(This will be a 2-part blog - Part 1 will deal with "Why have we not educated our families properly?" and Part 2 will then go into the reality of what the culture of college volleyball is truly like).
With tryouts for most juniors volleyball clubs only days away, I figured I'd write a little bit on a topic that I think most families should be aware of, but only a very small percentage actually understand (not due to anything they've done - it's just more of an elephant in the room. Allow me to introduce that elephant).
In the past month, I've been speaking with countless people in the volleyball community - from juniors players to their parents, to club coaches/directors, all the way up to USAv/AAU/JVA/AVCA members. It's been interesting to hear a lot of different perspectives regarding the culture of junior volleyball and the wants/needs for it. Between my experience as a college coach and eventually a college liaison, as well as my communication with all these people, I've come to the conclusion that
most parents/players have not been properly educated on how college volleyball REALLY works for various reasons:
1) Some clubs (understandably from a business perspective) are afraid to tell the 99% of families with a child that will not play Division I the hard truth as they risk losing that family to another club that will tell them otherwise. Sadly, player success sells a lot more than player development.
2) Some families simply don't want to hear the truth. I've seen a ton of articles online with hard facts about how most parents should curb their expectations about their children being an elite athlete littered with a comments section of proud parents with a "you're wrong about my kid, you'll see!" remarks. #3 and #4 will play on this.
3) Marketing tools are horribly skewed to give false expectations. This in my opinion is the BIG one. Before all my friends that work for/run clubs get upset, know that this isn't a shot at their programs as much as the culture of club sports for kids. When you think large girls v.olleyball programs in my area, there are three that stand out above the rest. Their top teams indeed are some of the best in the country, and I see players from their clubs at some of the best college programs in the country.
I went to all three of their websites, and the first thing that pops out on all three websites are the words NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. One of them takes a small scroll to see that they are #2 in the nation for players that are currently playing at the collegiate level, and the other has the # of 2014 recruits that are going to play at college. These are statements that are valid... but it doesn't paint the whole picture.
What you don't see is the number of kids that have gone through their program in that age group in the last 5-6 years that aren't going to play in college. You don't see the number of kids that may go to college to play but are relying on their academic scholarship/grants to help pay their way. You don't see the difference in training that the 'elite' players get vs. the kids that are either brand new to the sport or develop at the speed that I did as a 5'5 95-pound high school freshman. And you don't see the fact that, due to the reputation they've built and aggressive marketing, they get more of the physical outliers / naturally gifted athletes to come to their tryouts, which is why they SHOULD be where they're at (Even John Wooden, one of the greatest coaches of all time that won 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 seasons and was all about fundamentals/effort, admitted that the #1 thing you need to win was talent). Give a trained eye an hour at 10 different clubs for their tryouts at their "top" court, and that eye will be able to give you a pretty close assessment to what teams will have the most success 7 months down the road.
Due to all of this, all the other clubs have to resort to similar marketing tools - I agreed to work for my club because they have built a culture that cared about the PERSON, whether they were going to be an elite athlete or they just had a love for the sport - but you won't read that on our front page. Scroll down and you will read about our National Championships though!
And from a business perspective, why wouldn't they? Parents want their kids to go to successful programs, and sure enough, these clubs have the biggest tryout numbers year after year without fail.
4) We have decided to skew tournament results so that everyone feels successful. Part of this is to soften the blow to our kids that not everyone is created equal, another part of this is to make sure parents (and to an extent, lower/middle level clubs) are willing to pay the $ it takes to travel for these National Championships (our sport isn't generating a lot of money at the professional level - but you better believe that the business of juniors volleyball is THRIVING financially).
Let's look at a 18's Division for a National Championship from last year. There were 222 teams that participated. They were broken into four groups: Classic, Club, Open, and Premier (very clever how they don't use a naming system that would differentiate to a common fan what's best). There were 44 teams in the 'lowest' division. After a couple days of play, teams are 'tiered' to play with other teams that have had similar results. One team did not win a single game - they were 44th out of 44 and in a sense, 222 out of 222. But you know what those kids/parents will say? "We took 5th in the Green Division!". 222 teams, and they all get to leave saying they finished in the top-10 of x division.
The intention of that is not to criticize that team, but the system that doesn't give parents and players a fair assessment on where they fall in the big picture. The system only bolsters it - because most families aren't paying thousands of dollars to spend a week in Florida to take 200th+ place.
I want to give people this information not to ruffle feathers, but because families NEED to know this. You can skew statistics all you want in a letter to a college coach about your team's results, but when the coach sees the athlete play, they will know where they stand. A club name or tournament results may get a coach to look at a player, but if the player can't perform at the level they're looking for, they will not play for that coach's school. It's as simple as that.
You may be thinking "With all of that sunshine you just dropped on us, what are we supposed to do???" - Part 2 will talk about your options - And you have them. Club has a purpose and value - the development of your athlete. That value is in the practices/education, not the playing time at tournaments, not at finishing Xth place in the Y Division at Nationals. Any kid that truly has a passion for the sport and has played it for multiple years has an opportunity to play after high school - with many of them being able to use it to their advantage when applying for a college.
I will speak more to this in Part 2!
Friday, October 3, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Why Are Kids Afraid To Fail? One Theory.
The following thoughts are simply my opinion based on what I see on a regular basis - I would love someone to do some research on it to give it a little more validity. My question is this: How does the media's constant praise/criticism of world-class athletes affect youth sports?
