Private Coaching

For Athletes this is a very popular program for highly motivated athletes looking to expand their skill set to a higher level. Many athletes looking to try out for Baden Cup, BC Summer Games or Team BC take advantage of getting this extra edge added to their skills. With the use of the Solospike machine and the Dartfish Video System the athlete’s skills are analyzed and corrected where needed. Even the best of coaches can miss some of the smallest things that are only seen when we slow the action right down and isolate the smaller components of the various skills. Many athletes have come with specific problems, even problems identified by their own coaches, and we have been able to identify the problems and adjust them as well as enhance the rest of the skill with more efficient movement and positioning.  The most popular skill training is hitting and takes 2 to 3 two hour sessions. With these sessions we cover passing, both forearm and overhead, as well as basic serving techniques.

Setters: we also do two hour sessions with setters working specifically on their footwork, ball contact and handling. The setting session are done with two coaches and is usually done with only one athlete at a time.

After each session the athlete receives pictures and notes specifically identifying both the positive aspects of their skills as well the things that need to be improved or changed. It is recommended that all athletes that participate in this program have a personal Athletic Journal. If they don’t, we will help them set one up or give them a template to work from to develop their own.

The program is run by Gordon Tait; the assisting setting coach is Ashley Grieg

Cost: The cost for all athletes is $100.00 hr. This includes the cost of gym rental and the use of the Solo Spike machine and Dartfish video system. It is recommended that, with exception to the setting sessions, you grab a partner to split the cost. The person you choose should be of similar skill and stature for maximum benefit.

To register or request more information please contact Gordon Tait at: gordtait@telus.net

Gordon Tait has been coaching Volleyball for over 12 years and before that was involved in coaching many other sports. Gordon initiated and was the ‘Special Programs’ Coordinator for the Thunder Volleyball Club since its inception. This program has now been designated as the “Thunder Volleyball Academy”. He also is the founder of “Thunder Beach” that is in its fourth year. Gordon is a Level 3 Technical Certified coach for Indoor volleyball and is currently finishing his Level three for Beach volleyball. Gordon has coached all levels in both indoor and beach. He coached the BC Summer Games Beach Volleyball team since 2006 and was the senior coach for Vancouver College in 2007, 2008 and was the senior Defensive Coach for Little Flower Academy. He also coaches for Volleyball BC in both indoor and Beach. Gordon is currently running the only hitting clinic of its kind in Canada with the use of the Solo Spike Machine and the Dartfish Video System, teaching athletes the 9 step technical sequence of the attack. His coaching specialty is individual skills and works with individual skill development with the Thunder Club and Eagles Club teams as well as outside athletes looking to take their game to a higher level.