why knowing your level is importantTo get the most out of your training sessions, it is important to understand what level and ability you are.
It might be tempting to think that training with people who are more advanced will help you develop faster, when in fact it may stop you from noticing the fundamentals that you really need to be mastering first. It also makes it harder for others to work on their own development and train at the level that challenges them in the right way, so getting this bit right is essential for everyone. On this page is information to help you recognise your current level and choose a training session that is suitable for you. |
Image credits: Alex Feeney | @lumireon
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The role of our club coachesOur club coaches collectively monitor our players closely to ensure they are participating in the training sessions that are right for them. They will be happy to advise you, and they will have the final say.
Remember if in doubt, rather than find yourself struggling or relegated, it is always better for your confidence and progress to start lower and be moved up! Our club coaches team also play the central role providing transparent selection processes for opportunities to represent the club in competitions. |
let's Find your level...
Beginner level
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
At the Adults Beginners and Improvers Training (mixed gender), coach Rumen will lead together with his assistant coaches. We will work on the essential beach skills, including passing, serving, spiking, moving in the sand, and positioning. We will get you comfortable playing 4v4, 3v3 and the classic 2v2 format of beach volleyball games. And, most importantly – we’ll have a blast working and improving together!
- No previous experience needed at all, just be happy to give it a bash
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Mondays 6-7.30pm
What to expect at training?
At the Adults Beginners and Improvers Training (mixed gender), coach Rumen will lead together with his assistant coaches. We will work on the essential beach skills, including passing, serving, spiking, moving in the sand, and positioning. We will get you comfortable playing 4v4, 3v3 and the classic 2v2 format of beach volleyball games. And, most importantly – we’ll have a blast working and improving together!
Improver level
What are the requirements for this level?
Special note for Indoor Volleyball players new to beach:
The Improvers session is your perfect and fastest entry into beach. It’s essential you spend some time grasping the fundamental differences in footwork, positioning, team dynamics and game formats, before you move up. Don’t worry, we won’t hold you back, we’ll be pushing you to progress!
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
The improvers among you will be pushed to work on defending harder shots, blocking, and various attacks. We’ll develop your footwork, defensive positioning and team dynamics, all the way to learning how to approach and make the most out of your first tournament!
- You've played beach for a little while or are maybe moving from Indoor Volleyball
- You're starting to get the hang of skills, but still need time nailing specific aspects of the game
Special note for Indoor Volleyball players new to beach:
The Improvers session is your perfect and fastest entry into beach. It’s essential you spend some time grasping the fundamental differences in footwork, positioning, team dynamics and game formats, before you move up. Don’t worry, we won’t hold you back, we’ll be pushing you to progress!
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Mondays 6-7.30pm
What to expect at training?
The improvers among you will be pushed to work on defending harder shots, blocking, and various attacks. We’ll develop your footwork, defensive positioning and team dynamics, all the way to learning how to approach and make the most out of your first tournament!
Intermediate level
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
Intermediate sessions for women and men are separate. Dedication, passion and sustained commitment to improving are the name of this game! We will work on higher level ball control skills, setting styles, various attacks, float and topspin serves. We will work on match situations and develop your ability to read the game and use tactics.
- Serve overarm on target with 5-7 out of 10 success rate
- Pass an overarm serve on target with 5-7 out of10 success rate
- Handset without spin
- Jump and attack a variety of shots at a target
- Comfortably play UKBT 2* events and are developing to be competitive in 3* tournaments
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Women's Tuesday's 6-7.30pm
- Men's Thursday 6-7.3pm
What to expect at training?
Intermediate sessions for women and men are separate. Dedication, passion and sustained commitment to improving are the name of this game! We will work on higher level ball control skills, setting styles, various attacks, float and topspin serves. We will work on match situations and develop your ability to read the game and use tactics.
High-intermediate / advanced level
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
For the men's Advanced training, you'll have one dedicated coach. But for the women's session, both high-intermediates and advanced are invited, so you'll have two coaches. We will work hard on perfecting consistent ball skills and control to a high level, working on effective side out of different service types. We will develop defence systems, transitioning and attack strategies and increase game tactics, including the use of tempo and style changes.
This is an invite-only session, you will only be able to book if you have received an invite by the club. Scroll down to find out how the invites work.*
- Serve float and top spin on target with 7+ out of 10 success rate
- Pass a serve to the mid-front of the court with 7+ out of10 success rate
- Range of different and consistent setting (bump and handsets)
- Jump and attack the ball on target in a variety of shots with 7+ out of 10 success rate
- Comfortably play UKBT 3* events and are developing to be competitive in 4* - 5* tournaments
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Women's - Thursday 6-7.30pm
- Men's - Tuesday 6-7.30pm
What to expect at training?