Twenty years later (Really??? 20? When did that happen...), I still like to listen to ESPN Radio or have the television on in the background while I work. I may change this routine moving forward though, as while the stories change, the tone of the conversation remain the same.
The problem I see is we live in a society that hails the victor and picks apart the "loser". The Chicago Bears had a bad game Sunday and the media has CRUSHED them for the last 72 hours. The coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams all have been getting blasted via radio/television, and I'm not even going to address Social Media like Twitter/Facebook. I realize journalists have a job to do and that's how they make their living, but how do we expect our kids to see society's reactions to athletic competitions and NOT fear failure and judgment from peers?
I went to a junior high match to watch a couple of the athletes I coach in the sand play earlier this week, and her team won a very close match. Both played extremely well - I ran into one of them afterwards and complimented her on how she played (including the only block of the match to win the match 26-24!). She was a beam of light on the court for her teammates when they made good plays, and kept players going to the middle after the other team scored. She served well, played good defense, and attacked the ball well beyond her years. She responded meekly, "I made a lot of mistakes...". I asked her if she gave her all physically/mentally and she said yes. I reminded her of the good plays and told her I was proud of her and to keep working hard. The player I found and the player I left were completely different, all because of a little encouragement.
I tell my kids the same thing time and time again: If you walk off the court knowing you gave your all physically and mentally every single point, that's all you can ask of yourself and you should walk off that court with your head held high, regardless of the outcome/mistakes that may have occurred.
I've coached players from age 5 all the way up to 50's - One of the biggest obstacles I face with new teams, young or old, talented or raw, is getting players to focus on making the play instead of fearing the mistake. Even parents with a limited education on volleyball can tell when kids "aren't moving" - their movements are hesitant, their bodies are tense, they look at their teammates any time a ball is between them hoping they'll go for it so they don't have to. Their mechanics become rigid and they don't give themselves an opportunity to succeed. I spend much more time at practices breaking this mindset than I'd like to because it's crucial for their development. My players know the quotes I drive home time and time again (most from coaches much smarter than me) - "If you're not making mistakes, you're not growing" "Whatever you're doing, do it to the best of your ability" "Focus on the process, not the results" "Be comfortable being uncomfortable" "When things get tougher physically you must be tougher mentally". When they finally buy into it, that's when we see the biggest growth. I make sure we're always pushing ourselves to raise the bar and improve things mechanically, but I also don't want them to become consumed by the results.
One of the first pieces I read this morning was about the Buffalo Bills quarterback being replaced by their backup, with the coach being quoted as saying they need more production from that position. I realize coaches have to be careful about letting the media hit nerves with them, but I'd love to hear a coach say something like this:
"Yes, we're making a change. Let's be clear about something: It's not a punishment to the former starter - it's an opportunity for the new one. We are an organization of world-class individuals competing against other organizations of world-class individuals - every single person that's a part of what we do has worked their asses off most of their life to be successful at what they're doing - and most of us will be able to live comfortably for the rest of our lives as a result. Every now and then, one player will not be producing and we'll look at another option, but they'll continue to work hard, we'll continue to evaluate their progress, and the team will move forward as one.
The reality is, every single Sunday, an amazing team is going to win and an amazing team is going to lose. Half of these elite teams HAVE to lose each week. If a player isn't hustling, is a negative influence on those around them, or is becoming individualistic and losing focus on the team and its goals, then we can criticize them. But if a player is giving their all and aren't at their best physically - and remember, we play a game where a matter of INCHES can be the difference between positive and negative outcomes - then I'm going to back my players/staff and do everything I can to help them be better prepared for the following week, because that's all I can ask of them".
I know it won't happen because people eat it up the way it is, which generates ratings/views, which generates advertisement opportunities with leads to $$$ - it's just sad that we are raising a generation of kids that watch us praise players when they're great one week and crush them the next when they don't perform. It shouldn't come to a shock to us when are kids make mistakes - why wouldn't they be concerned about judgment when you can't watch/listen to sports media for 15 minutes without seeing harsh criticism of some of the best athletes in the world?
We can't change what's on television or on the radio - but we have SO much power as coaches, teammates, parents, siblings. Players put enough pressure on themselves and know when they have a bad game - don't let our young athletes forget: It's not whether they win or lose, but how they play the game.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Controlling the Controllables - How to Deal with Rough External Circumstances as an Athlete
As we approach Club Tryouts, I have the opportunity to go support our girls as they compete for their respective high schools. After the game if they aren't chasing a bus to head home, I'll ask them how their season is going. Some have good experiences, but many club players struggle with the transition as the culture can be much different than what they're used to experiencing. Some things I hear on a regular basis include:
* The coach plays me at a different position than I play for club.
* The coach plays favorites with people from the club they coach at.
* The coach plays everyone equally so we're not as competitive as I'd like to be.
* The coach doesn't have a volleyball background and makes us do things in an unorthodox manner.
The last one is probably the most common - I ran an indoor camp for a week this summer, and when we were practicing serve receive, I noticed most of the girls were straight-legged with their cores bent forward. When I tried adjusting this, they said their high school coach yells at them if they do it any other way. As a 14-18 year old, I understand how frustrating it can be to have one coach teach one method, only to have another teach them to do it differently!
