Coach Your Brains Out

1:06 - Introducing Russ, and his legacy as former head coach of the Penn State women's volleyball program.1:27 - What Russ will miss the most about coaching volleyball at Penn State.5:33 - Russ’ thoughts on if the strong desire to win can be a developed quality, or if it has to already exist in potential recruits.7:05 - What can coaches do to develop competitiveness in their players?9:13 - How can volleyball players and coaches find and develop a balance of being competitive, but also enjoying the sport?10:44 - Differentiating the players that say they want to win and the players that show they want to win.What does that look like?14:55 - Even if he knows he is going to win a match, does Russ still prepare in the same way?16:40 - What kind of practice environment has Russ cultivated, and what made practices successful in his eyes?20:32 - What does Russ mean when he wants his players to “go hard” in practices.24:39 - In challenging scenarios, does Russ believe in actively guiding his players, or letting them figure out a solution?26:14 - In a team with a smaller roster, how would Russ address a lack of effort among the players, or individuals?29:02 - Did Russ adjust his practices based on the physical or mental state of his players?34:21 - Is there anything Russ changed in his coaching strategy across his entire career that made a significant difference?35:51 - Russ’ travel story about a trip to Washington, and how it reflects his coaching strategy.Coach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionContact us for bulk orders: coachyourbrainsout@gmail.comBecome a Patron to support the show.

1:30 - Based on what Andy has seen so far, what are his expectations for the Pirates this season?2:41 - Will Andy travel with the players this year, or continue working with the coaches on the mental side?3:18 -  What are environmental constraints, and how can they be used?6:56 - Explaining the differences between “task” and “environment”11:43 - Using the example of a high net vs. a low net to explain these ideas.16:49 - In baseball practices, are environmental constraints used purposefully?18:14 - What environmental constraints can be observed indoors?22:46 - Should athletes (particularly college athletes) practice at the same time that their games would usually take place at?26:33 - Other factors besides the task, the organism, and the environment with respect to environmental constraints.28:57 - Is it important for coaches to know and recognize the differences in the aspects that they are constraining?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.

1:04 - What are pre-mortems and post-mortems and where did they come from?Note: this idea is also referenced by Angie Akers in this previous CYBO episode: https://www.blog.goldmedalsquared.com/podcast/episode/3c92044d/preparing-for-the-olympics-with-angie-akers4:05 - John’s thoughts on what the most important principles coaches should understand or learn before implementing pre-mortem exercises.9:38 - Given the maturity needed to properly execute pre-mortem exercises, at what age group can be considered the starting point or cutoff at which these exercises can begin to be implemented?13:50 - How can coaches tell when players have developed a strong relationship with their teammates and reached a point of maturity where pre-mortem exercises can be implemented?16:40 - Should pre-mortems be changed or implemented in a different way based on the skill or success of teams?19:14 - How to encourage players to open up to coaches and their teammates and communicate their feelings and thoughts freely.25:54 - How to determine which idea should be prioritized among the others29:03 - Have there been common themes that emerge when implementing pre-mortem exercises across different sports?33:22 - After identifying the initial issue or focus, what is the next step to be taken?Using the A-Team and the problem of humidity when competing as the example39:30 - What kind of changes did John Mayer’s implementation of pre-mortem exercises make by the end of the season?43:18 - John’s book recommendations for coaches.BooksCoach Your Brains Out: The Art and Science of Coaching VolleyballThe Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionBecome a Patron to support the show.

1:09 - Segwaying into this second part, John dives into the second scenario, and explains how it contrasts the scenario with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Showcasing autonomy within the team huddle2:43 - John’s thoughts on what the coach’s role should be in terms of creating team support and raising morale.4:24 - Benefits of giving the players/team more autonomy in situations like the Cavaliers and Warriors scenarios.“Players play the game”8:16 - Based on Steve Kerr’s method of supporting the Warriors, how would he have reacted if he was coaching the Cavaliers during their mishap with the J.R. Smith situation?11:20 - Analyzing a scenario that took place during a timeout from the U.S. women's national water polo team at the London 2012 Olympics.Context: U.S. were winning in the very last seconds of the game in a game against Australia14:18 - What was running through Adam’s head during the end of the water polo game?17:06 - How were Adam and the team able to effectively respond?Past mistakes allowed for the opportunity to grow and respond more effectively in similar situations that they were not able to overcome in the past21:01 - Recurring themes or qualities of coaches that are able to effectively overcome adversity in close matches.Importance of being more personal and connected with your players26:44 - How to effectively control or manage situations where players are slacking off, and how to set high expectations without yelling or freaking out.What kind of language should be used?Read Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1098630904Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/coachyourbrainsout

