HEAT VBC LEADERSHIP

Club Director

Joe Wright - Club Director - Coach - Tournaments Director

Don Wood - Coach - Facilities Director

Co-Club Director

Jason Sanchez - Coach - Coaching Director

Dan Thomas - Coach - Recruiting Director

Club Leadership

Codi Jacobsen - Coach - Tryouts Coordinator

Emilee Taylor - Travel / Tournament / Media Coordinator

Jay Sanchez - Sand Program Coordinator

Mattie Farris - Player Development

Club Administration

Headstorm Studios - Marketing / Web Admin

Sierrah Wright - Administrative Assistant

 

OUR MISSION AND CLUB PHILOSOPHY

The mission of HEAT Volleyball Club is to provide student-athletes with sound fundamental volleyball skills and develop each player to her maximum potential. The coaches and directors are committed to developing the whole athlete. The "whole athlete package" encompasses the players’ academics, athleticism, self-esteem and citizenship. In addition to teamwork, discipline, and fundamental skills, the coaching staff is devoted to making each girl or boy is not only a player of the game, but also a student of the game.

Participating in club volleyball requires a large amount of time and financial commitment for the student-athlete and parents. That is why HEAT Volleyball would like each student-athlete to get the most out of their investment. Becoming an organized, dedicated, and confident student-athlete is one advantage to this commitment. The commitment also provides the potential opportunity to continue to play in the future at the college level. HEAT VBC continues to help place student athletes at the next level in collegiate sports.

HEAT’s goal is to provide a feeling of belonging and unity for all the athletes, coaches and families that are a part of HEAT VBC. As a club, we challenge our athletes to follow their dreams … and we believe that we are doing just that by creating a home where we can grow and help foster our athlete’s goals and dreams!

 

HEAT VOLLEYBALL CLUB SUCCESS

The success of our HEAT Volleyball program is a direct reflection of the hard work our players, parents, and staff put in during the club season. We strive for success that is measured beyond the win-loss record. Success is within the journey as much as it is about reaching the destination. Our success is about uniting a group of individuals to pursue a common goal and to overcome individual differences in order for the team to achieve its potential; success of the athlete excelling on a personal level on the court as well as off the court by being a part of something bigger than the individual. Our success is about teaching life skills through volleyball play that are necessary to be successful. The expectations are high for HEAT volleyball players. Being on a HEAT Volleyball team is a commitment to hard work and dedication that requires the selection of athletes who "bring something special to the court and their team".

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

• Parents will respect coaches, players, other parents and officials. Our coaching staff has not only played, but also studied the game. We understand that each player has strengths and weaknesses. We, as coaches, will do our best to recognize the strengths in every athlete and play them in a position where their strengths will show and provide the best results for the team. Also remember that practice is a time to improve and work on weak areas of the game.
• If you feel you must discuss your child's playing time with a coach, please refrain from doing so during tournament play. If you would like to talk to the coach regarding playing time, please set up a meeting to discuss your concerns. Please remember that the coaches need to be just as focused during tournaments as the players.
• We believe that athletic competition should demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. We also believe that the highest potential of sports is achieved when participants are committed to pursuing victory with honor.
• Respect – treat people with respect all the time and require the same of your children.
• Class – live and cheer with class; be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity; compliment extraordinary performance; and show respect for all competitors.
• Disrespectful Conduct – do not engage in disrespectful conduct of any sort including profanity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks of a sexual nature, trash-talking, taunting, boastful celebrations, or other actions that demean individuals or the sport.
• Respect Officials – treat contest officials with respect; do not complain about or argue with official calls or decisions during or after an athletic event.
• Respect Coaches – treat coaches with respect at all times; recognize that they have team goals beyond those of your child. Do not shout instructions to players from the stands; let the coach’s coach.
• Role-modeling – Consistently exhibit good character and conduct yourself as a role model for your children.
• Self-Control – exercise self-control; do not fight or show excessive displays of anger or frustration; have the strength to overcome the temptation to demean others.

If you do not follow the parent code of conduct, HEAT VBC has the right to exercise the following:

1)      Parent/Parents will no longer be able to attend practices or tournaments.

2)      Immediate dismissal of player from HEAT VBC team for the season.

