Over the last few days, I’ve been doing some reading on leadership and management. I wanted to find something different to write about than the same old-same old leadership in sports post. Today, I found a great TED talk by Simon Sinek entitled “How great leaders inspire action.” Don’t worry, if you don’t have time to watch it now, I’ll break it down for you in this article, but I think if you have 15 minutes, it’ll be something you’ll be glad you watched. I’ll even use some examples that Mr. Sinek used in his talk as I think his examples are great. First, we’ll go over a corporate example, then we’ll see how the principles relate to volleyball. Continue Reading
Publisher: Championship Productions
Year: 2002
Coach: John Dunning – Head Coach, Stanford University Womens Volleyball
Length: 63 Minutes
Cost: $29.99
TheVolleyballTeacher rating: 
This DVD is very valuable, especially when it’s double the length of many similar DVDs and about $10 less. John Dunning is a great educator and developer of talent. He uses this video to show both players how to train to be better setters, and coaches how to train theirs. It features one player and an assistant coach and they do a good job of demonstrating while Coach Dunning is talking over the microphone. Continue Reading
My girl’s volleyball counterpart, Coach Mo, at Neenah uses 3 ring binders to teach organization, self-discipline, and accountability to his players. I like the idea and I think a lot more coaches would see positive benefits in using a system similar to it. Much like NFL teams use a playbook, he provides a binder to each player that includes things like team rules, practice and match schedules, plays, statistics, game plans, philosophies, quotes, workout plans, and other team traditions and information. Just about everything they need to know about their team, and how to be successful. It’s a very “college volleyball” thing to do and I think doing it in high school is preparing Coach Mo’s players for success in college and life. Continue Reading
Category : General
This article is all about raising the IQ level of all players who play the game of volleyball. It starts with an e-mail I received a few days ago:
Dear VolleyballTeacher,
I’m a junior high school girls coach and this fall will be my second season. I always learn a lot from your articles and thought I would send you an email and ask for your opinion.
My boss, the Varsity high school coach, tells me that raising the Volleyball IQ of my players is just as important as improving their skill level. What does she mean? What is Volleyball IQ and how do I teach it.
Continue Reading
In this product review article, I’ll be breaking down two rather inexpensive fundamental training aids. Both of these items aren’t necessary for a successful and established team, but they can help young kids in your feeder camps understand some of the basic and fundamental skills of the game. If you have ever been stuck with a few kids in your camp that can’t seem to serve over the net from the 10 foot line, or can’t pass the ball in a direct line, then these products might help you achieve some success instead of having to spend way to much time on a few laggers and neglect the rest of your campers who are up to speed. Continue Reading
In the world of sports, the mission is to develop young people into quality athletes and people. Thousands of studies show that kids involved in sports and other extra-curricular activities tend to have higher GPAs and are more likely to attend college. Sounds great, doesn’t it? What parent wants their kid to hang out with the wrong crowd and get into trouble? I know I don’t. But let’s be honest here, it’s also an opportunity to improve the talent pool in each prospective sport. High school football coaches live for kids who were rock stars in Pop Warner since they were 6 years old. Continue Reading
It’s here! The time of the true start of the season of picnic volleyball. You know, when all the people who get wasted on bad beer and think that a raggedy old “Smiley face” net and a pleather ball constitute the game of volleyball. You know, the group that is about 5 levels below recreational. I really have nothing against them, to each his own. But I don’t like when people say, “You should play, you’re a coach, you could teach us a few things and we’d win for sure.” People in these situations really don’t want a real player or a coach explaining the game to them, they just want to play and break every single rule while doing it and, of course, “have fun”. I’ve tried it before and I’m serious, none of these individuals want your “help” no matter how sincere they seem to be in asking for it. Continue Reading
One of my favorite drill books is Volleyball Drill Book – Game Action Drills written by Bob Bertucci and James Peterson. Why? Because of the subtitle. Simply put, the best drills are ones that simulate game-like experiences. This is where I believe slapping a volleyball has no place in a coach’s bag of tricks in practice. No one slaps a ball in a game, do they? Ideally, every drill should include a pass, set, and a hit. This is what keeps players excited and gives them a sense of accomplishment. If you drill partner tossed passing, or serving all day, your players will have no real sense of how that translates to match play. Continue Reading