1:30 - John’s role in the Olympic process, and which teams he is currently working with.3:27 - Common themes or occurrences John has noticed within high level teams that he has worked with.8:24 - How and why do these themes occur in these scenarios?“Beginning with the end in mind” - determining the purpose of and goals of the team10:46 - Diving into specific scenarios, particularly one from when LeBron James was playing in the 2018 NBA Playoffs with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Specifically analyzing the body language and communication between the team.16:39 - John’s beliefs and thoughts on what part of the Cavaliers’ situation was the most detrimental to their play. 18:04 - John’s thoughts on what a much more effective response to the situation would look like.19:50 - Regardless of the consequences of destroying the morale of the team, is it still reasonable that LeBron was recognizably upset at J.R. Smith?22:50 - Addressing the need for someone to step up and raise the morale.Books:The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book!Support the show

1:14 - The most important recovery principles that coaches should understand.Building blocks of recovery3:36 - Why sleep is so important in the recovery process.7:56 - Given a 10 minute daily period spent focused on recovery, what are the most important principles that athletes should prioritize.Geared individually - the most effective recovery methods are different for each person11:43 - Beau’s recommendations for recovery tools.14:39 - Beau’s issues with most “healers” and “gurus” in the sports world.Dependent on the situation and their intentions16:46 - Should coaches push athletes to work hard when they are still sore from previous workouts and practices?18:05 - Beau’s thoughts on training specific to volleyball.19:33 - The most effective methods by which coaches can keep their athletes “injury free”.21:13 - Should strength training be specific to the sport?23:49 - How did Beau get where he is now?25:12 - How coaches should best support athletes with a fear of failure.27:12 - Beau’s takeaways from his experience losing to Hawaii in the NCAA national championship game.Read Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! Support the show

1:25 - Describing Beau’s experience winning the Super Bowl as a chiropractor for the Los Angeles Rams.2:53 - Recalling how Beau started working with the Rams. 5:02 - Describing Beau’s “three week tryout” period with the Rams.6:36 - Beau’s perspective and observations about the Rams’ culture that helps them be successful. “We not me” culture9:36 - Examples of the “we not me” culture implemented in the Rams.11:00 - How does the Rams’ coaching stand out from the rest? What is done to make it be considered “elite”?12:49 - What both volleyball coaches and players can learn from the structure and training of football.15:19 - After working with the Rams for the last six years, how would Beau restructure practices or his coaching style if he were to return to coaching volleyball?18:01 - On the flip side, what can football coaches and players learn/take away from volleyball?20:33 - From Beau’s experience and perspective being coached by Marv Dunphy at Pepperdine, what makes his coaching style so effective?22:43 - Describing Beau’s memorable takeaways and stories from when Marv was coaching him.26:14 - Does Beau think Marv would be successful coaching a football program regardless of his knowledge of the sport?Read Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! Support the show

1:11 - Exciting news for Kasey.1:56 - Trying to keep ecological dynamics as a part of Kasey’s coaching style.Guiding set of principles3:45 - Introduction to visual occlusion.Anticipating faster7:51 - Explaining Gaze behavior and how visual occlusion is used to help develop it. Active v. passive gazeIntercepting objects10:08 - Why should athletes take time away from studying and visualizing patterns of movements?11:32 - Finding better information by occluding everything else besides a specific habit or skill.Can also occlude one specific thing, and leave the rest available to be focused on.12:47 - In the scope of baseball, how can coaches implement occlusion training to develop faster reactions.14:56 - Explaining the infrared beam, and how Andy uses it.16:14 - Implementing occlusion training with a low budget.Techniques that Kasey has found to be effective.Strobe goggles..22:04 - John’s application of the strobe goggles in practicing serve receive and defense.Kasey’s clarification for the listeners.28:16 - Specifying the benefit of using occlusion training to give athletes up to date informationRead Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1098630904Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/coachyourbrainsout

1:58 - Convincing younger athletes to be open to taking the longer, but more self-fulfilling route of discovery Lauren described in the last episode.4:43 - Why is impostor syndrome so common in even successful athletes?Explaining it in the context of athleticsPossibly American athletic culture contributing to it?7:32 - What does Lauren mean by “examining the value of your work” and why is it important for athletes?Performance = connection and ease10:24 - How coaches can effectively guide a player who struggles with bringing their success in practice to real competition.13:45 - Lauren’s guide to opening questions for athletes - finding the best way to communicate.16:49 - Rephrasing “anxiety”.18:15 - Techniques coaches can use to help improve their players’ mental game.22:34 - Lauren’s one biggest takeaway from her career that she would want to tell herself in the past.Read Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! Support the show

1:20 - A little bit about Lauren’s swimming career.2:53 - Lauren’s breakthrough moment, and how she transitioned to help athletes with their mental game.4:12 - Describing the first conversation/meeting with an athlete.Getting athletes to open up5:48 - What aspects do athletes tend to need the most help with?7:10 - Where does confidence come from, and how does Lauren instill that within other athletes?8:53 - How Lauren helps athletes find their identity and also maintain it steadily throughout competition.11:53 - Do both world-class and amateur athletes struggle from the same mental challenges?16:46 - How athletes can build resiliency, and how coaches can assist them.20:39 - Dealing with feelings that a medal was not deserving of your performance.24:04 - How athletes can recover and decompress.26:43 - Handling the changing context or importance of pressure moments in competition.Read Billy's new book! The Inner Knight: Train and Compete Like a ChampionGet CYBO the book! Support the show