Observations from the Road

I've just returned from a 10 day road trip that allowed me to visit some highly successful programs.  I always find these opportunities to visit other coaches in action both exciting and fun.  So often I will see or hear things that I definitely put into my coaching routine.  I also am so happy there are successful coaches "out there" that want the game to improve and are willing to share their knowledge.

I was at the University of Illinois, the current AVCA #1 team in the country.  Also, six time Indiana state champion, Indianapolis Cathedral and NCAA Men's Champion, Ohio State University.  I mixed in 2010 NCAA tournament teams Indiana and Dayton.  As I visited the training sessions of these successful teams one theme was common to all.  That theme was the focus on detail in every aspect of the training sessions.  All these coaches have an eye for detail, organized to the minute practice plans, focus on the part of coaches and players to every aspect of every repetition during training.  The coaches know exactly what they want from every drill and provide quality feedback for both team and individual performances.  They are also very aware of and attempt to influence the "atmosphere" in the training sessions. There is a difference between implementing a drill and really understanding what is necessary for the drill to accomplish desired goals.  These coaches really understand the nuances of a drill or a skill that take on importance at the higher levels of play.

Jean Kesterson

Coach Jean Kesterson, from Indianapolis Cathedral, ran all drills by the scoreboard clock.  Again, a high level of emphasis placed on serving with hoops placed on the floor in the target areas of the day.  Lots of drills were organized with the number of successful contacts.  Upon completion of the drill, players would touch the team/school logo and yell "I'm a winner".  Coach Kesterson explained that not all young players feel that they are winners and she is making the attempt to reinforce an important attitude.  Also, with every successful serve to target, players would yell "Irish" (school mascot).



Coach Hambly was very focused on serve and pass.  I have never seen a team serve as many balls during a training session.  The serve reps took place in small increments periodically during practice.  But, if you total the number of serve attempts for the entire session, it would be a significant number.  He also placed a high priority on video feedback during practice.  Players would go back and forth from the video station back to the drill with keys to focus upon. 

Coach Sean Byron, fromt the OSU men's staff, did a wonderful presentation on blocking.  It is very obvious that the OSU men focus on every detail of the skill.  The blocking video that I was able to gather is valuable for coaches of every level.

Indiana Coach Sherry Dunbar ran a great practice in Bloomington.  Great attention to blocking footwork and execution.  All the middle blockers went through countless repetitions of moving from the middle to the outside.  This combined with lots of focus hand movement above the net was a valuable session for the middles.  From my perspective, blocking is always the last thing that young players learn.  With the focus that Sherry is placing upon the skill, I have no doubt that Indiana will bring this group of young athletes along very quickly. 

 Dayton v St. Louis- VTS lets you listen in!!

It was an interesting experiment when Dayton played St. Louis last Friday.  Both Coach Sheffield from Dayton and Coach Miller from Dayton agreed to wear a wireless microphone during the match.  It was a well played match and both coaches were impressive relative to the information they were giving to their team.  Lots of keys that provided important information to their players.

Videos from the above training/competition sessions, as well as training video from Ohio University, West Virginia, Cleveland State and the Ball State Men will be on the VTS site in the upcoming days.