Coach Your Brains Out

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.

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.

Kellen Petrone, Associate Head Coach at Pitt University and founder of the Duquesne men's club team, shares insights from his 12-year coaching journey. He discusses the unique challenges of developing a volleyball program and the pivotal role of assistant coaches in men's club volleyball. The conversation emphasizes open communication, empowerment, and the importance of fostering trust between coaches and players. Listeners dive into the dynamics of coaching relationships and the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones for growth and professional development.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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