The one common theme with players' frustrations is that they are usually focusing on external circumstances. Unfortunately, players can't control who coaches them, they can't pick their teammates, and they don't have a lot of say in what their role will be on a team. But there are still SO many things that they can (and should) focus on controlling, even when they aren't in the ideal situation.
Do not let the things you can't control negatively affect the things you DO control. This is one of the most crucial pieces of coaching I feel we can give our young players. Above everything else, I'm a firm believer that the game teaches the game - every repetition a player takes is valuable! It can be very easy for an athlete to become distracted regarding this. If they're focused on how the coach just yelled at them or how their teammate isn't doing things right, it will deter them from being able to do their job to the best of their ability. Every time they touch the ball is an opportunity to better themselves.
Whatever role your coach gives you, do it to the best of your ability! I remember in high school playing a different position each season - libero as a freshman, right side as a sophomore, outside as a junior and setter as a senior. It would have been nice in some ways if I could have focused on one position, but long-term I feel lucky that I worked on multiple aspects of my game.
I had a little video I put together which is how my eventual college coach found me. It was about 3 and a half minutes of hitting outside - with two right side hits. It was those two hits that caught his eye, and I ended up starting my first two years for Newbury as an opposite. The school was the perfect fit for me academically - and had I not been able to play that position, he may not have contacted me as we were already loaded at outside hitter.
If your coach puts you in at a position you've never played before, do it to the best of your ability. That's all you can control, and the coach is putting you there for a reason. Which goes to my last point:
Focus on the process, not the results! I tell the athletes this all the time, and it's easier said than done. 50 percent of teams win, and 50 percent of teams lose - winning doesn't always mean you played well and losing doesn't mean you played poorly. When we make a mistake and dwell on the result (missed serve, hit out of bounds, shanked pass), we lose the ability to use it as a learning moment - the WHY it happened and HOW to correct it. "Ugh, I missed my serve" will only make you more tense the next time you go to the line. "My toss was too low, I'll throw it higher next time" gives you the opportunity to better the next ball.
Your team may not be as successful as you'd like. You may not be in your most comfortable position. You may have a coach that yells at you more often than not. These aren't ideal scenarios, but only YOU can decide whether or not to let them negatively affect your ability to perform. Remember: the teenage years are about building a foundation - and even negative environments will make it easier when you decide to look for colleges to play for in the aspect that you'll know what coaching philosophies/team environments you thrive in, and which ones you want to avoid.
Control the Controllables kids - never give someone else the power to make you give less than 100% physically and mentally - do it for yourself!
Good luck to teams as they enter the second half of their high school season!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
You Only Turn 29 Once a Year - Happy Birthday to My Stepdad
Today, my stepdad (I'll be calling him Tracy from this point forward - I can't recall a time he wasn't Tracy to me) turns 29 for the 22nd time (50 for those of you that doing math) today. It's odd being the same age as him! As I reflect on my life, I don't know where I'd be without him, but it wouldn't be as good as it is now.
My mother and Tracy were married by the time I was four, and I can't remember a time where he wasn't around. Truth be told, it wasn't always easy. He was the 'bad cop' when someone needed to be. Perhaps it was because my mom coddled me (she did), or the fact that he was busting his ass working during the day and finishing school at DeVry at night in order to support us. He wasn't just a stepdad, he was an older brother - he'd hold my hand crossing the street, but we'd be playing mercy (he NEVER let me win either - my hand still hurts from some of those battles). He taught me how to talk trash the hard way - by beating me both physically and psychologically at any game we played. Then, if I actually got the upper hand on him, he'd tell my mom I crossed the line, only to stand behind her and cup his hand into the letter C (which meant "See?", as if I shouldn't try to beat him). An older brother with the parent card... it was dangerous.
Truth be told, leading up to their divorce I was almost hopeful it would happen at times. Yet when they sat me down and told me, I remember my first thought being "Where is Tracy going to go?!?" - when I was younger, he would always tell me that he'd love to move to Colorado - I was certain that's what would happen immediately. However, I found out years later that he was fearful of where I'D be going when they decided to separate.
Without going into too much detail, it ended up being Tracy and I living together for my high school years. He was extremely tough on me growing up, and we both were dealing with a lot of anger issues in those high school days - sometimes we took it out on each other. Things even escalated a few weeks before high school ended where I moved in with my dad. However, those high school years were a blessing in disguise - I couldn't tell you all the things I've learned from Tracy, but I'll give go ahead and list a few of them.
I learned how to do math REALLY well (at the age of 4, he had me doing long division - I was always ahead of the curve in math). I learned how to type from him (In 4th grade, I could type 90 words per minute, maybe today that's somewhat common but in 1994 I was a bit unique in that department). He taught me how to build my first computer at the age of 13. By 15, I was quite domesticated, cleaning most of the house on a weekly basis. He taught me how to iron clothes, which I needed going to a private catholic high school. I attribute my passion for road trips to him - numerous times he did the majority of the driving getting us to Illinois to Florida and vice versa - the man is a machine behind the wheel.
The physical lessons were nothing compared to the life lessons he taught me and support he showed me at my darkest times (even if it didn't resonate right off the bat). He taught me not to be a sheep and do things because everyone else did (AKA wanting to wear Tommy Hilfiger clothes in 7th grade), taught me that common interests are not relationship bonds (Still the best piece of advice I've ever received regarding relationships after I was crushed post-breakup). He was definitely pivotal in developing a sense of humor (mostly at my expense, but luckily I was calloused to being ridiculed by the time I got to college).
