courts so enrollment will be limited.
Thank you,
Great Bay Board of Directors.
Details about the Training Academy for 2013 are coming soon:
Sessions will include the following disciplines:
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Passing
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Setting
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Hitting
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Blocking
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Individual Defense
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Team Defense (systems)
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Defensive Strategies
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Offensive systems
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Offensive strategies
