Bump, Set, Mic...The TNT Volleyball Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In Episode 11, Brian and Chuck talk about the following topics:

1) The value of managing your own facility and how it helps build a club.

2) Aftermath of High School Tryouts and whether "Politics" play a part in decisions.

In Segment 1, we share our experience of how valuable controling a practice facility is for the growth of a club.  We discuss how to start the process of finding a space and the issues TNT faced when trying to convert a warehouse into a volleyball gym.

In Segment 2, we answer the questions "Now What?" once the lease is signed.  What things need to be considered to make a warehouse into a volleyball practice facility.

In Segment 3, we discuss the aftermath of the high school tryout season.  How do politics play a role in school tryouts?  Why do National level club players get cut from their school team in their junior year?  Are coaches out to get me?

As always, we finish the episode by answering a question from Volleyball Moms facebook page.

Issues and benefits of finding a failicty - 0:30

What to consider after signing a lease - 20:57

Bunker 2.0 Announcement! - 33:20

Aftermath of High School tryouts - 39.31

Impact on Mental Health when getting cut - 44:45

Do private lessons help you make a team? - 51:00

Should playing on a National Team ensure making your HS team? - 52:00

Tony Pettit advice on making a team - 53:30

VBM question of the week - How loud should parents be at a HS match?  Just ask SuperFan Marie! - 57:00

In Episode 10, Brian and Chuck welcome Doug Blystone to the Bump Set Mic studio (aka Doug's back patio) and talk about qualities of the ideal coach.  Doug has coached high school, club, and college volleyball and is a CAP Cadre specializing in coaching the coaches.  In addition, Doug recently travelled to the United World Games (UWG) in Austria and shares his experiences in Europe as well as ideas for taking a team to the UWG in 2025.

In Segment 1, Doug talks about his volleyball journey and how he started coachevals.com as a way to help growth mindset coaches improve their skillset.  He talks about mental toughness and how to coach that into your practices.  Doug believes in game-like drills and shares lessons he learned from John Kessel and Bill Neville that he still incorporates into his own practice plans.  Doug also shares how he trains coaches, and how he started coachevals.com as a way to help coaches improve.

In Segment 2, Doug shares his experiences at the United World Games in Austria and coins the term "volley-cation" to describe an amazing European vacation that includes representing the USA while playing volleyball.

As usual, the episode ends with our Volleyball Moms question of the week where we learn what questions to ask a coach to determine if they are a good fit for your player and family.

Meet Doug Blystone - 0:43

Coaching Evaluations and coachevals.com - 13:41

How to present findings to coaches to help them improve - 15:40

Inspiring players to become coaches - 19:50

Recommended resources for coaches - 26:30

United World Games - 28:10

Doug's idea for UWG 2025 team - 35:00

2025 UWG Agneda - 40:10

Volleyball Moms question of the week - 42:30

TNT is considering building a team for the United World Games (www.unitedworldgames.com) that plays in Klagenfurt, Austria.  This event is like a mini-olympics where teams play other countries teams in addition to a sightseeing tour that will visit Germany and Austria.  An informational meeting will be posted to the web site and will be scheduled for late September.  In the interim, if you have interest, please complete the form found here to express such interest. 

If you have any questions, you can contact Doug Blystone at dougblystone@gmail.com.  The interest form can be found here:  https:\\tinyurl.com\UWGInterest

In Episode 1, Chuck and Brian talk with TNT Volleyball Co-Founder John Kunzier to reminisce about how TNT got started.  They disucss the club scene back in 2016, and explain the vision for TNT and the decision to take on the larger well established clubs. They outline the mission of TNT, and how that mission and vision have enabled the club to grow to over 50 teams in 2024.

In Segment 2, John Kunzier explains his coaching philosophies and experience and how it all still applies to teams 25+ years after he coached at D1 LaSalle university.

