Seven Tips for Meal Prep

Meal prepping doesn't have to mean a ton of extra time in the kitchen. Here are tips for successful, simple meal prepping that will allow your athlete to get a healthy meal.

Five Tips for Hosting a USAV Tournament

A well-run tournament is a work of art. Like a work of art, it takes months and months of planning for an event to shine. Here are five tips to make your tournaments run more smoothly and successfully.

Creating an Inclusive Volleyball Culture

Volleyball is a sport of acceptance. For LGBTQ youth, finding acceptance on a team can be life changing, if not lifesaving. These tips will help you create a culture of inclusion with your teammates and in your program.

Nine Easy Ways to Prevent Cliques on Teams

When it comes to preventing cliques and bullying behaviors, it’s best to be proactive. Coaches who focus on building strong team-wide relationships from the first day of practice are less likely to run into the social problems, like cliques, that hurt teams and players.

Eating for Brain Health

And it might come as a surprise, but the brain uses around 20 percent of the body's energy, making it the hungriest organ. Fuel it appropriately, and your young athlete will be able to think fast and stay sharp in school and on the field.

Motivational Interviewing – Still Learning

John Kessel's still in learning mode (he's always there), and now his quest for learning introduced him to Motivational Interviewing (MI), which is all about the communication techniques that help you draw wisdom and answers from your players.

Why Should I Run a 6-3 or 6-6?

For those with little time to read my blogs and ponderings, the short answer is “In a 6-3 you teach HALF your players on the court the leadership roles and key skill of setting/running an offense, and in a 6-6, every player learns that key skill.”

Six Ways To Reduce Anxiety During Tough Transitions

Young athletes face tough transitions on a regular basis. Whether it's something big, like a move to a new school, or just the start of a season with a new coach, these transitions can be significant sources of anxiety. But, there are ways to navigate these challenging times.

Notes from the U.S. and Netherlands

I spent Memorial Day flying back from Amsterdam, 24 hours in en route, leaving a place where the Dutch Underground were battling in World War II three-quarters of a century before me.

When Can Young Athletes Return to Sport After Illness?

Returning to sport from illness of any kind can be tricky, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s only gotten more difficult. But even a simple cold or stomach bug can leave an athlete sidelined without a clear idea of when it’s safe or advisable to return to sport.