Coach Your Brains Out: Lessons on the Art and Science of Coaching Volleyball

by John Mayer

Teachers who praise their students’ intelligence encourage a fixed mindset, while praising hard work and effort cultivates a growth mindset.

Growth Mindset Challenges are to be embraced. Obstacles are to be persisted through. Effort is the path to mastery. Criticism is an aid to learning. Success of others is used as an example and inspiration.

Improvement occurs in both a blocked and random training environment so it’s not that blocked training is harmful, it is simply less effective.

They are especially helpful for someone learning a new skill or technique.

Another appropriate time to use blocked reps is when an athlete is clearly struggling

If it’s a progression or a game-like drill, it’s incredibly important to make sure the coach and the learner are both clear on the activity’s focus. Mindful reps in a game-like environment with specific feedback is more important than a creative 10-step progression.

But keep in mind that the more we can enhance our players’ expectations and point out the many things they are doing right, the better they will perform.

Study after study shows that an external focus enhances strength, accuracy, and automaticity while an internal focus deters them.

Productive feedback is specific, helpful, and kind.

A good key:

1. Is as short as possible, ideally three to five words in length 2. Is highly visual and descriptive 3. Uses metaphors, not body parts

Design practice to prepare your athletes for performance!