Back to basics for SC spikers

The emphasis was on fundamentals - from hitting to digging - when the Scott Community High School girls held their volleyball camp this week.
The Lady Beavers were under the direction of Ft. Hays State University head coach and clinician Kurt Kohler during the first two days of camp and finished out the final two days with a team camp under the direction of the SCHS coaching staff.
“When there’s only two or three days to work with the girls, we’ll break down all the basic fundamentals - passing, hitting, serving and blocking - and really work those,” says Kohler, who also brought members of his coaching staff and squad to assist at the camp.
After breaking down each phase of the game on Monday and Tuesday, the squad put everything together in six-on-six drills on Wednesday.
“One nice thing with this Scott City group is they work so hard and they have a great attitude. They have pretty solid fundamentals already, so we’ve been able to progress pretty quickly,” says Kohler.
However, he points out that given the short time frame of a summer camp a coaching staff isn’t going to change a player’s bad habits, or make a huge change in their technique.
“They have to understand that over three days, 2-1/2 hours a night, we aren’t going to work miracles. You’re not going to see a dramatic improvement in someone’s play,” says the FHSU head coach. “It comes down to the practice time they’re willing to put in. We’re giving them the tools to get better.
“These players are very coachable, so they know what we’re talking about. They can feel when they make a mistake now and that’s the key to making changes in how they play.”
Kohler says he encouraged by the progress he’s seen from the SCHS girls in such a short time. But he says that comes from being part of a program with strong tradition and good coaching.
This is Kohler’s ninth camp this summer with one more planned.
Most of his camps are in Western Kansas, including Phillipsburg, Atwood, Wheatland and Jetmore.
This has given Kohler and his staff an opportunity to not only help high school programs in the region, but to evaluate talent and prospective recruits who he can bring to FHSU.