skill tapes

Question
QUESTION: Hey I'm Jennifer. I am only a freshman in high school and I have already begun making my skill tape. I feel it is never too early to start and I am already looking at colleges. Because I am young I have many more tournaments and matches to come. When I get more footage of my playing do I just add it to my current tape and update every once in a while or make a new tape when I get older and at a higher playing level?
ANSWER: Jennifer,

My advice is, if you are good or you are tall with some skills, or you are a left handed setter) to send a skills tape to the schools that you may be interested to now.  If they are interested they will ask you for a club schedule.  Do another skills tape and send it out just before the club season starts with your schedule.  Do the same thing in your junior year so that you can get an idea of who may like you and where you may choose to make a few unofficial visits

Good Luck,
Steve

If you would like me to look at your tape you can send it to my home (I will not be at Fordham University again until August)

Steve Hagenlocher
8814 Doran Ave
Glendale NY 11385

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice. I am 6'1.5 and 15 years old and I have been playing on an 18's club team. Is it true that most 18's teams do not get looked at as much at 16's and 17's, and if so would this be a disadvatage for me since I am so young? I have received several letters, but according to the NCAA rule I am not allowed to talk to coaches until september 1 of my junior year. My two club coaches are both college coaches so would I get them to send out my schedule, or am I allowed to do that. And another question. I have been chosen to represent my region in a olmypic pipeline training camp in colorado springs. There are going to be several scouts there, but if my coach is not there for them to talk to would they still be able to get information on me? And I have a few other questions. As far as block jump and approach jump go, what is a good goal for each to shoot for. I do not know what college coaches are looking for in that area. Right now my approach jump is 9'10 and my block jump is 9'6. In these two feilds is their a certain height that is mandatory or crutial to have in college level play?
ANSWER: Jennifer,

If you can pass I will give you a scholarship tomorrow!!!  Your block jumps and approach jumps are very good and you only being 15 so you may grow and with three more years of training they will improve.  It is also not how tall you are but how high you jump and how fast you can close the block or get to the ball.

Coaches can not come up to you and speak to you, nor can they call you but if you walk up to them and speak to them I am 99% sure that is legal.....double check with your club coach.  As far as being on the 18's or 17's.  Coaches now are looking at 14's and keeping tabs on players.  Many coaches (Fordham University included) are already done recruiting for the 2008 season, so next year we will be looking at 17's, this does not mean we don't know of players who are playing up, we will just be spending alot of time in the 17's pool.

The coaches at Colorado Springs will be able to give the scouts your information if you can not do that yourself.

You can send out your schedule and tapes on your own.  Do it through your high school coach because he/she may be able to get the school to pay for the postage for you.

I hope I answered all your questions.  You sound like you have a very bright volleyball future ahead of you.

Good luck,
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you again so much for your help. I have had these questions on my mind for a while. Also I have had my heart set on the University of Texas for a while. Even though I am a 6'1.5 OH and probably still growing, most girls on their team have been around the 6'3 6'4 mark. I know it will most likey change by the time I'm in college but if I have a high enough verticle and quick speed will the height difference matter.  

Answer
Jennifer,

I can not tell you what the coaching staff at UT thinks but if your vertical makes you as tall as someone 6'3" and you are faster than they are then you are person that they may look at to recruit.  If you have been invited to play in Colorado Springs you will be noticed, your name will get out there and you will be going to school somewher for free.

Steve