As a college coach, the following provided an interesting perspective on coaching youth.  I realized that the same principles to coaching apply, no matter the age.  Here is a question I received from a former player that coaches on the side:

I am working with an 8th grader at the end of the week that wants to
make the middle school team in a month, but has never played volleyball before. Any ideas of things I could do with her?

As great a coach as you are, you are not going to convert this player into a superstar in a week or month.  In the short amount of time you have, the best thing you can do is build confidence in her by focusing on the positive things she does.  Continue Reading

This past weekend in Boston, my little brother, Ben Rey, married the lovely Monica!  He’s been living in Boston for the past few years getting his Masters at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminar and then started Church of the Cross.

This is my third trip to Boston and I continue to be impressed with Continue Reading

Olympic volleyball star Kerri Walsh will be answering fan questions live via USTREAM from the Gatorade Performance Lab on Tuesday 7/13 at 11:40 am PT.

Fan Chat with Kerri Walsh: Details

·         Kerri will be broadcasting live from the Gatorade Performance Lab in Anaheim

·         Tune into http://www.ustream.tv/Gstream on Tuesday 7/13 at 11:40 am PT

·         Ask Kerri any questions you have, and encourage your community to tune in and do the same

For more information about the Gatorade Performance Lab, please visit: http://www.ustream.tv/Gstream

Very impressive that 2,300 fans watched the boys junior national finals.  The match was also streamed live too!

Here’s the USA Volleyball article:

Bill Kauffman July 05, 2010

Photo: USA Volleyball/Bill KauffmanAn estimated crowd of 2,300 fans watched the USA Volleyball Boys’ Junior National Championships 18 Open and Club Division finals on July 5 at the Austin Convention Center Continue Reading

Last year, the AVP Tour stopped in Coney Island for the July 4th tournament.   Growing up in Chicago, I remember a few stops coming through Chicago for that weekend.  I wonder why the AVP does not have consistent dates for tournaments, like 4th of July weekend in Chicago.  Chicago is a great venue and I know Chicago is a favorite stop among pros.  I would think consistent dates each year, like the Indy 500 or The Masters, would generate more repeat business.  Maybe the FIVB schedule in conjunction with AVP budget issues has something to do with the scheduling.

So where is good volleyball being played over the July 4th weekend?