Line of communication

This is one of the most important areas to emphasize. This line of communication will be strictly followed within our program.  Our club truly believes that if all of us are conscientious in following this, we should not run into any problems that cannot be resolved in a smooth comfortable way.

If a player is having frustrations or concerns of any kind, it is very important that she speak to the coach as soon as possible within our guidelines. If after speaking to the coach, she does not feel like the problem has been resolved, then you as parents may document the concern and send it in an email to your coach. It will be determined at that time if a meeting, with the coaches, to discuss the matter needs to be arranged, or if it can be discussed by email or over the phone. If after discussing matters with the coaches, you still have concerns, then a meeting may be arranged with the parent, athlete, coach, and a HEAT VBC Director.

Please note that any meeting will NOT take place with just the parent; the player MUST be present in the discussion, and the discussion will ONLY be about that player and the documented concern.   A Club Director will be informed of any concerns and meetings with the coaching staff so they are aware that communication is happening.  Any information given to parents will be shared openly and honestly with HEAT VBC Directors.

Parents should not approach the coaches before or after practices or matches about any issue.  If the matter is related to a specific incident or event, then the parents and athletes should wait 24 hours after the specific incident or event before contacting the coach via email. (An incident is to include change in position/playing time for athlete).

Tournaments can be an emotional time for both parents and coaches.  Meetings under this setting do not promote resolution.  Productive meetings require calm, rational attitudes in a private setting where concerns can be addressed, and all parties are cooperating to make the meeting effective for the betterment of the athlete.

If the rules of communication are violated, the athlete will be removed from playing time for the duration of the tournament.

Appropriate Issues to Discuss with Coaches

•         Treatment of your child
•         Ways to help your child improve
•         Concerns about your child’s behavior

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss with Coaches

•         Playing time
•         Coaching decisions
•         Other athletes

Playing Time

Playing time will be determined by the level of team and competition, each player’s individual skills and attitude, and their ability to consistently contribute to the team’s performance and chemistry.  These are based on the coach's assessment of the team and players.

Practice Protocol

We want practice conditions to mimic game conditions.

• All players are expected to be at all practices.  If you must miss a practice, you need to call, email or text the coach prior to the practice.  Please notify coaches early if you have to miss.
• Players should arrive at the gym 10 minutes prior to the practice start time.  This will give the players time to put down their things, say hello to teammates and be ready to start on time.
• Players must be dressed in practice attire, have shoes on, water bottles ready and training needs addressed before the start of practice.
• practice uniforms are required and will consist of spandex shorts and a team practice T-shirt.
• Practice is team time; the focus should be team practice nothing else.
• Players will not have cell phones out during practices or games.
• No foul language or disruptive attitudes during practice
• Players should wear proper outdoor attire when coming/leaving practices.
• Water breaks need to be at the bench.  Please bring a water bottle or water container.
• No Gum
• No Jewelry
• Hair- pulled back and out of face.
• Players are responsible for picking up trash and water bottles from the bench area after practice.
• Players are responsible for taking care of equipment used to facilitate the practice plan.

PARENT PRACTICE PROTOCOL

Be supportive and cheer for all players.

Respect and support the coaches.

If you have concerns or questions for any of the coaches, we ask that you speak with them privately about it and follow communication guidelines.

Do not discuss players who are not your children with other players or other adults at practices or tournaments.

No profanity or disruptive behavior

No alcohol in the gym

Do not yell out instructions.  Support but do not coach or interfere with players and/or coaches during practice or games.

In order to maintain our programs responsibly and with the professionalism that is required we ask that you follow our rules regarding parents and/or siblings and any other person NOT registered as an athlete or a coach.

NO PARENTS or CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED ON THE COURTS, COURT CHAIRS, REF STANDS, COURT NETS, HITTING BOXES AND TRAINING APPARATUS AT ANY TIME.

