Offseason Development

Some players have little offseason. That means limited recovery for bodies and for mental rehabilitation. Everyone needs R & R. 

Historically, R & R doesn't always work out. President Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War, attended over a hundred plays...

Here's the offseason framework:

Ultimately it's about becoming more skilled, more efficient, more athletic. For example, efficiency equations measure:

(SUCCESS - ERRORS/ATTEMPTS)

Efficiency won't be as high against the best teams, but maximizing it remains the priority. Serving is the only volleyball activity with full team control. A service error equates to a turnover in basketball...a zero percent possession. Serve receive is critical to give the setter the best chance to deliver a high probability, attackable ball. Attack efficiency falls with less skill, better blocking, poorer passing and so forth. 

Offseason training is a sacrifice for players and their families in time and investment. "Thanks is the cheapest form of compensation." Take a moment to thank your family for all they do. 

1. Skill 

Regular readers have seen the videos including high level skill teachers at Youtube sites like Volley Country and Elevate Yourself. Apply the lessons as obviously, watching video isn't enough. 

2. Strategy. 

Always follow the tactics of your coach 'du jour'. If your offseason coach runs a different defense, do that. Watching video of your games helps you understand the mechanics of your runup, armswing, and integrated timing. Cellphone video can help you track progress.

3. Physicality. 

Sport rewards athletic explosiveness. Athleticism helps you get to more balls, get more lift to attack, and lateral quickness helps close double blocks. There's no shortcut to more athleticism. 

Pro Tip: Work out with a teammate. It's more fun, adds competition, and elevates both of your games.

4. Psychology. Don't get a sports psychologist. Consider readings from Jason Selk's "Ten-Minute Toughness" and work on mindfulness daily to improve focus, concentration, and lower stress hormones and anxiety. The UCLA Guided Meditation site has short scripts. Mindfulness is proven to increase grades, standardized test scores, and is a tool for almost all professional and Olympic athletes. 

Ask better questions. Ask yourself, "what is my MVB skill that can get and keep me on the court?" Ask, "where can I improve?" Ask your coaches for specifics, too. 

Continue to be great teammates who build relationships with teammates and coaches. 

Lagniappe. Bonus material. Be aware of allergies. 

Post by @seafood_network

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