Danielle A.

Coaching Experience
•. Palmetto Strikers VBC: Head Volleyball Coach: 2021
•. Canton High Girls Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach: 2021
•. Stonehill College Division II Assistant Coach 2018-2021
• SA Mizuno Elite Girls Volleyball: Coach 2013-2021
•. Spellman High School Girls Varsity Volleyball & Lacrosse
• Marshfield High School Girls Varsity Volleyball: Head Coach 2013-2016
• Marshfield High School Girls Freshman Volleyball: Coach 2012
• Southern Alliance 16’s Open A Volleyball: Head Coach 2011-2013
• Umass Boston Women’s Volleyball: 2nd Assistant 2006-2008
• University of Southern Maine Women’s Volleyball: Assistant Coach Summer Recruiting 2005-2007
Camps/Clinics/Counselor
• Marshfield Summer Camps/Training
• Southern Alliance VB Camps
• Western Mass All Star VB Camp
• Pioneer Valley Club Camps
Certifications/Awards
• USAVB IMPACT
• CPR/First Aid
• MGVCA Clinics
• MIAA Fundamentals of Coaching
• NFHS Certified

Playing Experience
• Yankee/USAVB B- Rated (Middle Hitter) Women’s Tournaments: 2009-Present
• BSSC Advanced Pool Play: 2008-2013
• Quincy YMCA Advanced: Player & Co-Director 2008-2010
• Umass Boston D3 Women’s Volleyball: Co-Captain 2003-2005
• University of Maine D1-C Women’s Volleyball: Tri-Captain Recruit 2000-2002
• Western Mass JO Club Elite A Team: 1996-2000
• Amherst Reg. High Girls Varsity (4yr Varsity player) Volleyball Co-Captain: 1996-2000
Awards/Certifications
• All-Western Mass Champ
• 3-Year Gazette All-Star
• 2-Year Regional MVP

Because I have many years of experience coaching and playing at a high level, I enter into every client relationship with an open mind. The drills I will have them perform are based on their experience and this is tested by going through the basics first. For example, if a player comes to me saying they have not played for their school yet, and they have only done simple camps, I will determine the position they are best fitted for by going through a few basic drills:
1. Passing/defense. Start by setting up two cones beginning in the middle back of the court, have the player "run-through" and pass slightly quick-tossed balls to target. From this, I can tell their proficiency by viewing their platform, footwork, and anticipation of ball direction by watching their eyes. I will then move a cone to the corner of the court, in either spot 5 or 6, slap the ball and watch their footwork transition to the proper base position to best pass an in-sytem ball to target.
2. Offense/Attack. Height is not the only factor when determining a player who is slated to be a hitter in volleyball, but it is a good place to start. If a player is a decent passer/ds but has some height, she/he might be perfect as an Outside hitter, but possibly not a MB or Setter. (I determine that later) I move immediately to the net. I ask the player to start in base blocking position, and that at the slap of the ball, they must jump to block, then immediately transition off the net to hit. If they have a good deal of experience, I will toss them balls to hit right away. If not, we work up to that by first perfecting the footwork (Left, Right, Left if a righty, or Right, Left, Right if lefty). Once footwork and transition is on point, I'll toss a ball and have them catch it at its highest peak. This will show me their arm swing as well as vertical possibilities. From there, they can hit. And of course, depending on their defensive skills in passing or blocking, will determine which attack position I will focus on. After that, I usually take a quick 5 minute water break to go over what we've done so far, what my thoughts are about their defense and attack skills so the athlete has a better idea of what they just learned.
3. Serving. Serving skills are obviously extremely important. I always first, give the athlete a cart of balls and let them go immediately without giving any coaching. This is to determine exactly where they are in the level of serving skills and to pin point weaknesses. For example, where are their shoulders squared off to when they serve? Is their toss consistent? Do they jump serve? Jump float or top spin? Do they toss with two hands or one? If they jump serve, do they land on the court? What is the strength of their serve, and at a higher level: Can they spot serve if I give them court position numbers. After I determine that, my goal with serving, and really, with ALL volleyball skill sets, is to get them to the highest level of skill possible, no matter the age. I do not restrict skill level coaching to any age, because I have been surprised more than once by the abilities of some of the younger players I have taught.
4. Setting. Setters are hard to find, good setters are rare. Any experienced coach or player can tell a setter potential by their hands immediately. Following my rules of basics first, I start by tossing simple balls, 10 feet high above the players head, and have them set it back to me. If they have decent hands, wide fingers with thumbs properly positioned, I can asses they have some skill in the setting department and go from there. I then have them first set to themselves, then back to me while facing me. Then, in the next cart full, I toss them balls, have them set to themselves, turn at a 90 degree angle and side set back to me. I do this with both sides, then move to back sets. From there, to work a higher level setter, I'll toss out of system balls to see if the setter can square up to the OH position (where everyone knows from there, they can back set to OPP, quick or 4 set to MH or set a nice easy OH set.)

Usually all this can be done in 2 sessions. After which, I can take notes, watch the playback (using ipad app Ubersense - this app helps to breakdown each individual movement and compare them against pro players, high school, or college players - even myself, where I have a large amount of stored and slowed videos)

From there, I develop a gameplan for that player, based on their own athletic goals, and do not stop until we reach that goal. I am very well known for my individual and team coaching, because I work with the players throughout their careers, ensuring they play at the higher levels they wished for when we first began. I help with college recruiting, tryout prep and more. I take pride in what I do, and I love every single second of it.