News

A new version of the AcuSpike Team Trainer enters 2012 with a New Years’ diet, reducing the footprint of its base by more than 50%. “We received feedback that some people absolutely loved everything about the AcuSpike Team Edition Trainer, but didn’t have much space in the storage closet,” said Jason Jones, inventor and president of AcuSpike. Like the existing Team Trainer, the new AcuSpike base also accomodates sandbags inside for weighted stability, industrial casters with swivel and roll lock, and a marine grade adjustable crank for raising and lowering the ball.
Pricing on the Team Trainer – Space Saver remains the same, at US $2650. The existing team trainer will be called Team Trainer – Coach’s Box, and it will also remain available for purchase.

About the AcuSpike Team Trainer

The AcuSpike Team Trainer is a new multi-ball, self-reloading volleyball spike and vertical jump training machine designed for team or individual use. AcuSpike’s innovative ball reloading system and reload hopper allow for endless hitting; when one ball is hit, another ball is automatically loaded in position for the next hitter, with no human intervention required. An adjustable hand crank and ruled height indicator make it easy to set and monitor vertical jump progress.

The Florida State University (FSU) Women’s Volleyball Team completed its most successful season in the program’s 44-year history, advancing to the Final Four Semifinal match in San Antonio’s Alamodome on December 15, 2011 and falling to UCLA 3-0.

Lead by head coach Chris Poole and Assistant Coach Holly Watts, recently named AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year, 2011 marks the first season in FSU’s 44 year history where the team has advanced to the NCAA semifinals.

FSU acquired an AcuSpike Team Training System in 2010 and have incorporated it into their training program. All of the employees at AcuSpike would like to congratulate the FSU Athletes and entire coaching staff on this tremendous accomplishment.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) will host its 2011 Annual Convention in San Antonio on December 14 – 18 at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. According to the AVCA web site, “The 2011 AVCA Convention will have some added international flair this year when coaches and athletes from nine different countries make their way to San Antonio, TX. … Representatives from Canada, Barbados, Brazil, China, Japan, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Spain will be present in San Antonio.”

AcuSpike will be among a small number of exhibitors demonstrating volleyball training equipment. This year, the AcuSpike booth will showcase the 2012 Team Edition Trainer, the Team Ball Catcher, the Individual Edition Trainer, and the Individual Edition Catcher.

On Saturday and Sunday December 3 and 4, Shasta College will host the 2011 California Community College State Volleyball Championship Tournament. Shasta College is located in Redding, California, located north of San Francisco.

AcuSpike has been invited to attend and showcase the Team Edition Trainer at this tournament.

You can watch the events live online, through the CCCAA Womens Volleyball Web Site by clicking here:

http://webcast50.com/site/pages/ect/ec_tourney.php?tourneyID=13

 

Volleyball coaches are constantly looking for ways for players to improve their sport-specific skills outside of team- based practices. But for many athletes, working on a skill such as spiking can be difficult and time-consuming when done in pairs. One solution to this problem is the AcuSpike, which is a self-reloading, multi-ball machine allows players to develop this skill on their own, quickly and easily.
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After the AcuSpike is set up, balls roll down a ball rail into a foam gripper, which can be set at a height from six to 11 feet. Once a player strikes the ball, the next one automatically dropped into the gripper. This allows players working alone to execute multiple repetitions quickly. “I think it’s a great product,” says University of North Carolina Head Coach Joe Sagula. “Now, players don’t need to rely on a setter to work with them, and they don’t have to go chasing after balls.

 

The Tar Heels started using the AcuSpike last summer, mostly with their youth camp players, and Sagula says it provides numerous benefits to young players. “It’s great for their timing because it eliminates all the other variables and distractions that occur when you’re doing a drill in practice,” he says. “The players are able to concentrate on their approach, arm swing, and wrist snap.”

The ability to lock balls in at specific heights and adjust those heights are also beneficial. “When you’re working at a consistent height, it positively impacts jump training by providing instant feedback,” Sagula says. “Players will always know, ‘this is the height I need to strive for,’ and if they’re not jumping high enough, they won’t reach the ball. And if a player is constantly reaching a certain height, it’s easy to move it up another half -inch. Not only does that reinforce that they’re improving, it gives them a goal to reach, which is something we stress.”

Sagula also says that the ball-catcher basket can provide help to setters and passers. “It gives them something to visualize so they know where they need to be delivering the ball to, and they won’t need to shag them after they’re done.”

Currently, the Tar Heels make the AcuSpike available to players to use during the summer on their own, and Sagula believes it will have an impact on the team in the future. “Once you get one or two players using it and they see how easy it is, everyone’s going to get on board. I think once our players adjust to doing it on their own as opposed to working with a teammate, they’ll use it even more.”