John Kutsuzawa

For the upcoming 2024 season, my mission statement will be the Olympic motto: 
-- Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together. 

01/07/24   JBJ Atlantic City - Gold 1st place... AAU FL National entry
01/28/24   AAU Grand Prix York - Silver (Gold bracket)
02/25/24   Nike Festival Boston - 5th place (Gold bracket)
03/10/24   Irish Rumble Downingtown - Gold (Gold bracket)
03/24/24   MAPL 13u/14u York - 5th place (Gold bracket)
04/06/24   McCaskey East 15u - Gold 1st place
04/13/24   Conestoga Valley 15 Open - 6th place

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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.

     JBJ Atlantic City - Gold 1st place ... AAU FL National entry
     MLK Kickoff Challenge - Gold (Gold bracket)
     Blue Ribbon Brawl - Gold 1st place ... AAU FL National entry
     Beetle Bash - Gold 1st plaec ... AAU FL National entry
     April Fools Fallout - Silver (Gold bracket)
     Boardwalk Block Party - Gold (Gold bracket)
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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 CAP - Coaching Accreditation Program
  • Gold Medal Squared
  • AAU Double-Goal Coach
  • USAV Impact / Safesport
    

Coaching 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.  When I do private lessons 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 while they play in professional tournaments throughout the country.  It's great to establish personal connections with 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 close to 2,000 hours of flight time mostly in Cessna branded aircraft.