Russ Rose and Volleyball Statistics

RUSS ROSE INTERVIEW

Russ Rose, a successful collegiate volleyball coach, was interviewed at www.richkern.com in July 2011:

SO WHAT?

This is the classic battle of coach’s opinions versus the statistics.  We know from research that a coach’s opinion can be biased and unreliable.  A coach cannot possible remember every play in a match or have detailed knowledge of exactly how well a player is playing.  This is where performance analysis steps in to give that objective view of play.  However, we also know statistics does not always give you the whole picture because not everything can be measured or recorded.

SO WHICH ONE IS MORE IMPORTANT?

Well, clearly both are important and both should be used (as was indicated in the quote itself).  Performance analysis has always been about helping the coach or those responsible make informed decisions to enhance performance.  And if you have a successful coach like Russ Rose, NCAA Champions 4 years in a row 2007-2010 with a win-loss record of 1,033-164, then I’m thinking his word is gospel.