C O A C H E S'  C O R N E R

Hey Bears!  

​

I'm so excited that summer is finally here.  I know that there still is a lot up in the air regarding tryouts and our season, but please know that there are a lot of discussions going on and first and foremost, principals, athletic directors, teachers and coaches are all doing everything we can to get you back on the court!  High school athletics is such an important part of the high school experience, especially at Poly, and we want you to get to play.  

​

There are a few challenges that come with our sport in terms of social distancing.  First, there are 6 players in a 30 ft. by 30 ft. court.  That's not very distanced.  Second, we all use the same ball.  There are a lot of hands, arms, and (hopefully not) faces that come in contact with one ball, which means there is a lot of sweat, spit, snot, etc on that ball.  I never really thought about it before now, but that's really gross, even without Covid-19!  

​

I'm in communication with our athletic director almost daily, discussing try out options as well as practice and game options moving forward.  Ultimately, we will have to wait to see how the school year will open.  But as you know, as soon as I hear anything, I will pass that information along to you.  

​

In the meantime, please attend all team events, team meetings, and virtual workouts as if they were practice.  Right now, team meetings and workouts are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am.  You also need to be working out on your own as much as possible:  that means cardio, stretching, and volleyball drills.  If you need workout ideas, you can google "Body Weight HIIT workouts" or you can follow my fitness Instagram page:  @fulwider_fitness.  There are lots of workouts on that page that would be a great starting spot.  I know it's hard to workout on your own, so grab a family member or friend and do it together!  But remember, you need to work hard and do each rep to the fullest of your ability.  You should have your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes a day, then practice some volleyball skills.  Try some skills out of your comfort zone, too.  You never know when you could be asked to step up in a different capacity for your team.  BE PREPARED!

 

Click here for Blocking Drills

Click here for Passing Drills

Click here for Dynamic Warm Up

Click here for Attacking Drills 

Click here for Drills for Middle Blockers

Click here for Defense Drills

Click here for Setting Drills

Click here for Serving Drills

Click here for Pin Hitters (lefts and rights)

 

If you're doing at home volleyball drills, make sure you measure out 30 feet, which is the length and width of the court.   

​

Also, I have uploaded our "Chatting with Champions" with Misty May-Treanor to Poly Volleyball's YouTube Channel.  Over the next few days I will upload the rest of the series for you to watch again, or to see if you were unable to attend. 

​

Here's the link to Misty: Chatting with Champions - Misty May-Treanor

​

​

Finally, it's always good to be prepared.  Since doctors offices and medical facilities are opening back up for non-emergenices, now would be a great time to schedule your athletic physicals.  All students who wish to try out must have a completed athletic physical on file. If you do not have your physical, you cannot try out.  

 

You can download the packet here:  Poly Athletics Physical

​

Athletics is working on a way to upload your physicals digitally (so hopefully they won't get lost this year!!!!), but I don't have that information yet. 

 

And finally, I was a little disappointed at the lack of participation in our team meeting/workout today.  With over 20 returning players, having only 10 people including me and 3 girls who are not currently in our program is not acceptable. That's only 6 out of our whole existing program.  Please fill out the following Google Form about virtual meeting times.  For us to continue to have great seasons, we need everyone to participate and to be dedicated to this program.  Your spot in this program is not guaranteed.  

​

That's all I have for now.  If you know anyone who is interested in trying out, please have them sign up for our tryout Remind:  text @polyvo to 81010.  Also follow us on Instagram or FaceBook at RiversidePolyVolleyball.  

​

Sincerely,

Dana Fulwider

Riverside Poly High School

Principle Centered Leadership

P.E. Department

Head Girls Volleyball Coach

#thismeansmore

(951) 788-7203 ext 64097

​

​

​

​

​

Good evening and happy May!

 

Let me begin by saying that I hope that this email finds each of you and your family members well and safe during this crisis.  

 

You are receiving this email because you have been involved with or shown interest in Poly Volleyball in some way.  In my haste to leave campus back in March, I didn't manage to pack up my interest list from this year's freshman night.  So I'm just sending this email to everyone in my contact list.  If this message reaches you in error, please accept my apologies.  

 

For those of you who are involved or interested in Poly Volleyball, then, this message is for you.  May 1st is the first day that I am officially allowed to contact incoming freshmen about our upcoming year.  Unfortunately, at this time I don't have much information for you regarding tryouts or our season.  

 

At this point, with Riverside County's stay at home order extending into mid June, we will not be holding tryouts until at least mid July.  Riverside Poly will strictly adhere to the orders from the Governor regarding how many people can gather once the stay at home orders are lifted.  It's hard to imagine having 100 girls in the gym at this point!!!  

