Flavio Gulinelli, Head Coach of Exprivia Molfetta in Italian top A1 division, Reviews the Ball Coach Radar

Coaches in multiple sports have found the value of adding speed measurements into practice as a powerful training aid for their players and coaching methods.  Unlike the bulkier and more expensive radar guns of the past, used exclusively by baseball scouts to measure fastball velocity, the Ball Coach radar was designed as a training tool for coaches and athletes of all sports.  It’s discreet size makes it ideal for measuring youth and professional athletes without affecting behavior.

The Ball Coach radar provides accurate speed measurements that have allowed players to develop a new level of confidence in hopes of improving their skills over time. Confidence is an acquired skill that is developed over time, but is key when training and performing.

Here is some feedback we received from Exprivia Molfetta in Italian top A1 division head coach, Flavio Gulinelli, and his use of the Ball Coach radar at practice and in matches with his players:

“In the modern top level volleyball, the differences between the teams are extremely small and it means that the line between losing or winning the match is small. Because of that reason, the coaches are using all available methods and tools to prepare the team for the competition.  Since the skill of the serving and the receiving is one of the most important in the structure of the volleyball game, takes also a lot of time during the practice process, we decided to start using the Ball Coach radar from Pocket Radar, as a tool, which is helping us to establish the correct relationship, between the speed (power) of the serve and the efficiency. We wanted to know what is the maximum speed for certain player still bringing the positive result (creating the problems for opposite team to receive the ball), but at the same time we want to reduce the number of the mistakes to the minimum.  The Ball Coach radar is the perfect option for us, since is easy to transport, it became also the motivation tool for the players (they want to know what is their maximal speed and same time not to make a mistake). We are using it during the practice process on the daily basis and during the matches.  The use during the matches is very important, because speed measured at the practice is one thing, but reach same speed during the match, when the stress level is high, is something else.

One of the biggest advantages of this type of the radar is that you can use it in both directions.  It means, you can measure the speed of the ball, when the ball is going towards the Ball Coach radar and when the ball is going away from it. In the past, with some other radars, you could not do this and it meant you could use it only for one team during the match.  

We are extremely satisfied with the angle, which can be covered by the Ball Coach radar. The angle is important, because players are using the whole 9m base line for serving and with the Ball Coach radar it is enough to fix it in the middle and it covers all the serving direction options. The mistake (difference) in the measurement from the angle (in case you are fixing the Ball Coach radar more to the right or left side of the court) is extremely low (1 to max 2 km/h), so if is not enough space, you can do that too.  The last skill we started to use the Ball Coach radar is the reception. We know in the past this was not the case, but, because of the angle covered by Ball Coach radar you can do that too. We established that the optimal speed of the ball flying for the receiver to the setter is about 25 to 28. This speed gives the setter enough time, penetrating from all the positions, to reach the perfect position for the set. At the same time, we got the information for each player how good he can control the ball at the reception, at the certain speed of the serve.

As you can see, the Ball Coach radar is a useful tool and can be used at all the levels, at the practice or the match. I strongly recommend it as a tool, helping you or the team to develop serve and reception to the higher level.”

We would like to wish coach Gulinelli and his team the best of luck, and if you have any questions or would like to share your Pocket Radar stories, please give is a call toll-free at 888-381-2672 from 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time, or e-mail us at info@PocketRadar.com