Ideas from Anson Dorrance's Podcast

Don't presume that every player wants to be the best they can be. One person's idea of hard work isn't the same as another's. 

The boundary between hard work and abuse is not clear.

Here are thoughts from UNC Women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, 22 time National Champion. You read that right.  

"College is the first place where talent and athletic character collide." Everyone is good so you no longer can rely on talent. 

Here are Dorrance's "9 Boxes to Check"

1. Self-discipline (conditioning) - what do you consider great conditioning? Cooper 12 minute run times are one. 

The gold standard is measured maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Few have access to those systems. For high school soccer, we had to run two laps of the soccer field (about 640 yards) at the end of practice in under 1:50. Another test is eight 220 yard sprints under 40 seconds with 1:20 rest in-between segments. The Celtics tryouts include the "Boston Marathon" of as many end-to-end runs as possible in three minutes. The old record by Delonte West was 29. 

2. Competitive fire. How are you as a competitor? 

3. Self-belief. Does a player have the confidence to perform in crunch time?

4. Love of the ball. Skill development. 

5. Love of playing the game. Believe it or not, there are players who love the rewards (fame, money, "The Life") but don't love the game.

6. Love of watching the game. Is watching and study a chore? 

7. Grit. Determination, doggedness. 

8. Coachability. Are you focused on hearing, embracing, and following through on instruction? 

9. Connection. Do you truly want to be part of the team? How do you relate to teammates? Are you a good teammate or selfish?

"Everyone's different, so how do you check the nine boxes?" 

"Get someone as close as we can to playing their potential." - Roy Williams

"You have to coach people differently."

Lagniappe. I've watched Melrose volleyball for over twenty years. I didn't see Andrea Basteri play so I can't comment on her blocking. In more historical order here are some of the top blockers is Melrose history:

Paula Sen, Hannah Brickley, Rachel Johnson, Sarah McGowan, Kayla Wyland, Emma Randolph, Sadie Jaggers. I'm sure I've missed some and I'm mentioning another, Sabine Wenzel.

Photograph from Frontiervolleyball.org

I don't consider myself a volleyball expert but I know something. Length and timing aren't the sole qualifications. I haven't spoken with Coach Scott Celli so I'm not his mouthpiece. Here are additional considerations:

• Reading the hitter to anticipate getting into correct position
• Footwork and quickness to get to proper blocking position
• Proper alignment to face the hitter
• Hand position to penetrate the airspace without violating the center line
• Block 'stiffness' to block completely
• Desire to become the best possible blocker

Sabine has the potential to become the standard of excellence for future Melrose blockers.