Volleyball, Music, and Coaching: The Many Hats of Bob Hillman

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In a recent episode of the Contacts Coaching Podcast, host Justin Clymo speaks with Bob Hillman, the volleyball coach at University High School in San Francisco. Bob shares his unconventional path from volleyball at Stanford to singer-songwriter in New York, and eventually back to coaching. Their conversation is a treasure trove of insights not just for aspiring coaches, but for anyone interested in leadership and personal growth.

The Journey to Coaching Bob Hillman’s journey is anything but linear. From being a volleyball player at Stanford to a professional beach volleyball contestant and then a New York-based singer-songwriter, Bob did not originally envision himself in a coaching role. Yet, life had different plans. His return to sports came through volunteering with his children’s sports activities, gradually evolving into a deep commitment to coaching youth leagues in San Francisco.

10 Takeaways and Teaching Moments:

• Embrace Life’s Detours: Bob’s story illustrates the value of embracing unexpected paths. While he initially left sports to pursue music, life's detours led him back to a fulfilling career in coaching.

• Value of Community: Bob highlights how Little League All Stars fosters community and connection. This is a reminder of the importance of building community in sports and beyond.

• Organic Growth: Allowing one’s career to develop organically, as Bob did, can sometimes be more fruitful than having a rigid plan. Being open to opportunities as they arise is key.

• Competition and Creativity: While competitions and structured paths are important, creativity remains crucial. Bob intertwines competitive spirit from sports with his artistic side from music.

• Empowerment Over Prescriptive Coaching: In his coaching, Bob emphasizes creating a framework for decision-making rather than rigid rules. This empowers athletes to adapt and learn independently.

• Adapting Flexibility: Bob stresses the need to adapt one’s approach based on the needs and maturity of the players, tailoring his coaching to fit different stages of player development.

• Lessons in Resilience: Experiencing rejection in both sports and music taught Bob resilience. Learning to handle setbacks is a vital life skill he brings to coaching.

• Balancing Individual and Team Goals: Tensions between club and education-based sports highlight the need to balance individual athletic goals with team-oriented development.

• Continuous Learning and Adaption: Bob believes in continuous improvement, constantly refining his coaching techniques by learning from other coaches and staying current with the sport's trends.

• Authenticity in Coaching: Lastly, Bob underscores the importance of authentic coaching. His approach reflects his personality and values, illustrating that one’s coaching style should resonate personally.

Bob Hillman’s diverse, rich experiences provide invaluable lessons for coaches and anyone aspiring to lead or mentor others. Embracing life's unpredictability, fostering community, adapting one’s approach, and staying true to oneself collectively form a powerful roadmap for success. This interview serves as a reminder that the journey of coaching is as much about personal growth and adaptability as it is about sports and teamwork.

Listen to his episode here

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.