For the men's Advanced training, you'll have one dedicated coach. But for the women's session, both high-intermediates and advanced are invited, so you'll have two coaches. We will work hard on perfecting consistent ball skills and control to a high level, working on effective side out of different service types. We will develop defence systems, transitioning and attack strategies and increase game tactics, including the use of tempo and style changes.
This is an invite-only session, you will only be able to book if you have received an invite by the club. Scroll down to find out how the invites work.*
For our juniors, levels work slightly differently...
Children aged 9-12
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
At our mixed gender training sessions, we develop basic ball skills and game understanding - in a playful way.
- Aimed at primary school children from year 4-6
- Flexibility to include children from year 7 as appropriate
- No prior experience is required
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Mondays 6-7pm (plus 15mins extra for parent/coach liaison after session)
What to expect at training?
At our mixed gender training sessions, we develop basic ball skills and game understanding - in a playful way.
Teenagers aged 12-15
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
At our mixed gender training sessions, we develop basic ball skills, game understanding, team spirit, fitness and have lots of fun.
- This session is aimed at primary school children from year 7-11
- Depending on your level, sign up either for Tuesdays or Thursdays as your regular session
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Tuesdays 6-7.30 pm Improvers
- Thursdays 6-7.30 pm Beginners and improvers (No prior experience needed)
What to expect at training?
At our mixed gender training sessions, we develop basic ball skills, game understanding, team spirit, fitness and have lots of fun.
Under 21s youth development squad
What are the requirements for this level?
What training sessions are available for this level?
What to expect at training?
This session will be led by Adriano Muhlbauer, with a second assistant coach. Training is designed for players to develop, support each other and have fun together. In addition to lots of volleyball, sessions will also include sports psychology, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition. The level within the group will vary, but the coaches will support you in setting your own goals and working on developing personal aims. Whilst the overall session is mixed gender, most of the work will be on separate courts for female and male players.
This is an invite-only session, you will only be able to book if you have received an invite by the club. Scroll down to find out how the invites work.*
- For intermediate and advanced mixed gender young players
- For players who would like to be considered for junior opportunities to represent the club, e.g. inter regionals and small nation tournaments
- For players who would like guidance in how to select and prepare for competing in adult UKBT events
- Players must commit to attending regularly. Ideally you train twice a week, for example by also attending an adult training session
What training sessions are available for this level?
- Mondays 7.30-9pm
What to expect at training?
This session will be led by Adriano Muhlbauer, with a second assistant coach. Training is designed for players to develop, support each other and have fun together. In addition to lots of volleyball, sessions will also include sports psychology, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition. The level within the group will vary, but the coaches will support you in setting your own goals and working on developing personal aims. Whilst the overall session is mixed gender, most of the work will be on separate courts for female and male players.
This is an invite-only session, you will only be able to book if you have received an invite by the club. Scroll down to find out how the invites work.*
What level is our game session?
Wednesday Games Nights
What are the requirements for this session?
What session is available?
What to expect from the session?
Wednesday Games Nights are a fun and inclusive opportunity to play lots of games and meet other players. Regardless of your level, these sessions help you build confidence towards signing up or get valuable game practice before tournaments. You can sign up alone or with a partner, it’s very flexible! We use a range of scramble tournament formats, and seed broadly by level to make sure everyone is challenged and playing competitively, in a fun and supportive environment.
- For improvers to advanced players
- You'll have opportunities to play with a variety of different players as well as those of your level
- Show up ready to have fun games in a supportive and structured environment
What session is available?
- Wdnesday's 6-8pm
What to expect from the session?
Wednesday Games Nights are a fun and inclusive opportunity to play lots of games and meet other players. Regardless of your level, these sessions help you build confidence towards signing up or get valuable game practice before tournaments. You can sign up alone or with a partner, it’s very flexible! We use a range of scramble tournament formats, and seed broadly by level to make sure everyone is challenged and playing competitively, in a fun and supportive environment.
*How do our invite only sessions work?
To maintain a consistent high level, spaces for some sessions are capped, and sign up is strictly overseen by the coaches. Existing members have already been approached with invites to private sessions.
Haven’t heard? Feeling ambitious, and want to be considered? You have two options:
Haven’t heard? Feeling ambitious, and want to be considered? You have two options:
- Sign up for one regular intermediate session and ask the coaches to assess you and advise
- Contact us in order to discuss with our club coaches Aleks Borisov (men) or Clare Skidmore (women)
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