NOVO Training Method
At NOVO Volleyball, we believe that real skill development happens through intentional, high-quality training. That’s why we’ve developed the NOVO Training Method (NTM), a coaching framework built on five principles that guide how we teach, challenge, and support every athlete.
High Reps
There’s no better way to master a skill than through repetition. As legendary coach John Wooden said, “The importance of repetition until automaticity cannot be overstated. Repetition is the key to learning.”
At NOVO, we use strategies that maximize the number of reps each athlete gets in every practice. This includes minimizing waiting time, using fast-paced rotations, and keeping drill instructions clear and concise. The more touches players get, the more they improve.
Goal Oriented
Every practice, game, drill, and activity has a clear purpose. Our coaches set specific, actionable goals that both players and coaches can focus on during each session. This goal-driven approach keeps practices focused, measurable, and meaningful.
Sweet Spot
Inspired by Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code, this principle focuses on finding the ideal level of challenge (the “sweet spot”), just beyond a player’s current abilities. As Coyle describes it: “That productive, uncomfortable terrain located just beyond our current abilities, where our reach exceeds our grasp.”
If a drill is too easy, there’s no growth. If it’s too hard, confidence can drop. Our coaches design practices that strike the right balance, where kids feel challenged, engaged, and excited to improve.
Game-Like
Volleyball is a game, and that’s how we believe it should be learned. While technical drills are important, we prioritize learning through game-like situations that mirror the real demands of competition. Players learn to read the game, make decisions, and apply their skills in context. And most importantly, they have fun.
Feedback Mastery
Great coaching is more than just running drills. It’s about how we communicate, correct, and connect. Feedback Mastery is our commitment to delivering clear, timely, and meaningful feedback that helps young athletes grow with confidence and purpose.
Our coaches use a variety of feedback strategies, including verbal cues, video review, guided questions, and peer or self-assessment. These methods help reinforce proper technique, promote athlete reflection, and accelerate skill development. Feedback isn’t just correction. It’s a tool for building awareness, motivation, and long-term learning.