Heart of a Champion #3

Never ever give up! 

What Champions are made of

Champions aren't made on having fun everyday. They aren't made on emotions that are fleeting. They are made when you are sore. When you wake up and hurt. That moment when you wonder if this is worth it. Remember why you started and have faith in yourself.  That day your body was tired and your gym performance sucked yet you pushed through. That is the day you start becoming a champion. One day after all your work and push. After all the grinding and working you have done.... after all that, THEN you become a champion.

Thinking outside the box

Growing up on a farm I learned very quickly how to be innovative. We had 68 acres of fence and a small herd of cows that tried and tested every day to see if they could escape. They would always pick a rainy, cold, or blistering hot day to break the fence. Most times my Dad or Pop (my grandfather) weren’t around to put them back in the fence or fix the fence. Yes, it seemed like the cows always knew the worst time get out and took full advantage of it! My mom, sister, and I would have to round the herd up and fix the fence. Sometimes we didn’t have the tools to fix it properly (not that we didn’t have them… just had no idea where the tools were). Even without the right tools the fence had to be fixed and quickly. Innovation took over and that fence got fixed. Sometimes we had to just use a hammer and nails to pin the fence back up and sometimes we had to think outside the box to fix it. Sometimes this happens in volleyball. Maybe you don’t have the height that most people think you should have to be a middle or outside. That shouldn’t hold you back from being the best you can be hitter you can be. Think out of the box. Figure out a way to get in the air and hit the ball. Know your strengths and play to them. Just like the cows and the fence, the other teams and players will try to test your weaknesses. You have to be ready to fix the problem and score! Go out and be the best you can be. Be innovative and take control of your destiny.

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Tip Tuesday

#‎TipTuesday‬ Blocking! Did you know that for every inch you get up over the net you take 1 foot off the back line? As a blocker, you can help your back row defense by taking away feet off the line from the hitter. Timing is important and is key for blockers. Think about it, if you just get up 3 inches and are on time with the hitter, you can take away 3 feet from the hitter! The back row defensive players just got some big help from you. Even if the ball wasn't touched the angles changed. There was less floor to cover! Have you worked on your vertical today? If you play front row at all, blocking should be something you shouldn't take lightly. Help your team out. Trust me your DS and Libero will love you if you can get up. Make a difference at the net. Work Hard. Work Together.

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Play Hard. Play Together.

Coaching Notes:

   Play hard. Play together. A former player pointed out that I said that before every match. I never put that much thought into saying it every match. I just wanted my team to play hard and play together. Sometimes in coaching we have to keep it simple. Keeping it simple is hard. In pregame pep talks, there isn’t time to go on and on about all the details that each player needs to complete in order to win. That is what practice is for. In those last minutes it is your job as a coach to bring the whole team together to focus on what is most important. Short and simple words are always the best! The players are nervous and or focused on what they have to do. They don’t have time to be thinking about the meaning of the SAT vocabulary word you threw at them and how they were going to perform it. Give your players something they can quickly grasp. “Play hard. Play together” is simple and understandable for all. If you want to win games that is key to get done! That might not work for you as coach. That is okay. Find your words and your team will listen.

#MotivationMonday

‪#‎motivationmonday‬ Keep on keeping on! A simple concept but not always the easiest thing to do. When you hit the rocks in life and things seem hard... keep on keeping on! The mountain will move, just have to have some faith in yourself and remember why you started in the first place.... and keep on keeping on!
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Recruiting Myth #2

All recruiting coaches will tell you that film is very important. Some film is better than no film for sure what is the best type of film for college coaches?  Most prefer game film not highlights. Getting to see you play in a game shows more than just basic skills.

1. We all know that net heights are all subjective. Even with unbiased officials the heights change. You can look like a monster on the net if it is about 1 to 2 inches shorter. In a game however coaches know the net is equal and you aren't cheating.

2. When making a pass it shows that you can pass more than just a controlled free ball. Maybe you don't get hit at but it will at least show you can move to the ball.

3.  How you are as a teammate will show up. If you are a jerk... it will show up. If you refuse to come in with your team and seem rogue... it will show up. Just as showing the bad it will show the good too! If you are a great teammate the coach can see!

Those are just three reasons to show game film. You don't have to show the whole 45 minute match but 4-8 minutes worth is great. Show your skills off. You want to play for a school you must show them you playing!! Go start filming.  You can do this!