WINTER TRAINING SERIES

Focused Skill Development with Coach Ron Smith, Absolute Coach

Six weeks of high-rep, technique-focused training designed to sharpen specific skills and prepare athletes for competitive success.

Drop-in format. Small groups (20 max). Led by a coach whose teams consistently compete at the national level.

Overview & Booking
See Full Schedule

The Program

This clinic runs as two 3-week blocks, each with a different focus:

Session 1 (Nov 10 - Dec 6): Foundational Skills
Master the technical fundamentals through high-repetition training and progressive difficulty.

Session 2 (Dec 8 - Jan 3): Gameplay & Tactics
Apply skills in game scenarios, learn strategic concepts, and compete in our clinic tournament.

Format: 2-hour sessions, age-appropriate groups, maximum 20 athletes per session

Pricing: $80 per session (book individual dates that fit your schedule)

Times & Booking

Choose the age group and dates that work for your athlete's schedule:

Elementary School Athletes

Monday & Thursday: 4:00–6:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00–3:00 PM

Book Elementary Sessions →

Middle School Athletes

Monday & Thursday: 5:45–7:45 PM
Saturday: 2:45–4:45 PM

Book Middle School Sessions →

High School Athletes

Monday & Thursday: 7:30–9:30 PM
Saturday: 4:30–6:30 PM

Book High School Sessions →

Meet Coach Ron

15+ years coaching experience | Newman University Athletics Hall of Fame | Absolute Volleyball Club Coach

Ron's teams consistently compete at the national level:

  • 2024 & 2025 PNQ 16 Liberty Division Champions

  • 2024 WCVBA President's Day 16 Open Champions

  • 2025 President's Day 18 Open Champions

  • Multiple National Championship bids

As a player, Ron led the NAIA in blocks per game for two consecutive seasons and competed in the 2004 National Championship match.

His coaching philosophy: Develop the whole athlete through fundamentals, build resilience under pressure, and foster genuine love for the game. Ron's energy and standards create an environment where athletes grow as players and people.

Complete Schedule & Session Details

Session 1: Foundational Skills

Each 2-hour session follows this format:

  • Warm-up (15 min): Dynamic stretching, light jogging, core activation

  • Skill Focus (1 hour 30 min): Drills, repetitions, specific coaching

  • Cool-down/Review (15 min): Static stretching, Q&A, practice homework

Week 1: Introduction to Core Mechanics

Monday, November 10: Serving & Passing
Master consistency, accuracy, and confident ball control.

Thursday, November 13: Hitting & Setting
Learn proper footwork and powerful arm swings for a strong attack.

Saturday, November 15: Defense & Blocking
Develop court positioning and digging fundamentals.

Week 2: Technique Refinement & Movement

Monday, November 17: Serving & Passing
Focus on serving to specific zones and moving effectively to pass any ball.

Thursday, November 20: Hitting & Setting
Build the crucial timing and teamwork of the setter-hitter connection.

Saturday, November 22: Defense & Blocking
Learn to transition from a great defensive play into a scoring opportunity.

Week 3: Power, Speed & Consistency

Monday, December 1: Serving & Passing
Practice performing under pressure and handling hard-driven serves.

Thursday, December 4: Hitting & Setting
Add smart shots (tips, rolls) and learn to score even on imperfect sets.

Saturday, December 6: Defense & Blocking
Work on advanced team systems and communication to stop any attack.

Session 2: Gameplay & Tactics

Each 2-hour session shifts to game scenarios and tactical application:

  • Warm-up (10 min): Dynamic movement relevant to the day's focus

  • Skill Refresher (30 min): High-intensity drills reviewing the focused skill

  • Tactical Focus & Gameplay (1 hour 10 min): Strategic concepts applied in competitive scrimmages and situational drills

  • Cool-down/Review (10 min): Gameplay discussion, key takeaways, static stretch

Week 1: Systems & Situational Awareness

Theme: Understanding the Game

Monday, December 8: Serve Receive & First Attack
Learn to turn the opponent's serve into your point with an organized attack.

Thursday, December 11: Offensive Systems
Discover how to run smart plays and read the defense.

Saturday, December 13: Emergency & Scramble Defense
Stay calm and make great plays in chaotic, out-of-system situations.

Week 2: Team Strategy & Communication

Theme: Playing as One

Monday, December 15: Serving Under Pressure
Develop a tough, reliable serve that you can count on during game point.

Thursday, December 18: Hitter vs. Blocker Reads
Master the strategic battle at the net by learning to read and outsmart your opponent.

Saturday, December 20: Game Scenario Defense
Practice adjusting your defense to shut down your opponent's offensive tendencies.

Week 3: Competitive Game Flow

Theme: Putting It All Together

Monday, December 29: Full Game Prep & Strategy
Prepare for real matches by practicing effective warm-ups and high-pressure situations.

Thursday, January 1: Clinic Tournament! 🏆
Apply all the skills you've learned in a fun and competitive tournament.

Saturday, January 3: Clinic Tournament! 🏆
Continue tournament play and celebration of growth.

What Makes This Different

High-Repetition Training

More touches, more reps, more feedback. Small groups mean every athlete gets coaching attention.

Progressive Structure

Session 1 builds technical foundations. Session 2 applies those skills in game scenarios. Athletes see clear development from fundamentals to competition.

Skill-Specific Focus

Each session targets one area. Your athlete can drop in for the skills she needs most or attend consistently for complete development.

Age-Appropriate Groups

Elementary, middle school, and high school athletes train separately with coaching tailored to their developmental stage and competitive level.

National-Level Coaching

Ron coaches athletes who compete at the highest levels of club volleyball. His teams earn bids to Nationals. His standards reflect that experience.

Flexible Drop-In Format

No season-long commitment required. Book the sessions that fit your schedule and your athlete's development needs.