Episode 12 - Tips for Rookie Head Coaches with Niko Rukavina

From The First Chair Podcast

In this episode, Frank & Thierry welcome Niko Rukavina to discuss his path early in his coaching career and many tips for rookie head coaches will be shared. (1:44) - Resource - I am a New Coach, USA Volleyball (4:15) - Thierry's top three recommendations to a rookie head coach (9:36) - Frank's top three recommendations to a rookie head coach (15:00) - Niko's bio (15:32) - How did a multisport background help Niko as a volleyball athlete? (17:35) - How did Niko transition from left side to libero in his fifth year in University? (21:38) - What are Niko's thoughts about being an assistant coach with your alma matter soon after your playing career? (23:50) - How did Niko successfully transition from post-secondary athletes to 18U athletes to 13U athletes? (25:40) - What were some of the biggest challenges Niko had to face with 13U athletes? (29:30) - What brought Niko into coaching? (30:50) - Who are Niko's mentors? (31:55) - What particular skills or habits did coach Rukavina take from his previous coaches under whom he played? (34:00) - Many coaches in the volleyball community including Frank believe Niko Rukavina is a young coach that is doing it right. What are Niko's thoughts about this statement? (36:40) - What age group does Niko's recommend for a rookie coach? (38:00) - What advice does coach Rukavina have for a coach that works with younger age groups such as 13U and 14U? (39:25) - What certification level is Niko at and how did he go about completing it? (40:09) - What are the benefits of head coaching a team and assisting with another team? (41:45) - What is Niko's long term coaching plan? (43:00) - What did coach Rukivina do specifically with his team to maximize both age specific needs and competition success? (46:40) - How important is the serve-pass part of the game? What was done to develop it? (48:12) - What offensive system was chosen and why? (49:50) - What is the plan for setting at 15U? (50:35) - How long would Niko like to go positionless with his club team? (52:33) - What are coach Rukavina's thoughts on prohibiting overhead passing at the younger age groups? (55:50) - What advice does Niko have to help rookie coaches deal with off court elements such as seasonal planing, physical preparation, etc.?