In this episode of The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod talk about teaching players how to “read” the play. They discuss how to incorporate reading into every aspect of training, especially with new athletes. Next they talk about what coaches can do when their team gets the all-too-common in-game serving nerves, and they share a book that offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Phil Jackson managed to become one of the most unique, winningest basketball coaches of all time. They also share three helpful drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball library that coaches can use to work on their players’ reading skills.
Skill of the week: Reading
Scenario of the week: Handling in-game serving nerves
Resource of the week: 11 Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson, available at https://www.amazon.com/Eleven-Rings-Success-Phil-Jackson/dp/0143125346
AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:
- Newcombe, a great game for building reading skills and agility: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/newcomb-a-fun-game-for-volleyball-beginners/
- Ben Josephson's look, see, decide, reading concepts: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/training-players-to-read-look-see-decide/
- John Dunning's blind serving depth drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/blind-serving-depth-drill/
- Diane Flick William's back, bent, straight hitting reading drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/arm-swing-reading-drill-back-bent-straight/

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