About John Crutchfield Expertise 15 years coaching experience: United States National Team and High Performance National Team; high school (men`s and women`s); Club (Belmont Shore and Asics/Nova: boys` 16s and 18). Played volleyball competitively since 1970 including Junior Olympics; University of Southern California; Beach; U.S. Nationals (40 and over) and Long Beach recreational adult leagues (8 time city champions)I have joined the staff as an assistant coach for the men`s
volleyball program at California State University at Long Beach and am now
entering my second season with the program. In addition I am one of the
original coaches of the newly formed LBC Volleyball Club for the last two
years. I have coached 12, 13, 16 and 18 year old teams and coached our 13
year olds to the National Championship at the Junior Olympics in July, 2002
at Louisville, Kentucky.
Experience I've played volleyball all my life (since the age of 13 and before most people even knew it was a sport). I've been coaching for the last 18 years, even while I was practicing law full time. Recently I have changed to an education career partly to allow me more time to coach and to coach at a higher level.
Expert: John Crutchfield Date: 7/28/2002 Subject: Conditioning
Question Tryout are comming up, and we do 2-3 hours of conditioning and i was wondering what are some conditioning exercises so i don't hurt as much?
Thanks
Ande
Answer Hi Ande:
Sorry about the late response .. I sent you a response earlier but apparently it never went through??? (Hey, I'm a volleyball expert, but a computer techno-plebe).
Unfortunately the very nature of conditioning is that any exercise is going to hurt and/or tire you out until you get into condition. The only way out is to stay in shape year round; a daunting task at best. Should you not be that disciplined (as most of us aren't) here are some tips:
-Start ahead: this seems to be what you are intending so you are on top of it. If you are returning to a program or are familiar with the conditioning exercises and routines, start working with them well before the camp, season or tryouts begin. This will enable you to get a head start and will make the actual conditioning/try outs less stressful and more productive. If you are not familiar with the regimen expected . . .
-Work your weak areas hardest: we all have weak spots; the key to being successful is to improve your weaknesses as much as you can and take advantage of your strengths. Obviously in volleyball there are some key areas to focus upon: cardio-vascular (stamina); thighs and hamstrings (for jumping and low defense); shoulders (for arm swing and blocking); wrists and hands (for setting, overhead passing and blocking, and ankles, knees, back and neck for overall strength and agility and to prevent injury during the season.
-Run, run and then run some more: there is no substitute for the leg strength and stamina running produces. Use ankle weights or run on the beach (dry sand) to improve your lift and foot speed.
-Jump: use as many variations as you can (approach jumping; squat jumping; block jumping) to improve your vertical and get yourself in mid-season form.
Hopefully this has been helpful. Send me an e-mail (Crutch819@aol.com) if you want or need more specific information or help.
