Application of “Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice”

Application

All the while I was reading this book, I was thinking about how this could be applied to my ultimate career goal, i.e. starting with building a volleyball club.

As well as skill level and physical criteria, intrinsic motivation and passion may be a big factor in picking players.  You need players who are intrinsically motivated to mass those practice hours needed.

Current trainings sessions per week on a national league level may reach 3-4.  I would have 4-6 training sessions per week at 3 hour per session.  If possible, have extra strength and conditioning sessions on top of that.  The ideal situation would be to have a venue with 24 hours access with a weights room built in.

This is vital to instil a belief that only hard work will get you to the top and not talent.  Also, praise has to be directed towards effect and not due to natural talent.  The idea of necessary failure is also embraced to make you keep pushing.

Having specific and deep knowledge is extremely important and this has to pass down to the players.  The Head Coach will oversee that the training programme is sufficient for continual improvement.

Sports psychology is important so various important psychological skills that can be learnt to avoid “choking”.  A psychologist is not needed  but somebody with knowledge in this area.   

This is to get players while they are young so they can seriously obtain those practice hours and really excel.  Also, instilling the philosophy of hard work, developing mental toughness and cultivating intrinsic motivation from a young age is also important for reaching excellence.  The youth academy is built upon an intrinsic motivational identification programme (as opposed to talent identification programme) so those who are motivation is taken on so they can blossom.

In addition to things needed to put in place that is not covered in the book would be:

These would include nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, assistant coaches, scouts etc.  All would help athletes reach peak performance.

My !  Where would I be without having that objective view of what  improves performance?!!!