He's quick-witted as anyone I've ever met. He can be RUTHLESS with his sense of humor one minute, but get him with an animal and you'll see his softer side (sorry if I wasn't supposed to admit it). The care he showed my grandma when she was struck with dementia showed both care and mental toughness I can't imagine being able to display, and he did it for years.
When I was in my early 20's and needed to get out of my living situation, he took me in with no questions asked. We've always stayed close, and I can't imagine where I'd be without him. I may not get to see him as often as I'd like to, but it's always the same - lots of laughs, deep talks about life, and always leaving better than I was when I first got there.
I have a great relationship with both my mom and dad, but I'll always have a special bond with Tracy because at a moment where he had the opportunity to walk away and do whatever he wanted with his life, he chose to stay where he was and raise me. It baffles my mind the sacrifices he made for me, especially when I realize I was nine years old when he was my age (the REAL 29). I feel incredibly lucky
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Services Offered by Progression Volleyball Consulting
After a long weekend in California for the final AVP tournament of the year, it's time to get back to the grind! I'll be using this post to explain exactly what I'm offering with my company (as well as initial price-points).
The goal of Progression Volleyball Consulting is to educate families on how to a) properly conduct a college search so they can look at schools most compatible with their wants/needs b) help them learn how to promote themselves to the institution in a manner that will help them obtain as much merit aid as possible. I believe with just a few hours, I can help people have a better grip on the college search process that may save them thousands of dollars a year on college, all for a fraction of the cost of what recruiting agencies are charging. To clarify: I DO NOT do the college search for families - I help people learn how to do the search themselves in a time-efficient manner and help them feel comfortable knowing that they are making the right choice when signing on the dotted line!
All that being said - who am I trying to reach out to in order to help and how does it work?
1) Middle/Smaller-Sized Juniors Volleyball Clubs
Why: I realize that some clubs have College Liaisons. I think some of the larger clubs that have the financial ability hire people specifically to help get their players exposed to the college coaches around the country. However, most people tell me that their liaisons have focused primarily on sending out videos for them or contacting coaches promoting the athletes. I also know a lot of clubs don't have the ability to hire someone to provide this information, or have someone that actually has coached at various levels and has an understanding of what most coaches are looking for.
How: I have seminars I've created that run about 30-45 minutes that cover the following information:
* The difference between options players have (NCAA Division I/II/III, NJCAA, NAIA, Club, Intramurals)
* Starting the College Search Process
* How to Separate Yourself from the Pack
I'd like to come to clubs with laptop and projector in hand and sit in front of athletes/parents to give them information, as well as answer any questions they have.
2) Schools
Why: I believe there are many players that have the ability to play in college but might not play club for various reasons - Financial hardship, other sports, other extracurricular activities. As someone who had a 3.5 GPA, was a member of the National Honors Society, participated in various clubs/sports, I still didn't have someone to educate me on the opportunities I'd have and how to utilize my profile to unlock as many financial opportunities as I should have had - and this was at a prep school with a stellar reputation!
How: I'd like to come to schools and speak in front of their volleyball teams (or entire athletic program - while I can't be quite in-depth on evaluating players and giving them an assessment on what level they'll fit best in, I can give them a lot of information on how to do their search) and educate them on how to start their process - from telling Freshmen/Sophomores about how their grades will offer more opportunities for them as athletes, to Juniors/Seniors on where they should be in their process and how to start whittling down their choices, I hope to come in and help alleviate some of their concerns on where to start, which is where most of the athletes I've worked with get anxious.
3) Families (One-on-One)
Why: I met with about 50 families last season at Top Flight, and I can tell you no two situations were alike. I was lucky enough to have a club that included my services free of charge for all traveling team players, and they were able to meet with me as necessary to look at where they were at and guide them on where to go next. With only 1-3 meetings, I was able to help families build a plan of attack to a) Figure out their wants/needs on and off the court b) how to find the schools that compliment those wants and needs c) contact the school in a manner where they could separate themselves in a positive manner.
How: I sit down with families and begin by asking where they are in the process. Once we establish that, I begin to ask the athlete questions and give feedback: What do you want on the court (what are the individual/team goals you'd like to accomplish?), what do you want off the court (field of study, school size, geographic locations), how to contact coaches and use your story as both a player/person to separate yourself from the pack. I'll also give them an assessment on what type of attention they'll get at all levels, as well as tell them what I'd recommend given on what balance of academics/athletics they said they'd like to achieve.
Also, I'll be offering:
Video Editing
Why: When I coached at Mercer, 90 percent of the videos I saw had very simple adjustments that could have promoted the player in a much more efficient fashion. I'd like to help families make sure they're putting their best foot forward with their video - you don't get a second chance at a first impression!
How: I RECOMMEND taking clips that you feel best promote the athlete and letting me choreograph how to put the video together. I can do this pretty quickly - to give you a reference point, I went to an athlete's house and in less than an hour took a 9 minute video and re-organized/condensed it to 3 and a half minutes. Videos can show great potential/ability - it can also show poor habits to people to the trained eye. You want to make sure you promote the good qualities!
If you know of clubs/schools/families that can use my services - PLEASE share this blog with them. They can contact me at ProgressionVBConsulting@gmail.com , as well as follow us on Facebook or Twitter . I'm based in Chicago but plan on traveling the country to educate as many families as possible and help them in their quest to find a school that will best help them grow as both a player and person!
