Asics Willowbrook and the Club System
Asics Willowbrook Volleyball Club is a part of a well-established
nationwide club system, USA Volleyball. USAV is a national organization,
which promotes and organizes systematic training and competition
at the local, regional and national levels. There are over 30 clubs
in our area, with each club having at least one team in each age
division, from ages 12 to 18.
Asics Willowbrook VBC is one of the larger clubs in the Houston
area, and one of the few with our own training complex, which includes
8 courts and a dedicated strength and conditioning gym. We distinguish
ourselves as having won Houston's first national championship along
with 2 other medals. Organized in 2000, our growth and success
are a result of our training philosophy, our dedicated directors
and staff coaches, and of course, the hard work of our girls! Our
training philosophy builds the player's skill set consistently from
one year to the next.
The level of play in club ball is much higher than that found
in local recreational leagues, such as the YMCA, and even school
programs at the lower grades. This is primarily due to professional
coaching. Club experience is important in developing as a player.
Most, if not all, girls who make their high school teams (not to
mention those that go on to win college scholarships) play club
ball.
The club volleyball season begins after school season ends, in
the fall. Clubs have tryouts during the summer, prior to the start
of school season. Teams begin practice after school season ends,
usually around mid-November, then begin playing tournaments on many
weekends starting in December. Club season ends at various times,
usually late April. National teams usually continue to practice
and compete in postseason play, perhaps even traveling to compete
in the Junior National Championships or the AAU championships in
the summer.
The learning focus of the club experience is for the individuals
to work together as a team, how to be competitive. This is done
through team practice, four to six hours a week, two or three weeknights
every week), and then tournament play on many Saturdays and sometimes
Sundays. Tournaments usually last all day, and sometimes well into
the night - so be forewarned! (Sunday play is usually morning through
early afternoon.)
Getting Started in Club Volleyball
A certain level of skill is expected from each prospective player.
Each club holds tryouts to determine if the prospect has sufficient
ability to make the team. New players are at a disadvantage, particularly
in the older age divisions. Find
out more about Tryouts here!
So how can a player get the necessary skills if they can't even
get on a team? . Many clubs have developmental teams for the early
age groups. Older players may need a "jump start" -- formal
instruction programs that can teach the skills necessary to play
club ball.
There are many choices of teaching programs for developing players.
Group instruction, such as our instructional leagues and developmental
classes, can provide a set of fundamental skills the player can
build on, and they include some play time. Summer camps provide
intense training over a short period of time. Private instruction
is helpful in identifying and correcting weak areas, or to perfect
the player's technique. (Experienced players utilize summer camps
and private lessons to hone their skills as well.)
Your next step...
If you are completely new to volleyball, or maybe you have had a
little experience through the YMCA or another local sports association,
check out our developmental
programs for beginners.
If you are 8-12 years of age, and you want to try club ball, we
have our developmental club program, called the Gators, that plays
from January thru April. Registration is ongoing in the late summer
and early fall. In the meantime, try one of our
all-skills camps in the summer.
If you already know you like volleyball and want to learn more,
we invite you to try out for our club. Our local (non-travel) program
for is for ages 12-16, and practices twice a week, includes strength
and conditioning once a week, and competes in 10 local tournaments.
Tryouts are in the July -- check our website for the announcement.
For the serious player, our Juniors Travel Teams program for ages
12-18 practices 3 times per week, attends strength and conditioning
twice a week, and competes in 9-10 local and national tournaments.
All travel teams participate in post-season play into the summer.
Acceptance is by tryout in July, or come to one of our Select training
camps and talk to the staff.
For further information on any of our programs,
e-mail us or call 866-GR8-VBALL.
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