Playing the Right Side Position

Question
My 14 year old 6' daughter has been playing Outside & Middle in club for the
last  couple years.  She is a smart and strong blocker and an even stronger
outside hitter.  She made the varsity high school team this summer. The coach
will only let her practice at the Right Side position and she is struggling.  She
has always been the team star and go to player for points in the past.  Now it
looks like she'll be sitting the bench this season.  What is out there for
learning the Right Side position?    I haven't been able to find any good
articles, books, or DVD.

Answer
Good afternoon John, and welcome to www.allexperts.com!

Your situation sounds normal.  I coached a 15N team last year.  We went 3 days to DC, 3 days to Atlanta, 3 days to Richmond, finished 2nd in our region bid tournament (1 win from Nationals), almost all my players made varsity this fall......and.....most aren't playing.  

This doesn't surprise me.  And it should not my players or their parents, b/c I warned them it was probably going to happen.  How can most 14/15's compete with 17/18's?  Not going to happen.  

Right side is a tough position.  For some teams, it's where they put their weakest player.  But for other teams, who have more than 4 or 5 studs, it's where they put the #4 stud.  Really.  Many teams put the top three studs at OH and setter.  #4 goes on the right or is the libero.  Really.  And the tall girls play middle.  This past club season, one of my 6' 8th graders played the right for me, b/c I had two other 6' 9th graders who could not be beaten out in the MB position.  It took the 8th grader a lot of time to be comfortable, but by the time we got to the bid, she was a "Let's get it on" blocker.  

Now, as for DVD's, books, articles.........hmmmmmm.  I may have one or two articles in my collection. I haven't bought in videos probably in 20 years, so I can't help you with that.  If you want a copy of my articles on being a right side, please email me at [email protected].   

Also, is there anyone who can give her private lessons.  If you live anywhere near Roanoke, one of my staff has 2 hours available this weekend, and 3 next weekend.  We can give her the one-on-one that she needs.  But maybe there's someone around you.  How about her club coach?  club assistant coach?  how about a club teammate who plays that position?  how about a girl on an older club team (even better!)?  How about a high school graduate?  Can one of her school coaches stay after practice?  Is there a college nearby?  If so, would a girl from that college be interested in giving your daughter some lessons......if you offered $15 an hour, I imagine some 20-year old would jump at it!  haha  But make sure the girl is playing that position now, or has played it extensively.  

From parent to parent:   Sitting the bench on varsity in the 9th grade is fine.  No problem.  She will improve much more than if she were on JV......but only IF she continues to have a good attitude, and she tries her hardest at practice both mentally and physically.  You, John, will have a hand is this development as well.  If you are grumpy, upset, embarrassed, etc. b/c your star daughter isn't playing much, then you'll be part of her problem.  I will ask you to (a) be happy she's on varsity.  Be satisfied.  If she hadn't worked so hard, she'd be on JV or be cut.  Aren't those options worse? (b) help her improve in any way you can, like you're doing now with this message to me (c) Realize that being a star on JV isn't as good as competing every day against the 16's and 17's on varsity.  (d) Do not criticize the coach or say things like, "I can't believe Jenny plays so much.  She makes so many mistakes." Of course Jenny makes mistakes.  Basketball players miss shots, right?  Sball players strike out, right?  And football players miss blocks.  Of course the players on the court are going to make mistakes.  But if Jenny is 17, her worst day is probably better than your daughter's best day.  So she will play, regardless of how many mistakes she makes.  

Is there anything else my staff or I can do for you?

Hope you have a great week!  Please let me know how it all goes!

Tom Houser