A few years ago I worked with Karch Kiraly on a summer camp program for junior girls. Our staff included Angela Rock, Steve Timmons, Mike Dodd, and Eric Sato. All of these players – now coaches- were the staff.
On the first day we covered the fundamentals, teaching through various activities with the focus on reinforcing correct execution. That evening we heard that one of campers called her dad and told him that she already knew the things we were teach and was expecting to learn “advanced” skills. Karch and the others were shocked. They wondered if we were teaching the correct things. I assured them we were. The next morning at the first camp gathering I reviewed what Karch had done in his illustrious career. (Voted as the greatest volleyball player in the world in the first 100 years. This vote was by the International volleyball Federation – not some trumped up marketing scheme.) He is known for his incredible ball handling skills and focused play. He had no idea where I was going with this.
After reviewing his accolades for the girls I asked him, “After all of the time you have trained and played, have you mastered the basic skills?” As he always does, he seriously considered the question. He slowly shook his head and said, “Nope. I never have.”
“WHAT?” says I, dramatically incredulous, “How can that be? You are the greatest player ever! I am completely disappointed. And this early in the morning, too! Because one of the girls here told her Dad that she already knew the skills we taught yesterday. Karch, I am stunned. Throughout your 24 year career you practiced the fundamental skills EVERYDAY? Just like we did in camp yesterday?”
Karch nodded and said quietly and seriously, “Yup. Every day.
Point made. Point taken.
Occasionally we will have parents or players ask if the next session a will be the same as the last. The answer is yes and no. To get better the players must do many contacts with good feedback. To stand the trial of time any great building must be built on a strong foundation. So it is with volleyball. The precise, consistent fundamentals are the foundation of great volleyball for both players and teams. So the “yes” part is that we hammer home the correct techniques and ways to practice them daily. Every contact matters.
The “no” is that we change up the activities in each session to have the players practice applying the skills to the unique situations that randomly pop up in volleyball. Also, we increase the complexity and performance standards of the activities based on the improvement of the players. We try to make the learning process enjoyable and rewarding. We want the players to love the game. However, there is no getting around the quality repetitions one must execute to get good.
There are several studies done that to perfect any skill takes 10,000 hours of mindful, consistent practice. It requires a lot to be good. It takes a lot more to be great.
We do our best to give the most efficient and effective instruction as possible.
When the groups are formed we don’t know the makeup of the skill level despite describing what we do.
I have the attitude that every situation is an opportunity to learn; to get better. No team or group as the exact level of playing competency. When a player goes to their high school team there will be players who are better and those who are worse. There will be players with great attitudes and those with questionable ones.
We often hear, “My daughter needs to play up so she gets more challenged.” Does that mean that the players who are already “up” are now going to play down? They need fewer challenges? It is the same with the playing time issue that crops up in every team. “My daughter needs more playing time.” If that happens, of course, another player is going to get less. There are always two sides to these issues. There is a challenge and opportunity in every situation. If a player is better than those around her then her challenge is to elevate the play of those players. If a player is not as good as others it is an opportunity to demonstrate her willingness to get better with great effort thus elevating the play of those around her.
I have had the honor and opportunity to coach both men and women at the Olympic level many of whom have won Gold Medals, and I have coached 12 – 13 year old girls. With the world class players there is one constant: they play to the situation in which they find themselves. They do not wish they were in a better situation. They make the situation they are in better. They elevate the play of those around them. They do not snivel about playing time. They assess where they are and figure out how they can earn it and make their team better.
We do our best to match up skill levels. But because of schedule conflicts and individual assessments of their own abilities it is difficult to do. However, there are always opportunities for the players at every level to get better.
As one might imagine I have little sympathy for anyone who says “I have already learned that” or “I need a greater challenge.” The lessons may differ but if one has an attitude of learning, the learning never stops.
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