Michael Williams | Technical Director, Academy, 14 Mike

HOMETOWN:Newport Beach, California

COLLEGE: Stanford University

COACHING PHILOSOPHY: At 14 and under I focus on FUNDAMENTLS and FUN. Having the proper technique is critical for a players progress. What you can't do technically you can't do tactically. I adhere to the Silver State policy of teaching all players all skills, especially with younger players.

Fun for me is growth. It is the joy experienced when the light bulb goes on when learning a new skill and finally getting it. It's facing a new or difficult challenge and overcoming. It's the joy of knowing that you and your teammates gave your all, no matter the result.

At the older levels I encourage players to become "students of the game". While fundamentals are included in every practice, it's now time to become a tactician as well. The focus is on your opponent and finding their strengths and weaknesses and how to exploit them.

COACHING EXPERIENCE: I started coaching in 1996 at Whittell High School as an assistant to Dan McLaughlin. During my 10 years there we won 7 State Championships, 6 of them consecutively. We were listed as one of the top 100 high school programs in the United States by Max Preps.

I have been with Silver State Volleyball Club since it's inception in 1999 and have coached all levels and age groups. I have coached in five USA Volleyball Junior National Championship Tournaments finishing 3rd in the 17's open division in 2002.

Most recently I assisted Jordan Reeder with our 18-1 Team that qualified for Junior Nationals and won SSVC's second consecutive Northern California Volleyball Associations Power League Championships.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE: I started playing beach volleyball at Carona Del Mar, in Southern California, when I was 12 years old. I continued to play recreationally throughout high school and while at Stanford.

During my military service I played for the Fort Benning Post Team winning the All Army Post Championships. I also played for the All Army Team for a short time before leaving the service.

• E-mail: mikew@silverstatevolleyball.com
• Phone:(775) 588-5756