This means no 'warming up' with kids before, during, or after practices on the courts.  There should be no parents or persons on the courts at any time other than coaches and athletes for the program/practice taking place.  This includes coaches’ children as well.  This is not only a liability per insurance regulations etc. but it also detracts from the actual program or practices taking place on the courts. This is not a playground - it is a business and for our coaches to do their jobs to the best of their ability they need to have their athletes concentrating on the task at hand.  We ask that parents PLEASE keep your children with you and supervised AT ALL TIMES while you are in our facility.  We also ask that they do NOT enter any storage room, coaches lounge, office and concession stand without specific permission.  We do allow you to bring items to keep your children entertained and even have space in the front entryway for you to have room for this purpose.  There will be signs posted all around the gym with 'ONLY ATHLETES AND COACHES PERMITTED ON THE COURTS'.

Picking Up Your Daughter

The coaching staff will never leave a player alone at HEAT VBC facilities – we will wait until somebody picks her up. Because of this, we appreciate in advance your consideration for being prompt in picking up your daughters. If for some unusual reason, players are not getting picked up in a timely fashion, a meeting with the coaches to discuss options may be needed.

Absence from Team Practices and Activities

An absence is excused if the player notifies the head coach in advance and the head coach approves the absence.

Injury/Illness

Please let the coaches know if your child is injured or ill before practice starts.  If your child has an injury that does not allow them to practice, they will need a doctor’s note clearing them to participate again.

Chemical/Substance Use

The uses of illegal substances are prohibited!

There will be no use of alcoholic beverages of any kind, illegal drugs, tobacco in any form, fighting, or any other behavior deemed inappropriate by HEAT VBC  & OKRVA Region.

Cellular Phones and Social Media

Cellular phone and social media usage have been proven to separate individuals from one another in a group setting, it is for this reason that during practices, tournaments, and team events that the use of these items may be restricted.   Cell phones and other forms of technology used during restriction times that cause an interruption or separation from the team, or team activities will result in a player losing the privilege of using these items while with the team during the season. If cell phones are used during team bonding activities it must be to enjoy positive benefits to uplift the entire team unit, and not used to separate one or more players from other players on the team.

Because this is becoming an issue that detracts from the life lesson goals that this program strives to create, please be advised that players, parents of players, and coaches using social media (twitter, Facebook, snap chat, and similar media) to voice unsolicited comments/pictures or the like, pertaining to team strategies or personal attacks on the HEAT Club, other players or parents, and members of the coaching staff or their families may result in the related player and/or coach being dismissed from the team, and all team activities associated with the team.

* I will not post any negative comments about HEAT VBC, coaches, or teammates

* I will not have any inappropriate pictures posted of myself or teammates

* I will not encourage peer mistreatment through social media or any aspect of life

 

Tournaments

• All players must arrive at the tournament site at the time specified by their coach (10 minutes early would be even better!)
• Players must bring their bag with ALL UNIFORMS (you never know when an unexpected event could cause a need to change jerseys)
• The team will stay together at tournaments without the company of significant others.  If you are leaving the tournament site, you must notify the coach.
• Scorekeeping: Each team should have a schedule, so the responsibility is shared equally among all players.
• At the conclusion of play every team member must stay, even if they are not working until the team's work responsibilities are completed.
• Before the tournament site is left, the team's area will be cleared of any and all trash. The area must be left as it was found, if not better.
• A Volleyball Tournament is an athletic event and your food choices should reflect the need for your body to be properly fueled.  Each team may decide how to do food for the players (provided as a group or brought individually) BUT ALL TEAMS MUST FOLLOW THE “CLUB FOOD GUIDELINES”.

1. The team must eat together.

                       It is a great time for team bonding!

2.       Think Healthy food and drinks
3.       No fast food
4.       No sodas
5.       No candy

Come to the tournament ready to play, both mentally and physically.  Every team needs every player to be successful!

Playing Time

* I understand that making the team, I am not guaranteed any playing time in every game and/or match.

* I understand that playing time for each athlete is based on skill level, work ethic, and attitude, but ultimately it is the coach’s decision.

 

Uniforms

Please be patient with the uniform orders.  HEAT VBC is working on getting the team orders and your individual spirit wear orders ready.  They will deliver them to the gym when they are ready.

Keep track of your stuff!!!

The Importance of academics

As an athlete, you will be expected to give priority to your schoolwork. Your schoolwork can be enhanced by athletic participation. However, your schoolwork should never be used as an excuse to miss a team event. If you are a true student-athlete, then you will take care of schoolwork in a timely manner to be sure neither your school nor your athletics suffers.

