Everyone is Starting Somewhere

Friday gave me a pretty cool reminder of why I love coaching and mentoring.

I attended the IGCA Preseason Volleyball Team Camp in the Des Moines area, where 164 teams participated over two days at several different locations. With fall practices officially beginning Monday, this was an opportunity for coaches to get their teams on the court, try some things, evaluate where they were, and begin preparing for the season ahead.

I was especially excited to watch several teams coached by mentees I will be working with throughout the season. What I saw was encouraging—lots of energy, coaches actively teaching and coaching their teams, players working hard, and an overall positive atmosphere. There were certainly things that weren't perfect, but that's really the point of this time of year. Coaches were trying things, learning, adjusting, and figuring out what their teams need.

It reminded me of something we sometimes forget: every coach is working with the knowledge, experience, and resources they have at that moment. Some have been coaching for decades. Others are just getting started. Regardless of where they are in their careers, most coaches are showing up because they care about their athletes and want to give them a great experience.

That's one of the reasons mentoring matters so much to me. We don't need coaches to have all the answers. We need coaches who are willing to keep learning, asking questions, listening to others, and getting a little better every day. Athletes and families should have that same mindset!

As practices begin this week, there will be plenty of excitement, nerves, mistakes, successes, and lessons learned. That's what the beginning of a season is supposed to look like! Challenges will arise-who starts, what roles will athletes play, players missing practice for injuries or other reasons, and many others. Coaches need to trust their process, reach out for support when needed, and think about why they coach to get them through the tough times.

Good luck to all of the fall sport coaches and athletes beginning their seasons! Enjoy the journey, embrace the learning, and remember that you don't have to have everything figured out on Day 1. You just have to be willing to keep getting better.

Have a great week!

Coach K