Learning from Legends: 53 Keys to Elevate Your Volleyball Coaching

Introduction

This book, a culmination of decades of experience, represents a shared journey of learning and mentorship for John, Russ, and myself. Our paths crossed in the 1970s, forging a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and a passion for volleyball. Russ’s unparalleled record of seven NCAA championships with the Penn State women’s team and John’s five NCAA titles – two at the University of the Pacific and three at Stanford – speak volumes about their legendary coaching prowess. My own journey includes leading the U.S. women’s national team through three Olympics, culminating in a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Throughout our careers, we’ve all benefited immensely from the wisdom of mentors – parents, teachers, coaches, administrators, and business colleagues. Recognizing the profound impact of mentorship, our primary goal in writing this book is to pay it forward, sharing the invaluable lessons we’ve gleaned from these mentors and our extensive years of coaching and teaching.

One particularly impactful lesson came from Mark Kruse, a retired banker and Wendy’s franchise owner in Northern California. Early in my coaching career at the University of the Pacific, I drafted a fiery letter to the university president. Before sending it, I sought Mark’s counsel. After reading it, he advised, “Terry, it’s a powerful letter. Now, put it in your desk drawer for a couple of days. Re-read it then, and if you still feel the same way, send it.” Following his advice, I revisited the letter days later and was astonished by its tone. I never sent it, a decision I remain grateful for. Mark’s guidance underscored the power of fresh perspective.

This principle of diverse viewpoints is central to The Art of Coaching, which John, Russ, and I founded in 2011. Our mission is to offer volleyball coaches access to a wide spectrum of insights and strategies. Through live and virtual clinics, and a comprehensive website featuring instructional videos, we aim to equip coaches at all levels with practical tools and knowledge.

This book expands on that mission. It is a curated collection of ideas addressing crucial aspects of coaching, relevant to everyone from grassroots organizers to seasoned professionals. We invite you to explore these “pearls of wisdom” and discover insights that will enrich your own coaching journey in this remarkable sport. This is about the Learning Of Legends being passed down to you.

–Terry Liskevych

Chapters:

• Foreword by Karch Kiraly
• Introduction
• Key 1 – Embrace the Socratic Method in Coaching and Teaching
• Key 2 – Develop a Concise One-Page Coaching Philosophy
• Key 3 – Recognize the Decisive Role of Coverage
• Key 4 – Define and Cultivate Your Team’s Culture
• Key 5 – Continuously Seek Innovative Approaches
• Key 6 – Commit to Diligent and Intelligent Work
• Key 7 – Maintain Patience and Composure Under Pressure
• Key 8 – Move Beyond Improvised Practice Plans
• Key 9 – Inspire and Motivate Your Team and Staff
• Key 10 – Always Be Ready to Explain the ‘Why’
• Key 11 – Regularly Assess Your Contribution to the Team’s Success
• Key 12 – Build a Cohesive Team, Not Just a Collection of Individuals
• Key 13 – Focus Exclusively on Controllable Factors
• Key 14 – Cultivate Active Listening Skills
• Key 15 – Prioritize Competitive Scenarios in Training
• Key 16 – Concentrate on Key Performance Indicators
• Key 17 – Scrutinize Practice Execution with Precision
• Key 18 – Understand the Compensating Power of Organization
• Key 19 – Defer Technical Corrections to Maximize Immediate Performance
• Key 20 – Establish Clear Boundaries While Fostering Player Autonomy
• Key 21 – Strive for Work-Life Balance
• Key 22 – Optimize Team and Individual Meetings
• Key 23 – Uphold Respectful Interactions with Everyone
• Key 24 – Identify and Nurture Your Team’s Unique Identity
• Key 25 – Recognize the Indispensable Nature of Mental Training
• Key 26 – Appreciate the Power of Simplicity
• Key 27 – Emphasize the Cumulative Impact of Small Gains
• Key 28 – Be Open to Player Input and Influence
• Key 29 – Master Effective Time Management
• Key 30 – Adopt a Matter-of-Fact Coaching Demeanor
• Key 31 – Embrace Technological Tools and Innovations
• Key 32 – Understand the Foundational Role of Planning
• Key 33 – Leverage the Benefits of Activity Framing
• Key 34 – Adapt Your Coaching to the Players You Have
• Key 35 – Create Strategies for Managing Overwhelm
• Key 36 – Utilize Failure as a Catalyst for Growth
• Key 37 – Enhance Players’ Volleyball IQ
• Key 38 – Integrate Rest and Recovery into Training Schedules
• Key 39 – Remember Team Dynamics Outweigh Individual Talent
• Key 40 – Acknowledge and Leverage Your Coaching Strengths and Weaknesses
• Key 41 – Encourage Positive Parental Involvement
• Key 42 – Practice Honesty and Transparency
• Key 43 – Ensure Thorough Game Day Preparation
• Key 44 – Consistently Demonstrate Genuine Care for Your Players
• Key 45 – Develop and Mentor Team Leaders
• Key 46 – Embrace Accountability Over Victimhood
• Key 47 – Define and Live Your Life Priorities
• Key 48 – Seek Mentorship and Become a Mentor
• Key 49 – Surround Yourself with a Supportive Network
• Key 50 – Integrate Video Analysis as a Teaching Aid
• Key 51 – Train Players to Anticipate and React to Game Flow
• Key 52 – Value the Precision of Single-Item Focus Training
• Key 53 – Commit to Lifelong Learning and Development
• About the Authors

