USA coach Alan Knipe thinks a medal from the World League would be a confidence booster before the Olympics

Sofia, Bulgaria, July 5, 2012 – The shift over the last four years has been towards maximizing how physical the players can be while managing the mistakes, in Alan Knipe’s opinion. 

Asked about the important changes in men’s volleyball iver recent years, the head coach of the US national team adds that, technically speaking, it is the continual involvement of area six in the back with both outside hitters being able to run it well that is also making a difference.  ”In our country men’s and women’s programs are more similar than they are different.  They have never been as close as they are right now.”
 
According to Knipe, every team has its different set of ideas about how the World League matters in an Olympic year like this.  For the American team it is important to use this opportunity to continue to build on.  ”We would like to get to the podium – it would be a good confidence booster.”
 
”Poland was the most consistent team throughout the tournament so far,” Knipe continues.  ”You are not used to seeing Brazil lose in the first round of the World League Finals, while Cuba is a very talented team with a lot of athleticism.”
 
42-year-old Alan Knipe is in his fourth year as head coach of USA.  The former volleyball and beach volleyball player took over the reigning Olympic champions in 2009 after Hugh McCutcheon moved over to the women’s national team.

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