My daughter is 10 and has done "learn to play" for 2 seasons but wants more of a challenge.

  My daughter is 10 and has done "learn to play" for 2 seasons but wants more of a challenge. Not sure what I would register her for.

Alright team, this is an excellent question from a parent, and it highlights exactly why we emphasize our tiered system and individualized athlete development here at the Canadian Elite Academy. We want every young athlete to find the perfect balance between challenge and success!

For a 10-year-old daughter with two seasons of "learn to play" experience who is looking for "more of a challenge," we have a couple of fantastic pathways within the Academy.

First, let's consider her current developmental stage. At 10 years old, a girl is typically in the "Learning to Train" stage according to the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework. This stage, for girls aged 8-11, focuses on developing overall sports skills and introducing basic volleyball fundamentals like the volley, forearm pass, spiking, blocking, and serving, with an emphasis on proper technique. It's also a critical period for skill acquisition. Our Academy's philosophy strongly aligns with this, focusing on building a solid foundation before advancing.

Here are the most appropriate options for her:

1. NexGen Sessions (Ages 11-13, New to Volleyball or Limited Experience): While your daughter is 10, which is just slightly below the typical 11-year-old entry for NexGen, her two seasons of "learn to play" could mean she has already covered some fundamental ground. NexGen sessions are designed to build core volleyball skills and introduce basic game concepts in a fun and supportive environment. If her "learn to play" was truly foundational and she still needs to solidify core skills, this could be a great entry point to ensure she has a robust base. Given she wants "more challenge," she might quickly progress, or her current skills might already be beyond the "limited experience" scope.

2. Basic Volleyball Skills Sessions (Grades 7-10, Beginners with Some Experience): This category is designed for athletes with at least one year of organized volleyball team experience or completion of 5+ NexGen sessions. If her "learn to play" seasons were structured and provided solid instruction, she might be ready for Basic. Although the listed grade range is 7-10 (which typically means ages 12-16), we always prioritize developmental age over chronological age. A strong, motivated 10-year-old who has a good grasp of fundamentals from her "learn to play" experience could certainly thrive in a Basic session, which aims for more competitive skill development. These sessions will refine techniques and deepen game awareness.

Key Considerations and Our Recommendation:

• Matching Skill Level: We cannot stress enough the importance of placing an athlete in the appropriate tier. As we often discuss, "even a talented young athlete needs age maturity and foundational skills to handle higher levels effectively as premature placement can hinder the group's progress". It's often more beneficial for an athlete to be a top performer in their current skill group, as this builds confidence, leadership skills, and motivation to continue improving.

• Evaluation is Key: To truly determine which level would provide the "more challenge" she seeks without being overwhelming, a thorough assessment of her current skills is beneficial.

• Private Lessons: This is an excellent option for a 10-year-old looking for a customized challenge. A private lesson ($149 per hour) would allow one of our top coaches to assess her specific strengths and areas for development. The coach could then recommend the most suitable group session, or continue with tailored private instruction to rapidly advance her skills. This personalized approach can be highly effective for building confidence and targeting her desire for more challenge.

Next Steps for Her Parent:

I would suggest her parent:

1. Review the descriptions for NexGen and Basic sessions on our website.

2. Consider a Private Lesson for an initial evaluation and targeted training, which can then inform the best group session placement.

3. Contact the Academy directly to discuss her specific experience and skill level. Our staff can help guide them to the most appropriate option, always keeping the athlete's holistic development at the forefront.

We encourage all participants to bring their own volleyballs to sessions.

Coaches, what are your thoughts? How do you assess a younger athlete like this when they express a desire for "more challenge"? Are there specific drills or observations you use to gauge readiness for moving from a "learn to play" environment to something more demanding like our Basic sessions? Your collective wisdom on this is invaluable!