Author: DV

How Coaches and Players Can Manage Expectations

Posted on September 7, 2026September 7, 2026 by DV

When game-day finally arrives, the buildup of pressure, adrenaline, and excitement can often dictate the outcome long before the first point is even played. In the recent WPH feature on game-day psychology, experts dive deep into how both players and coaches can keep their cool, align their goals, and navigate the unpredictable nature of competition.

Key Takeaways for Game-Day Success

Understanding the Mental Shift: Transitioning from rigorous training mode to competitive execution requires a distinct change in mindset. Athletes must learn to let go of preparation anxieties once they cross the threshold into the match arena.
Communication Between Coach and Player: Aligning expectations before stepping onto the court ensures that both sides are working toward realistic, adaptable targets rather than chasing perfection.
Handling Pressure and Momentum Swings: Matches rarely go entirely according to plan. Learning how to reset emotionally after losing a run of points is essential for maintaining composure under fire.
The Post-Match Reflection: Evaluating performance based on effort, adaptability, and execution—rather than strictly the scoreboard—lays the groundwork for sustainable long-term improvement.

Whether you are stepping onto the court as a competitor or guiding from the sidelines, managing your mental framework is just as critical as physical conditioning. Check out the full discussion in the video linked above to refine your game-day strategy!

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JR WPH was thrilled to welcome Ciana Ni Churraoin as a JR WPH Coach in 2026. Coach CNC is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with a Master’s degree in Sport & Exercise Psychology (Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2020), Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach, and experienced handball coach. On the court, CNC has applied her expertise to her own performance which shows through her achievements, such as winning the 40×20 Open World Championships, Senior All-Ireland titles in singles and doubles, and winning a Women’s Race 4 Eight stop in 2024. Coach CNC will be a frequent contributor to the WPH website, social media pages, and YouTube page, providing content for handball players to develop their mental and physical performance. Coach CNC will also coach JR WPH clinics at Race 4 Eight events.

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Keep an eye out on juniorhandball.org, as new clinic opportunities and recaps pop up weekly. Want to coach a clinic or a junior handball program? Need more information regarding junior handball? The Junior WPH group spans multiple countries, continents and oceans with clinics happening daily. We can help! Contact WPH Development Director David Fink at david.fink@wphlive.tv

To enable Junior WPH to continue to host junior handball clinics and tournaments across North America with Certified WPH Coaches, the World Players of Handball invites you to make a tax-deductible donation today in supporting the growth of the game. 100% of the donations received by the WPH go towards junior handball development. Donate on-line HERE or send your generous gifts through PayPal (HERE) or by mailing checks to: WPH, 3602 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716

Become a handball insider by enjoying never before seen videos, pro commentary, special awards, Sports Casts archives and new episodes, live broadcasts, and much more by supporting the WPH and inspiring the next generation of players through the WPH Patreon program.

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH Coaches National Champions in Albuquerque

Posted on September 7, 2026 by DV

Albuquerque, NM, WPH Press, 9/6/26

JR WPH was proud to travel to Albuquerque to train two current junior national champions on the 3-Wall courts at North Domingo Baca Park on Labor Day Weekend. WPH Master Instructor David Fink worked with AJ Valenzuela (12) and Victor Guajardo (17) on techniques to develop an offensive and defensive off-hand, starting with overhand and sidearm throws and transitioning to sidearm drills. Coach Fink then discussed and demonstrated the power serve and finished the lesson by playing points with the two national champions.

“We had a very productive lesson,” stated Fink. “I explained to the two champions that in order to become a player, you have to live on the court and you have to practice and play with purpose. If you don’t practice with a purpose, you will never improve.”

Thank you to AJ and Victor for their passion for improving their games and to JR WPH for continuing to inspire, teach, and, motivate the next generation of players.

