PLAY TO WIN. The U16 athlete will be considered an intermediate athlete level II at the Loudoun Elite Program. A higher level of function specialization is expected at this age, with players playing at the same position, but with slightly different characteristics that will enrich the team repertoire, both offensively and defensively. At U16 it is expected that athletes make their (game-wise) decisions more independently, being able to contribute to the team's strategies. At this age it is expected that the athletes have developed a solid basic technique and a vast tactical repertoire so a new approach to the fundamentals development can take place: how to hide what you intend to do, how to deceive your opponent, how to play smarter than your opponent. Considering that modern volleyball starts to get very physical at this age, the conditioning will have a major focus on protecting the athlete’s joints and developing power and specific game resistance. Athletes will be attending our strength & conditioning program, a specific conditioning (extra team practice) that will focus on the general physical abilities that are necessary for the high-level volleyball athlete (once athletes already have developed general motor coordination, general strength and had the first power development programming at younger ages): lower body power, upper body speed, midline strength, joint protection, jump coordination, jump power, jump resistance, and specific game resistance. One libero and one defensive specialist may be designated at the discretion of the coaching staff. At 16s we start the recruiting process by attending the major recruiting tournaments and building athletes' college recruiting resumes.