What is this assessment for?
In volleyball, almost everything stems from jumping, speed of sequences, and stability of shoulders/ankles/knees. Our battery condenses the best of sports science to:
- establish your profile (strengths / areas to develop),
- prevent common injuries,
- guide training (strength, plyo, targeted reinforcement),
- and track your progress throughout the season.
All in 120 minutes maximum, warm-up included, entirely indoors.
First: Safety & Consent
Before starting:
- We check current state (pain, fatigue, illness).
- We remind you of stop signals: unusual pain, dizziness, discomfort → we stop, period.
- We confirm your consents (technical videos, IMTP isometric test).
- We perform a guided warm-up (10–15 min): shoulder/hip/ankle mobility, activation, a few practice jumps.
Goal: your safety, data reliability, and performances that reflect you.
Volleyball from a Performance Perspective
Each position has its priorities:
Middle Blocker
Chains many blocks at high pace → reactive strength (RSI), vertical jump, ankle/knee robustness.
Outside Hitter / Opposite
Attack jump height and effort repetition → power, "explosive" endurance.
Setter
Short, quick movements, "lighter" but frequent jumps → specific agility, repetition endurance, shoulder/core stability.
Libero
Reaction and low positioning, dives → core stability, shoulder mobility/strength, stable ankles (less interest in pure vertical jump).
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)
- Vertical jump (cm): key for attacking high and blocking.
- RSI (reactive strength): ability to bounce quickly between two close jumps (useful for blocking).
- Max strength / RFD: foundation of power and stability, and speed to produce force.
- "Explosive" endurance: maintain jump quality over duration (long sets).
- Shoulders / core / ankles: mobility + stability = efficient movements and prevention.
Common Injuries: Understanding to Better Prevent
Ankle (sprain on landing)
We target strong evertors (fibularis), proprioception, sometimes ankle braces depending on profile.
Knee (patellar tendinopathy, ACL rarer but serious)
We monitor landing mechanics, strengthen quads/hamstrings/calves intelligently (heavy eccentric, analytical isometric if pain).
Volleyball shoulder (tendinopathies/rotator cuff, impingement)
Balance external / internal rotators, mobility (avoid internal rotation deficit), scapular reinforcement.
Back (lower back pain)
Core work and technique (avoid hyperextension in spike/serve).
Key message: prevention works. It relies on a precise assessment… therefore on comparable and well-standardized tests.
Core of the Assessment: What We Test and Why
Important (comparability):
For jumps, we always indicate the protocol (with or without arms) and the technology. By default, our references are on force platform (superior precision). A jump with free arms is always higher than a jump hands on hips. Let's compare what's comparable.
1) "Power" Jumps (ForceDecks + video)
Squat Jump (SJ) — hands on hips, no run-up
What it tells: your pure concentric power (without elastic "spring"). Closely linked to blocking.
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) bilateral + video — hands on hips by default
What it tells: your jump with run-up (stretch-shortening cycle) and your technique (take-off/landing). We also check symmetry.
CMJ unilateral L/R — hands on hips
What it tells: imbalances strong leg / "lagging" leg. Excess asymmetry can load knee/ankle.
Drop Jump 30 cm (RSI) — hands on hips
What it tells: your reactive strength (quick rebound between two jumps). Essential for chaining blocks.
Interpret without confusion:
- SJ < CMJ (normal: run-up helps).
- High RSI = you bounce quickly and high (good sign for middle/outside position).
- Significant asymmetry = we correct (unilateral, technique, targeted strengthening).
2) Strength & Speed (barbell + Output sensor)
Load-velocity profile in half-squat
What it tells: are you more strong (but slow) or fast (but lacking strength)?
→ We choose the right settings (loads, target velocities) to build vertical jump.
3) Secured "Total" Strength (IMTP on force plates)
Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP) — max pull = safety + precision
What it tells: your maximum strength (in Newtons) and speed to produce it (RFD). Highly correlated with power and landing stability.
4) "Anti-injury" Key Points (ForceFrame/Dynamo)
Adductors (squeeze), ankle (eversion), calf (plantar flexion)
What it tells: lateral/pelvic stability, sprain prevention and Achilles robustness.
Shoulder — external/internal rotators at 90° abduction + ER/IR ratio; grip strength
What it tells: rotator cuff balance (hit/serve hard without pain), grip follows overall strength and freshness.
5) "Explosive" Endurance (indoors, no court shuttles)
30s Repeated Jumps (Bosco test)
What it tells: maintain good height despite fatigue (like at end of sets). We can record RPE and heart rate if available.
Your Numbers: How We Read Them
- Always specify protocol: free arms vs hands on hips, force platform vs other (Vertec, contact mat, etc.).