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

David Fink

WPH Master Instructor

JR WPH Clinic at the 2026 Rams Invitational

Posted on September 1, 2026September 1, 2026 by DV

San Angelo, TX, JR WPH Press, Aug 31, 2026 –

Contributed by Martin Mulkerrins

Angelo State University proudly hosted the 2026 Rams Invitational, this last weekend of August. The event celebrated the official opening of the school’s four renovated Handball courts, courtesy of Doug and Nick Randolph and the Randolph Foundation. The WPH were thrilled to support the 2026 Rams Invitational by sanctioning the Men’s and Women’s Open Divisions as WPH R48 Pre-Qualifiers, as well as offering a JR WPH clinic to participants.

JR WPH Rams Invitational Clinic Highlights

The 2026 JR WPH Rams clinic was led by Texas A&M Head Coach and WPH R48 no.1 ranked pro, Martin Mulkerrins. Race 4 Eight pros and coaches Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Mark Doyle also attended and contributed to the clinic. The clinic covered a number of topics, to include defensive and offensive shots, as well as recommendations for practicing and improving participant’s all-around game.

“It was great to have another JR WPH Clinic during a tournament in Texas, and to see the interest in learning about different shots and strategies,” stated Coach Martin Mulkerrins. “The first shot we discussed and demonstrated was the fist shot to the ceiling. This involved broader discussions and demonstrations of the underhand stroke, as well as how and when to hit the fist shot. Following the underhand stroke instructional, the group had the opportunity to learn the paddle kill from Coach Mark. To conclude, the coaches reinforced the learnings from the clinic, as well as emphasizing the importance of allocating time to practice shots and serves and not solely ‘practice’ by playing games. Focusing on a couple of shots per session and practicing them on your own is critically important and we hope that this will be something players will continue, or further incorporate, into their training. On behalf of the players and administrators in Texas, I thank the WPH for supporting this event and I look forward to the WPH R48 Pre-Qualifiers and Clinics at Texas A&M University at the end of September (25-27^th).”

Photos courtesy of Hannah Olson (Angelo State University) and Eilish Mulkerrins (Texas A&M)

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH Coach Mulkerrins at USGAA Nationals

Posted on August 17, 2026August 17, 2026 by DV

Boston, MA, WPH Press, 8/15/26

JR WPH Coach and WPH R48 #1 Martin Mulkerrins traveled to Boston, MA to promote Handball at the USGAA (USGAA HERE) Finals; featuring Gaelic Football, Ladies Football, Camogie, Hurling, and for the first time, Handball!

Coach Martin was joined by R48 #9 Jeff Streibig and 23-time R48 champ Killian Carroll. The Race 4 Eight pros built a 1-Wall handball court at the Games, coached various handball clinics and demonstrations throughout the weekend, and supervised target games and open play.

“I’m excited to be here at the Irish Cultural Centre (home to the USGAA National Finals) here in Boston where Handball will be included for the first time in the USGA National Finals,” stated Coach Mulkerrins. “People will have the opportunity between games and while they are watching to come through here and give Handball a try. We are very proud to be able to celebrate Gaelic Games, celebrate Irish heritage, and people will be able to see that Handball is part of the GAA family.”

“It’s really incredible,” boasted Streibig. “The sports (at the USGAA national finals) are amazing. The cross-over is amazing. We are going to try to show the benefits of Handball alongside Hurling, Football, Camogie. There is a lot of cross-over; footwork, using both sides of your body, and everything else.”

“Handball is part of the Gaelic Games,” stated Carroll. “It’s nice to showcase and give handball some exposure here in Boston. It is just fantastic.”

Thank you to JR WPH Coach Martin Mulkerrins for continuing to promote the game and inspire players all over the world. Thank you to the USGAA and the USHA for collaborating on this outstanding event. Thank you to WPH Race 4 Eight pros Jeff Streibig and Killian Carroll for donating their time and sharing their passion for Handball with the USGAA athletes.

