Quiz the Coach - I Want To Get To The Olympics

Kidzworld Coach

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not Quiz the Coach?

Hey Coach,
My goal in life is to go to the 2012 Olympics. I want to do volleyball - I'm good, and on the team. How do I train to get into the Olympics and how do I get into the Olympics?
ostricher

Hey ostricher,
Only the most elite athletes in the world qualify for the Olympics - so it's good that you're looking to get a head start on your lofty goal. For volleyball, the best way to get to the Olympics is to become involved with the USA National Junior Team. Every year USA Volleyball holds tryouts across the country for boys and girls aged 12 to 18. Tryouts for boys are held between January and March, while tryouts for girls are held in March and April. For a complete schedule of tryouts click here.

Coaches at these tryout camps are looking for specific things in a volleyball player to become involved in the national program. They're looking for athleticism, good technique, strength, confidence and leadership, aggressiveness, vision and reaction, and an ability to learn and improve. They are also looking for competitive players who enjoy the rigors and demands of high level training - so if you don't like to be pushed, this may not be the program for you. For more info on the USA volleyball program and how to get involved, head to www.usavolleyball.org. Good luck and hopefully we'll be seeing you bump, set and spike in London in 2012.

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? Send it to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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