Parents must notify the coaches if the athlete is failing any classes or having major difficulties in school.

HEAT VBC SEASON PAYMENTS

Payments are due on the 1st of the month. If a payment is late (2nd-5th) there will be a $25.00 late fee, and the athlete will not be able to participate in any sanctioned events or practices until a payment is made.  A $25.00 transaction fee will be assessed for each returned check, and if the problem occurs two times, parents must pay by cash or a cashier’s check.

Payments can be:

1) Online via the HEAT VBC website. (Preferred Method)

What makes a successful athlete?

Motivation is the key to success, and self-motivation is the basis of all motivation. Every successful volleyball player has to be a self-starter. The coaching staff will help you to find your hot button and help you learn how to use it. If the coaches have to motivate you every day in practice, every game, then we are in serious trouble.

What are the ingredients for becoming a self-motivated person and athlete?

First, you must have a strong belief. You must believe not only in yourself, but also in the program, the people in the program, your teammates, and the coaches. Belief is the key to motivation. Belief in what you are doing and who you are doing it with is as important as believing in yourself. If you do not believe in yourself, your team and your program, we cannot be successful.

What it takes to be a great athlete

“No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.”

Being an athlete does not merely mean being a member of the team. There are many phases to think about if you want to be a winner in volleyball and in life as well. The following are a few qualities that are absolutely necessary in becoming a great athlete.

Are you coachable?

The worst thing that can be said about a player is that she is not coachable. A player must be able to take coaching and listen to instruction. Are you a “know it all”? Will you always do your best and strive to improve? Do you accept constructive criticism well? Do you try to compare yourself to other players? Do you make excuses for your performance?

“The outcome lies with you it always has.”

Are you possessed with the spirit of competition, which fires an intense desire to win?

No one has ever achieved greatness without having the burning desire to win. Do you want to win with passion, and as a team? Does it bother you to lose?

“A perfectionist fails every time. It’s the excel-list that never stops getting better.”

Are you willing to practice?

Not just reporting to practice and putting in the necessary time but working everyday with the same enthusiasm and determination you use in a volleyball match. Great athletes have one speed, and it should be the same every day, full speed, every practice, and every match. Do not just work on the things that you are good at or come easy to you. Spend the majority of your practice time on the things that are difficult for you. If you quit during a drill or during practice, you will quit when it counts most – it becomes habit. We don’t want players who quit we want 100% out of every individual. We must establish a “never quit” attitude in everything that we do.

“Winning isn’t everything, the effort to win is.”

Are you willing to make sacrifices?

Conditioning to play is not fun. It is not easy. Training is exacting; the responsibility is heavy because in volleyball each one must do it individually on her own in the off-season. It is rough and includes personal denials in order to remain in good condition, but it does have its reward.  You will have the inner confidence to execute a good pass or dig, a good serve, a good set, a good attack or block, and winning a match. When you are fatigued, you rationalize. You make decisions poorly, and you make excuses in your mind. You say to yourself, “I’m too tired, I can’t do this, I’ll quit, I'll loaf, hopefully no one will notice.”  When you don’t use your ability to the fullest, you’re cheating yourself and your teammates. The only way to remain in good shape is to never get out of it. The importance of hydration, nutrition, and rest are important variables throughout the season and year.

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

 

Do you have the ability to think under fire?

Can you concentrate on the work to be accomplished at the moment?  Can you shut out of your mind a previous failure, success, or personal insult in order to give your undivided attention to the here and now? Can you check your personal baggage at the door? Matches are won by what is happening now at this moment. Good athletes play every phase of the game at 100%, in the moment. Good athletes play in the moment and play with poise. Learn from mistakes and move on.

Rules of Conduct

We don’t expect nor need a lot of rules, but coaches expect you to conduct yourself on knowing how to look and act. The coaches will help and develop you to look and act like ladies, to have good manners, to be punctual, and to be humble. We want you to play, behave, and act like athletes. The word “class” will become an important part of your life during the season.