 

There is a meeting being held by CIF on May 21 to determine some specifics about fall sports.  At this point everything is on the table from cancelling the season, to having no spectators, to having only parents as spectators, to business as usual, but NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE YET.  We have to prepare for every possibility.  

 

Our first match is scheduled for Saturday, August 15.  So you can imagine that as soon as it is possible, we will be in the gym selecting our teams, and practicing as much as we can.  In order for girls to try out for the team, they will need to have a physical packet completed.  I have had a few parents ask how they are supposed to get their daughters physicals under these orders.  The truth is, I don't know right now, but I will find out for you.  I think it all depends on when the quarantine orders are lifted.  I know that the district is looking at having a day that athletes will be able to get physicals at one site, but that is still in the planning stages.  

 

At this point, all I  can say is that we will be ready at a moment's notice!  Please make sure your athletes are staying in shape and are in good physical condition when tryouts do come around.  This is not something that can be achieved in a week.  Girls should be doing some kind of physical activity now, concentrating on building their cardiovascular fitness and leg and arm strength.  For any health and fitness ideas, please follow our Instagram @riversidepolyvolleyball

 

Our website, www.polyvolleyball.com has our game schedule loaded and also has information on team Zoom meetings and workouts in the Event Calendar section, under Schedule.  If you are interested in attending these workouts or meetings, please contact me at this email address and I will send you the invites.  We are starting workouts and team meetings (with some amazing guest speakers) next week, May 5th.  

 

I feel like this was a long email with not a lot of information.  Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns and I will do my best to answer, or find the answer if I am unsure.  I'm attaching a couple of flyers, too, so feel free to post them on your social media and share this information with ANYONE that you know that might be interested in our program next year.  

 

Thank you for your time, and again, I wish you health and safety.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dana Fulwider

Riverside Poly High School

Principle Centered Leadership

P.E. Department

Head Girls Volleyball Coach

#thismeansmore

(951) 788-7203 ext 64097

​

​

​

​

Hi Poly Volleyball!  

​

I thoroughly enjoyed our conferences last week!  Thank you for taking the time to meet up and to discuss your goals for the spring and summer, as well as the upcoming season.  Please remember as our quarantine and stay at home orders continue on, what you put into your conditioning and strength now will only benefit you and our team in the future!  Stay committed, stay motivated, and stick to your plan.  

​

It's taken me a little longer to get our vb drill videos up.  But I am currently editing my setting video.  In the meantime, please watch the following video, made by my friend and teammate from Long Beach State, Misty May-Treanor.  

​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RvFE3OLChI

​

This is a quick video that covers the basic body and hand positioning while setting.  I will post a video that goes into greater detail about hand positioning and some drills you can do at home, either alone or with a partner who can toss you the ball.  

​

For daily practice:

 - 50 catch and toss

 - 50 side to side shuffle catch and toss

 - 50 partner press on your knee

 - 100 baby sets to yourself

 - 100 baby sets on the wall

​

I'll add the link to the video that I'm finishing up here as soon as it's done.  And remember, even if you're not a setter now, you can always build your overall skills.  You never know what could happen!  

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Hi Poly Volleyball!

​

It’s Coach Fulwider, just checking in before we head into tryouts.  I know that tryouts can be a stressful time.  There are lots of girls vying for a few spots.  I’ve been through many tryouts in my life, and each time, no matter how prepared I was, I still felt extremely nervous.  So here are some tips to help you through next week, whether you’re a senior or a freshman.

​

•  Come prepared:  this begins the DAY BEFORE TRYOUTS! 

  •  Make sure that you are making wise decisions leading up to tryouts.  If you go to the beach the day before tryouts and get a terrible sunburn, that might affect your level of play. 

  • Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.

  • Eat a good breakfast and a sensible lunch.  Your body needs fuel to make it through those 2-3 hours. 

  • Make sure you bring everything you need (knee pads, socks, shoes, any paperwork you might need)

  • Bring water, and drink it during water breaks. 

•  Be on time:  Remember that first impressions are huge.  Arrive early and help the team set up the nets or take a quick minute to introduce yourself to the coaches. 

•  Do your best:  always, always, always give your best effort.  Coaches look at how you handle success as well as failure.  If things aren’t going your way, continue to try hard and stay positive.

•  Have a great attitude:  cheer on your teammates!  Volunteer to go first in a drill.  Be coachable (try to make changes that coaches give you).  Stay and help clean up after practice.

•  And always have fun:  we are all here because we love volleyball!  Let your love of the game show through your actions and your attitude.

 

Good luck this week.  I can’t wait to meet all of you!!

 

Coach Fulwider