Spring 2012

Sitting in my office on a friday afternoon waiting the kids up from school, I am preparing our summer schedule. We don't have any workouts today as our team trains mon - thurs. We have had a monumental off season in the weight room this spring. It's truly amazing how strong our team is getting as we close in on phase 2 with one more to go before summer starts. Everyone is getting stronger and it is a joyful time in the weight room with lots of smiles and great attitudes. Expectations will be big next year and we are very blessed to be able have high expectations in our program. There is already a buzz in the community about our team and the possibilities. Very thankful to have great players, supportive parents, a fantasic administration, and a large community following.

Venice beats Plant in 3 !!!

The Indians came to play tonight and knocked off Tampa Plant who is ranked 17th Nationally. Scores were 25-17, 25-15, 25-21. The large spirited crowd in the TeePee started the 2011 season out in style. The win marked the 3rd straight time the Indians have beaten the Panthers. On Thursday night, the Indians will face #2 ranked Berkeley Prep to see how they match up against a team that will be in contention for the mythical National Championship. Game time will be 7:00. Wheatley Wacko shirts will be on sale all week.

Veniceindianvolleyball.com

You may have noticed but our site is currently down and is under construction. Should be up and running shortly. Hope everyone is having a great week and remember it's not how good you are, it's how often you are good.

Tampa Camp Team Update

Venice high brought almost 30 players to team camp this year to the University of Tampa. We divided the players into 3 groups with a varsity team and 2 jv teams. The 2 jv teams are playing in the varsity division. I coach one team and the 2 others are coached by former Venice Indian great, Julie howlett and the other team is coached by former Clearwater/Berkeley prep great, Sloane Baby. They both play for UT and have done an outstanding job. They know what it takes to be successful on the court. The first 2 days are basically working on different team skills while competing against other teams. Today we started the tournament. The 2 jv teams have done quite well in the lower level varsity division with the green team winning their pool tonight. The varsity with only 1 senior has gone undefeated in both pools with nice wins over Plant, Bishop Verot, ECS, Chiles, Tampa Prep, and Orangewood. All 3 Venice teams have made remarkable improvements on the court while establishing some team unity and cohesiveness going into the season. I love the culture we have in our program as our kids expect to win every time they step on the court. Also the food is outstanding as it is all you can eat and the pranks have been put away this year as we build a trust among one another. I try and read as many coaching books as possible during the summer and am currently finishing up Auburns Gene Chizik, "All In, what it takes to be the best".

What is a well coached team?

Well coached teams are motivated. Venice teams will play with energy and a visible passion that proves they are engaged in the process that their team and coaches have established. Teams will display fight and toughness and you usually cannot tell the score of the game by simply watching the actions and reactions of their players and coaches. This is just one aspect of the Venice Volleyball program. Tryouts will be Monday Aug. 8th. Times will be updated soon. Teams will practice each day till school begins. Players who make the Varsity squad will need to clear their schedule for 2 weeks as we will hold practices twice a day as well as some team activities in the evenings.

A day in the life of a coach during summer

Things to do today

Wake up at 6 am-check
Open gym up for 7 am volleyball workouts- check
Convince high school volleyball players to make an explosive approach and swing aggressively at all costs- check

Watch the volleyball team destroy the boys basketball in a water balloon war- check, check. (they claim the vb team cheated bc balloons were filled w mustard, ketchup, and dog food but are there rules in war?)

Sigh................Get doused with baby powder by players- check (FYI, revenge will be mine at team camp next month)
Quick peanut butter and jelly lunch
Drop Luke off at bb camp
Get ready for triathalon and Run on the treadmill and swim laps with Brooke
Hang out at the pool with another coach and let kids swim
Meet wifey at Lowes
Haircut
Dinner
Watch Brooke at beach volleyball
Relax at home with the fam- check, check

Hope everyone has a great week off and we will see you next Thursday!

VHS summer volleyball 2011

Summer volleyball workouts start Monday. Myself and our coaching staff are looking forward to a fantastic summer. We have over 45 girls coming this summer which makes this one of the largest turnouts. Summer is a time when we really break down skills and work on technique, get stronger in the weight room, and have fun sharing these memories with our teammates. It's also a great time to establish habits that will help our teams be successful in the fall. Players get to know each other and it's where our leaders take ownership in building our program and taking it to new heights. Can't will not be in our vocabulary but I CAN will be. The only 2 things we can really control in life is attitude and effort. The only way to be successful on the court is to get out of your comfort zone and take some chances. By doing this, failure will will be short term but will produce long term success. Our great Venice volleyball tradition started many years ago with players putting forth the same work ethic that our current players will do so this season. Championships are won in the off season and one thing that our players will experience this summer is hearing from some former players about their Venice volleyball experience and how it has helped them so many years later in college, in their profession, as a wife and mother, and in their daily lives. It gives me great joy to hear from former players and to hear about their lives. We will see you on Monday and remember that you have a choice everyday to get worse, stay the same, or GET BETTER! It's great to be an Indian!