Photo of Gaelic athletes courtesy of USGAA

Learn more about the USGAA HERE

Learn more about the USHA HERE

Martin Mulkerrins Joins JR WPH HERE

List of JR WPH Coaches HERE

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

How Coaches Can Foster a Positive Environment

Posted on August 7, 2026August 7, 2026 by DV

JR WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 8/7/26

JR WPH was thrilled to welcome WR48, All Ireland, and World Champ Ciana Ni Churraoin (HERE) to our group of JR WPH handball coaches to inspire the next generation of players.

In this edition of Coach Ciana’s Coaching Coaches, Coach Ciana discusses how coaches can foster a positive environment for their players.

How Coaches can Foster a Positive Environment

One of the beautiful things about handball (and many sports) is that anyone can get involved, play, and become a coach. This means that coaches can have very diverse backgrounds and experiences that they bring with them to their role within the sport, which is important to allow a sport to continue to grow. On the other hand, it can lead to questionable coaching methods at times.

While we want to encourage and welcome people to take up coaching roles in handball, it is also important that coaches accept and embrace their responsibility. It isn’t just about being there and demonstrating physical skills. Coaches have a direct impact on; 1) The participation of individuals in sport at a young age and 2) The success of individuals/teams as they grow (on and off the court).

You don’t need a background in sport psychology or to be a highly skilled athlete to be a successful coach, but understanding and nurturing a positive environment could be the difference between helping people thrive and enjoy the sport or creating a space in which they struggle and never want to play again.

Outlined below are key strategies you can use to foster a positive environment for you and your players.

Developing a ’Winning Mentality’

Weirdly enough, the key to developing a ‘winning mentality’ is to stop talking about a ‘winning mentality’.

We are constantly being told or telling people to develop a ‘winning mentality’. We know that what we focus on has a huge impact on what we do and what outcome we get. Are you, as a coach, aware of what you are focused on and the impact that has on your player(s)?

When we focus on winning/losing, being better than others, or punishing mistakes, we create an ego-oriented or fear-based climate in which player(s) fear outcomes such as losing or making a mistake (Nicholls, 1989). This climate increases anxiety around performances and makes players focus on the outcome, instead of the process. Player(s) may fail to see their improvements and developments because they only see success set by the coach; winning, being the best, and not making mistakes.

Imagine this; a player plays the best they have ever played. They execute the tactics set out and they make smart decisions during the match. The player loses the match and is terribly disappointed. They dread the next conversation with the coach because winning was the goal. They fail to acknowledge that they’ve just performed the best they ever have.

Remember, talking about winning doesn’t mean you’ll win.

Instead, talk about what your players can do to get their best performance. By creating a mastery-oriented climate (Duda & Treasure, 2015), we can help player(s) focus on development, on learning new skills, and on giving their best effort. Research shows that coaches who focus on the task decrease a player’s anxiety around performance, increase improvement and enjoyment around their performances, and end up with better results. At the end of the day, the goal should be to help athletes improve and perform their best and hopefully, success (whatever that is to your athlete) will come with that.

Know Your Players

Each individual has different needs to help them play their best. Some handball players are able to have a chat with people right before they step on court, some prefer to put on their headphones and step away from the crowd. When I played Gaelic football (in Ireland), I have been on teams and the coach has said “no talking on the bus, you should be focused on the game ahead” or “no messing around in the dressing room, everyone should be completely focused”. For me, this wasn’t what helped me perform my best. I liked to have a laugh on the bus, or in the dressing room. Sitting there thinking about the game for an hour in the lead up, just made me overthink it and start to get nervous. It wasn’t that I wasn’t focused or that I didn’t care, it was the complete opposite, I knew that I played my best when I felt relaxed, when I felt like it was just another game, and when I enjoyed the experience.

What I’m saying is, get to know your players. Some will want quiet time to focus, others prefer to be distracted, some want a motivational speech, others just want a recap on the tactics. Ask your player: “What do you need from me on the day of a game?” and “What do you want from me during a time-out”.

Your player(s) know what makes them tick, so just ask!

