One coaching decision during a tryout changed my entire volleyball career and I knew I had to share Coach Andy Stepp's story with you all. From learning competitive volleyball at the YMCA to becoming a transformational coach who's impacted hundreds of athletes, Andy's journey proves that the best teachers often come from the most unexpected paths.
In this powerful episode, we explore his game-changing "900 Square Feet" philosophy - a mindset that transformed not just how his teams play, but how they approach life. We dive deep into making mistakes vs. failures, standing up for your players, and why cutting athletes doesn't mean closing doors.Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or someone navigating life's challenges, Andy's wisdom about focusing on what you can control will shift your perspective. Coach Andy Stepp shares:
✓ How learning volleyball at 20 shaped his unique coaching approach
✓ The ankle injury that transformed him from player to setter
✓ Why you're only touching the ball 30 seconds in an entire match (and what to do with the other 59 minutes)
✓ The powerful "900 Square Feet" mindset that will change how you see sports and life
✓ Real stories of standing up to refs and parents to protect players
✓ Why he tells EVERY cut player to come talk to him, no matter the team
✓ The difference between mistakes and failures (this will change your life!)
Timestamps:
Introduction & Welcome: 00:00
Andy’s Volleyball Journey & Early Coaching: 01:55
Learning Volleyball as an Adult: 04:06
Team Dynamics & Communication: 08:10
Mindset, Mistakes, and Coaching Philosophy: 20:07
Injury & Becoming a Setter: 22:52
Family & Volleyball Legacy: 43:47
Player Safety & Standing Up for Athletes: 46:44
Difficult Conversations & Lessons Beyond Volleyball: 56:05
Closing & Final Thoughts: 1:13:09
This episode is for:
Athletes feeling overlooked or struggling with confidence
Coaches wanting to make a real impact
Parents navigating youth sports
Anyone who needs to hear that mistakes are not failures
People looking for practical wisdom on focusing on what you can control
Coach Andy's philosophy extends far beyond volleyball - it's about empowerment, growth, and understanding that you have more power than you think.
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#volleyball #CoachingWisdom #SportsPhilosophy #SheAcedThat #YouthSports #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #WomensVolleyball #SportsPodcast
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