There’s a lot to take in on a volleyball court. As a coach, you’re constantly tracking what each player is doing, how their movements and decisions affect those around them, how players operate within a system, and how multiple systems come together to (hopefully) create fluid, seamless, and effective execution. But let’s be honest—how in the world are you supposed to see everything? Spoiler: you probably won’t. Not because you’re not trying, but because focused practice and practiced focus are skills in themselves.
In 2017, I found myself managing the behavior of 35 fifth graders in a classroom built for 25. It was like playing the most intense game of hot potato—except the potatoes were on fire. And there were seven of them. Focus too long on one flaming spud, and chaos would erupt in the corner you weren’t watching. To survive, I learned about radar, a key classroom management strategy from Doug Lemov’s Teach Like a Champion 2.0. The beauty of radar? It doesn’t stop working when you leave the classroom—it’s just as essential on the volleyball court. With practice, it can become one of the most powerful tools in your coaching arsenal.
What Is Radar?
Radar, in the technical sense, doesn’t exactly describe what we’re doing here. But at its core, radar is about calibrating your eyes to look for something specific. You’re not just passively observing your court—you’re scanning with intention, looking for specific actions or behaviors. Like any tool, radar needs proper calibration to be effective. And as the coach, you’re the one holding the controls.
Calibrating Your Radar
Position Yourself for Success
The first step to using radar effectively is standing where you can actually see what’s happening. At Fusion, we encourage our coaches to stand behind the players they’re coaching. This gives you a perspective that mirrors what your players are experiencing, making it easier to catch key details and provide relevant feedback. The behind-the-court view is hands-down the best seat in the house for coaching.
Prepare Intellectually
You can’t just declare, “We’re working on passing today,” and call it a plan. That’s like walking into Togo’s and saying, “I’ll have a sandwich.” Great, but what kind of sandwich? Specificity is everything.Intellectual preparation means naming your focus and defining what you want to see. For example, instead of a vague goal like “passing,” you could say, “Today, we’re focusing on holding our platform at the end of a forearm pass.” Now, your players know exactly what to work on, and your radar is calibrated to scan for that specific detail. This allows you to provide targeted feedback on their “hold and finish,” creating a clear expectation for improvement.
The Power of Focused Radar
When you’re clear about your goals and intentional with your observation, your radar becomes a game-changer. It allows you to scan the court with precision, see what matters most, and give meaningful feedback that helps your players improve. And just like any skill, the more you practice focused radar, the better you’ll get at it—and the better your players will perform.
So, coaches, take a moment to calibrate. Stand where you can see, set a clear focus, and trust your radar to guide you. Because whether it’s a classroom full of fiery potatoes or a volleyball court full of athletes, the right radar makes all the difference.
コメント