Foreword by Karch Kiraly

“For coaches seeking exemplars of excellence and stories of inspiration to share with their teams, the learning of legends in international volleyball offers a treasure trove. This book serves as precisely that resource, directing aspiring and seasoned volleyball coaches alike to the ‘Black Belt Learner-Coaches’ of our sport.

Why ‘Black Belt’? Russ Rose, John Dunning, and Terry Liskevych embody the spirit of lifelong martial artists, relentlessly pursuing ‘better’ with each season of their distinguished careers. Their journeys are rich with learning, adaptation, and the pursuit of mastery – a path I’ve also been deeply committed to for two decades. Each championship, each podium finish, was not an endpoint but a springboard to further growth, a progression to the next ‘belt’ level, fueled by continuous learning. This insatiable quest for improvement is the hallmark of those who strive for excellence; they are never content with their current skill set, always seeking to expand and refine it.

Russ Rose transformed the Penn State women’s volleyball program from the ground up, with minimal resources and scholarships, into a dynasty. His teams achieved unprecedented success: seven NCAA titles, including an astounding four consecutive, and a 109-game winning streak. Coach Rose’s leadership was characterized not by complacency, but by a relentless drive to adapt and innovate. His creation of a unique in-game statistical system exemplifies this commitment to data-driven improvement.

John Dunning’s story is equally remarkable. He became a legendary coach without ever having played volleyball himself. His journey underscores the power of curiosity and humility – core traits of effective learners. As highlighted in Key 53, Coach Dunning candidly shares his experiences of mistakenly believing he had found the ‘ultimate solution,’ only to realize the need for constant adaptation and learning.

My long-standing collaboration with Terry Liskevych has shown me firsthand his exceptional problem-solving abilities. Faced with budget constraints at the University of the Pacific? Terry innovated by creating highly successful spring All-Star matches and junior club tournaments. Recognizing the limitations of analog video analysis in volleyball? He pioneered digital solutions, now standard across all levels of the sport.

A defining characteristic of these three legends is their commitment to empowering their players. They understood that in the dynamic flow of a volleyball match, players must be the primary decision-makers. The best teams excel at real-time assessment and autonomous action. Observing Russ, John, and Terry coach reveals a striking contrast to contemporary norms: they often coached from the bench, fostering player autonomy and tapping into the collective intelligence and resourcefulness of their teams. This is a key aspect of learning of legends – empowering others to learn and lead.

Understanding that every coaching challenge is unique, this book is designed for flexible, non-linear engagement. Explore the Table of Contents, select any Key that resonates, and delve in. May this resource bring you and your teams great success and continuous learning.”

–Karch Kiraly