QuestionIm in 9th grade of high school. I want to start playing volleyball next year in 10th grade because it seems very fun, active (of course) and its a great opportunity to meet friends. Is it too late...? :( I'm really interested but i dont want to make the team lose. There are girls that have been playing since the start of middle school.
-Also, what type of shoes would you recommend for a person with very flat feet who wants to ply volleyball?
-Will my asthma keep me from playing?
AnswerGood afternoon Venessa!
Welcome to www.allexperts.com! It's great to hear from you!
OK, let's get to business.
a) Have you waited too late?
This conpletely depends on the school you're attending. I live in Roanoke, Va. At some of the larger public schools you would have a 1% chance of making the team. Yes, those girls start when they're in the 6th or 7th grade, and play school vball AND club vball every year. But at some of the smaller private schools in Roanoke, you'd have a 99% chance of making the JV or even the varsity team and be welcomed with open arms.
So, to find out if you have a chance of making the team, here's my advise:
i) Do you have a relationship with the coach? If so, ask the coach what your chances are?
ii) If you don't have a relationship, or the coach is scary, or you're not sure if the coach will give you a straight answer: Ask the girls who are on the team. They can tell you a lot! Now, they may say, "Sure! Come on!!" But, I think you need more than just an answer from a sweet person. :) Plz ask them questions like: did a rookie soph make the team last year? how many girls were on JV last year? How many do you guys foresee moving up to varsity?
iii) Find a girl who played on the team for many years. Ask her whether she knows if a rookie soph has ever made the team?
b) You say you don't want to make the team lose.
Don't worry. If you make the team, and your skills aren't up to the team's standard, the coach won't put you in the game much. I'd be surprised if there was a rule that everyone has to play; so, don't worry about that.
In fact, you being concerned about the team first is VERY refreshing!! It's awesome! Many athletes & parents are just the opposite. About half way into the season, they will start grumbling, "I made the team, now where's the playing time I deserve? that I'm entitled to?"
c) Shoes.
The style: Ask the girls who have played on the team. Some teams have "team shoes".
Your feet:
(i) See if any of the girls have your same situation. If so and they had to buy team shoes, ask them if the team shoes helped their feet issues. If the shoes didn't help, ask them, "What did you do??"
(ii) If the other girls can't help you, have your parents ask a foot doctor: A podiatrist. Tell the doctor what you're planning on doing and see what the dr says. Vanessa, I wear orthotics in my shoes every day. They were made especially for me about 10 years ago by a podiatrist. It's the only way I can coach without horrible pain. When I was younger, having orthotics was the only way I could run long distances w/o that horrible pain.
d) Asthma
If you have been managing your asthma with an inhaler, then asthma will probably not keep you from playing vball!! My wife had asthma and tells me that she ran track for 7 years in high school and middle school. But, please ask your parents and your family doctor.
OK, you may have more questions now.
If so, please follow up here, or your and/or your parents email me at
[email protected].
One favor: Please visit us at www.coachhouser.com. You will see a link to the 12 camps that we're directing this summer! You will see the link to the private lessons that we offer. And you will see a lot of smiling faces!
I hope you have a great week, and you have a wonderful summer!
Coach Houser