The goal of Progression Volleyball Consulting is to educate families on how to a) properly conduct a college search so they can look at schools most compatible with their wants/needs b) help them learn how to promote themselves to the institution in a manner that will help them obtain as much merit aid as possible. I believe with just a few hours, I can help people have a better grip on the college search process that may save them thousands of dollars a year on college, all for a fraction of the cost of what recruiting agencies are charging. To clarify: I DO NOT do the college search for families - I help people learn how to do the search themselves in a time-efficient manner and help them feel comfortable knowing that they are making the right choice when signing on the dotted line!
All that being said - who am I trying to reach out to in order to help and how does it work?
1) Middle/Smaller-Sized Juniors Volleyball Clubs
Why: I realize that some clubs have College Liaisons. I think some of the larger clubs that have the financial ability hire people specifically to help get their players exposed to the college coaches around the country. However, most people tell me that their liaisons have focused primarily on sending out videos for them or contacting coaches promoting the athletes. I also know a lot of clubs don't have the ability to hire someone to provide this information, or have someone that actually has coached at various levels and has an understanding of what most coaches are looking for.
How: I have seminars I've created that run about 30-45 minutes that cover the following information:
* The difference between options players have (NCAA Division I/II/III, NJCAA, NAIA, Club, Intramurals)
* Starting the College Search Process
* How to Separate Yourself from the Pack
I'd like to come to clubs with laptop and projector in hand and sit in front of athletes/parents to give them information, as well as answer any questions they have.
2) Schools
Why: I believe there are many players that have the ability to play in college but might not play club for various reasons - Financial hardship, other sports, other extracurricular activities. As someone who had a 3.5 GPA, was a member of the National Honors Society, participated in various clubs/sports, I still didn't have someone to educate me on the opportunities I'd have and how to utilize my profile to unlock as many financial opportunities as I should have had - and this was at a prep school with a stellar reputation!
How: I'd like to come to schools and speak in front of their volleyball teams (or entire athletic program - while I can't be quite in-depth on evaluating players and giving them an assessment on what level they'll fit best in, I can give them a lot of information on how to do their search) and educate them on how to start their process - from telling Freshmen/Sophomores about how their grades will offer more opportunities for them as athletes, to Juniors/Seniors on where they should be in their process and how to start whittling down their choices, I hope to come in and help alleviate some of their concerns on where to start, which is where most of the athletes I've worked with get anxious.
3) Families (One-on-One)
Why: I met with about 50 families last season at Top Flight, and I can tell you no two situations were alike. I was lucky enough to have a club that included my services free of charge for all traveling team players, and they were able to meet with me as necessary to look at where they were at and guide them on where to go next. With only 1-3 meetings, I was able to help families build a plan of attack to a) Figure out their wants/needs on and off the court b) how to find the schools that compliment those wants and needs c) contact the school in a manner where they could separate themselves in a positive manner.
How: I sit down with families and begin by asking where they are in the process. Once we establish that, I begin to ask the athlete questions and give feedback: What do you want on the court (what are the individual/team goals you'd like to accomplish?), what do you want off the court (field of study, school size, geographic locations), how to contact coaches and use your story as both a player/person to separate yourself from the pack. I'll also give them an assessment on what type of attention they'll get at all levels, as well as tell them what I'd recommend given on what balance of academics/athletics they said they'd like to achieve.
Also, I'll be offering:
Video Editing
Why: When I coached at Mercer, 90 percent of the videos I saw had very simple adjustments that could have promoted the player in a much more efficient fashion. I'd like to help families make sure they're putting their best foot forward with their video - you don't get a second chance at a first impression!
How: I RECOMMEND taking clips that you feel best promote the athlete and letting me choreograph how to put the video together. I can do this pretty quickly - to give you a reference point, I went to an athlete's house and in less than an hour took a 9 minute video and re-organized/condensed it to 3 and a half minutes. Videos can show great potential/ability - it can also show poor habits to people to the trained eye. You want to make sure you promote the good qualities!
If you know of clubs/schools/families that can use my services - PLEASE share this blog with them. They can contact me at ProgressionVBConsulting@gmail.com , as well as follow us on Facebook or Twitter . I'm based in Chicago but plan on traveling the country to educate as many families as possible and help them in their quest to find a school that will best help them grow as both a player and person!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Why Outsourcing the College Search Process Costs More than Money.
As I began speaking with families at my club regarding the college search process, I wanted to get as much feedback as possible in order to make sure I was catering my presentations to meet the needs of the families. There were a lot of responses that helped me sculpt what I talked about so that I was covering the areas that families seemed to have the least amount of information on. There was one statement that I heard on a regular basis, and while I understood exactly where they were coming from, I felt it was a dangerous road they were going down to take that approach.
"My (daughter/son) is already so busy with everything else they're doing, there just really isn't enough time to do the legwork".
I've said it before and I'll say it again. My question is this: If we don't let realtors just give us information before we sign a mortgage, or car salesmen give us all the good specs of a car before buying it, why do we let colleges sell their schools to us? Why don't we do a better job of educating kids on how to think about what they want, both on and off the court - and make them find the right fit for them instead of going to the schools that sounds the best? Why do we think an outside party can do the search for us and actually have a good gauge on whether or not the student-athlete will connect with the school? They might be able to find common interests, but that doesn't replicate how the student-athlete will feel when they step on the campus, how they'll connect with staff/other students, or how comfortable they'll feel in general with the environment.
