A Discussion what makes you Elite...are you?

An at home blueprint to help your volleyball game.

Alright team, this is where the rubber meets the road, isn't it? Tryouts, whether for school or club, are a crucible for our young athletes, and how they—and their parents—respond to the outcomes, both success and failure, speaks volumes about their character and potential. Our Academy's philosophy, deeply rooted in holistic athlete development, emphasizes that tryouts are far more than just a skills assessment; they're an evaluation of the whole athlete.We're looking for the complete package: not just raw talent, but also work ethic, coachability, attitude, sportsmanship, and how an athlete interacts with their potential teammates. It's about identifying growth potential—players who are willing to learn, work hard, and continuously improve

Alright coaches, let's talk about something that can profoundly impact our teams and athletes: when parents, with the best of intentions or sometimes without, inadvertently undermine a coach's role. This is a critical area for us to understand, as fostering a unified front between coaches, parents, and athletes is paramount to creating a truly supportive and successful environment.Our sources highlight several ways parents can undermine coaches, often stemming from a misunderstanding of roles, unmanaged expectations, or even an overzealous desire for their child's success.Here are some of the key areas where undermining can occur:

First, let's consider her current developmental stage. At 10 years old, a girl is typically in the "Learning to Train" stage according to the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework. This stage, for girls aged 8-11, focuses on developing overall sports skills and introducing basic volleyball fundamentals like the volley, forearm pass, spiking, blocking, and serving, with an emphasis on proper technique. It's also a critical period for skill acquisition. Our Academy's philosophy strongly aligns with this, focusing on building a solid foundation before advancing.

To make a jump float serve consistent, athletes need to pay meticulous attention to a few critical technical details. The jump float is an aggressive and powerful serve, requiring explosive leg power and timing, with the goal of delivering a fast-paced serve that travels with speed and force. The key to the "float" is minimizing spin on the ball

Beyond the Court - inside the academy holistic approach

August 4 2025 Academy Newsletter

it is more than just the score.

How is Beach Volleyball Different from Indoor Volleyball?These two variations of our sport share the same core, but they're distinct challenges that require different approaches:

Here are some key ways we keep the lines of communication open for both players and coaches, broken down into phases of our year-long journey:

Want to know what is going on at the Academy here is the newsletter

For our dedicated team managers, your role is vital in making sure our team runs smoothly behind the scenes. You're the conductor, making sure all the parts fit together, freeing up our players and coaches to focus on the game.

Here’s how you, as a manager, can set us up for off-court success:

To truly "Strive to be better tomorrow than you are today," it's vital that we're all on the same page about what it means to be part of this elite team. This isn't just about what happens on the court; it's about the values we live by, the effort we put in when no one's watching, and how we elevate each other. A strong team, a positive environment, and genuine growth are built on clear expectations.Here are the key aspects to consider when creating our team's Code of Conduct, ensuring every athlete embraces their pivotal role in their own journey and the collective success of our Academy:

As your coach, I'm excited to talk about your crucial role in our shared volleyball journey. Our core philosophy at Canadian Elite Academy is "Strive to be better tomorrow than you are today." This isn't just a motto; it's the foundation of how we develop champions, both on and off the court. Being an elite athlete means taking ownership of your personal growth. It’s about the work you put in when coaches aren't watching, when it's just you and your aspirations. We provide the guidance, but you are the one driving your progress. Your commitment, effort, and eagerness to learn are what truly set you apart.

Here’s what your "Role of the Parent" document should highlight for our CEA families: Role of the Parent: Preparing for the Journey Before the season kicks off, setting the right foundation is key.

• Understand Your Role: 

• Align Expectations: 

.• Support Holistic Development: 

• Open Communication with Coaching Staff:

• Emphasize "Earning It":

Role of the Parent: Embracing the Process

• Be a Positive Voice: 

.• Respect the Coach's Authority: 

.• Focus on Effort & Growth: 

.• Encourage Athlete Responsibility:

• Address Concerns Privately and Respectfully: .

• Model Sportsmanship: 

.Role of the Parent: Reflecting and Growing After the season, your guidance helps solidify lessons learned and prepares them for what’s next.

• Process Disappointment Constructively:

• Celebrate the Journey, Not Just the Wins:

.• Support Off-Season Development:

• Reinforce Life Skills: 

Homework for Parents (Making Champions at Home!):

Here are a few actionable suggestions for you to implement and support your athlete's journey:

1. The "Two-Minute Rule" Challenge:

2. Process-Oriented Goal Setting: 

3. Positive Observation Practice: 

4. Coach Communication Role-Play: 

5. "Encouragement Pin" Initiative (Adaptable!):

Remember this powerful truth as you guide your athlete:"The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important." — Bobby Knight.

Your dedication to preparing them, supporting them, and nurturing their growth, on and off the court, is what truly makes them champions. Let's continue to build incredible athletes and even better people, together!

Achieving success in volleyball, much like in life, is deeply intertwined with your mindset, the effort you put in, and your resilience in the face of challenges. The sources consistently highlight these three pillars as essential for peak performance and ultimately, triumph.

Mindset: The Foundation of Success

A winning mindset is paramount, often described as the differentiating factor between average individuals and the truly great.

It involves:

•Belief in oneself and purpose:

•Taking ownership and control:

•Vision and confidence:

•Embracing discomfort and challenges:

•Overcoming fear and self-betrayal:

Effort: The Engine of Achievement

•Relentless work ethic and grind:

•Discipline over feelings:

•Consistency and daily action:

•Sacrifice and paying the price:

•Creating opportunities:

•Resilience: The Power to Endure

•Refusal to quit:

•Learning from pain and failure:

•Pushing through discomfort:

•Transforming adversity:

•Unstoppable declaration:

Open Beach Sessions, Private Lessons, Royalty of the Beach Tourney, Making the Cut Camps, Summer League, Ask Penny F.A.Q

When we look at the highest levels of competition, like the North American Challenge you mentioned, it's not just about who shows up; it's about the depth of preparation, the competitive mindset, and the relentless pursuit of individual and team excellence

While the sources don't directly compare NCAA and U Sports, they give us a lot of insight into what separates the best from the rest in any high-level volleyball program. Let's break down some of the factors that contribute to elite performance, because at the end of the day, Canadian Elite Academy Volleyball players strive to be better tomorrow than they are today!

Here are some key factors that contribute to the level of play you see:

Why Elite Performance Differs

Alright team, listen up! When we talk about setters, we're talking about the engine of the offense, the playmakers

At the Canadian Elite Academy, we always say you need to be better tomorrow than you are today and for setters, that means constantly sharpening your mind as much as your hands!

What truly separates the "great" setters from the "best" at the highest levels isn't just their incredible touch; it's their ability to be the "master conductor" leveraging their intellect, vision, and relentless preparation to orchestrate the offense, even under immense pressure. It's a match of wits, not just brawn!