Maturity

Some players who are not quite capable of sustained playing time on varsity should not get discouraged as they may develop into a regular someday. We as coaches have an obligation to develop all players with the expectations that they will develop.  You must continue to work toward your maturity as a person and player, while maintaining a positive attitude towards the team. If you cannot commit to this going into the season, then you should reconsider going out for the team. The coaches will try to communicate with you in identifying what role you will play and the skills you need to work on. If you have questions about your role, ask your coach.

School

School should be the highest priority in your life besides your family. If you fail in school, it is certain that you will fail in volleyball as well. Being successful in school does not only mean passing your classes, but should mean passing with above average grades.

There should be absolutely no behavior problems in or out of school. Always treat others with respect. Be respectful to authority figures. Rules are made for reasons and should be followed. If you have difficulty fitting into the structure of society and school, you will never be successful as a volleyball player.  If you can’t be disciplined in school and in your community, you will not be disciplined on the court. Hard work, dedication, and discipline are the most important aspects of life, school and HEAT Volleyball.

Being part of a team

Being a member of the HEAT VOLLEYBALL CLUB is a privilege, not a right. As a member of the club, there is inherent responsibility. You have chosen to make a commitment to the program, your team, your teammates, and your coaches. You have chosen to put the welfare of the team before your own welfare. You have chosen to put the goals of the team before your individual goals.

Team Performance Principles

Team Unity            

is a group of diverse individuals who have become one in mind, vision, and feeling, working together towards a common goal. Unity enables a team to rise above obstacles and reach or exceed its potential.

Competitiveness                

is a state of mind that leads the body to action.  Competitive players have passion, grit, mental toughness, and an utmost desire to win.  Competitive players play with intensity, they take risks, and play with authority.

Passion                              

Passion causes a player to have motivation, dedication, persistence, and a strong work ethic on and off the court.

Self-Sacrifice                     

Sacrificing the self is when a player totally and completely dedicates herself to her team and her sport with utmost integrity and respect.

Trust                                 

A player must trust in her ability, the coaches, and in her teammates, to perform under any circumstances.  When a player does not trust her ability, she will begin to face her actions instead of just reaching to a situation.

Knowledge                        

Players must give priority to the process and not just the outcome.  This involves focusing on performance of the current action, instead of focusing on the results of those actions.

Initiative                            

Doing things without being asked; includes helping set up and take down equipment during practices and games.

Resilience                           

The ability to let go of errors.

Ten Commandments for Parents with Athletic Children

1.       Make sure your children know that win or lose, scared or heroic, you love them, appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them. This will allow them to do their best without fear of failure. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement.

2.       Try your best to be completely honest about your child’s athletic capability, their competitive attitude, sportsmanship and actual skill level.

3.       Be helpful, but don’t coach them on the way to or from the gym or at breakfast, and so on.  It’s tough not to, but it’s a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks, and often-critical instruction.

4.        Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to always be giving 100%, to be working to improve their skills and attitudes. Help them to develop the feel for competing, giving a maximum effort, for having fun.

5.       Try not to relive your athletic life through your children in a way that creates pressure; you dropped the ball too; you lost as well as won. You were frightened, you backed off at times, and you were not always heroic. Don’t pressure them because of your lost pride.

6.       Don’t compete with the coach. If the coach becomes an authority figure, it will run from enchantment to disenchantment, etc., with your athlete.

7.       Don’t compare the skill, courage, or attitude of your children with other members of the team, at least within hearing.

8.       Get to know all the coaches so that you can be assured that the philosophy, attitudes, ethics, and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under this leadership.

9.       Always remember that children tend to exaggerate both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before over-reacting.

10.   Make a point of understanding courage and the fact that it is relative. Some of us can climb mountains, and are afraid to fight. Some of us will fight, but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened in certain areas. Explain that courage Is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear or discomfort. The job of the parent of an athletic child is a tough one and takes a lot of effort to do it well. It is worth all the effort when you hear your youngster say, “My parents really helped me in athletics.”

2023-2024 HEAT VBC TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR 12’s TO 18’s TEAMS

• Players will travel to the tournaments with their parents (or assigned responsible adult)
• If your child will be traveling and staying in the hotel with another family, the club prefers it to be with another mother / daughter to avoid any uncomfortable situations.

• Players should arrive in the tournament city before 10PM the night before play begins and not schedule a return flight until after 6pm.