V-Camp
Welcome to our V-Camp Page. While we cannot be together for a physical camp we thought that we can at least join together for a Virtual Camp
The aim of this page is to bring together a variety of content both developed by ourselves and curated from around the web which will be useful both now with playing and training impossible due to Covid-19 and looking ahead to give you a head start when we are able to get back on the court.
We will be adding and updating content frequently so please check back here on a regular basis and please let us know if there is something that you would like to see.
Be Smart and Be Safe
Videos
Top 10 Setters – according to FiveOne Volleyball.
This was compiled just before the 2018 World Championships, so do you agree, does this list still stand ?
I guess we will have to wait to Tokyo 2021.
Here is a familiar face from our 2018 Elite Camp.
As you can tell from the video, Cody Kessel had something else on last summer which meant he couldn’t join us.
Some great super slo-mo action from CEV Champions League Fenerbahçe vs. Łódź . It is from Kelsey Robinson’s VLog which also features interesting insights in to the life of a pro volleyball player and some great travel videos.
The first of two videos of yoga exercises designed to increase flexability for volleyball
The second part of the yoga workout to improve flexability for volleyball
Featured Content
Art of Coaching Quick Hitters
Volleyball England offer registered coaches a discounted membership for the USA based Art of Coaching Volleyball organsiation, this gives access to something like 200,000 minutes of coach education video.
A lot of the content is equally applicable to players as well as coaches and during this pandemic they have made a lot of the content free to access, the latest being these Quick Hitters
Each 2-3 minute video features USA youth national team head coach Jim Stone covering a very specific aspect of the game.
This new batch of videos focuses mainly on defence. Spend your down time learning some new ways to help your team dominate defence once you’re back on the court.
Coaches Classics
Our next Coaches Choice is from Carol Gordon, our first ever Head Coach at a Volleyball Development Camp back in 2005.
Carol has in fact chosen a pair of matches from the 2019 Volleyball Nations League between Italy and Turkey.
"Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it."
"To be number one, you need to train like you are number two"
“Out of the hottest fire comes the strongest steel.”
"Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity"
"Breathe, believe and battle"
"The premiere skill is the ability to see and read the game"
“The real magic of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"
"Whoever said, 'It's not whether you win or lose that counts,' probably lost.."
"It ain't over 'til it's over"
Language Lab
Learn some common volleyball terms in a different Language (Highlight the boxes below).
Dig
ITALIAN - PORTUGUÊS - FRENCH - FLEMISH (Belgium)
| tuffo | peixinho | défense, plongeon | duik |
To Set
ITALIAN - PORTUGUÊS - FRENCH - FLEMISH (Belgium)
| alzare, palleggiare | levantar | passer | passen |
To Hit, Spike
ITALIAN - PORTUGUÊS - FRENCH - FLEMISH (Belgium)
| schiacciare | cortar | frapper, attaquer | aanvallen |
Training
Technique
With nearly everyone on Covid-19 Lockdown at the moment it seems that the world and their dog have been putting out training at home videos – literally, check out the video on our Facebook of a couple “peppering” with their dog.
One of the best series of videos we have come across has been the ever reliable Art of Coaching Volleyball, who have 10 drills you can practice on your own and keep a track of how you progress. Click on the image below.
Probably need to include a disclaimer against doing these exercises in the proximity of expensive TVs and other fragile home furnishings and always abide by social distancing requirements.
Fitness and Conditioning
With this enforced layoff from training, now is a great time to work on the three Essential Components of Physical Fitness, STRENGTH, ENDURANCE and FLEXIBILITY. We already have some yoga routines which have been specifically designed for volleyball to improve your flexability
Those great people at Greenhouse Sports have a #homecoach YouTube page with loads of comprehensive home volleyball workouts from coach Luca, or from the Art of Coaching Volleyball “4 Home Workouts to Strengthen, condition and stabilize”.
Or…….
How about that shoulder injury, you know the one that you always seem to feel just after you have served or hit the ball out. The one that you think is getting better until you are “just messing around” with a ball and it tweaks again.
