Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Michael Lange
He has coached the U15 & U16 teams previously.
Certifications: IMPACT, First Aid/CPR
Bio: Michael has over 30 years experience playing
volleyball. After his collegiate experience in California,
Michael continued to play at the Open and AA level
on both men and coed teams. Michael continues to
play competitively in various local leagues as well as
on a USAV Masters men's team.
Team Philosophy & Policies
I value athletics as one integral part of a player's educational experience, but not the end all. It provides an additional arena where the individual can take risks, make mistakes, and be accepted, whether they succeed or fail. The value comes in the challenge for the individual to pursue performances that would otherwise be difficult to achieve, while aspiring to the ideas of fair play, commonality of purpose and the concept of team over self. I strive to develop athletes who accept victory with humility and defeat with grace. I expect my team to always play to win while demonstrating individual intensity and respectful competitiveness. I believe that winning must be redefined from what our popular culture calls "winning". The scoreboard should never be the only indicator of success. The effort to prepare, and the desire to compete must take precedence over a comparative score. Success should be based on what each individual does in relation to her own ability and how the team has progressed as a cohesive group.
Volleyball Skills and Execution: "It all starts with a pass". At every level of volleyball that I have played and watched, a team that can not pass or play defense will not win, and players that are not properly trained get hurt. At the beginning of the season I will teach proper body position and footwork for passing, serving, hitting, setting, and defense. I expect that as we master and execute the basics we will progress into more sophisticated forms of the game. I also expect that any bad habits that were learned in the past will replaced to insure safety and future success for the girls.
Commitment: Choosing to play club volleyball is a commitment to yourself, your team, your parents, your coaches, and to the sport. Do not take this commitment lightly. Be absolutely certain that you have the extra time needed before you commit to joining this team. After family and school this team should be your first priority during the season. Consider all the other demands on your time: school, other sports, socializing with friends, a job, any volunteer work, church activities, etc. You will be expected to make the practices twice a week and the tournaments on the weekends.
Fitness & Work Ethic: Player's wellbeing is my highest priority. Besides learning the proper skills to avoid volleyball injuries, each player needs to develop the good habits of health, safety, and physical fitness. We will review proper stretching techniques at the start of our first few practices. I expect the girls to work on developing their core strength on non-practice days to decrease the chance of injury by doing simple exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and jump roping. Each person must give 100% effort and work hard during all activities. I expect every player to always come to practice or tournament prepared, focused, and on time. Remember, how we practice is how we play.
Have Fun & Play Hard: Volleyball is fun and educational. You will develop your skills and learn strategic thinking as a part of the hard work that is put into practice. Fun is a by-product of your hard work and executing what you have learned. Give your full effort regardless if it is warm-up, drills, or matches. Take every opportunity to have fun, learn new skills, and make friends. As you do this you will end up with great memories of the time spent playing this sport.
Attendance & Punctuality: PLAYERS ARE RESPONSIBLE TO CALL, EMAIL OR OTHERWISE NOTIFY THEIR COACHES OF ABSENCES OR LATENESS 24 HOURS AHEAD OF TIME. You are expected to be in the gym ready to play (shoes, socks on, hair up, no jewelry) when practice starts. Come early for extra time to get ready and catch up with friends. You are expected to attend each practice and tournament. Family and School come first, but you need to discipline yourself to be able to get everything done on time. Lack of practice time can affect playing time. When you miss a practice, you are preventing your team from learning to play with you. You also throw away your opportunity to improve your skills. You are expected to give your coaches and your team your full attention and effort at each practice. Once you start missing practices, it is difficult to catch up. Keep these things in mind before you decide to miss practice. If you have unexcused absences or lateness, you will be asked to perform extra conditioning before being allowed to join the team for practice.
Positive Attitude & Teamwork: Learn to sacrifice for the team. A team is more than just a collection of individuals. It is critical that everyone knows how her role fits into the context of team goals. You need to support your teammates at all times and help them to improve. Mistakes are a part of this game and we all learn from them. Success in volleyball is more dependent on how well the team plays together, rather than how individuals perform. Maintain a positive attitude. A player with poor or negative attitude will be asked to sit out certain activities or leave. Everyone helps. Everyone sets up nets, shags balls, officiates games, etc. No one leaves until everything is picked up at practice or until our team's referee duties are finished.
Playing Time: My playing time policy is simple. Everyone will participate in the pool play on tournament days if she follows coach's philosophy and adheres to team rules and policy. In the bracket play or playoffs, playing time will be decided based on coaches' assessment of a player's individual performance and the team chemistry on the floor. I am happy to discuss playing time issues with players or parents before or after practices, HOWEVER, I will not discuss them on the day of a tournament.