I've been thinking. I know that I usually get into trouble when I start doing that kind of thing. What have I been thinking about? Books.
I love books. I love reading. I love the language that authors use to express their vision. I even envy the way they use language. I've found myself thinking, "That's a good word. People should use that word more often." Only to forget the word the next morning when I wake up.
I've been reading a coaching book the past couple of days. I'm even taking notes on it. It isn't so much a book on how to coach inasmuch as it is a philosophy book written by a coach. The book centers around a new approach to passing in volleyball.
Tanden (Tahn-dun) Passing. Core Passing. It is a technique that almost every volleyball player is taught and can be summed up by saying, "Don't swing". Yet, the philosophy behind it is much deeper. Very eastern in the approach to getting the players to pass in their core. There are points in the book where the author brings attention to certain zones in the body where energy is stored, how to access that energy, how to conserve it...lots of crazy stuff. At least to a guy that has seen the insides of the human body. (There are no tupperware containers labeled, "ENERGY STORAGE")
Some of the coaches that I work with swear by this idea, and mode of teaching. I don't. Don't get me wrong, it gives me another method of instruction and I dig that. But it isn't the end all be all. It won't make your players perfect passers. Repetition will take care of that, commitment from the player will take care of that, desire to be perfect will take care of that.
I've had seven different coaches. The only thing that stayed constant between all of them was how we passed. Low, athletic stance, hands together, thumbs pointing as far down as possible, forearms as flat as possible. Now, you have a platform. In platform passing the object is to keep the platform as solid as possible while keeping it in your core. Why in the core? Keep it in the core because that is where the platform is the most stable.
When I compare platform and tanden passing techniques I come to a pretty cool conclusion. I was taught to pass in tanden. But my coaches left out the crazy hippie stuff.
Books are cool. They can bring you to look at something old in a new light. If you take the time to be an active participant in reading.
Buck
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sometimes when I run on the raised track at the gym, the court below has a volleyball league playing. I was really bummed that I missed league sign up by, like, a day, at first, but since watching these people play I'm so grateful. I would have killed someone! Lots of wild arms, the ever popular, "fold your hands and punch upwards at the ball" technique, and one style I had never seen before where the guy held his arms with his palms facing the floor, each hand curled into an individual fist so he could pass off the tops of his forearms. What the hell is that?! It's a disaster zone. Next year I want to lead a team. With good technique, we will be unstoppable!
ReplyDeleteOh - you two warm my heart - all this volleyball talk - must have done something right:) Next time you are home, we WILL go play!
ReplyDeleteand the praise of books - that's good too!
ReplyDelete@Mom
ReplyDeleteEvery time I offer, you turn me down. Next time I won't take no for an answer.
@Kate
Sounds like this league doesn't approve of form, or playing by the rules. You sure you want to be a part of that?
Good point, Paul. I don't know, but I miss playing, so maybe it would be worth it. Some of the players are very good and some of the teams are mostly talented, so it could be fun?
ReplyDeleteI know I do - I think I'm too old - can't do what I used to be able to do. But it would still be fun - and you wouldn't hurt me. So don't take no for an answer - good plan.
ReplyDelete