Coddiwomple

 Mount Everest stands 29,031 feet high.

For those with the money, resources and fitness to attempt a summit, it is a two month process. Coming into Nepal in March and acclimating to the altitude and lack of oxygen the climbers began incrementally settling into camps a little higher on the mountain during acclimation until May when the gods of the mountain either bless or curse you with weather conditions that can lead to standing on top of the world or at it's most extreme, death.

This blog is called Volleysherpa because like those that help climbers to reach their highest aspirations, we also want to help you reach your coaching Everest.

Let's look at the expedition: two months. It is no secret that our time is valuable. As coaches, we have to ask ourselves why we are in our profession. Coaching club ball is 2-3 nights of our week, sometimes 2-3 weekends  and most often not for the compensation that would make us quit our other job. So why do we do it?

Maybe it's for a part time/ full time pay check. There is nothing un noble about this. Maybe it's for recognition or a chance to lead and teach. Maybe it's because your son or daughter wants to play and the club or organization had no coach, so you stepped in. Maybe it's the love of the game, the chance to help young people grow and thrive.

These are a few of the many viable rationales for taking the helm of a group of 13 year olds that on some days value the tik tok dance they are perfecting over your explanation of the 6-3 offense. Irregardless, they deserve your best. Not because they might be paying clients, not because other parents or school admin is watching. They deserve your best because as coaches, we shouldn't ask our athletes to  do what we aren't willing to.

"We shouldn't ask our athletes to do what we arent' willing to!"

The height of Everest, 29,031 feet, when turned into seconds, is roughly eight hours. Two months, eight hours. Two months, eight hours. Let's make this work! 

First, what steals our time? Family, profession, social life... But how much time do we waste? Can we be more productive learners?

These charts show just how much time we are on our social media apps. Can we release ourselves from this addiction for a few minutes each week to become better teachers and leaders for our athletes?

Here are some examples which might be a ladder across that icy crevice on your way up the mountain.

Check out Nathan Lorenzon's newsletter where each week he takes a book on leadership, communication, self-help and transcribes the main ideas into a one page summary or a short video on YouTube. It's a great way to get the gist without buying the book. You can sign up at https://lozeron-academy-llc.ck.page/49088799fa.

Podcasts are an infinite source of just about anything you want to know in the coaching realm. There are more podcasts then there are books in the NYC Public Library! Use them to your advantage. If you are interested in hearing a specific coach speak, search that coach and see what podcasts come up. If you are interested in a new book but not sure if you want to spend the money, search the author and listen to them talk about the book first.

Some coaching podcasts to consider: Coach your Brains Out, Volleyballogy and The Sandcast are a snowflake in the avalanche of pods out there. Find your specific interest: the science of motor learning, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, etc. and you will find many options to fill your daily commute to work, your dog walk in the morning or that NON tournament Saturday morning at the local coffee shop.

If you are a reader, the mountain of coaching books is a glorious climb and if you aren't much of a reader, more and more books on tape are becoming the norm and less expensive by the day.

If there is a coach you are interested in learning from and they are nearby, have you reached out? Most college coaches, with a heads up e mail, are happy to bring other coaches in to watch them train their teams. Club coaches, high schools and youth coaches as well. Don't be shy, be a learner. 

Volleysherpa is not subsidized by anyone and any of these recommendations are purely based on the quality of the offerings. If you have some you would like to share, please send them to SolinCoaching@proton.me to share with the readers.

Coddiwomple is an old English slang word that means, 'To travel purposefully toward an unknown yet destination."

Eight hours in two months is your goal. Use your time to gain an advantage on your opponents. As USA Volleyball Legend and lead sherpa John Kessel has said over and over, "This is a learning competition, not a volleyball competition." 

As you demand the best from your athletes, so they demand the best of you!