Included in Episode 1

TNT - How it all started 2.05

Meet Coach John Kunzier 25.20

Play 4 Abbey wrapup and summer sessions 44.47

In Episode 9, Brian and Chuck welcome Coach Bob Quon as they discuss the role that young players play in building a club.  

In Segment 1, we talk about the TNT Regional program which has introduced hundreds of young players to volleyball that may not have had the opportunity to join a club and receive quality coaching.  We discuss the challenges faced when starting a grassroots program and feedback received from the parents.

In Segment 2,  we discuss the Community Outreach programs at TNT Volleyball, and how they are instrumental in introducing players and families to the world of club volleyball.  We end the segment sharing insight into the Play4Abbey quads tournament that has raised thousands of dollars towards scholarships for players that cannot afford club volleyball.

A few Volleyball Moms' questions are the perfect way to end the episode, as the panel answers questions posted about private lessons, when to get children started in volleyball, and also the age when children should start playing club.

Timeline: 

Meet Bob Quon- 1:30

How have skills of 14U players changed in the past 10 years - 5:56

TNT Regional Program and how it helped grow the club - 15:41

What is more important, winning or player development? - 24:10

Challenges faced when starting a Regional program - 25:10

Reaching out to the community - 31:53

TNT's biggest competitor - 32:40

How to start reaching out to the community - 33:30

Biggest benefits of reaching out to the community 36:10

Play4Abbey Event - 39:00

Value of Private lessons for younger players- 43:58

How young to get players started in volleyball - 45:50

In Episode 8, Brian and Chuck talk about some important topics when trying out for a Club Volleyball team.  Special guests include 15U players Lea Ras and Ashlyn Kear, who provide inside from a player's perspective.  We test them with questions from the Volleyball Mom's Facebook page, including "What is the best volleyball shoe to wear?"

In Segment 1, we answer the following questions:

Do all clubs choose their teams early and use tryouts as a cash grab?

Is it better to play on a 2nd or 3rd team at a club when you can play for the top team at another club? 

Should I accept the loyalty offer or go to tryouts?

We finish the segment by reading a wonderful perspective written by an Anonymous Mom advising everyone to cherish the club volleyball years.

In Segment 2, we tackle the frequently debated topic: Should we tryout at our playing age, or should we "Play Up"?

We cite case studies and professional advice to give the pros and cons for each side, and of course, we provide our opinions on the subject.

Timeline:

Are tryouts just a cash grab, and teams are already chosen?- 2:43

Loyalty Offers - 4:45

How do players deal with stress of tryouts - 5:39

Should I play on a 2s or 3s team or play on a 1s team at another club? 7:52

Are 1s team girls scouted more than 2s and 3s players? 11:00

Should you stay with 1 club or try out at multiple clubs? 12:49

Do I need to play club for my school coach's team? 15:30

What are the best volleyball shoes to wear? and socks? 18:50

Benefits of "Playing up" 21:35

Play for the best coach for you 26:35

Mental and Psychological reasons to consider when Playing Up 30:05

The value of being the oldest player on the team 32:15

Why would you intentionally place a child at a disadvantage 34:20

Getting noticed by playing your age level  38:00

Be a leader on your team to get noticed 39:55

TNT Platinum Coaches announcement 41:30

This abbreviated episide applies to the 2024 TNT Volleyball Club National team summer tryouts. 

In Episode 7 Brian and Chuck talk about The TNT Summer tryouts for 15U-17U National teams.

We discuss WHY are tryouts being held in July and what to do if you are NOT able to attend the tryout date.  We get it, summers are for family time, and we agree!  

In Episode 6 Brian and Chuck talk about Club Volleyball tryouts from an insider's perspective.

In Segment 1 we share strategies about how to prepare for upcoming tryouts.  We discuss how to find the right clubs, how to not get overlooked in registration, and insider tips on how to gain a significant advantage by getting noticed before tryouts even start!

