The following links and videos will give you a general understanding on what we at Theorem use as our baseline measures for performance testing volleyball players.
Our performance tests for volleyball include (but aren’t limited to):
– Vertical (Approach)
– Vertical (Block)
– Kneeling Overhead MB Throw (1.8kg for ladies, 3kg for men)
– T-Test
– Japan 4.5m shuttle
VERTICAL (approach)
The Vertical (Approach) is a measure that typically demonstrates the highest “touch” for a particular athlete. The protocol for this test is for the athlete to start about 2-4meters away from the Vertek. They execute the footwork they would employ for a Spike Approach and jump off two feet reaching as high as possible. We encourage athletes to REACH their arm instead of SWINGING their arm to ensure they get the best possible result.
MEN’S TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 9’6″ to 10’6″ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 9′ at this age
16-18 year olds – 10′ to 11′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 9’6 at this age
University – 10’6″ to 12′ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 10′, 11’4 or more is competitive
LADIES TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 9’3″ to 9’9″ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 8’6″ at this age
16-18 year olds – 9’6′ to 10′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 9′ at this age
University – 10′ to 10’6″ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 9’6″, 10’3″ or more is competitive
VERTICAL (BLOCK)
The Vertical (Block) is a measure that demonstrates how high an athlete can reach without the advantage of an approach. The protocol for this test is for the athlete to start almost directly under the Vertek. Athletes can swing their arms and load their legs but must jump off two feet with absolutely no approach (not even a step or a slight preparatory hop). Athletes jump and reach with both their hands even with one another to touch the vertex measuring arms.
MEN’S TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 9’4″ to 10′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 8’10” at this age
16-18 year olds – 9’8″ to 10’4″ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 9’2″ at this age
University – 10′ to 11′ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 9’6″, 10’4 or more is competitive
LADIES TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 8’4″ to 9′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 8’0 feet at this age
16-18 year olds – 8’10” to 9’4″ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 8’6 at this age
University – 9’6 to 10′ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 9’2, 9’8 or more is competitive
KNEELING OVERHEAD MEDBALL TOSS
The Kneeling MB Overhead Throw consists of one overhead medicine ball throw from the kneeling position for distance. Medicine Ball used are Men: 3kg, Women: 1.8kg. This test is an indicator of upper body strength and power.
RULES FOR THE KNEELING MB OH THROW
1. Starting in a kneeling position with knees on a foam pad and medicine ball overhead in both hands.
2. The ball is brought back in one motion and thrown forward like a soccer ball throw
3. Throw the ball as hard as possible for distance without favoring one side
4. Make sure your knees don’t leave the ground and end in a push up position
MEN’S TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 28′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 20′ at this age
16-18 year olds – 32′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 24′ at this age
University – 36′ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 28′, 32′ or more is competitive
LADIES TEST STANDARDS
14-16 year olds – 24′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming to be over 18′ at this age
16-18 year olds – 28′ is a strong standard. Athletes should be aiming for over 20′ at this age
University – 32′ is a strong standard. Minimum expectation is 24′, 28′ or more is competitive
T-TEST
The T-Test is a measure of an athletes agility and change of direction. The test require 4 cones set up in the shape of a T, where the distance from the base of the T to the top centre of the T is 10m, and the distance from the top centre of the T to the right and left cones is 5m. Athletes start at the base of the T and start on their own time at which point a timer begins. Athletes sprint forward and touch the centre cone with their RIGHT hand, then shuffle 5m to the LEFT cone. After touching that cone with their LEFT hand they shuffle 10m to the RIGHT cone. After touching that cone with their RIGHT hand they shuffle 5m back to centre cone, touch it with their LEFT hand and immediately back pedal through the starting point. This is when the timer stops. The total time it takes to do this is their test result. We use electronic timing gates by Zybek with accuracy of ±0.001 seconds.
MEN’S TEST STANDARDS
Good – ~10.30 seconds
Great – Less than 10 seconds
Elite – Less than 9.30 seconds
LADIES TEST STANDARDS
Good – ~11.30 seconds
Great – Less than 11 seconds
Elite – Less than 10.30 seconds
JAPAN 4.5M SHUTTLE
The Japan 4.5m Shuttle test is a test of agility and endurance. Athletes start inside of 2 lines or strips of tape that are 4.5m apart with one foot on one of the lines. On go athletes sprint back and forth between the lines making sure they touch down on the lines each time. Their total number of touches in 60seconds is their test result.
MEN’S TEST STANDARDS
Good – 35+
Great – 39+
Elite – 44+
LADIES TEST STANDARDS
Good – 32+
Great – 36+
Elite – 40+
T H E O R E M 