- Symmetries: we like <10% difference. Beyond that, we monitor and correct.
- Tendons/shoulders: pain matters as much as score. A great RSI with a painful knee is not a "good" result.
- Real progression: we account for normal variability of tests (if gain is tiny, it may not be real progress).
- Position & age: a libero doesn't have the same "ideals" as a 2m opposite, and a U16 isn't a pro. We always contextualize.
What's Next? Turning Results into Action Plan
Our promise: "Test to train better." Each deficit = a clear target.
Common Scenarios
"Lack of max strength" (IMTP/low squat)
Priority: controlled heavy strength (squat, split squat, hip hinge) 2×/week, 3–5 sets of 3–6 reps, generous recovery.
Expected effect: more vertical jump and control on landing.
"Explosive, but slow rebound" (low RSI)
Priority: quality plyometrics (drop jumps, low rebounds, hurdles), bar speed work (light loads, >1 m/s).
Expected effect: better chaining in blocking.
"Asymmetry" (unilateral CMJ or ankle/calves)
Priority: intelligently dosed unilateral (1–2 extra sets on weak side), jump technique, video feedback.
Expected effect: healthier load distribution, fewer "recurring" issues.
"Fragile shoulder / ER<IR ratio too low"
Priority: rotator cuff (external) 3×/week light to medium, scapula, mobility (posterior capsule if stiff).
Expected effect: more confident hits, shoulder that "holds" the volume.
"Jumper's knee" (patellar pain)
Priority: isometric block to calm, then heavy eccentric (progressive), adjust jump volume.
Expected effect: load tolerance increases, pain decreases.
"Collapses at end of 30s test"
Priority: cardio intervals indoor (bike/rower) and well-dosed repeated jumps.
Expected effect: stronger end of set, maintained clarity.
Re-tests (to see if it works)
- Mini-check (CMJ/RSI/symmetries) every 4–6 weeks.
- Complete assessment every 2–3 months (according to schedule).
- We validate real progress when gain exceeds normal variability of test (we explain case by case).
The Session, Step by Step (2 h)
1. Brief & safety (5')
2. Dynamic warm-up (10–15')
3. Jumps: SJ → bilateral CMJ + video → unilateral CMJ → Drop Jump (25–30')
4. Load-velocity profile half-squat (10–12')
5. IMTP (8–10')
6. Targeted isometrics (adductors / ankle / calves) + shoulder ER/IR, grip (18–22')
7. 30s repeated jumps (5') + cool-down (5')
8. Express debrief (5')
Total: ~110–120 min playing efficiency (we fit some mobility measures during recovery).
FAQ
Why no speed test on court?
This assessment is 100% indoor and focused on what matters most in volleyball: jump, chaining, shoulder/ankle. Movement qualities are partly identified via RSI, video, and reactive strength. If needed, we do a separate court module.
Does it hurt?
No. Efforts are intense but short. We stop at any abnormal signal. IMTP is isometric (bar doesn't move), so secure.
Should I be rested before?
Ideally yes (avoid a big game the day before). Sleep and hydration matter.
What should I bring?
Indoor shoes, comfortable outfit, a water bottle, and if you have: your injury history.
What about "perfect" numbers?
They don't exist: we contextualize by position, age, build, history. Most important is your progression and your load tolerance.
Concrete Examples (by position)
Middle Blocker
You explode at blocking but lose juice on 30s? We keep quality plyo (drop jumps) and add an "explosive endurance" block (repeated jumps, rower intervals). We also work on ankle (eversion/mobility) for prevention.
Opposite / Outside Hitter
Good vertical but average RSI? We increase dose of quick rebounds (short cushioning) and adjust bar velocity (light loads with instruction >1 m/s). If asymmetry, we strengthen weak leg.
Setter
Less "high" jump but frequent bounces: we target specific agility, core and shoulder (solid ER/IR ratio). Some lower body strength to secure support at end of match.
Libero
Little jump? Perfect. We emphasize core, ankles, rotator cuff and short reaction drills (quality > quantity). A stable ankle and a shoulder that doesn't "pull" are worth gold.
What You Receive After
- A clear report: your readable numbers, explained, with your priorities.
- A simple action plan (exercises, sets, reps, intensity, frequency).
- Re-test markers to verify progression.
- When useful: a prevention module (shoulder, knee, ankle) ready to integrate into your sessions.
Final Word: Measurement at the Service of the Game
The idea isn't to make you a "walking laboratory". The idea is to do better what changes the score:
- jump higher when needed,
- bounce faster between two blocks,
- keep a confident shoulder at season's end,
- and above all hold up at end of set.
We test to train better, not to fill spreadsheets. We keep what works, change what blocks, and come back to measure – simply, cleanly, efficiently.
