Coach Your Brains Out REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Tom Black and Jason Watson - 2.0 (1 of 2)
Jul 17, 2025
Tom Black, a college volleyball coach at the University of Georgia, and Jason Watson, coaching at the University of Arkansas, dive into the evolution of volleyball coaching. They discuss the challenges of integrating new blocking skills and the need for athlete engagement. The impact of the NCAA transfer portal sparks a lively debate on athlete mobility versus team dynamics. They also explore the positive changes in NCAA volleyball, alongside differing views on future concerns. With humor, they emphasize the crucial role of serving and contextual awareness in the sport.
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Challenges of Teaching Blocking
- Blocking is a complex skill to teach because it requires working in a challenging, unfamiliar learning space.
- Exploring differential learning can unlock new coaching benefits despite initial discomfort.
Volleyball Progress and Future Concerns
- While volleyball media exposure and talent influx have improved in the past decade, future challenges loom.
- Current optimism is tempered by concerns about emerging issues that may cause temporary setbacks.
Managing Transfer Portal Impacts
- The transfer portal increases transparency and athlete freedom but can strain coach-player relationships.
- Coaches need to balance support with challenge to maintain authentic development amid transfer risks.