Coach's Corner with Rick

High School and club coaches have the tough job of getting a team ready to compete in a short period of time in many cases using just a few hours of practice each week. The key to getting the technical and tactical elements in place so they are competitive in their games is to have good progressions for each skill and progressions to train the player well in the tactical elements that repeat with high frequency during the game. This takes a good understanding of what skills matter most and what movement patterns will improve the team's performance fastest. You don't need hundreds of drills to improve the players but the ones that you choose to use need to work meaning, they get the most improvement from the most players in the shortest period of time. You can do research on the internet, buy some of the better books and DVD's on the sport or go to clinics. When I started I went and watched dozens of practices run by the local university coaches and copied them. Eventually, I learned to create my own drills using some good drill structure fundamentals and improved my error recognition protocol and instructional response to those errors. It might be a good idea for interested coaches to attend the Victory High School Camp and Coaches clinic the week before school starts. A few full day or half day sessions will likely make a big difference for you in the gym with your players next season.

- Rick McArthur

THE JOY OF SPORTS

Whether you watch it, play it, or bet on it sports is always a joy to be a part of.

It has been around since the beginning of time, and will continue to go on way past our time.

Sports are something that can bring a group of men together to cheer on their favourite football team. It can make you one of the richest persons in the world, it makes you work hard to achieve a goal, but most of all sports build friendships, trust, love and if you’re really good at the sport you’re playing success.

Its funny how watching and playing sports brings the same level of excitement.

A game winning shot or touchdown can send everybody in frenzy, the players that just executed the play to achieve the win is celebrating and the fans that have done nothing but sit down for two hours are screaming and cheering as well. That’s where loves comes in, there are people that will paint their faces, wear no shirts in the -20C weather, and will be the happiest person in the world if their team wins. Sports have that affect on people.

“I hate sports,” some people usually say. Why do you hate sports? “Well, every Sunday all my husband does is watch football” or “my girlfriend is a cheerleader and I don’t like it” or “sports is just stupid, waste of time, those guys are getting overly paid to do a hobby, that’s not a real job.”

My answer, sports is a family thing; there is something for the whole family to partake in at a sports event. Sports can bring a country closer, look at the affect the Olympics had on Canada.

After all of that if you still don’t believe me bring your family down to Victory Sports Academy where there is something for everyone. You and your spouse can play in one of our many volleyball leagues, your kids can be trained the fundaments of basketball and volleyball.

So if you want to build friendship, trust, love and success come to Victory and I can assure you sports will be your life.

Bernard Cooper

Bernard@victoryadultsports.com

Victory's Beefy Intern

Hey everyone,

My name is Nathan Pollice and I’m one of Victory’s newest interns (the best one they will ever have).

I was born and raised in Mississauga, but attended Trent University and obtained an Honours Business Administration degree.

I am 5’9”, 190 lbs and love extreme sports such as badminton, lawn bowling and ping pong. People call me “Beef” (given my height and weight), and I am looking for that special someone who can be my “beefette”. Growing up, I played hockey and soccer, but in those sports I had no luck finding that special woman to complete me.

When I came across the opportunity to be an intern at Victory, I made sure to tell them I was looking for a soul-mate, and they ensured me that I would be able to find that special someone right here, as many female volleyball players match the description that I presented them with.[ 6’1”, athletic, smart (but not smarter than me), , long hair that she whips back and forth (like Willow Smith), but most of all, one that can carry me when I don’t feel like walking ].

All in all, I look forward to meeting everyone, and look forward to finding my special “beefette” (I know you’re out there somewhere).

Newest and best looking intern at Victory Volleyball

Bernard Cooper, promoting volleyball and basketball while sporting a Micheal Jackson shirt.

Hey everyone, my name is Bernard Cooper and I hail from the beautiful islands of the Bahamas.
I came to this great country of Canada about three years ago to study Journalism-Print. After graduating from the best college in Ontario, Niagara College in Welland, I decided to work for the local paper, where I was a free-lance sports reporter.

That didn’t last too long because everyone these days don’t like to read the newspaper anymore. After I left there, I spent months in the Niagara Region either working in factories or frying chicken for the Cornel at KFC.

During all of that I took some time out to do an online course called Sports Business Management with a school called Sports Management Worldwide, where I got to meet the GM of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets as well as talked to Leaf’s GM Brian Burke. He assured that the team won’t have a chance to win this year, so Leafs fans I think its time to be converted to Montreal Canadiens fans!! Just kidding he didn’t say that, but you really should be Canadiens fans.

