OVA News

Beach Volleyball is a rather unique sport whereby coaches cannot coach or be directly involved in the competitions. Therefore coaches need to prepare their athletes even more to be independent, mentally tough and possess the ability to problem solve themselves during matches. As a result, coaches sometimes do not receive or even expect recognition for their team’s accomplishments. We felt the need to promote one coach, Hernan Human, because of his commitment to the growth of the sport and his love of competition.

Hernan is best known for coaching Canada’s most successful Beach duo John Child and Mark Heese at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics and on the World Tour. Hernan currently runs one of the best beach clubs in Canada, Elite Beach Volleyball Club. The club is well known for player development and has top players in several age divisions.

OVA: Best memory from the World Tour?
Hernan: Winning in Berlin, 1996 (the only 1st place ever for Canada) with John and Mark: the “guys.”

OVA: Best memory from the Olympic Games?
Hernan: The last point of John blocking against Portugal for the bronze medal is still quite clear in my mind.

OVA: Why did you start playing Beach?
Hernan: Because in Chile during the summer was the fun thing to do for volleyball players.

OVA: How/Why did you start coaching?
Hernan: I started coaching very early in my playing career out of need: we did not have a coach.

OVA: What were some of the challenges you experienced transferring from an athlete to a coach?
Hernan: That you think because you have played the sport you know how to run and organize practices.

Hernan has the reputation of being a beach volleyball coach, but he is a high level coach in both Indoor and Beach. He was the head coach of the York University Lions Women’s Team and is currently an Assistant with the York Men’s Team. Hernan and Merv Moser coached with the 2009 Provincial Silver Medalist Aurora Storm.

OVA: What are the advantages to indoor athletes who play beach volleyball?
Hernan: Improved ball control, and practicing all the skills.

OVA: What do you like most about Beach Volleyball?
Hernan: The ability to have full control over the outcome of the game. The ability to have a great impact over the outcome. The opportunity to have the fate of the game fully in your hands.

OVA: Where do you see Beach in Canada going in the next 5 years?
Hernan: With the changes we are witnessing (a serious National program with top coaching), I expect Canada to be back on the international podium consistently.

OVA: What message would you give to any young beach athlete wanting to play for
the National Team?
Hernan: The most important one is to follow their passion. If they are determined to follow their passion, the next one is to pay attention to all the factors that influence performance outside the obvious ones (skill development and tactical knowledge) such as nutrition, strength training, specific sand jump training, specific conditioning for beach volleyball, and mental training.

OVA: If you could change one thing about our sport what would it be?
Hernan: I would create a beach league as most countries in the world. I would create an international FIVB stop. I would create training centres all over the country. Did you say one thing? – lol

OVA: What advice would you give to someone starting their coaching career?
Hernan: Volunteer and work with a good coach and learn. Remember that mentoring is the most efficient way to learn how to coach. Attend clinics/seminars. Study the game. Learn about people and how they learn.

We would like to thank Hernan for his help with this article and for all of his hard work growing the sport in Ontario and Canada. If you would like to recommend someone for PROfiles please contact Josh Nichol | jnichol@ontariovolleyball.org | 416-426-7233