In just under a week, the National Volleyball Association will be partnering once again with the American Volleyball Coaches Association for the 2021 AVCA Convention in Columbus, Ohio! Now, celebrating its 40th anniversary, the AVCA was formed back in 1981 by Terry Liskevych and Andy Banachowski as an advocacy group for coaches. Since their conception, the AVCA has significantly expanded, adding tons of new services and clinics, all with the same core dedication to serving volleyball coaches and the volleyball community.
From December 15th-18th, the convention halls will be jam-packed with seminars regarding coaching skills, skill development, career advancement, club management, and even sports psychology. Each educational session will be led by the country’s top NCAA Div 1, Olympic, and Club coaches, including some of the current greats with; Karch Kiraly (USA Women’s National Team), John Speraw (USA Men’s National Team), and Alan Knipe (Long Beach State), all leading their own sessions. On top of that, the event offers break-out sessions for coaches to network and reconnect with other coaches from around the nation.
The NVA is sending 16 athletes and coaches from around the league to take part in ten educational seminars as part of the on-court practice demonstrations. Utah Stingers Owner & NVA VP Russell Holmes will also present awards to the top NCAA athletes at this year’s All-American/Players of the Year Banquet. Team Freedom will also be sending a solid group to take part in the action including Owner Justin Beaumont as well as players Ryan Alu (L), Ian Capp (OH), Thomas Burrell (MB), Matt Buffum (MB), Jake Milnazik (OH), and Ron O’Driscoll (S). This will be the second year that the league has participated in this phenomenal event and has eagerly awaited its return since the last AVCA convention back in 2018.
There’s still time if you haven’t yet registered for the convention. You can also purchase passes on-site starting at 4 pm on Tuesday the 14th at 4 pm. However, if you cannot make it in person, you can still watch every seminar online with their Virtual Convention, including live Learning Labs created exclusively for virtual attendees, a virtual exhibit show, and Career Center. Below you’ll find links to find out more information about registering, as well as our seminar schedule for the week. If you see us there, give us a shout, we would love to talk and learn together as we all push to help foster the next generation of volleyball in the USA and grow the game!
Schedule and AVCA Links:
Thursday 12/16
– 11am – 12pm: Technical and Tactical Components that Lead to a Better Transition Game. (Dave Preston)
– 3pm – 4pm: Rethinking Feedback in a Practice Setting. (John Speraw)
– 4:15pm – 5:15pm: Controlled Variations of Live Play: How to Challenge your Starting Side to Prepare for Game Day. (Wright State Staff)
Friday 12/17
– 1:15pm – 2:15pm: Planning and Facilitating a Week of Practice Drills. (James Madison Staff)
– 2:30pm – 3:30pm: Bolstering your Attackers’ Toolkit. (Karch Kiraly)
– 3:45pm – 4:45pm: Training your Team to be Efficient Out of System. (Shannon Winzer)
Saturday 12/18
– 9am – 10am: Serve Receive with USAV Women’s National Team. (Tama Miyashiro)
– 9am – 10am: Adaptive Creativity – The importance of customizing drills to enhance & excite your players. (Eric Snyder)
– 10:15am – 11:15am: Coaching Using Story Telling – External Feedback in Action. (Jamie Morrison)
– 10:15am – 11:15am: Practice Pyramids: Growth Through the Climb. (Chad Willis)
https://avcaconvention.org/virtual-convention/
-NVA Staff Writer
]]>Now two months out from the conclusion of the 2021 NVA Season, where Team Freedom finished tied for 5th, preparations are well underway for the “dawn of a new age.” The makeup of Team Freedom over the last 12 years since its conception has brought the program much success and has made them a long-standing powerhouse in the NVA. However, after two years of not reaching the podium, a fresh new start is needed to bring the club to brand new heights.
As the NVA has increased its exposure, it has also seen an increase in the number of collegiate players eager to compete professionally in the United States once they graduate. Already, Team Freedom has some fresh NCAA prospects who are set to play in the 2022 season once they complete their collegiate careers.
As the roster takes a new form, returners will take on new roles in different positions as manager Justin Beaumont best utilizes his deep talent pool. With gyms opening up once again from the COVID-19 lockdowns, Beaumont plans to put in teams for local cash prize tournaments. The events will help Freedom find the best combination of players while also giving the players some additional income during the NVA off-season.
In the hopes of finding even more hidden talent, Team Freedom will be holding another tryout in late November or early December. On top of the change of guard, Beaumont is also in the works of securing some new sponsors, which they will be eager to announce this December.
Be sure to get connected with Team Freedom on Instagram (@teamfreedomvbc) and Facebook so you can stay tuned about the tryout dates, the introduction of incoming players, and the announcement of new sponsors!
“Let Freedom Ring!”
– NVA Staff Writer
]]>Although on the court, the NVA is a highly competitive league with crosstown rivals and grudges, off the court it can be seen as a bustling community working together to grow the great game of volleyball. The Chicago Untouchables’, Orlando Southern Exposure, and the hosting Team Freedom from New Jersey, are partnering up with Next Level Volleyball to bring high level clinics and coaching to New Jersey. The concept is awesome, the professional volleyball players will take everything they’ve learned from playing professional to college and teach it to the young aspiring volleyball players of America. The clinics will focus on positional skills and offer young players the chance to grow. For example, the middle blockers will be coached by players like Matt Seifert, who played at Penn State and did a year of professional volleyball overseas in Germany, a very high level league. Maybe the young aspiring opposites will be coached by Jakub Ciesla, who played opposite for Cal State Northridge.
The thing that is so great about this idea is that it allows the younger generation to learn how to become a better volleyball player from those who have already succeeded in the volleyball world. It opens up the potentiality of mentorships and connections that truly allow the younger players to hold on to a role model and inspiration that can drive them to complete their goals. The clinic is open to boys and girls of all different ages and experience levels, and kids that sign up will be allowed to stay and watch Team Freedom play the L.A Blaze at 7pm. The clinic takes place on May 28th at 5pm and ends at 7pm. The clinic is 75$ per player.
]]>Have you ever wanted to go fast? Like not cruising down the freeway at 80mph fast, we’re talking really freaking fast. So fast NASCAR drivers are going to turn their heads as you speed by on a road bike at 150mph fast. Then you need to get yourself a pair of Pit Vipers, the official sunglass sponsor that is built for going fast. Us at Team Freedom would just like to say thank you to our sponsor Pit Viper for their continued support over the years. Pit Vipers are different than most sunglasses as they boast the loudness of their throwback design and style. Pit Vipers specialize in making sunglasses meant for all outdoor activities, and look even cooler when you’re doing extreme sport activities such as skiing, snowboarding, biking, and dirt biking. One particular use that they are good for is beach volleyball, especially with the adjustable sides and side blockers, they allow you to focus on your game while your opponent’s focus on your sweet shades. Once again, thank you to Pit Vipers, and we thank you for your continued support and hope you guys go fast forever.
Head over to www.pitvipersunglasses.com if you want to go fast.
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