Dear Visitor,

Sports Media is proud to introduce the "Ask The Volleyball Expert: from youth to olympics.": Mr. John Kessel.

Introduction:

John Kessel bio - personal website - USA Volleyball USA Volleyball Director Education, Disabled, Grassroots & Beach Volleyball Programs FIVB Technical Commission Secretary & FIVB Level IV Instructor

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My name is John Kessel, and I have been working for USA Volleyball since 1985, full time since 1990. This is the National Governing Body for the sport, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the Olympic Training Center.
I am Director of Education, Disabled, Grassroots and Beach Volleyball. I have been with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the IF for volleyball, as a Instructor and Commission member since the 1980s.

Some of my responsibilities include :

• Creating, maintaining and enhancing our USA Volleyball Education department, including our Coaching Accreditation Program (CAP) and IMPACT grassroots coaching program.
• Overseeing and developing our Paralympic Volleyball programming for USA women's standing team, and USA men's standing and sitting teams.
• I also work closely with the Deaflympic USA team programming for both men and women.
• Preparing our Olympic program for Beach Volleyball, highlighted by Team Leading the four USA teams to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, bringing home one gold medal and 3 other fifth place finishes, and now preparing for Athens in 2004.
• I develop our pipeline for International competition at the FIVB World and other championships, such as under 18 and under 21 divisions.
  
  

I have been coaching since 1970 at the collegiate level or above, while working annually at the grassroots, even grubroots levels on volleyball for children. My passion is helping coaches become better, and thus impacting more players in a positive way. I think coaches set limits on their players, and do not include enough fun in training, generally speaking. I can give you insight or even answers on any level of volleyball, from indoor to all outdoor options, from the two person game to Chinese 9 man.

This is a wonderful lifetime sport, with many great traditions, and some which could use a little improvement...

I will be answering questions - via the Message Board "Ask The Volleyball Expert"

Looking forward to sharing my ideas with you.