Book Lessons with Coach Ian

I’m a young volleyball coach and organizer with a passion for helping athletes grow both mentally and physically through sports. Growing up, I was never the most athletic person, but being introduced to volleyball completely changed the way I viewed confidence, discipline, and teamwork. That experience is a big reason why I enjoy helping athletes improve not only their technical skills on the court, but also their mindset and confidence while playing.

I love competing with high energy and intensity, but I also believe athletes play their best when they’re genuinely having fun. My goal as a coach is to create an environment where players can work hard, improve consistently, and still enjoy the game every time they step on the court.

I can help athletes improve their game by focusing on the technical side of volleyball and helping them better understand how to use their skills effectively on the court. As an undersized player myself, I was never the biggest or strongest athlete while playing, so I learned early on how important technique, decision-making, movement, and volleyball IQ really are. A lot of my success came from understanding the game and using my size to my advantage instead of letting it hold me back.

Because of that, I believe every athlete can improve and compete at a high level regardless of height or physical build. My goal is to help players become smarter, more confident, and more skilled athletes while showing them that there’s more to the game than just size or athleticism.

A typical training session with me starts with warm-ups and a quick breakdown of what we’ll be focusing on during the session. From there, I like to evaluate a player’s form and fundamentals through basic drills so I can see where technique can be improved individually and in ways that also help them become a better teammate on the court. We work through all major volleyball skills such as passing, setting, hitting, and blocking while focusing heavily on technique, movement, and game understanding.

I also try to make sessions fun and engaging by teaching techniques in ways that athletes can easily remember and apply during real games. To finish each session, I usually include conditioning and then take a few minutes to break everything down and talk with the athlete. I like ending with a short message or life lesson that can help players not only during tough moments in volleyball, but also in everyday life.

Fridays: In-person sessions available from 4–6 PM

Wednesdays & Sundays: Virtual sessions available via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet

Flexible virtual availability may also be available outside of scheduled times with at least 1 day advance notice.

I have experience playing competitive volleyball in both indoor and grass tournaments, along with years of playing at a high level through competitive open gyms and organized play. I played volleyball throughout high school and continue to compete with and learn from athletes playing at strong collegiate-level competition, including players at the Division II and Division III level.

My experience as an undersized player helped me develop a strong understanding of the technical and mental side of volleyball, which continues to shape the way I coach today. Alongside playing, I’ve also worked on organizing volleyball opportunities and helping grow the game through community-focused events and athlete development.

The best coach I’ve ever had was my high school coach, Michael Hand. He was definitely hard on us, but you could always tell how much he genuinely cared about his players and wanted us to succeed as a team. Even during games where we were underperforming, he never stopped believing in us or speaking highly of us.

What stood out most to me was how he handled pressure and mistakes. During timeouts, he would quickly break down what we were doing wrong and explain how to fix it without tearing us down. At the same time, he was always encouraging us and praising the things we were doing well during both games and practices. That balance of accountability, confidence, and support is something I really respect and try to bring into my own coaching style.

Athletes and parents should know that I’m not the type of coach who only focuses on making players bigger, stronger, or more physically dominant. While physical development is important, I care just as much about helping athletes build a healthy mindset and strong technical foundation within the game. I want my athletes to feel confident, supported, and mentally comfortable on the court while continuing to improve their skills.

I genuinely care about every athlete I coach and enjoy building strong relationships with both players and parents. Communication and trust are very important to me, and I always want my athletes to know they have someone supporting them both during training and outside of volleyball as well.