Coaching
Don’t Assume Playing = Learning
Coaches are, by default, teachers. Their players are, by default, learners. How to best transmit the information the coach may possess and impact learning by the student is a constant subject of debate, as it should be. Teachers and coaches should constantly test and experiment with new and better methods of instruction.
Read More“Not Everything That Can Be Counted, Counts”
Observing your team in action can be a powerful way to evaluate progress. It is important to incorporate statistics into the process. Critical thinking is needed to use all the observational and statistical information appropriately.
Read MoreCoaches That I Want to Watch in a Practice Session
I’ve learned the most about the game when observing colleagues in action. I would highly recommend that coaches get out of their gyms and watch respected colleagues run a practice.
Read MorePlus, Minus, and Equals Training System for Club Volleyball
Frank Shamrock was the first mixed martial arts fighter to hold the UFC Middleweight Champion title and retired as a four-time undefeated champion. During his reign as the UFC Middleweight Champion, Shamrock was the world’s No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound UFC fighter. Shamrock now trains fighters and has a routine for all his fighters that volleyball…
Read MoreNebraska’s Offense is a Game-Changer
Nebraska is currently ranked #2 nationally. They have a young group of athletes that incorporates the backrow attack in their offensive system at a tempo that will be challenging to defend.
Read MoreHow Aryna Sabalenka Dealt with Her Serving Issues and What Might Coaches Learn?
In the space of 18 months, Aryna Sabalenka has gone from not being able to serve the ball over the net to the #1 player in the world. There is much to learn about her process
Read MoreStatistics-One Size Does Not Fit All
I am an information fanatic on many fronts. I especially relish diving into a statistical match analysis, picking up on player or team tendencies, determining strengths and weaknesses, developing game plans, etc. Many software programs provide detailed analysis of a team’s performance. As much as I enjoy detailed information, the most valuable statistic(s) is the…
Read MoreKeys to Developing a “Slide” Attack
In a previous post, we looked at the fundamentals of attacking a 1 or 31 set (terminology can vary) with the middle attacker. These sets are designed to provide a quick middle attack in front of the setter. In this article, I’ll examine keys to facilitate your middle attacker attacking the zones behind the setter.…
Read MoreIf Coaches Don’t Know Goodhart’s Law, They Should
Coaches that use statistics to evaluate teams and players should be very familiar with Goodhart’s Law! Using statistics for feedback to your team may have unintended consequences!
Read MorePassing Techniques and Systems- One Size Does Not Fit All
Coaches must guard against automatically mirroring other teams’ or coaches’ techniques and tactics. Many factors should influence how the skills are taught and the systems implemented. The game is different at the collegiate or national team levels compared to a 14-under club team. The men’s game at the international level is a beast unto itself—the…
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