What's more valuable to a family: The investment of money in order to save time knowing you can find a school for the athlete to attend, or the investment of time in order to a) receive as much merit aid as the student-athlete's profile enables b) have peace of mind knowing that the people that TRULY have the athlete's best interests in mind were the ones that dotted their i's and crossed their t's to make sure they found the best fit?
When I was at Mercer, I was easily getting anywhere from 25-75 emails a day from recruits. I was working 80-100 hours a week, and even with that, there wasn't enough time to respond to all of them. Which ones were getting my attention? The emails that came from the player, NOT a parent, NOT a recruiting agency. The emails that showed an athlete that wanted to attend Mercer, not a student that wanted to just play volleyball. The emails that showed the athlete did a little legwork and researched my school, not the one that I looked at and said "They could change my name at the top and send this to 100 different schools. The ones that I felt had a genuine interest in the school, so that my time invested in getting to know them had a real chance of bringing them to our institution.
If I received a profile from a recruiting agency, I would look at it for about 30 seconds to see what the physical attributes were, which is something else people need to realize. Profiles are a good way of getting your name out there. It's also a good way to get written off by a coach if your physical attributes are well below what the norm is for the level you want to play, without them even getting to know what type of player you are, how you affect your teammates in a positive manner, or how you can play bigger than you are if you're good at tooling the block/have great timing. Every now and then, I'd run across a girl that touched 10'+, or a libero/setter that impressed me with film - but it was a handful of times in an entire season. I have yet to meet a collegiate coach that tells me they'd prefer a profile from a recruiting agency over a contact directly from the player.
For the 99% of players that are not going to get a college scholarship, it's that much more important to do the legwork yourself! There are plenty of athletes with great academics, talent as a player, and personality traits. They find a school that interests them, and they put their application/essay (for schools that have an essay requirement) in before speaking to the coach. They write about things that they feel are important with no true knowledge of the inner workings of the school. They potentially leave thousands of dollars per year of merit aid because their application is thrown in with the masses. This is called being a "Stealth Applicant"
If you were applying to work at a company and knew someone at the company, you would use that person as a source for insight on how to best go about the process, whether it be questions to ask, how to handle the interview, or gather information on what they're looking for in a new employee. So why wouldn't you utilize the coach as a resource before applying? I have heard of some coaches saying they don't get involved with that - I assure you those are not coaches that are competing for conference/national championships.
Recruiting is not just about coaches finding the best talent - it's about giving student-athletes an opportunity to belong to an environment where they will grow/thrive and be prepared for the real world - that includes helping them learn the process so they can unlock all merit aid they're eligible for. If they don't make an effort to provide that, you should look for someone who does!
That being said, if student-athletes took fifteen minutes a night to do the research/send out emails the right way, they could get even better results than what they're getting from these recruiting agencies. They would have be more comfortable knowing they're making an educated decision on where they're investing their time the next four years. They'll have a better relationship with the coach/understanding of what the school will provide them. On top of all that, if they do it right, they will know that they've utilized their grades/extracurricular activities to get themselves the best award possible. I hope to help people learn how to maximize their results as time-efficiently as possible in order to do this comfortably.
I will continue to write on various topics that I feel are important - if you have a subject that you'd like to see addressed, please don't hesitate to contact me at ProgressionVBConsulting@gmail.com - also follow us on Facebook/Twitter!
"My (daughter/son) is already so busy with everything else they're doing, there just really isn't enough time to do the legwork".
I've said it before and I'll say it again. My question is this: If we don't let realtors just give us information before we sign a mortgage, or car salesmen give us all the good specs of a car before buying it, why do we let colleges sell their schools to us? Why don't we do a better job of educating kids on how to think about what they want, both on and off the court - and make them find the right fit for them instead of going to the schools that sounds the best? Why do we think an outside party can do the search for us and actually have a good gauge on whether or not the student-athlete will connect with the school? They might be able to find common interests, but that doesn't replicate how the student-athlete will feel when they step on the campus, how they'll connect with staff/other students, or how comfortable they'll feel in general with the environment.
What's more valuable to a family: The investment of money in order to save time knowing you can find a school for the athlete to attend, or the investment of time in order to a) receive as much merit aid as the student-athlete's profile enables b) have peace of mind knowing that the people that TRULY have the athlete's best interests in mind were the ones that dotted their i's and crossed their t's to make sure they found the best fit?
When I was at Mercer, I was easily getting anywhere from 25-75 emails a day from recruits. I was working 80-100 hours a week, and even with that, there wasn't enough time to respond to all of them. Which ones were getting my attention? The emails that came from the player, NOT a parent, NOT a recruiting agency. The emails that showed an athlete that wanted to attend Mercer, not a student that wanted to just play volleyball. The emails that showed the athlete did a little legwork and researched my school, not the one that I looked at and said "They could change my name at the top and send this to 100 different schools. The ones that I felt had a genuine interest in the school, so that my time invested in getting to know them had a real chance of bringing them to our institution.
If I received a profile from a recruiting agency, I would look at it for about 30 seconds to see what the physical attributes were, which is something else people need to realize. Profiles are a good way of getting your name out there. It's also a good way to get written off by a coach if your physical attributes are well below what the norm is for the level you want to play, without them even getting to know what type of player you are, how you affect your teammates in a positive manner, or how you can play bigger than you are if you're good at tooling the block/have great timing. Every now and then, I'd run across a girl that touched 10'+, or a libero/setter that impressed me with film - but it was a handful of times in an entire season. I have yet to meet a collegiate coach that tells me they'd prefer a profile from a recruiting agency over a contact directly from the player.
