A Letter to My Younger Self

Lost a friend last month, who impacted so many, without being a coach – just by being damn good at what he did, officiate.  Players around the world held a moment of silence.  We had set up skiing plans for this season, and enjoyed a great Rio Paralympics together – after he was done being a great Rio Beach Olympic referee. 

Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Set an example by showing athletes how to respect each other and give sincere compliments

The Last Coaches

It's easy for players to remember past experiences and forget how much they liked volleyball. Even after a great season they were still done playing at the competitive level, but why?

You Are The Magic

That is something my friend and mentor for over 40 years once told me; add that Carl McGown also often said “There is no magic,” and you will start to have an idea of his mind and his work. Each coach brings his or her own magic to the court but there is only hard work and the science 

John Kessel: A Culture of Building

Understand the powerful importance of creating a healthy culture in a program.

Growing the Game: It’s Not the Drills

What are the magic drills that make some teams so good? Big secret: it's not the drills. There is no magic.

Kids Don’t Care How Much You Know Until They Know How Much You Care

John Kessel is about to embark on another season of coaching, and he reminds you that being a caring coach is of utmost importance.

Teach Your Players to Hit More Effectively

No matter how tall (or short) your players are, John Kessel has tips to improve their hitting efficiency and make a difference for your team.

The Most Important Poster in Coaching

John Kessel's poster of John Wooden quotes is an important part of his coaching toolkit.