

Coach Your Brains Out
CYBO and Gold Medal Squared
Coach Your Brains Out is founded by professional beach volleyball players and college coaches John Mayer and Billy Allen. The primary goal is practical, useful education that will help you become a better coach. Our podcasts are released every Thursday, so set your notifications accordingly!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 30min
REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Tom Black and Jason Watson - 2.0 (2 of 2)
In this engaging discussion, Tom Black, a college volleyball coach known for his analytical approach, and Jason Watson, an experienced university coach, delve into the nuances of serving techniques in volleyball, debating the effectiveness of hybrid vs. clean serves. They also explore the controversial topic of blocking moves, examining various movement patterns and their impact on performance. Additionally, the conversation shifts to leadership dynamics in sports teams, advocating for collective communication over traditional captaincy, and emphasizes the vital role coaches play in nurturing leadership skills.

Jul 17, 2025 • 31min
REASON YOUR BRAINS OUT with Tom Black and Jason Watson - 2.0 (1 of 2)
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.

Jul 10, 2025 • 25min
RECRUITING with Kellen Petrone (2 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Jul 3, 2025 • 34min
ASSISTANT COACHING with Kellen Petrone (1 of 2)
Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

Jun 26, 2025 • 32min
TASK SIMPLIFICATION vs TASK DECOMPOSITION - Motor Learning for Coaches
Andy Bass, mental skills coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, dives into the nuances of motor learning in coaching. He highlights the balance between task simplification and decomposition, using examples from baseball and piano playing. The conversation critiques repetitive drills, advocating for holistic training that incorporates real-game scenarios. Bass emphasizes full-body engagement in glove work and discusses how to simplify skills for better coaching outcomes. It's an enlightening chat on enhancing athlete performance through innovative training methods.

Jun 19, 2025 • 43min
QUESTION YOUR BRAINS OUT
Become a Patron to support the show.Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a Champion

15 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 31min
PREPARING FOR POSTSEASON - Mental Performance for Coaches (2 of 2)
Discover the complexities of managing expectations in coaching and how they can inspire or disappoint. Explore the essential role of mental performance coaches in helping athletes handle postseason pressure. Learn about the value of embracing challenges and maintaining routines for peak performance. Dive into the importance of focusing on controllable factors like effort and communication for consistent growth. Finally, uncover how reframing pressure as a privilege can empower coaches and athletes in critical playoff moments.

21 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 33min
PREPARING FOR POSTSEASON - Mental Performance for Coaches (1 of 2)
Bernie Holiday, a mental skills professional, shares his expertise on preparing teams for postseason success. He highlights the unique challenges coaches face compared to regular season play, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies under pressure. Holiday explores the mental game, stressing routines and addressing fears to boost athletes' confidence. He also discusses the power of intentional messaging for reshaping team narratives, fostering optimism, and enhancing leadership roles to navigate the intensity of playoffs.

May 29, 2025 • 29min
ECO D IN YOUTH SPORTS with Nick Smallridge (2 of 2)
Nick's substackCoach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

May 22, 2025 • 36min
ECO D IN YOUTH SPORTS with Nick Smallridge (1 of 2)
Nick Smallridge, an Assistant soccer coach at Bentonville High School and Substack writer, dives into the intriguing world of ecological dynamics in youth sports. He shares how simplified coaching can lead to better player development and reflects on his experiences in the Peace Corps, particularly observing children's soccer skills in Uzbekistan. Smallridge emphasizes balancing play with practice, advocating for enjoyable training environments, and highlights the importance of adaptiveness over rigid techniques while providing insightful verbal feedback to enhance player understanding.