RYAN SUMMERS
RYAN SUMMERS EPIC UNITED & THE EPIC FAMILY THOUGHTS ON…
L E S S O N S : P R I VAT E , S E M I P R I VAT E , I N T E R N A L , EXTERNAL A REVIEW OF OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS
The “Thoughts on” series is a series of papers designed to supply Epic family members (and potential Epic family members) with our thoughts on various topics.
There are
exceptions to many rules, so if Epic is “for” or “against” a topic, that does not mean that it’s members cannot or must participate or that there is not an exception for a specific player. These are general guidelines and are a reflection of the opinions of the Epic Administration in most scenarios . Epic United usually refers to the Epi c family (Epic, Diamond Elite, and Altitude)
I.
Getting Started a.
Epic United highly recommends Individual and small group instruction as an invaluable supplemental tool for your daughter’s growth. Go to the Diggz website. There you will find a list of mostly Epic coaches who are interested in individual instruction as well as the process and costs for both individual and small group lessons. Make sure you are familiar with your state rules (mostly they don’t affect players until they reach high school and mostly don’t affect individual lessons, only small group). Most other clubs we compete with nationally are 3 or 4 day/week clubs. We prefer to stay a 2day/week, which keeps costs down and schedules open so that players can do more individual instruction.
II.
Individual vs Small Group a.
Both have their place and both have value. More individual lessons are done, though we feel that small groups have better, “bang for your buck” if you can arrange a couple kids to do the lesson with you and if the positions and skill sets make sense. It’s just more efficient
III.
Internal vs External a.
Definitions: Internal Private Lesson is defined as an Epic Approved Coach. External Private lesson is one taught by a non-Epic coach.
b. Obviously, Epic United prefers that you use our coaches for private lessons. We do allow you to use other coaches and do not look down on it. This is especially true if it makes sense (cost, time, location, etc). We only caution the negative side of coaching. Youth sports usually brings out the best in people, but sometimes it brings out the worst. Way too often, we have seen outside private lesson coaches feel the need to ‘show their value’ which they do, by explaining to you that the way your currently taught is wrong or by undermining your current coach and program. We’ve also seen outside private lesson coaches intentionally sabotage a player’s
2
confidence so (s)he believes “I must use this person or I won’t be good enough.” Beware those traps, but other than that both Internal and External lessons are permitted. IV.
Lessons vs Club season a.
Sometimes there are players who consider skipping a club season and only doing lessons. Every time we have seen this it has been a huge mistake. Usually the cost of a club season is the issue, but a typical club season supplies 100 hours of practice time in addition to tournaments. The same amount of practice time in individual instruction would cost 2 or 3 times the cost of a club season. In addition, there is no substitute for the following items supplied by a club season: i.
Game play
ii. Competing against 30 different athletes in practice alone iii. ‘Drive to get better’ caused by the need for more playing time or the desire to win. iv. Team aspect, learning how to be part of a team. V.
Which coach should I use? Usually there is no wrong answer, mostly just preference and convenience. a.
Should I use my team coach or a different? i. Does not really matter. Some parents feel like they want a different perspective. Others feel like their team coach knows what they need to work on better. Mostly, it’s just perception and personal choice.
b. Which Epic-approved coach is best for my daughter’s skillset/position? i. Mostly, it doesn’t matter. All of the coaches are well-versed in different areas. There are some coaches who have areas of specialty and those are listed in their bios. c. Should I stick with one coach or bounce around?
3
i. As long as you do at least 3-4 lessons with each coach that you use, it does not matter. VI.
What if I get different instruction from different coaches? a.
This is one of the reasons we like players to use Epic-Approved instructors. We are in the process of dividing the skillsets of the sport and determining where we allow, ‘coaches prerogative’ and what we are classifying as ‘our way and the wrong way.’ Some of our individual instruction coaches may teach things slightly differently. Treat this is a personal preference and you have a choice. Most things will be taught the same, regardless of which Epic-approved coach that you use.
VII.
Know your State’s Rules a.
Disclaimer: State rules do change. I would discuss items with your high school volleyball coach and or your state institution. At the time of this writing, the guidelines below are correct.
b. Illinois Rules governing Individual instruction for high school students (prior to high school the rules are more lenient) i. According to Illinois rules, there is no small group lesson. It’s either individual (1 or 2) or a camp (more than 2). 1. From a coach who’s not a member school coach: There are no restrictions, so long as the coach is not one of your member school coaches. 2. From Their Own Coach: Illinois players may receive paid instruction from their school coaches outside of season if their coaches offer paid instruction to athletes not participating in their school as well. (Q60). If this is out of season during the school year, they must follow the rule of 3. If this is over the summer, then lessons do count towards their 25 contact days.
4
ii. Indiana Rules governing Individual can be found on ihsaa.org select About IHSAA select by-laws. 15.2 is the most relevant area. 1. Out of season: no high school athlete can receive instruction from a member of that high school coaching staff (15-2.2c) & (Q15-33). This includes volunteer coaches. 2. Out of season: Players may receive instruction from other coaches as long as they still follow the rule of 3 3. In season: Small groups cannot be a combination of players from multiple states (Q15-36) 4. In season: Students may receive a lesson but not from a coach from their high school if there is any sort of compensation. (151.2b3)
5
L E S S O N S : P R I VAT E , S E M I P R I VAT E , I N T E R N A L , EXTERNAL A REVIEW OF OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION AND SOME RECOMMENDATIONS
The “Thoughts on” series is a series of papers designed to supply Epic family members (and potential Epic family members) with our thoughts on various topics.