In Segment 2 we share what coaches are actually looking for in tryouts.  Ever wonder why good players get overlooked?  We discuss things that athletes may focus on in the tryout that coaches don't care about.  We talk about how to dress, what to say, and little things you can do to stand out.  

In Segment 3 we discuss what questions you should ask when presented with an offer to play for a club,  because not all offers are alike! The club volleyball season is long, and this is the only time when the cards in in the hands of the parents.  Make sure you ask all of the right questions!  Club directors and coaches must be able to answer all of your questions when presenting you with an offer.  Most importantly, parents, don't be THAT parent.  Do NOT sabotage your chances for getting a offer.

A little preparation goes a long way when selecting the club that is the best fit for your athlete.  Bump, Set, Mic is here to share some important tips so you don't get overlooked at tryouts.

The decision to play club volleyball - 3:41

How to choose the right clulbs - 5:50

The vlaue of choosing the right coach - 8:09

Play up or play down? - 12:47

Trying out for multiple clubs - 14:16

What to do on Tryout Day - 16:09

Maintain a positive attitude - 18:48

How do tryouts work? - 19:31

Value of playing multiple positions - 23:10

What are coaches looking for? - 25:42

What to NOT say to a coach - 32:39

What to do when you get an offer - 36.11

Questions to ask when you gety an offer - 38.07

PARENTS - Don't sabotage your offer - 52.58

In Episode 5 we take you On Location to the 2024 AAU Girls Nationals in Orlando as Chuck sets up shop in the hotel lobby to interview players, parents and coaches.  Joining Chuck are players and parents from TNT 15U Venom as they share their experiences and advice from first time AAU Nationals participants.  Chuck then talks to 3 experienced TNT coaches to get ther perspective on why it is valuable for volleyball players and families to attend AAU Nationals, and some advice on how to make the most of the exprience.

Chuck's take on AAU Nationals - 1:00

Aubrey, Julia and Sophia share their thoughts as first time National team players - 3:12

15 Venom parents share their thoughts on being first time National team parents - 15:19

Volleyball Moms Question of the Episode - 25:17

TNT Coaches' perspective on the value of Nationals - 30:00

Chuck's reflection on the Nationals experience and the growth of TNT - 41:14

In Episide 4, Brian and Chuck are On Location at AAU Nationals in Orlando, poolside at the Endless Summer Dockside Resort.  Joining them is the 3x self-proclaimed Coach of the Year, Andrew Lee as he explains how he was introduced to Volleyball as a player and coach and what keeps him coming back for more.   Andrew talks about his journey to becoming a college coach and High Performance Academy coach, and discusses what college coaches are looking for in players (and parents). 

Andrew also talks about his role as a club owner in the National Volleyball Association professional men's volleyball league and the similarities and difference between the professional men's league and junior girls volleyball.  Listen to Andrew's players sing his praises while Andrew looks on and removes the cucumbers from his sushi.  Finally, Andrew is challenged by the Volleyball Mom's question of the week!

Meet Coach Andrew Lee - 1:43

Andrew's path to TNT Volleyball- 10:10

What College Coaches look for in players - 17:24

National Volleyball Association (NVA) Men's team owner 30:13

How the NVA relates to Junior girls club volleyball 38:55

Player testimonials for Coach Andrew - 42.21

Volleyball Moms - 52.47

In Eposide 3, we are On Location at AAU Nationals in Orlando.  Chuck and Brian talk to Leon Kasperski about his role in TNT and how he has helped grow a 4 team club to over 50 teams!  Chuck talks about the growth of the club and how AAU Nationals helped change the direction of TNT.  We also talk about some great online resources for players, parents and coaches and finish the episode with a huge shout out to our favorite Facebook Group...Volleyball Moms.

Meet the Unicorn (Leon Kasperski) - 3:10

TNT Nationals and the Path to Platinum - 12:50

Online Resouces for players, parents and coaches - 29:30

Volleyball Moms - 33:45