Paula Folkes

Coaching Maverick VB since:

2024

Certification Level

Development Coach (Trained)

Playing History

Former outside hitter and blocking specialist at The University of Toledo, NCAA Division 1, 1999, 2000. Letterwinner.

Former multi-sport athlete who received a full athletic scholarship NCAA Div 1 for track and field (high jump, heptathlon) and then for volleyball.  Royal Canadian Legion Nationals Gold 1995, Canadian Junior Nationals Bronze 1996, and 4th place in 1997, Canadian Nationals 7th place in 1998. Multiple OTFA provincial gold medals in the high jump. OFSAA gold (1997), silver (1995) and bronze (1993) medals in high jump.

Coaching Experience

Coached individual track and field athletes over the years. U14B Maverick Renegades Assistant Coach 2024-25. Special interest in agility, speed, strength, and plyometric training.

Coaching Philosophy

My coaching goals include focusing on developing the player into a whole athlete, and the whole athlete into a whole person.  Emphasis is placed on the fundamental volleyball movements and skills. I believe that when we establish a strong technical base of good habits, this will help athletes be successful over the long term. I believe in multi-sport training and think that a focus on speed, agility, strength, and plyometric training – as well as endurance, early in the season, will help athletes train harder and longer throughout the season while avoiding injuries. My focus is on building a culture of teamwork as a collective, with individual accountability and responsibilities. I teach players what their role is for each position they rotate into, so that the player and their teammates can trust and predict what will happen when the ball comes over the net. My encouragement is to “better the ball”. For example, if the serve receive isn’t great, how can I make the play better with my next contact? If the set is not there, what is my best play as an attacker to put the ball over the net and score a point? I talk a lot through practice to encourage, praise and also correct movements so that the fundamental skills become automatic. I also like to help players learn how to anticipate the next play and understand the Cycle of Action, particularly the decision making step.

Current Career

Senior Executive.