For the 99% of players that are not going to get a college scholarship, it's that much more important to do the legwork yourself! There are plenty of athletes with great academics, talent as a player, and personality traits. They find a school that interests them, and they put their application/essay (for schools that have an essay requirement) in before speaking to the coach. They write about things that they feel are important with no true knowledge of the inner workings of the school. They potentially leave thousands of dollars per year of merit aid because their application is thrown in with the masses. This is called being a "Stealth Applicant"
If you were applying to work at a company and knew someone at the company, you would use that person as a source for insight on how to best go about the process, whether it be questions to ask, how to handle the interview, or gather information on what they're looking for in a new employee. So why wouldn't you utilize the coach as a resource before applying? I have heard of some coaches saying they don't get involved with that - I assure you those are not coaches that are competing for conference/national championships.
Recruiting is not just about coaches finding the best talent - it's about giving student-athletes an opportunity to belong to an environment where they will grow/thrive and be prepared for the real world - that includes helping them learn the process so they can unlock all merit aid they're eligible for. If they don't make an effort to provide that, you should look for someone who does!
That being said, if student-athletes took fifteen minutes a night to do the research/send out emails the right way, they could get even better results than what they're getting from these recruiting agencies. They would have be more comfortable knowing they're making an educated decision on where they're investing their time the next four years. They'll have a better relationship with the coach/understanding of what the school will provide them. On top of all that, if they do it right, they will know that they've utilized their grades/extracurricular activities to get themselves the best award possible. I hope to help people learn how to maximize their results as time-efficiently as possible in order to do this comfortably.
I will continue to write on various topics that I feel are important - if you have a subject that you'd like to see addressed, please don't hesitate to contact me at ProgressionVBConsulting@gmail.com - also follow us on Facebook/Twitter!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Why I Coach/The Most Important Piece of Advice for New Coaches
Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing my Uncle Paul perform a concert in Waukegan, IL. I've seen him perform numerous times during my childhood while visiting him in Scottsdale, but this is the first time I was old enough to really appreciate it (although I was one of a handful of people in the crowd who couldn't tell you where they were when Pearl Harbor was bombed - let's just say when he performed on the same night as Garth Brooks and the Zac Brown Band only an hour away, it had no effect on anyone's ticket sales). I really enjoyed his music, but it was something he talked about in between songs that got me really thinking.
He told a story about the Dean of Music at UC-Berkeley addressing an incoming freshman class. The Dean asked to see a show of hands for anyone that was hoping to be an entertainer upon graduation, and the majority raised their hand. The Dean then said: "Upon graduating, I don't want you to think of yourselves as entertainers, I want you to think of yourself as caretakers, as doctors." He talked about how my grandparents always taught him to leave things a little better than he found them, and how that was what music was really intended for: To leave people a little better than they were beforehand.
I think coaching is very comparable to that. I think about the most influential coaches I've had the privilege of playing for. My father taught me how to be competitive in a respectful manner, taught me about attention to detail, taught me on a team that probably had more disparity between the top and bottom players about how everyone has an important role, and to make sure everyone respected that, even if theirs was bigger. Bob Vilsoet was the first volleyball coach I had (8 years after I started the sport) that really taught me how not to set ceilings for what I thought I was capable of, and to go for them with no fears or insecurities. Dave Hildebrandt at Newbury complimented that nicely by teaching me how to then work towards those goals, never settling for mediocrity or letting frustrations with things I couldn't control affect the things I could work on in order to get there.
All very different lessons, with one common bond: These weren't lessons for sports, these were lessons for life.
I stuck with my sport, but the reality is most athletes go on to other professions. I coached 170 athletes this summer for our sand program, and the reality is, a small percentage of them may decide they want to continue the sport in college. I enjoy the x's and o's and mechanical adjustments that coaching brings, but that's not what keeps me coming back year after year with the same passion: It's the things I can teach them that they can take everywhere they go.
I'm not teaching them how to win a volleyball game, I'm teaching them how to set a goal and the work it takes to achieve that goal. I don't teach them how to deal with bad refs, or other teams that play "dirty", I'm teaching them how to not let adversity created by external circumstances deter them from doing the things they can control internally. I'm not teaching them how to lose with grace, I'm teaching them that when life will throw them curveballs contradictory to their expectations and hopes (and it will), that it doesn't mean they are a failure, that they must learn from it and move forward, that just like there will be other matches, there will be other days.
It's a given that with repetition and instruction, they'll become better volleyball players - but if I'm not developing better human beings, I'm not doing my job.
I am so happy (although starting to feel older) now that former players whom I have the privilege to now call friends are starting to coach. I received a message from one of these players last week, asking about how to get his girls to move and be more aggressive in serve receive as they were having serious issues with it. I gave him some really basic drills that work for me, but it was the mindset of the drill that I felt had the biggest impact on him. I told him: "The reality is, if a passer is trying more to not make the mistake than they're going to try and make the play, they're not going to move well to the ball because they will be tentative/insecure with what they're doing. You've got to set up a culture in practice that it's OK to make mistakes - if you're not making mistakes, you're not growing. BUT, they have to be the right mistakes, the aggressive ones, the ones where the player is trying to make the play - then you can let the players know the adjustment they have to make and move on. You have to let the girls know the difference, and you have to support them in this - that's what they look for you to do."
