When you compete in any sport at a high level, Periodization is super helpful in making sure you are ready to perform at your best at a specific time. This is true from a strength training perspective along with on the court and how your coach organizes volleyball practices. Many times in my volleyball playing career whether I was playing in college, indoor professionally overseas or on the AVP Pro Beach tour, periodization was SO important. I didn’t realize it was happening in college or playing overseas really, but I became acutely aware of what periodization is as a pro beach player in charge of my own strength training, practicing, recovery, scheduling and everything!
What is Periodization?
“Periodization“, as defined in Wikipedia, is the systematic planning of athletic or physical training. The aim is to reach the best possible performance in the most important competition of the year. It involves progressive cycling of various aspects of a training program during a specific period. Conditioning programs can use periodization to break up the training program into the off-season, preseason, inseason, and the postseason. Periodization divides the year round condition program into phases of training which focus on different goals.”
The idea of periodization for a volleyball team in practices usually means starting out a preseason with mostly ball control and technique drills. Then, the coach evolves the practice plan to team drills as a bigger percentage of the practice time……then adding game-like competitive drills, then some scrimmages to prepare for competition.
For me, periodization in my strength and conditioning regimen was key, so I was always ready for the next phase and I could handle it physically. Off season weightlifting prepared me to handle preseason training and lifting, which helped me to be physically and mentally strong and ready for inseason beach tournaments. All of this planning and work brought me so much confidence on the court AND I didn’t have major injuries from over-training because I was always physically strong and conditioned ready for the next phase.
How does Periodization relate to College Volleyball Recruiting?
I was looking at the calendar as we enter January 2021 and realized, as I count out the weeks, that if I can help volleyball players in the recruiting process really dial in two main dates, it would be SO HELPFUL! It reminded me of periodization in my training (which I also wanted to teach you about!) and that it can be applied to your recruiting process also.
THE FIRST 12-WEEK PHASE – NOW thru APRIL 15TH
April 15th is the (tentative) ending of the recruiting dead period. This date is 12-ish weeks away, so I look at this as a 12-week phase in which you have to take specific actions and prepare for this big date! As though it was a super important competition date! We can only take action on things we know and we can’t predict the COVID situation. You don’t want to risk being unprepared, so go with the date we know right now. Don’t wait until April 15th to reach out to coaches! If the dead period is extended, you will be that much more ahead in your recruiting process. I will write more if that happens and talk about the best options!
As a volleyball recruit, do the following to be ready during PHASE ONE:
- REALIZE the GOAL is to have several college coaches ready to watch you play April 15th. By this date, you would already know they need your position in your grad year, you’ve talked to them on the phone and they like your highlight video.
- If you haven’t started the recruiting process or want to make sure you’re covering your bases follow this College Volleyball Recruiting CHECKLIST.
- Ask yourself these important questions:
- Have I emailed college coaches highlight video with my intro email?
- Do I have several schools on my target list that I KNOW need my position in my grad year?
- Have I been communicating via email and on the phone with any college coaches yet?
- Have I been keeping in touch with check-in emails?
- PHASE ONE – Month 1 – By February 15th – you should email and introduce yourself to as many coaches as possible (your intro email with video) and/or keep sending check-in emails. I like 20-40 schools on your target list, more if you’re just getting started. Here’s a guide to starting your target list!
- PHASE ONE – Month 2 – By March 15th – know which schools need your position in your grad year and if they think you’re a possible fit for their program. Set up calls with these coaches and keep sending check-in emails. You will also hear back who is done with recruiting your class. When you take a school off your list, add another one on and send them an intro email with video.
- PHASE ONE – Month 3 – Between March 15th and April 15th – you should be emailing and talking to coaches about your next tournament(s) and that you would love if they can watch you and your team play! I think it’s great if you know 5-10 schools on your list have college coaches that have told you they will be at a specific tournament and plan to watch you play.
SECOND 12-WEEK PHASE – April 15th thru JULY/COLLEGE CAMPS MONTH!
College camps are extremely important in the recruiting process for both the volleyball recruit and the college coaches.
For the player, it’s a great opportunity to see the campus, the gym, the weight room and the facilities in general. It is an amazing opportunity to be coached by the coaching staff where you are considering playing! You will experience their coaching style, how they teach volleyball technique and their expectations, possibly meet some of the current players working the camp and other recruits.
The coaches get a first hand look at your coachability, your athleticism, your skill level, your personality on the court and your teamwork and work ethic. It’s a great opportunity to showcase yourself and your strengths!
Before you take the time to travel and pay for college camps, it’s crucial to find out a few things so you don’t waste your time and money.
As a volleyball recruit, decide on College Camps and do the following during PHASE TWO:
- SUPER IMPORTANT: ONLY attend college volleyball camps in which you KNOW they need your position in your graduation year!
- Find out these other important things during this 12-week phase.
- Have a good idea if they are actually recruiting YOU and considering you for their roster.
- Know the offer and if it’s OK for you and your family. For example, full scholarship OR if it’s a walk-on or partial scholarship available for the roster spot.
- PHASE TWO – Month 1 – Between April 15 and May 15th – you are continuing to email coaches and working to set up phone calls. Let coaches know about any upcoming competitions and send them new video. Continue to express your strong interest in their school. All schools that you know need your position in your grad year – look up their camp dates and start mapping out July.
- PHASE TWO – Month 2 – By June 15th – if you are finishing up your sophomore year you can hear back from college coaches! Start setting up calls with as many schools on your list as possible and find out the information I’ve said in #1 and #2. If you are a freshman, keep going and start ranking your schools in order of preference to attend their camp. If you are a junior, keep emailing and setting up phone calls to keep the conversation going. Both sophomores and juniors, ASK about attending their camp and observe the coaches reaction. Make sure they align with what I said in #1 and #2!
- PHASE TWO – Month 3 – By July 15th – you’ve finalized the camps you are attending and signed up. You’ve made sure they align with #1 and #2. No recruiting can be discussed at the camps and no verbal commitment offers can be given during the camp per NCAA rules. They can call you or you can call them after you’ve left and on your way home to talk about recruiting after June 15th of your sophomore year. No matter what…follow up, obtain any feedback they may have and talk about next steps. Send the entire staff a really nice and appreciative Thank You Email!
I hope this article on Periodization and how it relates to college volleyball recruiting RIGHT NOW helps you! Feel free to share it on social or with anyone you think could use this information. I will keep you informed of recruiting dead period changes as they are available. Please join my email list so I can keep you posted and provide you with tips and strategies to help demystify the recruiting process and help you move forward!
Email me at dianne@proactivevolley.com if you are interested in working with me 1 on 1 or if you have any questions!