Teaching the Boy Brain

Abby Hasebroock, Head Boys Volleyball Coach at Mt. Carmel High School, discusses the psychology of the male athlete's brain. She explains what drives and motivates male players and how coaches should organize practice to adapt to them. Coach Hasebroock shares drills that work on pressure situations, communication and competition.

Insights into Male Psychology
In the first segment, Coach Hasebroock explains adolescent development and the psychology of the adolescent male brain. She believes that coaches must have a thorough understanding of how their male players think and react in order to construct practice plans and approaches for the season. This is especially true for coaches who have worked with females in the past.

You will discover the "10 learning traits" of males and how they are different from females. With those traits in mind, Coach Hasebroock explains how to design a practice that will help keep the boy brain active and engaged from beginning to end.

Drills for Creating Pressure Situations
On the court, Coach Hasebroock highlights drills that create pressure situations. These drills put different players on the spot at random times, which helps boys experience game-like pressure and competition. She uses the term "X factor" in many of her drills. The X factor randomly calls out a player to execute a skill in the middle of a drill, and there are consequences for being unable to perform the task. The pressure situation drills presented in this segment cover serving, digging and attacking.

Drills for Encouraging Communication
Coach Hasebroock also shares communication drills. Active communication means the brain is engaged and athletes are actively ready for play. These drills also help build team chemistry. The "Three vs. Self" drill is a great way to improve team communication and to build endurance.

To conclude the presentation, Coach Hasebroock shares philosophies on coaching a male player. She covers topics such as how to use consequences properly, how to critique performance in a way that motivates players, how to give feedback and how to increase competition. Understanding each of these topics is crucial to successfully coaching the male athlete.

With the information and tips provided here, a coach who is taking on a male team will be well equipped to handle the psyche of his or her athletes.

Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.

46 minutes. 2015.