Matt over at The College Volleyball Coach, my partner on the Inside College Volleyball book, responded to a question from a reader about transitioning from long-time player to coach. While he offers up a couple of other little bits and pieces, Matt’s primary response is to be consistent. To quote:
Players will be a myriad of challenges, but the coach absolutely must be consistent in their program parameters.
This is very similar to the advice offered by Volleyball Coaching Wizard Stelio DeRocco in his interview. Here’s that excerpt.
I know I shared that clip before, but it’s worth repeating. It is very easy to fall into the trap of being a reactionary coach and letting things influence how we project ourselves outwardly. We need to remember that people are watching basically at all times. As I wrote about in Watching yourself coaching, these days you always have people looking when you coach. And thanks to online video, people can look at you well after the fact as well!
I had that lesson reinforced on me over the while coaching in Sweden when I spotted myself in video from the Gran Prix.
That’s my O1 from Svedala, Mo Simmons (Clemson) being interviewed.
By the way, one of my former players from Exeter – a Swedish one – spotted me in the video. She didn’t realize I coached in her homeland.
The point is, you’re always on display. And who do you think watches you the most? Your players. You will be amazed at times the things they pick up and remember.
So give a bit of thought to what you project to your team.
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