Talent identification
Cyrus feli Volleyball Talent Identification and Development Process method in Iran (2006-2010)
In 2006 I started my method in my own club in Tehran and I made a long term plan for my players.After running my own academy with high quality players, Iran volleyball federation wanted me to share my experience with other coaches in other states and they wanted me to monitor at least 10 academies in other states. So I travelled to other states to monitor and selecting the best players to invite for Iran national youth camp. This is my method below:
1-Volleyball courts and equipments:
I selected 2 volleyball courts in south Tehran that I worked for and I myself prepared all facilities and equipment like ball-medicine-step-desk-whiteboard-elastic band-basket-hoop(both courts were in crowded and talented areas that volleyball was first priority for playing)
2-Volleyball coaches
I Selected 2 experiment and communicator coaches who had more experiences about basic fundamental skills and work with teenagers ( I knew their personalities and their experiences for years )
3-Coordination:
I sheared my plan with volleyball federation and they introduced me to education system to give authorization for searching in schools
4-Talent search:
I Started to communicate with education system to give authority to get into the classroom to talent search and I started school by school (I searched for almost 100 schools-50 secondary schools at the age of 13 to 14 and 50 high schools at the age of 15 to 16)
5-Selection
I selected tall students
First group: 13-14 years old with 175 to 180 cm tall (2 separated team in different courts-each team with 25 students )
Second group: 15-16 years old with 185 to 195 cm tall (2 separated team in different courts-each team with 25 students)
6-Start to test:
I Started to measure their height-weight-hand reach-hand wings -palm-flexibility.(Every seasons i measured these items and compare them with previous tests)
I experienced this difference between boys and girls
Age 8 : boys 141cm – girls 140cm
Age 9 : boys 147cm – girls 146cm
Age 10 : boys 152cm – girls 152cm
Age 11 : boys 157cm – girls 159cm
Age 12 : boys 163cm – girls 166cm
Age 13 : boys 170cm – girls 172cm
Age 14 : boys 178cm – girls 176cm
Age 15 : boys 185cm – girls 178cm
Age 16 : boys 191cm – girls 179cm
Age 17 : boys 193cm – girls 180cm
Age 18 : boys 196cm – girls 180cm
7-Talent organization:
After testing students and select the best students I classified students according their address and I started
8-Short term plan
I started to train 100 selected student in 4 groups every other days for 3 months with basic fundamental skills(volley-bump-serve-block-attack)and flexibility and their reaction to choose final players
9-Long term plan:
I made a process for at least 2 years and practice every other day to promote techniques (I started all 4 teams together )
10-Inviting parents:
Every seasons I invited parents to make a meeting about exercise and teach them about psychology and nutrition service and encouragement
11-Encouragement:
Every season I surprised them with giving an award be cause of their skills and their education level
12-Education:
Education is my priority and I checked their marks and transcripts at school and surprised them with some gifts
13-Parents satisfaction:
I surprised students who their parents were satisfied about their education and behavior at home.
14-Festivals
After 3 months I made a game between all 4 teams and I implemented a festival between other academies and I made e a league between them
15-Tactics and unique skills:
After 6 to 12 months I chose their position according to their ability and height and skills(setter-middle blocker-libero-outside spiker-opposite) I focused on their tactics according to these abilities:
A-Height of hitting and blocking on the net
B-Perfection of skills
C-Velocity and variety of play
D-passion
16-Tournament
After consecutive practice for 12 months ,I selected the best to take part in Tehran youth league
17-Farm system
After 12 months I mixed some of the teenagers with age group. Every season I selected a few of youth players in my age group team (I had a professional age group team in Tehran league)
17-Tryout
During farm system I chose the best players between my teams to introduce to youth national volleyball camp(every year I had at least 2 players in national youth volleyball camps)
My priorities in all positions:
Libero:1-Serve reception 2-Digging 3-Translation pass
Setter:1-Perfect set with good quality 2-Blocking 3-Serve 4-digging
Outside hitter:1-Serve receiving 2-Attacking 3-Translation attack 4-blocking 5-serve 6-digging
Middle Blocker:1-Blocking 2-Attacking 3-Serve 4-Translation pass 5-Digging
Opposite:1-Attacking 2-Translation attack 3-Block 4-Serve 5-Digging
Notice1-
In 2006 when I started ,I experienced some students who aren’t tall enough but they play with their heart and they were definitely desired to play volleyball,Finally they were selected as a Libero and setter in high level volleyball league in Iran.
Notice2-
In 2008 in the new talent search I decided to remove beginners at the age of 15-16 and I searched age 11-12 years instead.In this case I had 2 to 4 years more time to promote students fundamental skills and techniques.from then on I just searched between beginners at the age of 11-12 and 13-14.
Notice 3-
I experienced Farm system is the best way to youth volleyball players development
Notice 4-
I experienced some students have late maturity so I decided to keep them and train other students who loved volleyball but they were not tall enough at the age of 11 to 14.
Cyrus Feli