Then one day I stumbled on this beautiful establishment called Victory Volleyball and what excited me the most was a chance to help a growing sports organization grow even more.

With my stunning, pleasing and my loving good looks, as well as my unique dressing styles, my adorable sense of humour, my love for sports and more importantly my dedication to hard work, I Bernard Cooper is pleased to serve you in what ever way I can and I promise you I am one intern you will never, ever forget!!!

I look for forward to meeting and talking with you whether it’s during leagues, tournaments or on kid’s day.

GTA Finest Intern

First off I would like to send a sincere apology for all those readers whom had to read the pervious blog about that “other” intern. I will use the word “other” in reference to Matt although after reading his blog we all know he is no competition to GTA finest Intern Sami Singh. O yeah that’s me.  I can’t wait to meet all of you and possible create long lasting friendships. Here’s a little bit about me and my childhood. I grew up in the mean streets of Compton, California where i spent my entire childhood. Once growing up and experiencing all the curve balls which Compton California had to offer I decided at age 18 I needed a change. I the bread winner of my family (yes ladies I’m mature for my age) decided Brampton ON would be my next stopping ground. Volleyball has always been in my blood and after hearing about victory volleyball the number one volleyball academy in the GTA why not offer them something they will never forget (yes ladies I am unforgettable in more ways then one rawwwwwwrrrr). Unlike the “other” intern I won’t totally give myself to the readers tune in next week to hear more about the GTA finest intern.

Hope to hear from you soon

Sami "Swavey" Singh

P.SI Know u guys will be back next week its okay I have that effect on people!!

The one they call Matt

Hello everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself, being as I will be meeting you all shortly. I am one of the new interns that will be working here at Victory Volleyball (i will be the good looking one). My name is Matt Woods, but you can call me what you wish (as long as it is appropriate), I am 6'3 and pretty much all muscle, thats really all there is to know about me but i will fill you in on a couple hidden secrets of mine. I love long walks on the beach and watching sunsets, hopefully with that special someone someday. You never know, you could even be that special someone!!! I am super athletic and love volleyball! My middle name should be changed to awesome, because for some reason, everyone thinks im awesome? not sure why, but i hope you do as well and i cant wait to meet all of you!! dont be shy to ask any questions....or for my number....

Hope to talk to you all soon!!
Have a great Easter!!!

Sincerely,

Matt Woods

HOT Yoga: My first experience.

So I finally tried out that deal I bought from Living Social for the 10 hot yoga classes. I had been practicing regularly for about a year but had yet to try hot yoga and also I was doing Vinyasa flow. I didn’t quite know what I was in for when I walked into the airless room. Going into the studio I was excited to try this new yoga and ended up being more unprepared than I could have ever expected. I didn’t bring a towel which is a huge no no I was told immediately from the owner and the teacher because of the amount of sweat that happens over the course of the 90 minutes. I was also told it was a 90 minute class which I wasn’t  concerned about since that’s what I was used to doing at my old studio. In retrospect, should have done the 60 or 75 minute one for my first time. I was a bit out of “yoga” shape since I hadn’t practiced in almost 2 months and knew the class would be a bit of an adjustment for the first couple classes. Another problem, although I came with water, I did not drink enough ahead of time and was WAY dehydrated going into the class. This added an “I’m about to pass out/feel very dizzy” component to my practice. I was also famished and rushing on my way there so mistakenly had a few bites of Chinese food just before. This, as you probably can guess was another terrible decision on my part. So during the class I was torn between feeling like I was about to pass out and about to throw up. It was also a different style than I was used to so I wasn’t completely comfortable with all the poses and some were even new to me. I was able to rent a towel which helped with the ridiculous sweating and did manage to enjoy it. It will take some getting used to but now I know what to expect next time and how to prepare.
Here are some tips I would suggest if you are planning on giving hot yoga a try.

1.     Bring a towel

2.     Wear as little clothing as possible. (Usually shorts and a tank for women and shorts & lose fitting or no shirt for men)

3.     Drink lots of water about 2-3 hours ahead of time to make sure you are fully hydrated in preparation for the class.

4.     Bring water! (I wouldn’t suggest a plastic bottle because of the heat in the room, you end up drinking warm water- aluminum or stainless steel bottle for sure)

5.     Don’t eat 2-3 hours ahead of time (to avoid the nauseous feeling I experienced J )

-Meghan