Make Your Words Impactful:

This follows on from the last point… saying “we have to win”, “you have to be confident”, “you have to focus” is well-intended but essentially useless advice. How does a player play with confidence? What does a player need to focus on? Instead of telling players how they ‘need’ to be, tell them what they ‘can do’ to play with confidence, or what they can focus on to help their performance.

Tell your player(s) what to do (not what not to do). We’ve all heard coaches say “why are you hitting that serve?”, or “stop making the same mistakes over and over again”. I get it, you’re pointing out the error so your player(s) won’t do it again. But, what happens when you tell yourself “don’t eat the cake”… all you can think about is eating the cake, right? Instead of telling yourself not to eat the cake, tell yourself what to eat instead.

When you tell your player(s) what not to do, that’s all they can think about, and when we think about something, it’s more likely to happen. Instead of telling your player(s) what not to do, tell them what to do;

Instead of “why are you hitting that serve?”, say “hit a drive serve down the left”.
Instead of “stop making the same mistakes over and over again”, tell your player what they can do to correct that error.

Don’t get me wrong, some player(s) respond well to different types of instruction and motivation, but player(s) are under enough pressure to perform as it is. They need coaches to help them in that moment, and as we know, what we say has a huge impact on others, so think about it and make sure that it is helpful to their performance.

–Written by JR WPH Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin

References:

Duda, J. L. & Treasure, D. C. (2015). The motivational climate, athlete motivation, and implications for the quality of sport engagement. In Williams, J. M. & Krane, V. (Eds) Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (4th ed) (p.274-303). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Nicholls, J. (1989). The competitive ethos and democratic education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Smith, R. E. (2015). A positive approach to coaching effectiveness and performance enhancement. In Williams, J. M. & Krane, V. (Eds) Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (4th ed) (p.274-303). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Coach Ciana’s JR WPH archives

How Coach Expectations Shape Player Growth HERE

The Impact of Expectations and the Power of Curiosity on Athlete Performance (video) HERE

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

JR WPH Coaches Handball at the TRC Summer Camp

Posted on August 2, 2026 by DV

Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/1/26

JR WPH was proud to introduce handball to campers at the 2026 Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp. JR WPH first starting introducing handball at the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp in 2013, providing campers between the ages of 7-14 with the opportunity to play handball. The campers are taught the handball rules, how to hit the ball with their right and left hands, the serve, and eventually rallying with either unlimited bounces, three bounces, or two bounces.

“Being part of the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp is a summer highlight for JR WPH,” stated WPH Master Instructor and JR WPH TRC Summer Camp handball coach David Fink. “I really enjoy watching the campers progress from learning the fundamentals to playing competitive rallies. Thank you to the Tucson Racquet Club All Sports Summer Camp for including JR WPH in their indoor sports rotation and all the club does for handball.”

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

The Impact of Expectations and the Power of Curiosity

Posted on August 2, 2026August 2, 2026 by DV

Video by JR WPH Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin

JR WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 8/1/26

JR WPH was thrilled to welcome WR48 champion, All-Ireland champion, and World Champion Ciana Ni Churraoin (HERE) to our illustrious group of JR WPH handball coaches to inspire the next generation of players.

In Coach Ciana’s first JR WPH instructional video, Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin discusses the Impact of Expectations and the Power of Curiosity on Athlete

Coach Ciana’s How Coach Expectation Shape Player Growth HERE

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE

How Coach Expectations Shape Player Growth

Posted on July 27, 2026July 27, 2026 by DV

Written by JR WPH Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin

JR WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 7/26/26

In Coach Ciana’s first JR WPH instructional, Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin poses the question, “Do coach expectations actually impact their players’ development and performances?”

Do Coach Expectations Actually Impact Their Players’ Development & Performances

Written by JR WPH Coach Ciana Ni Churraoin

If I was going to make this as short as possible, I would simply say “yes – of course coaches expectations impact their players development and performances’’, but the key to truly working with young (or older) people to develop is to understand your impact and then choose how to act according to they type of coach you want to be.

