Episode 46. Which Comes First... Success or Growth?

Do you only become successful after hard work and growth? Or does success lead to growth? Listen to this quick episode that breaks down how to strategically use "success" in order to help your athletes gain confidence on the court and get better in their sport.

Break down your opponent's strengths and weaknesses, then use your team's talents to chip away at them. Practice "ugly" volleyball to prepare for this opportunity, and be ready to go into the match with high expectations!

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Episode 44. Having "Favorites" and Determining Your Values

Have you ever been accused of "having favorites" as a volleyball coach? If the answer is "no," it's probably just a matter of time!

In this episode, I break down my theory on why players sometimes struggle with the decisions their coaches make.

Deciding playing time, making your team, choosing captains... You can make these decisions easier on yourself and clearer for your players by first defining your values, sharing those values, and therefore giving players the framework they need to grow. Ultimately, this will reduce accusations of favoritism from players and parents.

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Episode 43. Coaching Players Close To You In Age, What It's Like Being An Official, And Why Communication Is So Important: A Coaching Conversation With Lynette Ray

On this week’s episode of the Get The Pancake Podcast, I speak with a good friend of mine, Lynette Ray. Lynette has a wide range of experiences in the volleyball world… from officiating to being the director of a club program, this former college athlete and current volleyball coach has a ton of experiences to share… and she’s only 28!

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Episode 42. Volleyball Open Gyms: The Secret To Growth Over The Summer

I'm just going to be honest with you... when it comes to skill development and comfort on the court, open gyms are better for most players than camps or clinics! You can improve the quality of volleyball in your area by simply offering a 1-2 hour open gym every week, provided you create a great learning environment for your players! Follow my tips to see a jump in overall skill and awareness on the court with players in your area.

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Episode 41. Coaching Through Video Analysis

Anytime we're separated from our athletes (vacation, breaks, or mandated lockdowns), we're not able to coach them, right? ...WRONG! With just a few free apps, you're able to work with athletes anywhere, anytime. Listen to today's episode to get the full details on how I remotely work with players to provide them with helpful feedback digitally, while also boosting my coaching income (totally optional) in the process.

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Episode 40. The Time It Takes To Coach Volleyball

Thinking about coaching volleyball this season? Have you really thought about whether it will fit into your schedule or not? Coaching can be a huge time commitment, especially when you compare "scheduled" coaching hours to the time you actually spend!

Listen in as I discuss typical time requirements for rec volleyball coaches, middle school and high school volleyball coaches, and of course, club volleyball coaches. Keep in mind that your area might be different, and I encourage you to reach out to current coaches to learn more about differences in your area!

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Episode 39. Controlling The Thermostat

Have you ever coached a team where it felt like everyone was dragging their feet? Or have you had a match where everything felt frantic and out of control?

Instead of hoping for your team to "return to normal" it's time you take matters into your own hands! Teach your team to "control the thermostat" and influence the pace of the match using these simple analogies as cue words.

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Episode 36. The Top Mistake Experienced Volleyball Coaches Make

If you’re a new volleyball coach, you’re probably worried about… well, everything.

Even if you have a year or two under your belt, you’re probably still working on refining your coaching philosophy, learning the latest techniques and strategies, spending extra time researching volleyball drills and skill breakdowns, signing up for coaching clinics…

I think you get my point. When you're a new coach, it seems like you're always striving to learn more.

But when you've been coaching for a couple of years? You start to feel like you just... know everything!

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Episode 34: Playing Time Philosophy

Have you sat down and determined your playing time philosophy for your volleyball team? Or, are you just making adjustments as you go? Listen to this week's volleyball coaching podcast episode as I discuss the pros and cons of equal playing time, playing time based strictly on performance, and my own personal playing time philosophy which I have developed over the years.

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Episode 32. My Volleyball Team Doesn't Get Along... Please Help!

I get asked this question ALL. THE. TIME. And I'm not surprised! Being on a volleyball team means facing challenges day after day with individuals you may or may not get along with. This is tough for most adults I know, let alone teen and preteen athletes. In this episode, I'll walk you three types of "interventions" you can use when your volleyball team doesn't get along.

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