There are
exceptions to many rules, so if Epic is “for” or “against” a topic, that does not mean that it’s members cannot or must participate or that there is not an exception for a specific player. These are general guidelines and are a reflection of the opinions of the Epic Administration in most scenarios . Epic United usually refers to the Epi c family (Epic, Diamond Elite, and Altitude)
I.
Getting Started a.
Epic United highly recommends Individual and small group instruction as an invaluable supplemental tool for your daughter’s growth. Go to the Diggz website. There you will find a list of mostly Epic coaches who are interested in individual instruction as well as the process and costs for both individual and small group lessons. Make sure you are familiar with your state rules (mostly they don’t affect players until they reach high school and mostly don’t affect individual lessons, only small group). Most other clubs we compete with nationally are 3 or 4 day/week clubs. We prefer to stay a 2day/week, which keeps costs down and schedules open so that players can do more individual instruction.
II.
Individual vs Small Group a.
Both have their place and both have value. More individual lessons are done, though we feel that small groups have better, “bang for your buck” if you can arrange a couple kids to do the lesson with you and if the positions and skill sets make sense. It’s just more efficient
III.
Internal vs External a.
Definitions: Internal Private Lesson is defined as an Epic Approved Coach. External Private lesson is one taught by a non-Epic coach.
b. Obviously, Epic United prefers that you use our coaches for private lessons. We do allow you to use other coaches and do not look down on it. This is especially true if it makes sense (cost, time, location, etc). We only caution the negative side of coaching. Youth sports usually brings out the best in people, but sometimes it brings out the worst. Way too often, we have seen outside private lesson coaches feel the need to ‘show their value’ which they do, by explaining to you that the way your currently taught is wrong or by undermining your current coach and program. We’ve also seen outside private lesson coaches intentionally sabotage a player’s
2
confidence so (s)he believes “I must use this person or I won’t be good enough.” Beware those traps, but other than that both Internal and External lessons are permitted. IV.
Lessons vs Club season a.
Sometimes there are players who consider skipping a club season and only doing lessons. Every time we have seen this it has been a huge mistake. Usually the cost of a club season is the issue, but a typical club season supplies 100 hours of practice time in addition to tournaments. The same amount of practice time in individual instruction would cost 2 or 3 times the cost of a club season. In addition, there is no substitute for the following items supplied by a club season: i.
Game play
ii. Competing against 30 different athletes in practice alone iii. ‘Drive to get better’ caused by the need for more playing time or the desire to win. iv. Team aspect, learning how to be part of a team. V.
Which coach should I use? Usually there is no wrong answer, mostly just preference and convenience. a.
Should I use my team coach or a different? i. Does not really matter. Some parents feel like they want a different perspective. Others feel like their team coach knows what they need to work on better. Mostly, it’s just perception and personal choice.
b. Which Epic-approved coach is best for my daughter’s skillset/position? i. Mostly, it doesn’t matter. All of the coaches are well-versed in different areas. There are some coaches who have areas of specialty and those are listed in their bios. c. Should I stick with one coach or bounce around?
3
i. As long as you do at least 3-4 lessons with each coach that you use, it does not matter. VI.
What if I get different instruction from different coaches? a.
This is one of the reasons we like players to use Epic-Approved instructors. We are in the process of dividing the skillsets of the sport and determining where we allow, ‘coaches prerogative’ and what we are classifying as ‘our way and the wrong way.’ Some of our individual instruction coaches may teach things slightly differently. Treat this is a personal preference and you have a choice. Most things will be taught the same, regardless of which Epic-approved coach that you use.
VII.
Know your State’s Rules a.
Disclaimer: State rules do change. I would discuss items with your high school volleyball coach and or your state institution. At the time of this writing, the guidelines below are correct.
b. Illinois Rules governing Individual instruction for high school students (prior to high school the rules are more lenient) i. According to Illinois rules, there is no small group lesson. It’s either individual (1 or 2) or a camp (more than 2). 1. From a coach who’s not a member school coach: There are no restrictions, so long as the coach is not one of your member school coaches. 2. From Their Own Coach: Illinois players may receive paid instruction from their school coaches outside of season if their coaches offer paid instruction to athletes not participating in their school as well. (Q60). If this is out of season during the school year, they must follow the rule of 3. If this is over the summer, then lessons do count towards their 25 contact days.
4
ii. Indiana Rules governing Individual can be found on ihsaa.org select About IHSAA select by-laws. 15.2 is the most relevant area. 1. Out of season: no high school athlete can receive instruction from a member of that high school coaching staff (15-2.2c) & (Q15-33). This includes volunteer coaches. 2. Out of season: Players may receive instruction from other coaches as long as they still follow the rule of 3 3. In season: Small groups cannot be a combination of players from multiple states (Q15-36) 4. In season: Students may receive a lesson but not from a coach from their high school if there is any sort of compensation. (151.2b3)
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