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

According to the self-fulfilling prophecy, the expectations a coach has about an athlete’s ability / future possibilities will play a role in what that athlete achieves / believes about themselves.

One of the most interesting parts of the self-fulfilling prophecy is that these expectations are often developed in the early stages of seeing someone perform.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1 – Coach Forms Expectations

The coach observes athletes in training / performance and develops expectations for their behaviour and performance levels.

Step 2 – Coaches Behavior is Influenced by Expectations

The coaches’ expectations influence how they coach each athlete. These actions are in accordance with their expectations. For example: If I believe that Ciana is lazy, I will not push when she behaves this way. But if I believe Penelope is hard-working, I may question and push Penelope if she is slacking and therefore Penelope knows that I expect more and Ciana knows that it is ok to take it easy.

Step 3 – Coaching impacts Athletes Development and Performance

The different treatment from the coach influences the athletes development and perception of themselves. In the above example, Ciana will come to understand that the coach doesn’t expect her to work hard, so she doesn’t, and she may even believe long-term that she is lazy. Whereas, Penelope will understand that the coach sees her as a hard-working athlete and she may continue to hold this belief long-term.

Step 4 – Athletes Performances led to Reinforcement of Coaching Expectations

The athletes’ development are in accordance with the coaches’ treatment. In this case, Penelope develops quicker because she is pushed to work hard and Ciana develops more slowly as she is allowed to put forth less effort. Long-term, this will lead a coach to believe that their initial judgements / expectations of players are correct and the cycle continues with the next athletes they work with.

(Sternberg Horn, Lox, & Labrador, 2015).

Not every coach is like this, but research highlights that coaches who are aware of and understand the self-fulfilling prophecy are much less likely to let their expectations influence their coaching.

On what may be somewhat a side note, it may seem obvious that we want to be particularly wary when it comes to negative expectations that we place on an athlete (lazy, bad skill level, rude, etc), but we also want to take caution when it comes to what many would call ‘positive’ expectations. The one I want to talk about is the expectation that an athlete will be successful / win. At face value, this is a positive thing and it shows that we believe in our young handball player, right? But often, outcome-based expectations place pressure, increase performance anxiety, and could lead to an athlete thinking they have disappointed us if the expectation is not met (which will happen).

What’s also important to consider, is that our expectations are often not our own. We are constantly influenced by other coaches, by parents, by results, by athletes’ words, by past experiences, and more. So when we project these expectations onto athletes, we may be reinforcing something they have heard time and time again.

Now, it would be easy for me to say “we need to let go of expectations and simply coach the player in the best way we can”, but as humans, that is a very difficult thing to do. We see, we judge, we expect, and if we aren’t aware of that, we then act based on judgment and expectation rather than the thing that will truly help the athlete develop.

So, if we know it is impossible to avoid forming expectations, what can we do to support young handball players’ development and performances?

Be aware of your expectations: Awareness is the first step to making any type of change. By building awareness, you can choose how you coach, rather than blindly coaching based on your own opinions.
Be open to the idea that your expectations / judgements are not factually correct: They are your thoughts, and not all of your thoughts are true.
Believe that people can develop: Even if your expectations are correct at this moment, every single person can develop with the right support and effort. Every handball player has the capacity to improve in this sport.
Instill belief in your athlete based on their controllable actions and efforts: You don’t even need to talk about the outcome. Help your athlete see what truly matters.
Emphasis the process: Let your athletes know that regardless of the outcome, you support them and will support them.

Here are some questions to help you understand yourself and your impact as a coach:

What are my expectations of this athlete?
How do these expectations impact my coaching style?
What do I want to remember / do differently?

References:

Sternberg Horn, T., Lox C. L., & Labrador, F. (2015). The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Theory: When Coaches’ Expectations Become Reality. Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to Peak Performance, 78 – 100.

JR WPH Coaches HERE

JR WPH would love to have you join our team. If you are interested in joining Team JR WPH as a coach, please contact JR WPH Director David Fink at David.fink@wphlive.tv

Become a WPH Patreon HERE