QuestionQUESTION: So the past two years I have played volleyball its been okay. Not my favorite sport but its okay I'm not very good and am going into high school next year. I dont want to just do one sport but i dont really want to do this. Today we had this skills pactice and I totally blow. I'm not on the club team and I stink. I haven't picked up a volleyball since last season but I still don't really wanna do it. My friends say ill get better with practice but I just don't wanna do it. I don't really like it. Can u please give me some advice on what to do. I don't no if I should do it or not. What should I do?!
ANSWER: Good morning Katie!
Welcome to www.allexperts.com! It's great to hear from you.
I've been teaching high school and coaching volleyball for a LONG time. :) I tell you that b/c I want you to know that I've heard what you're saying MANY times!
You asked me, "What should I do?" It sounds like you've already made up your mind. You tell me over and over, "I don't want to." Then, go with your heart, and don't play this fall. However, I have a few things that I want you to consider before you make up your mind. .
a) Have you talked it over with your parents. They know you pretty well. They may have some insight that you haven't considered.
b) You say, "I don't want to do one sport." What is your other sport? Many girls here in Roanoke, in order to stay active, will join one of the track teams. Why? At many schools (a) You don't have to be good to participate (b) many track coaches aren't all that strict about attendance (c) many track teams don't cut. So, at many schools, track is 60% work, 40% social, and if you miss a meet or miss practice, there's no issues.
Now, the track team at your school may be WAY different.....so do some investigating before you try out for it. But, if you don't play volleyball this fall, and you want to stay active, consider cross country (fall), indoor track (winter) and outdoor track (spring).
c) Of course, if many of your friends are playing club ball, they will now be A LOT better than they were before. And since you didn't play club ball, your skills haven't improved. Your friends are correct when they say you will get better by playing this summer. But, as you say, you don't want to.
This is what I tell my children and my players:
* If you don't want to play volleyball, then don't. I want you to do what you love, what you have a passion for.
* BUT, if you try out, and you make the team, YOU MUST FINISH THE SEASON! You cannot be a quitter. (There are a few reasons for quitting a team and not being labeled a quitter. If you want to know them, I'll send them to you.)
* If you decide to play volleyball, then do with all you have until the last day.
If you have a moment this weekend, would you please visit www.coachhouser.com? I think you will like the smiling faces.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Coach Houser
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QUESTION: Well this isn't much of a question its just what ive decided to do. Since I aorta like volleyball but not really play it I think I'm going to ask the coach if I could do that and help her out if she needs it. And explain to her that I played it the past two years but this year I don't want to and that I don't like it as much as I did in the past years, is that a good idea?!
ANSWER: Good morning again:
So you're going to offer to be a "manager"? OK, that's fine, but find out what this job entails.
* Coach may need you once a week, or 6 days a week. Find out.
* You may be required to be at no games, only home game, or home AND away games. Find out.
* You may be required to keep the locker room clean;
* You may be required to do the team's laundry;
* You may be required to watch video, keep stats, scout opponents, etc.
Some managers work as hard as the players. Those managers often earn varsity letters!
But some managers just hang around a few days a week. Those managers aren't very useful, and don't have much responsibility.
Personally, I want managers that want to be a part of the team. Thus, they will be there every day, and can ONLY miss for the same reasons I allow the team members to miss. If a manager begins to miss for other non-emergency reasons, then I let them go. If I can't depend on them, then I don't need them.
Thanks for visiting again! Your questions are awesome!
Again, please talk all this over with your parents. They will have some insight that I don't.
Coach Houser
www.coachhouser.com
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QUESTION: See now last year me and my friend were the wrestling managers and we also wanna do it again this year. when we did it we were fully dedicated and its a sport we cant even participate in. I think id be able to do it. What are varsity letters?! See now for us last year during wrestling we attended every practice and meet, kept book, cleaned the mats, and did whatever the coach needed. I think I could be a volleyball manager. Our softball coach is gonna be one of the volleyball coaches and I brought up that I want to do it and shes like if we need one you can
AnswerGood evening from Virginia!
I think our work together is over. There's not much more I can help you with from 2000 miles away! :)
Now, it's up to you, your parents and the volleyball coach.....I hope that it all works our really well for you guys.
If I can ever do anything else for you guys, please contact me here or at
[email protected].
Have a wonderful summer!
Coach Houser