Fortunately Brian Swenty, our Head Coach at last years Emerging Elite Camp, came armed with a vast array of shoulder prehab exercises which are ideal for the Q-Camp and even better there are a whole load of video instructions from USA Volleyball to go with them.
Seeing the Game
Do you ever wonder how the top level defenders get to the ball so quickly ?
The answer is that they are reading the right cues at the right time and in the right order.
A while ago I was reading a book called “Tennis Science”, one of the chapters was on service reception and looking at the information that players use to predict service location. When a ball can be coming at you at 100mph+, you can barely react in time, so the anticipation of the serve becomes hugely important.
Another chapter was on the differences between what an experienced and novice coach actually see when watching a server. They used some eye tracking technology, actually tracking the movement of the iris to see the differences of where the eye was focusing.
At the time I thought wouldn’t it be great if we could use that for volleyball. Well now USA volleyball have and are sharing a presentation by Karch Kiraly where he talks about reading skills in volleyball. – Click on the image above and select the Reading (Part One) video from the page.
Downtime
One of the things that we emphasise at our camps is the importance Downtime for rest, hydration, nutrition and just plain old relaxing and having fun, so of course our Q-Camp is no different.
Top of the Pods
There are so many Podcasts and Webinars being produced at the moment as players, coaches and even journalists putting this enforced downtime to good use it is sometimes difficult to keep track as new ones are getting produced all the time. As part of the Q-Camp Downtime we have put together a list of our favourite ones.
- The Ace Space
Recently launched from the CEV – “The Ace Space is a volleyball podcast presented by the CEV that brings the top players, coaches, commentators and analysts in European volleyball together for conversations about sport and life off the court.”
Many of the presenters will be familiar to those who have been involved in Great Britain volleyball:- Dave Rogers, Lewie Lett, Ciara Michel, Dan Meneley and Matt Rogers (no relation). - The Learner Lab
Anyone who attended our Emerging Elite Camp in 2019 will remember the “Jungle” and “Caged” Tiger exercise that Coach Swenty led. This was developed by Trevor Ragan of Train Ugly who along with Alex Belser are behind the Learner Lab podcasts.
The one linked to here (Emotions, Learning and Resilience) is especially relevant at this time as it deals with a lot of the emotions I am sure we are all feeling at the moment. - #UnscriptedWith
Another one from the CEV with Dave Roberts chatting to various stars of European volleyball, players, coaches and referees. As it says in the title, it is unscripted and diverts in unusual directions finding out what makes his guests tick and sharing their sporting highlights. The episode linked here is with the legend that is the Brazilian setter “Bruno”, but there are loads of other episodes available. - Art of Coaching Virtual Clinics
Aiming more towards coaches and coaching the game, The Art of Coaching Volleyball have produced a series of virtual clinics. They do seem to be charging for them now, but the one linked here is free for now and especially good for both players and coaches covering the overlooked skill of reading the game.
Rule Zero
At our 8 Simple Rules Camp we start the camp with a Rule Zero before we even get to touch a ball. Rule Zero is the foundation on which everything else is based and it isn’t anything to do with physical ability
Wellbeing
In these extraordinary times more than ever we need to think about our wellbeing.
Truesport.org have a load of resources including these tips on dealing with Quarantine Life
It is only natural for people to be worried at the moment with everything that is happening and things sometimes feeling like they are out of control. Fear in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, it is what kept our cave dwelling ancestors alive, but when it takes over our lives it is a problem.
The following is from Liz Gilbert, author of the books “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Big Magic”, and is her Letter to Fear
“Dearest Fear,
Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip. I understand that you’ll be joining us – because you always do.
I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life and you take your job seriously.
Apparently your job is to induce complete panic in me whenever I’m about to do something interesting – and, may I say, you are superb at your job.
So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There’s plenty of room in the vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way.
I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still – your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You are not allowed to touch the road maps; you are not allowed to suggest detours; you’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not even allowed to choose the friggin’ snacks!
But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive.
Then we head off together – me and creativity and fear – side by side by side forever, advancing once more into the terrifying but marvelous terrain of unknown outcome.”