If you go to the Public Page of VTS, VTS Public Page Link , you'll find a sample of a skill analysis done for a young player that sent in a video. This will provide you with an idea of what is entailed in a skill analysis. Any of your players can submit a skill for analysis. For any VTS member, we will provide a complimentary analysis for the first 20 videos submitted. We will provide the analysis and place in a private folder on VTS for review. If there is an interest in this option, drop me a note and I'll give you the details of how to submit the video.
Calling All Contributors!
One of the primary missions of VTS is to create a vehicle for the sharing of information for volleyball coaches of all levels. If you have a drill or teaching method that is working for you and you would like to share with VTS members, let me know and I'll create an upload folder for you. There are creative and innovative coaches at every level. If VTS can facilitate the sharing of this type of expertise, we definitely want to be a part of that. Contact me and we will make this happen.
Easy Tag for Coaches and Parents
It is impossible for me to underscore how easy it is to edit your match and practice video using Dartfish Easy Tag software. This is a free download for both I-Pad and Android devices. You can tag your video, upload to my site, I'll synch the video with your tags and place in your folder. Many clubs are doing this with great success. They have a parent provide the video and the coaches, or the parent for that fact, can tag the match with Dartfish Easy Tag. Contact me for more information. You can download Easy Tag and the Apple App Store, or the Android Market.
Dartfish TV for the College, High School or Club Program
We can create a private folder for your collegiate, high school or club teams/programs. This is a wonderful sharing tool that will allow both upload and download of video of training or competition. Combine this with Dartfish Easy Tag, you have a convenient way to place edited video of either your team or future opponents on the web for your team to watch outside of practice. Contact VTS and we can set up a upload program for you. On the same token, if you desire to have your matches edited for you contact us. We can edit matches based upon any criteria you desire.
Dartfish TV and I-Pads
All new video uploaded to the VTS site is viewable on your I-Pads. The Volleyball Training Solutions site is in line to be converted to be compatible. I apologize for any inconvenience as January was supposed to be the month of transition. Hopefully, this will happen soon as it is obvious that a lot of coaches want to be able to take their I-Pads to practice to show players video.
Contact VTS
You can contact Volleyball Training Solutions at www.volleyballsolutions@mac.com or, call the offices at Front Range Volleyball Club at 303-770-9435
Beginning this week, all new uploads to the VTS Channel will be compatible for viewing on an I-Pad or I-Phone. I put a couple videos up yesterday (1/25), so check out the new feature. This will allow you to take an I-Pad to practice and players can watch the video on the practice floor. By the end of the month, the entire VTS library will be I-Pad friendly.
Injured Marine-Semper Fi Fund
I'm very pleased to announce a significant donation on behalf of Volleyball Training Solutions to the Injured Marine-Semper Fi Fund. This fund is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit designed to provide immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the US Armed Forces and their families. I want to thank you for your support of VTS which allows this type of support of the Armed Forces.
Survey Coming
If you could assist me with a survey, I would appreciate it. I'll be sending out a very short (10 questions) survey in the upcoming days. We want this site to meet the needs of the member coaches. Please return asap. We are doing some upcoming webinars and need content and best time suggestions, we want suggestions as to future direction of VTS, lastly, your feedback on what we can do better.
"Like" VTS
We want VTS to continue to grow both in terms of services, quality and exposure. Make sure you "Like" VTS" both on this newsletter and in Facebook.
Interviews
We are going to be doing more this spring on interviewing top coaches. There is a definite value to watching videos of top coaches in action. We want to go an additional step and carry on discussions with coaches about specific areas of coaching and "peel" the layers back a little more.
Upcoming NCAA Rule Change?
There is a proposal to raise the substitution rule at the Div 1 level from 12-15. I want to go on record that this is unfortunate. If I am a young player, why would I choose to play a sport where you only get to play half the time? I would choose soccer, softball, basketball, etc., where once you are on the court or field, you play the whole game. The popular argument is to get more players involved in the game, but in actually, this will get fewer younger players playing our sport. Not to be ignored is the detrimental impact this will have on our Olympic effort. I could really go on a rant about this topic, but in the spirit of keeping this short, I'll show some restraint. Suffice to say that the direction we are going is not positive.
Skill Analysis
We are going to do a lot more skill analysis on future uploads. One of the things I would like coaches to become more comfortable with in their gyms is being able to spot flaws in technique that can be addressed by the athlete. The wonderful tools of Dartfish Software allows detailed focus on the finer aspects of skills. All analysis will include verbal and written comments, drawings, key positions that can be printed and shared with your athletes. The link below will take you to our Public Page on VTS for sample videos.
VTS is pleased to offer some new items for coaches of all levels. In a nutshell, we are maintaining the VTS video library. The quality of instructional video is outstanding and we want to continue to grow this service. We are now offering a Platinum service that includes instructional webinars, individual consulting and video analysis. Our Custom membership allows members to upload and download video in private folders for viewing by coaching staff and team. Generally, the Custom membership will allow a coach to construct their own program for their team or club. The VTS staff will provide a cost estimate for what you want for your team.Go to the VTS website for additional information and to sign up: www.volleyballsolutions.com
New Video
Based on suggestions from members, I've asked Anthony Glass, Strength Coach for Olympic Sports at The Ohio State University, to help with video that focus on strength training. So many coaches have access to a weight room, but do not possess the expertise at developing programs or correctly teaching lifts. Coach Glass will go through correct lifting techniques.
