He spent several weeks writing a four-year plan that outlined what he wanted to do – how he’d run the offense, how he’d run the defense, how he’d develop a team culture, who he wanted to have involved. The packet was about 20 pages in total. On the day of the interview, he wore a suit. “I felt that the burden was on me to prove I was the right guy,” he says, “and I wasn’t going to do that by making assumptions based on my relationship with Doug and USA Volleyball.” In other words, he did his homework, and
that’s a habit of his, not an isolated incident. “Hugh is the ultimate student of the game,” Salmon says. “He studies and he learns and if he doesn’t know, he asks the right people.” With that preparation comes a confidence, even when things go wrong. In McCutcheon’s words, “When you do the best you can with what you’ve got, you’re going to sleep straight at night.” At least until 4 a.m.
CHEERS: McCutcheon earned the USOC Olympic Coach of the Year honor in 2008. (Photo: FIVB)
5
qualities Hugh McCutcheon looks for in a developing athlete
1. Physical ability and talent Obviously, different positions
require different abilities, but I think it’s safe to say that all coaches, in- cluding me, like to see some quick- ness, height, jumping ability and a live arm (or great hands). I also like to see athletes who have a solid grasp of the fundamental skills, and I place a huge premium on athletes that can read (where read = see, understand and execute) the game.
2. Capacity for work All of the research on elite perfor- mance says that you have to work exceptionally hard with your mind and your body to become great. They call it mindful practice. We tell our athletes all the time that it’s easy to sweat; their responsibility is to come in every day and complete- ly engage in the learning process, and that takes a lot of hard work. Lots of athletes say they work hard, but in my experience, most of them don’t because it’s difficult, and they often lack the discipline to maintain the effort, focus and concentration needed to master this game.
3. Ability to learn and make change Any athlete that makes it to the next level in his or her playing career (be that
4. Be a great teammate The best teams I’ve ever coached
were just that - the best teams. They played with passion for each other and with each other. These athletes cared more about the team’s goals than their own, and they found ways, regardless of their role, to make those around them better. It’s a spe- cial thing to be a part of, but all great teams have great teammates.
starting a collegiate career or joining the national team) cannot succeed at that level with the skills that got them there. The margins between winning and losing get thinner the further you go up the volleyball food chain. So all athletes have to learn how to perform success- fully in their new environment - and that means they have to make change. Ath- letes who are not comfortable with the process of change (and the short-term failures that go with that) never reach their potential.
5. Competitive toughness Can you make the right choice at the right time? And can you do it when something meaningful is at stake? If the answer is yes on both counts, then you have some tough- ness. I like to see athletes have the confidence (not arrogance, but a trust in your skills and the skills of those around you) to be at their best when their best is needed. I watch to see how athletes manage the moment of competition. Some people define toughness in terms of talking trash or posturing on the court. To me, tough- ness is getting the job done when it’s incredibly hard to get the job done - making the play regardless of the circumstance. It has nothing to do with self-indulgent theatrics that bring negative attention to an athlete or a team.
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