High Line Volleyball Club was created in 2005 to serve the girls of the community. High Line VBC vows to uphold a positive coaching methodology and ensures that all of their coaches are Double Goal Certified by the PCA. (http://www.positivecoach.org). It is the belief of the organization that we can better our youth both on and off the court with this methodology. High Line has a simple motto: Positive Coaching. Positive Attitude. Positive Experience.
High Line VBC will only use coaches that follow this methodology and will ensure they are up to date with the latest information available in this space. We encourage new ideas, thoughts and find ways to get our players to think about the game in ways they have not in the past. Our players have been very satisfied with their experience with our club and we hold that as a high complement to our mission and our philosophy. With our qualified coaching staff and a positive coaching philosophy, High Line VBC is sure to give every player the most enjoyment and create a great environment for learning. High Line VBC wants to make the players volleyball experience the best it can be!
High Line was originally not considered an 'elite' club, but is quickly moving towards an exclusive club for some of the area's best players. Players are joining our club from many other local clubs because of the positive experiences so many of our former players have had. High Line is excited about this reputation that it has built for itself and hopes to continue, foster and grow the sport of volleyball in the 5 county area surrounding Philadelphia. Players are joining High Line from Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester counties in Pennsylvania. We have players now joining us from Lehigh county as well. Interest has been noted from Berks county. That is quite a reputation the High Line staff has compiled and we hope plan on exceeding our reputation every year!
High Line VBC knows that it could obtain more gym time and more coaches. But the club directors feel that it is important to offer a positive coaching philosophy and not try to field as many teams as possible. We are focused on giving our club players the best experience possible. Coupling a positive player attitude with a positive coaching style, we pledge to ensure that the club experience as a whole is a positive one.
High Line VBC has one goal in mind and one goal only. The goal is to increase the general level girls junior volleyball in our area by using double goal methodology. Training players to control things they ACTUALLY can control, teaching players what winning really means, and teaching young athletes to understand the true meaning of team, through life lessons is what High Line is all about. That is the club charter and vows to give as much time and dedication needed to improve the level of every player and teach the game through life lessons.
Our coaching staff comes from various walks of life. Coaches have joined us from all over. Coaches from collegiate club coaches, other girls' juniors clubs, high schools and even CYO programs all have joined our program. They believe in the same philosophy as the founders of the club and that is to treat all involved with our sport with respect and teach the young athletes that volleyball truly is a sport for a lifetime. Our coaching staff consists of 2 USAV CAP (Coaching Accreditation Program) Level II certified coaches. In addition we have 2 other USAV CAP (Coaching Accreditation Program) Level I coaches. Each year, our coaches are given additional educational opportunities from working with our more experienced coaching staff, to attending volleyball and coaching clinics.
Our training program includes mental, skill and strategy techniques following the principles of motor skill development. Our training is designed around 'game like' movements and techniques creating better transfer to actual game situations. Using more random drills (where many skills are involved) as opposed to repetitive drill techniques, we create an environment that transfers to a real game situation. By maximizing our contacts per hour and reducing training 'dead time' we provide a unique learning opportunity. Giving our players maximum 'opportunities to respond' allows our players to achieve the highest level of skill possible. The High Line coaching staff are always evaluating the drills and training techniques we utilize to maximize learning for the players which is why High Line is always a very successful club when travelling to tournaments. Most importantly, we can say that every player that comes through our program leaves a much better player than when they came to our club. We do not go through the motions, but take each players' developmental needs into consideration as a personal challenge.
High Line VBC prides itself on a neutral environment, where every player is given equal chance to make teams within the club. High Line DOES NOT offer positions ahead of tryouts and DOES NOT have bias when selecting teams. We have a checks and balances system that allows equal opportunity for all players to make teams at High Line. Some clubs have teams picked ahead of tryouts and offer tryouts as a formality. High Line does not believe this is fair to all the young ladies that wish to play club volleyball and therefore High Line issues a fair, unbiased tryout.
Led by club director and coach Doug Blystone, the club has strong leadership, positive coaching and respect in the volleyball community. Doug is the head coach of Saint Basil Academy (http://www.sbavolleyball.com) as well, where he led the Panthers to the district semi-final match in his first year. Doug is highly trained from USA Volleyball, having CAP (Coaches Accreditation Program) Level II, and is also an IMPACT instructor with USA Volleyball. Doug has also served a term on the board for the regional USA volleyball organization (KRVA) as the Player and Coach Development Director, KRVA (http://www.krva.org).
Assistant club directors are Danna Blystone and Mike Nguyen. Danna has been assisting Doug with teams since she started in the space of coaching and certainly looks forward to each new season. Danna is a CAP Level II certified coach and is a great resource not only for technical volleyball, but a great resource for the emotional side of the game.
Mike Nguyen, also an assistant club director with High Line has quite of bit of experience. Mike helps design skill session lesson plans, completes all artwork designs for the club and is a tremendous coaching resource. Mike and Doug have a friendship lasting back to the mid 90's where they first met, of course, playing volleyball. Doug eventually played for Mike at Widener University, where Doug was a startting middle blocker with the Widener mens club team. Mike's experience, drive and personality help define what High Line VBC is today. Mike serves as Doug's 'right hand man' handling all the details, no matter how large or small, of running our club. Without Mike, High Line would not be what it is today!