Headstrong: The ultimate guide

In a sport that’s so often won by a two-point spread, the mental game of volleyball is the difference between winning and losing. Your mindset is the difference maker.

The Dream – operating in a state of relaxed concentration and confidence in your ability to execute with a precognitive notion of where the ball will land next.

The Reality – fumbling between positions a step behind on each play, distracted by sideline pressure and self-doubt.

Rundle has interviewed dozens of elite players and coaches to create the ultimate guide for mindset training in volleyball. It is packed it full of practical strategies and tips to help players and teams optimize their performance on the court.

THIS BOOK WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:

• Reduce lapses in concentration through eye-sequencing and focus cues.
• Build confidence on the court through negative thought replacement.
• Access the zone with a dedicated pre-game routine.
• Adopt a growth mindset.
• Cultivate an inclusive team culture by dismantling implicit bias.
• Embrace body positivity and prioritize self-care.
• Create visualization scripts and use mindfulness techniques designed specifically for volleyball.
• Put an end to toxic team gossip.
• Develop systems of communication.

WHAT COACHES ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BOOK:

AL SCATES, Coached the UCLA mens volleyball team to 19 NCAA Titles "Both the experienced and the novice will improve their performance by reading Brooke Rundle’s guide to concentration and confidence building. All those who have been closely associated with the sport of volleyball will recognize that her techniques will help you improve on the court and in life."

JENNIFER JACOBS, Head Volleyball Coach Augustana University and Diversity & Inclusion Speaker "In this day in age - a social media selfie obsessed world - it has become extremely difficult for coaches to create a team culture that thrives on the "we," not the "me" mentality. Brooke Rundle captures that essence in her book Headstrong. My favorite module, module 5 - Teamwork lays it all out there on the table for teams to address with each other. It takes a bold leader to truly address gossip, and Headstrong gives coaches and players the tools to face it in a safe and productive way. Additionally, the section on implicit bias is the first time I have ever seen that topic addressed specific to volleyball. Headstrong gives us tangible examples, real life situations, and is a fantastic how - to guide to help coaches and teams navigate a relevant complex concept."

RACHELLE SHERDEN, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Gustavus Adolphus College and 2018 MIAC Coach of the Year and AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year "I feel so fortunate that our team had the opportunity to work with Brooke during our “virtual” spring season. Headstrong 2.0 and the team workbook proved to be hugely beneficial for our athletes and our team as a whole. Through the six modules and team sessions our athletes learned simple, yet powerful volleyball-specific strategies to grow their mental game in practice and competition. On top of that, the athletes' relationships became infinitely stronger after they learned more about each other and worked together through each module and team session. I feel like the team made leaps and bounds forward together, even more so than if we would have had a "normal" spring season."

JEFF MEEKER, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Cornell College and 6x Conference Coach of the Year "This book is not just another tool for coaches, rather is it an entire tool box to inspire growth in our athletes, provide a more positive experience and become better coaches. Brooke’s unique and diverse experiences provide keen insight into how we can help our athletes become mentally strong in volleyball and beyond."

Brooke is an author, blogger, volleyball agent with Bring It USA and co-director of a non-profit in Nicaragua which provides supplemental education, scholarships and work opportunities for underprivileged youth and adults with disabilities. She travels the world more often than not and splits her time between surfing and volunteering. She works very hard to maintain a lifestyle that permits wearing either flip-flops or cowboy boots. Rundle had an illustrious volleyball career at UC Santa Barbara where she led the Lady Gauchos to the NCAA Division 1 Elite Eight twice. Rundle received second team All-American honors in 2000. After her collegiate career, she went on to compete professionally in Slovenia and the Netherlands.