NEWELL—The Newell high school volleyball team has begun off-season training in a multifaceted program that aims to keep players in shape and improve their skills.
Off-season activities include open nets and newly created weightlifting and plyometric training programs. Open nets, where players can practice the sport in an informal setting, started on March 26. Plyometric training, a type of exercise that is also known as jump training, is now part of open net nights. “Plyometrics are leg and cardio workouts that are going to target our verticals and our quickness,” said head coach Cheyenne McTaggart. “I’m hoping we can stay in shape and increase our verticals and strength.”
To that end, team members are additionally encouraged to attend weightlifting sessions, which began on March 22 and will continue to be held three times a week. Sessions are monitored and individual progress will be evaluated every 8 weeks on a max day.
Players will log the hours they spend at open nets and weightlifting sessions throughout the off-season. The top 3 players with the most hours logged by the first official day of practice will earn a reward. “I’m hoping to have more numbers show up and reward the ones that do,” McTaggart said.
Open nets will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week at 6:00 p.m.