His exact words: "Hmmm. I'm kind of a d*** coach. So that might be why too." (Before that sounds absolutely terrible, he explained that the head coach coddles so he tries to be the enforcer).
While it's not my style, I have no issues with coaches that are yellers, that crack the whip on their players, that are more Bob Knight than John Wooden. But know this: Bob Knight's players knew that he was the way he was because he knew those players could achieve great things, and his goal was to help them become the best they can be. Too often, I see coaches use his mannerism and their #1 goal is for the team to win. Players pick up on this - they know when a coach cares more about wins/losses than the people working towards them. And if they feel this way, there is almost no chance that they'll play/practice with the passion/enthusiasm that's required to help them reach their peak potential.
The irony is, if a coach is that concerned about wins and losses, they better get used to this. The great Pat Summitt once said regarding players: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care", and that quote has stuck with me ever since I read it. Be competitive, push for greatness - but make sure when it's all said and done, you're leaving every player a little better than you found them.
Tomorrow, I'll be writing about why families doing the college search process vs. having a recruiting agency do it for them is incredibly important when looking for the best fit. Enjoy your Sunday!
He told a story about the Dean of Music at UC-Berkeley addressing an incoming freshman class. The Dean asked to see a show of hands for anyone that was hoping to be an entertainer upon graduation, and the majority raised their hand. The Dean then said: "Upon graduating, I don't want you to think of yourselves as entertainers, I want you to think of yourself as caretakers, as doctors." He talked about how my grandparents always taught him to leave things a little better than he found them, and how that was what music was really intended for: To leave people a little better than they were beforehand.
I think coaching is very comparable to that. I think about the most influential coaches I've had the privilege of playing for. My father taught me how to be competitive in a respectful manner, taught me about attention to detail, taught me on a team that probably had more disparity between the top and bottom players about how everyone has an important role, and to make sure everyone respected that, even if theirs was bigger. Bob Vilsoet was the first volleyball coach I had (8 years after I started the sport) that really taught me how not to set ceilings for what I thought I was capable of, and to go for them with no fears or insecurities. Dave Hildebrandt at Newbury complimented that nicely by teaching me how to then work towards those goals, never settling for mediocrity or letting frustrations with things I couldn't control affect the things I could work on in order to get there.
All very different lessons, with one common bond: These weren't lessons for sports, these were lessons for life.
I stuck with my sport, but the reality is most athletes go on to other professions. I coached 170 athletes this summer for our sand program, and the reality is, a small percentage of them may decide they want to continue the sport in college. I enjoy the x's and o's and mechanical adjustments that coaching brings, but that's not what keeps me coming back year after year with the same passion: It's the things I can teach them that they can take everywhere they go.
I'm not teaching them how to win a volleyball game, I'm teaching them how to set a goal and the work it takes to achieve that goal. I don't teach them how to deal with bad refs, or other teams that play "dirty", I'm teaching them how to not let adversity created by external circumstances deter them from doing the things they can control internally. I'm not teaching them how to lose with grace, I'm teaching them that when life will throw them curveballs contradictory to their expectations and hopes (and it will), that it doesn't mean they are a failure, that they must learn from it and move forward, that just like there will be other matches, there will be other days.
It's a given that with repetition and instruction, they'll become better volleyball players - but if I'm not developing better human beings, I'm not doing my job.
I am so happy (although starting to feel older) now that former players whom I have the privilege to now call friends are starting to coach. I received a message from one of these players last week, asking about how to get his girls to move and be more aggressive in serve receive as they were having serious issues with it. I gave him some really basic drills that work for me, but it was the mindset of the drill that I felt had the biggest impact on him. I told him: "The reality is, if a passer is trying more to not make the mistake than they're going to try and make the play, they're not going to move well to the ball because they will be tentative/insecure with what they're doing. You've got to set up a culture in practice that it's OK to make mistakes - if you're not making mistakes, you're not growing. BUT, they have to be the right mistakes, the aggressive ones, the ones where the player is trying to make the play - then you can let the players know the adjustment they have to make and move on. You have to let the girls know the difference, and you have to support them in this - that's what they look for you to do."
His exact words: "Hmmm. I'm kind of a d*** coach. So that might be why too." (Before that sounds absolutely terrible, he explained that the head coach coddles so he tries to be the enforcer).
While it's not my style, I have no issues with coaches that are yellers, that crack the whip on their players, that are more Bob Knight than John Wooden. But know this: Bob Knight's players knew that he was the way he was because he knew those players could achieve great things, and his goal was to help them become the best they can be. Too often, I see coaches use his mannerism and their #1 goal is for the team to win. Players pick up on this - they know when a coach cares more about wins/losses than the people working towards them. And if they feel this way, there is almost no chance that they'll play/practice with the passion/enthusiasm that's required to help them reach their peak potential.
The irony is, if a coach is that concerned about wins and losses, they better get used to this. The great Pat Summitt once said regarding players: "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care", and that quote has stuck with me ever since I read it. Be competitive, push for greatness - but make sure when it's all said and done, you're leaving every player a little better than you found them.
Tomorrow, I'll be writing about why families doing the college search process vs. having a recruiting agency do it for them is incredibly important when looking for the best fit. Enjoy your Sunday!
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