John Kutsuzawa
I gather a bunch of random kids with different skill sets and help them realize their potential to play at a competitive level.
Team success is a result of individual perseverance, development of team strategies, and superior team training.
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For the 2025 season, my mission statement will be:
-- Adapt to new challenges.
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For the 2024 season, my mission statement was the Olympic motto:
-- Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together.
Congratulations to my 2024 - 13 Roadrunner, who finished the regular season with 3 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal all in the Gold bracket.
* We defended our title at the JBJ Atlantic City event - the banners are hung on the wall at the TNT bunker
* We were the first TNT team in history to earn a Gold medal playing 2 age groups up
* We were the first TNT team to shutout a set 25-0 at AAU Nationals
Assistant Coach: Mark Van Ooyen
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For the 2023 season, my mission statement for the team was:
-- Evolve the way we play the game.
Congratulations to my 2023 - 13 Roadrunner, who finished the regular season with 5 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal all in the Gold bracket.
* We won 3 entries for the AAU FL Girls National Championship event
* We played up in age division to 14 Open in 2 of the tournaments
* We were the highest Nationally ranked 13s team in the Keystone region
Assistant Coach: Mark Van Ooyen
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Coaching Experience
2022-Present : TNT, Head Coach 13 Roadrunner
2022-Present : Central Bucks South, JV Volunteer Coach
2022-Present : Bertucci Volleyball Camp Staff Coach
2022: Sandyard Beach Volleyball Coach
2021-2022: Solebury High School, Varsity Assistant Coach
2020-2022: East Coast Power, Head Coach 13 Eclipse
2017-2020: East Coast Power, Assistant Coach 14 Tidal
2016-2020: Our Lady Mount Carmel, CYO Varsity Head / Assistant Coach
2016-2017: GPS Crush, Assistant Coach 14 Orange
2015-2016: GPS Crush, Assistant Coach 17 Orange
Certifications
USAV Coaching Accreditation Program
Gold Medal Squared
AAU Double-Goal Coach
USAV Impact / Safesport
Play Philosophy
1. Everything is IN.
2. Attack the ball over the net.
3. If you're not sure whose ball it is, it's yours.
Volleyball is about movement; fluid like water, always adjusting in both offense and defense.
I am a big proponent of teaching proper body mechanics when executing skills. I focus on the technique starting with the basic skills of passing, overhand passing/setting, and attacking, then I progress to body movement for efficiency, correct posture, and maximum power.
I am excited to share with the team many advanced concepts and offensive plays. Stick around one of our matches, and you can see us run our version of the "Philly Special" play.
My Life in Sports
I played Little League and high school baseball. I have been skiing for over 20 years. I got introduced to volleyball in high school and immediately fell in love with the sport; I learned to play in college.
I attend many "volleyball vacations" trips where the coaches are top AVP / FIVB / Olympic players. I cheer them on and sometimes work the courts they're playing at while they compete in professional tournaments throughout the country. I've established personal connections with many of them, which is something you won't be able to do with other major sports.
Though I've played volleyball close to 30 years, I still consider myself a student of the sport. I continue to attend coaching clinics and camps to learn tips and techniques for teaching and playing.
Fun Fact
I am a FAA licensed commercial pilot and a certificated flight instructor. I have 2,000 hours of flight time mostly in Cessna branded aircraft.