In this final article, I will be summarizing my impressions (part two) of the FIVB Coaches Course Level 3.
FIVB Coaches Course Level 3
Participant-Led Sessions
The 35 participants each became an instructor, delivering two pre-assigned tasks: a classroom presentation and an on-court lecture.
We were each allotted about 20 minutes to present and lecture on our assigned topics. After each session, there was a Q&A with the participants and feedback from the instructors.
My presentation and on-court lecture were scheduled for the first half of the course. I distinctly remember the palpable tension in the air, as the participants hadn’t yet had a chance to get to know one another.
For my own presentation, I had practiced so many times, imagining the real thing, that I didn’t feel as nervous as I expected and was able to get my points across. For the Q&A session—my personal stumbling block—I felt I was able to grasp the participants’ questions and spontaneously express my own thoughts. It was my first time giving a presentation in English in front of a large group (around 30 people), which was a huge hurdle, but this experience gave me a little more self-confidence.
As for the on-court lecture, I had a few months of coaching experience with players ranging from elementary to high school at a club in Singapore. This gave me the confidence that I could perform more spontaneously than in the presentation. However, my desire to have everyone deeply understand my prepared training program took over, and my explanation became too long. I was pointed out by an instructor that my talk was too lengthy. This experience re-emphasized the importance of getting the intent and purpose across quickly to ensure enough time for players to actually play.
As the course progressed, the relationships among the participants deepened, and it was a very pleasant experience to see presentations and lectures proceed in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. However, looking back at my own actions, I can’t help but feel that I could have been more proactive in the Q&A sessions and created more opportunities for discussion. I think there was a part of me that was worried about saying something off-topic or feeling embarrassed if I couldn’t understand what someone was saying. For anyone who plans to take Level 3, I urge you not to be afraid to fail and to actively engage in the discussions.
Bonus Story
After the course finished, I went out on a limb and asked John Kessel—a coach I had always admired—for an autograph and a message. He happily agreed and, without a moment’s hesitation, wrote these words on my gear:
ANCORA IMPARO
I immediately knew it wasn’t English, but I intuitively felt it would be rude to ask him for the meaning right then and there. When I got back to my hotel room and looked it up, I discovered it was Italian for, “I am still learning.”
I will never forget the goosebumps I got at that moment. This is because, through my week with him, I had strongly felt the truth in his words through his demeanor and everything he said. At the very end of the course, I was able to learn another incredibly important lesson.
My Thanks to Those Who Supported Me
It took me seven years from taking Level 1 to finally completing Level 3. Looking back, it feels both incredibly short and a very long journey, which is a strange feeling.
And as I’ve been carefully reflecting on this entire process through these articles, I am filled with a renewed sense of gratitude for the support I received from so many people.
Senior coaches who had gone through the course before me taught me so much, from the application procedures to the lessons and connections they made.
The staff at the prefectural (or regional) volleyball associations and the Japan Volleyball Association were very kind and quick to respond to my complicated requests.
The associations in the host countries warmly welcomed me as a colleague who is helping to support and develop volleyball around the world.
The volleyball players of Pippu Town helped me with my practical assignments during the height of the pandemic, when it was difficult to even secure a gym or play at all.
My family was always by my side, cheering me on in my new challenges.
I have also received countless other forms of support from many people not listed here. I realize now that without every single one of those people, I would never have made it this far.
Thank you all so much.
However, my learning is not over. Just as John Kessel’s message says, “I am still learning.” I want to continue learning so that I can say those words with confidence whenever I am asked.
For Future Participants
If reading these articles has made you interested in taking the course, I want to help you as much as I can. Please feel free to contact me using the information below.
