Episode 06 - Biomechanics, Athlete Development, Recruitment & More with Lionel Woods

From The First Chair Podcast

In this episode, Frank & Thierry welcome University of Ottawa women's volleyball Head Coach Lionel Woods to discuss various topics including biomechanics, athlete development and recruitment. (1:20) - Lionel's bio (3:40) - How did Lionel start coaching volleyball? (7:30) - How did a multisport background help Lionel as a volleyball coach? (11:20) - How Lionel developed his understanding and feel of the flow of the game? (13:30) - How did coach Woods develop his kinesthetic learning style? (15:20) - Who were Lionel's mentors? (16:40) - Coach Woods reads considerably to consolidate his learning, especially books authored by american coaches such as Dean Smith (The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching, It's How You Play the Game: The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith, A Coach's Life: My 40 Years in College Basketball, Dean Smith: A Basketball Life, Dean Smith: More than a Coach) *A deleted segment also had Lionel recommend a great leadership resource as follows: http://www.janssensportsleadership.com/ (19:10) - Coaches impact their athletes considerably through the passion they demonstrate and the values they abide by. (22:10) - What would Lionel do differently if he had to start his coaching career again? (24:15) - How does coach Woods keep developing as a coach after so many years? (27:05) - What does Lionel think the men's game and the women's game could steal from each other? (31:50) - What is Lionel's coaching philosophy? (34:20) - What is the biggest weakness rookie athletes demonstrate often upon arrival in a university program? (39:25) - What should a club athlete be doing in the off season ideally? (44:00) - Who should be the yearly plan leader? (47:36) - What can a 12-14U coach do to help the athletes move better? (53:18) - Is there room for club and school volleyball to coexist, even for the high level athlete? (58:07) - Does Lionel as a recruiter consult the high school volleyball coach? (59:00) - How should a 17U or 18U athlete should approach post-secondary recruitment? (63:18) - How can club coaches facilitate the recruitment process? (66:40) - How critical is it that the club coach provide information about a potential recruit? (70:35) - What is being done off court with the university program? What does Lionel think should be done at the club level? (74:30) - Assigning an assistant coach to mental training is a winning strategy (79:35) - What does Lionel think the Maverick Volleyball Club is doing well to prepare properly the athletes for the next level?