Private Lesson Preview: Quotes from the Jungle

<p>For athletes seeking to enhance their knowledge of volleyball, using technology has made the learning process more accessible than ever before. A myriad of online resources cater to athletes at all levels, and the best part is that most of these resources are freely available. This inclusivity enables athletes from diverse backgrounds to participate in elevating their game. Beyond these free resources, athletes can also benefit from supporting programs and coaches through participation in camps and lessons.</p>   <p>Many clubs now offer private or small group lessons tailored to the specific needs of individual athletes. Unlike team practices, which focus on collective improvement, these lessons provide targeted attention to the unique skills and areas of improvement for each athlete. While coaches often incorporate some form of individualized skill training during team practices, the limited time available makes it challenging to address each athlete's needs comprehensively. Private lessons can be likened to tutoring: just as one-on-one instruction is often more effective than classroom teaching, personalized coaching results in significant growth and improvement for athletes.</p>   <p>The intention of this article is not to endorse a specific coach, but rather to share the insights gained from our experience attending a private lesson and to shine a spotlight on the athletes who participated in the session.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Coach Cam</h2>   <p>Cam Green, a native of Manhattan Beach, honed his volleyball skills at Mira Costa High School before continuing his playing career with the CSUN Matadors. Throughout his coaching journey, Cam has contributed to the AVP and FIVB tours, as well as coaching stints at USC and Long Beach State. Currently, he serves as a coach at his alma mater, Mira Costa High School, and with the [program_tooltip program_id='429544' first='Sunshine' last='Volleyball Club']. With 28 years of coaching experience, Coach Cam brings a unique blend of positivity, mindfulness, and focus to training sessions. His ultimate goal is to equip players with the skills needed to succeed both on and off the court.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/image_5c392e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-509944" style="width:274px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The JAMM Squad</h2>   <p>The JAMM Squad, coined in the creation of this article, comprises Jordan Shelor, [player_tooltip player_id='391077' first='Audrey' last='Flanagan'], [player_tooltip player_id='391102' first='Mia' last='Miller'], and [player_tooltip player_id='391092' first='Milly' last='McGee']. These remarkable young ladies have been playing volleyball together since the age of 12, attending the same school and playing for the same club since the eighth grade. The squad is composed of a Defensive Specialist (Shelor), Outside Hitter (Flanagan), Right Side (Miller), and Setter (McGee), all set to graduate in 2026. When asked how they manage their closeness both on and off the court across all social circles, the girls simply said, 'it just makes sense.'</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/image-crop-3428x2251-1707792316.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-509962" style="width:413px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Lesson</h2>   <p>As the squad takes the court, Coach Cam cues up music from his band, The Suicide Doors, with 'Who You With' playing in the background as the girls warm up. It's evident from the start that we're in for high-intensity reps coupled with valuable mechanical knowledge and corrections. As Cam begins to impart his insights, the direction of this article becomes clear. The following quotes are intended for readers to reflect upon and apply to their own game. If you find yourself struggling to implement these insights, I encourage you to discuss them with your coaches.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/IMG_5581.jpg?w=822" alt="" class="wp-image-509945" style="width:285px;height:auto" /></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Quotes</h2>   <ul> <li>Make adjustments to support the setter.</li>   <li>Hitters must adapt to the set's trajectory.</li>   <li>Focus on hitting on the way up.</li>   <li>Ensure proper positioning of the left foot in your approach.</li>   <li>Utilize your approach to create options for yourself.</li>   <li>Good timing reduces stress in attacking.</li>   <li>Patience is key for right-side hitters; wait for the right approach.</li>   <li>Maximize your options.</li>   <li>Incorporate the right amount of hesitation.</li>   <li>Snap your wrist by pulling your elbow back.</li>   <li>Create rotation by pulling yourself open.</li>   <li>Achieve hip and shoulder separation.</li>   <li>Prepare, step, and close effectively.</li>   <li>Maintain rhythm between setter and hitter.</li>   <li>Make decisions early.</li>   <li>Stay committed to your actions as changing mid-action is challenging.</li> </ul>   <p></p>     <p>As the hour-long lesson flew by, it was time to gather and shag balls. I posed two important questions to the group. Given their history of doing practically everything together, I asked if they had to immediately choose a college, on the spot, to continue their volleyball careers together, which school would they pick? After a slight hesitation to answer such a difficult question, they collectively agreed that UCLA would be the best choice, considering everyone's preferences and the likelihood of their club coach, Amir, accepting them as a package deal.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/C3BzWkYxhs7/ </div></figure>   <p>For my second question, I was curious if they shared the same Starbucks order. Surprisingly, they did not. Their orders were as follows: Jordan preferred an Espresso, Mia opted for a Blonde Latte, and Audrey and Milly both went for lemonade refreshers. After their lesson, they sent me an unprompted picture with their well-deserved Starbucks drinks. Inspired by their camaraderie and shared goals, I couldn't help but request a re-take of that same picture in a couple of years, this time with them proudly wearing their collegiate jerseys. </p>   <p>If you would like to inquire about training in the Jungle, please DM Coach Cam on IG at @coachcamvolleyball</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/02/IMG_5580-crop-1290x848-1707792653.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-509972" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Painted by: @kendall.herman_</figcaption></figure>

For athletes seeking to enhance their knowledge of volleyball, using technology has made the learning process more accessible than ever before. A myriad of online resources cater to athletes at all levels, and the best part is that most of these resources are freely available. This inclusivity enables athletes from diverse backgrounds to participate in elevating their game. Beyond these free resources, athletes can also benefit from supporting programs and coaches through participation in camps and lessons.