The basics of coaching

Coaching = TeachingThe ability to coach will be directly related to the coach’s teaching ability – i.e. transferring information and developing skill levels

Leadership – Coach as a Leader• Ability to lead and direct staff and players to a common goal• Get people to do what you want them to do

To train intensively by instruction, practice and demonstration

Develop, change and maintain behaviors

Develop terminal levels of performance that are measurable, observable and accountable

What does a coach control?• Practice – planning, preparation and execution• Physical Training – planning, preparation and execution• Preparation for Game/Match – oversee every aspect of being prepared for “game time”• Motivation - define and crystallize the common goal that we are striving for - find out what reinforces the team (what moves this group?) and each athlete - what interaction (“motivator”) triggers the best response from the team and each athlete?• Coach – Athlete Interactions - communication – transferring information to players - athletes’ roles - individual and team meetings

Components of successful coaching• Having a passion for your sport.• Have a long term plan (vision) and the ability to implement it (organize).• Find the way to lead this group - - leadership ability.• Applying the appropriate teaching method • Appropriately facilitate your message • Knowledge of X’s & O’s - - skills (techniques) and strategies (tactics).• Identifying general “athletic” and “sport specific” talent.• Inter-relating to the players and staff• Make if FUN!• Determine how to motivate each athlete and the team as a whole

The sequence/phases of learning volleyball – 1) skill – acquiring all the skills/techniques needed to become the best volleyball player; 2) physical – getting yourself in the best possible physical condition; 3) mental – the psychological side of the game – the higher the level, the more important this phase becomes. 1) Skill 2) Physical 3) Mental are in rank order of importance

You control both of these. No matter where you are in your skill development, physical conditioning and/or mental state your attitude and effort are factors that you alone can control.

These follow from having the appropriate attitude and effort. They must be first understood and then practiced just as you would practice any volleyball skill.

What you do in practice relates directly to your match results. You cannot execute in game conditions what you have not mastered in a practice/training setting. “Practice does not make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect.”

Common denominators of winning (successful) teams• Mutual respect and trust STAFF – PLAYERS; PLAYERS – PLAYERS; STAFF – STAFF• Discipline• Athletic Talent• Players fit coaching system/system designed for players• Coaches are good motivators• “Team” will beat a collection of good individuals

What I have learned in my 40+ years of coaching.

Surround yourself with the right people Exceptional peoplePlayers & staff• Know your strengths, but most importantly your weaknesses then ensure those around you make your collective staff better• Delegate• “Over deliver” on your promises to them• Create a win-win situation for anyone that you work with

Know your priorities in life• What are the most important things for you – wealth, family, health, religious beliefs, value system, integrity, friendship, etc. • Be true to yourself• Mom – “it goes quickly – everything in moderation – most important thing in life is your” health• “One person’s BS is another person’s catechism”• “The most important things in life are not things”• Be able to make fun of yourself – laugh often and surround yourself with others who can laugh with you

Develop and establish a clear philosophy of coaching• Write it down • One page• Review it at the end of each year – modify it as needed• Make sure that it is easily understandable by your staff, players, parents, administrators

Mentorship• Find a mentor• Give back – be a mentor

Work ethic – learn how to work hard & smart• “This is a great country - - if you work hard anything is possible. However, always remember you may work hard and you may not get what you want, but YOU WILL NEVER get what you want if you do not work hard” (Taras M. Liskevych /my father/)• “10,000 hours” – quality vs. quantity

Learn every day and read as much as you can • Enhance your knowledge with something new every year (every day)• Seek out professional development and networking opportunities• Keep a list of books to read ¬ both fiction and non-fiction ¬ on coaching ¬ on leadership and motivation• Learners will not be left behind

Positive energy –glass ½ fi lled vs. glass ½ emptyMake a conscious choice to be part of the solution, not the problem

Have a basic foundation of teaching/coaching principles • The training environment is a key to your success. Practice is the most important thing that you will do – practice does not make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect• Design a system for your players – not fit players into a system• Do not try to do tactically what you cannot do technically• Environment shapes the desired outcome/behavior

Develop a system to Identify talent

• Physical innate gifts• Attitude, effort and work ethic• Energy giver• Ability to keep plugging away after failing - “The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time that we fall” (Nelson Mandela)

“The most important ingredient of coaching success is the athletic talent of your team”

Market your program• It is our job as coaches to help expose this great sport• “Come once and you’ll come back”• Work to attract fans who are not just player families & friends and/or former players & coaches

Concern yourself with the things you can control or change, don’t worry about things you can’t

Take charge of your attitude – do not let anyone else choose it for you

Success is a journey, not a destination

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little extra

“Failure is the opportunity to begin more intelligently” Henry Ford

Questions?

Please visit the website bellow to review this presentation as well as other coaching and athletic resources I have prepared for you.

Continuing Education

Drills, tactics, techniques, philosophies, fitness tips, nutritional advice, mental training – it’s all here at TheArtofCoachingVolleyball.com - all taken from the valuable input of numerous

coaches across the country who have mentored players at every level and every age.

www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/terry-mvi