Also, since we are talking about new video, one of our video priorities will be quality video for those coaching the younger ages. We want to provide sessions with coaches heavily involved in ages 14 and under. If you have suggestions for clubs or coaches you'd like to see at this level, let us know.
New Website
Let us know your thoughts! One of the items that was a priority in the website update was to create a vehicle for you to communicate with us. This could include comments, suggestions, questions, etc. You won't have to leave the site, just go to the Contact Us page.
Upcoming Webinar
In conjunction with Dartfish, I will be on an upcoming webinar on January 18th at 11:00 am EST, that will provide information about a new match video editing and statistical system. ACE TieBreak is a new software program to this country that will assist volleyball coaches in the ability to collate statistics and video for your team. I've found the software to be easy to learn, very functional and an attractive price point. The webinar is free and might be worth the time investment. To join the webinar, go to:
We are very happy that our new website is operational. There are new programs to go with our Silver and Gold memberships. In a nutshell, we want to make our site flexible enough to meet your needs. Along with the video library, we are offering an Interactive level that will allow coaches to interact with VTS staff. This could include instructional webinars, practice or match analysis, discussion of teaching methodology, etc. Generally, you can select the needs of your club coaches and we will develop a program to meet those needs.
Our Custom Level will allow the coach to create a user package to meet the needs of their team or program. There is not a specific cost for this level, as it will depend on the services provided. This could include, but not be limited to, developing folders for their team or club, VTS doing statistical analysis of their team, skill analysis of team members, opponent scout video, etc. On the VTS site there is an area for you to write a brief description of your needs. We will get together, work out a package, then provide a cost estimate.
Feel free to call VTS if you have questions.
On a different note, tied into the new website, we will be bringing all records and methods of payment inside the VTS site. We hope this happens in a seamless manner, but there might be some glitches as I get up to speed on the new system. If at any time, you need information on your membership status, let me know.
AVCA Convention
Had a wonderful time in San Antonio. Of course, when in Texas, you eat waaay too much beef. The experience at Fogo de Chao was memorable. Thanks for all who stopped by the VTS booth. Lots of new faces stopped by and were very interested in getting involved with VTS. It was also really nice to meet current members of the site. It's always nice to put a name (or in the case of Dartfish TV, an e-mail) with a face. There was great feedback on the site and what we are doing.
Jim Miret and I did a presentation on skill development. This was video based and I'll put the video up on the site in the upcoming days. I just need to do a voice over so you can hear what was being emphasized on the video.
Upcoming Video
In the upcoming days, I'll be editing some great instructional video on setting done by Laura Davis Johnson, former AVCA National Player of the Year and member of the USA National Team. Laura worked with the young setters at Front Range for a couple weeks. There was some great work done by the young players and they improved significantly in the time that Laura spent with them. Laura worked with the players a lot on efficient footwork patterns and, of course, lots and lots of reps. Laura pays great attention to detail and I'm sure you'll find some great teaching keys in the videos.
Happy Holidays from VTS
I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. I'll be at the Olympic Training Center from the 26th thru 30th working with the Youth players at the Holiday Camp. There are not enough times where good players can get together to work together and compete against one another in a practice atmosphere. In the perfect world, these opportunities would be offered throughout the year for the top players. If anyone is in the area, feel free to stop by the OTC and we might put you to work.
The next time your on Facebook, go to the VTS page: Facebook-VTS and click the Like button. We want to use Facebook and Twitter: VTS on Twitter as a important tool of communication with members. We all get tons of e-mail, so if we can communicate via these tools, it will help make your inbox less congested.
If you like VTS and can help us grow, all help is appreciated. Word of mouth is the best advertising, so mention us to colleagues, on chat rooms and forward our website to interested parties.
In conjunction with the upcoming VTS website remake, we are introducing a new logo. Along with the new logo, we will be initiating some great new services. These will be detailed on the new site, but in a nutshell, we will:
Streamline the sign up/renewal procedure- You'll never leave the VTS site and there will be more payment options including easier processing of purchase orders.
Interactive Level of Membership- your club or high school staffs will be able to participate in members only VTS webinars that will focus on the items of most importance to your situation.
VTS staff will also be available to comment of training sessions, competitions and offer suggestions for improvement.
Private folders for your program on Dartfish TV. VTS will create a private folder just for your team or club. You can upload/download videos of training sessions, past competitions, scout video, etc. This will be accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection. This is will be wonderful communication tool for both coaches and players. As part of this, if desired, the VTS staff can comment and offer suggestions.
Dartfish Analysis-a great learning tool !
Skill analysis for players-Any player will be able to upload video of their skills for analysis. For all skill analysis, we will use Dartfish Analysis Software. The VTS staff will make sure that the players will benefit from a quality analysis with suggestions for improvement. Players will download the video and be able to save on their computers.
So, we are making every effort to provide an increased level of service for both players and coaches. If you have thoughts or suggestions, feel free to pass along to VTS.
