As the Volleyball Season Winds Down

I took on the task of coaching 2 club volleyball teams this season. I'm pretty worn out (after all I'm not 20 anymore!), but I wouldn't have it any other way. My daughter's U10 team just had their last tournament and all in all it was a successful season. There were 10 8-10 year olds with a variety of skill and interest levels. Some were extremely competitive by nature, and others were happy just to be out there learning some new cheers, never aware whose ball it was or who won. The last day of practice I told them I was going to be democratic and asked them if they knew what that meant. On little girl said, "You're going to be nice?." Right out of an Art Linkletter show! (Now I'm really dating myself.) If they learn the basics of passing and serving and still want to play more volleyball at the end of the season I say it was a success.
We have one more tournament for my older daughter's U14 team. The competition is stiffer and the intensity is stronger, but they are still little girls who want to have fun playing the game. I'm tougher on myself as a coach at this level because I expect more of the players. I feel more pressure for the girls to learn and improve. There is still a variety of competitive personalities at this level. Some of the players like to be sillier with their friends and others are really trying to get better and meet the challenges of an advanced level. I have a little trouble with the silliness at this level, but I have to step back and remember that many of my players are only 12 years old. I also have to remind myself that everyone learns at a different rate and as hard as I try to teach, some may never learn my wonderful lessons. I must see the bigger picture. Are they becoming positive teammates, something they can apply throughout their lives? Are they learning to cope with the extreme highs and lows experienced in competition? Are they having a fun experience with the game of volleyball and feeling good about themselves? I need to judge their success more on these variables than on the win loss record. I hope you have all had successful seasons.

Is Your Volleyball Team Fun?

It is a constant struggle for me to coach 10-13 year olds and keep a perspective of what is going on in their brains. What drives them; why do they like to play; and how do I help them get that competitive spirit flowing through the bodies? Is it something they are just born with or can the drive to succeed be taught and developed? I'm really not sure, and I would love some feedback on this. Is it all that important in the greater scheme of life? I was so competitive that I don't understand not being that way. In coaching my daughters and their friends, I do try to understand and be positive with the player who is just having fun hitting the ball around and being with her friends. I think, however, there is a time or an age in their volleyball life when they have to have the drive to compete. After all, it is a competitive sport. The alternative would be to just play in the back yard or join a non-competitive recreation league. By high school players who don't quite measure up are cut so that their teams won't be too large to work with. Most schools don't have the gym space or coaching staff to accommodate all the players who come out for the teams. I hate to see dreams squashed and I would love all my players to have the desire, talent and work ethic to succeed to the highest level. Knowing that this isn't the way it works, I would then like to have all my players love the game of volleyball. I would like to see them play the game well enough to enjoy it throughout their lifetime. It is a game and should be fun to do. I would welcome any comments of this subject.

Cheering during a Volleyball Game

Coaches seem to encourage a variety of cheering styles from their players during a volleyball game. When starting out a group of young beginners, I believe it is important to keep the cheering emphasis on what their own team is doing, and not what the opponent is not doing. I guess I have a pet peeve about the "ace" cheer that teams do after their player has just served a ball that wasn't touched by the opponent. Coaches probably believe that it pumps up their players, but I always feel that it is a put down to the opposing team. I think cheering for a good serve by a teammate can be done in less of an "in your face" manner. Creating good sports is as critical as teaching the skills. Having opponents appreciate each other in a well fought game is as important as teaching them to be fierce competitors during the game. Teach them the value of never giving up and playing their very best for the entire game. Have them come together between each play to show their support of each other whether it was a successfull play or not. Use those moments of frayed emotions and meltdowns during a match as perfect teaching opportunities. Normally the meltdowns end up in poor focus and poor play. Anybody have a good ideas on this subject? I'd love to hear them. We coaches have to keep our heads together and our emotions controlled if our teams fall apart. Good luck to all of you.

First Tournament of the Season

The first volleyball tournament of the season is fast approaching and you have only had a few practices with your new team. You still need name tags so you can call each player by their correct name. Keep the expectations and pressure on your team low and the praises high. Encouragement and positive feedback for effort rather than focusing on skill performance is a good way to relax your team, and gives you, the coach, a chance to make notes on the areas that need work in the practices to follow. Because the team has not learned much of what you want them to learn about their roles on this new team, talk with them between each match. Pick out some of the good things they did, and have them concentrate on what they can contribute to their team to make the team better and give their teammates confidence . How can they be a good teammate? An encouraging word to a teammate who just made an error, and positive feedback throughout the game creates a supportive atmosphere within the team. Coaches, if we can teach the players how to be great teammates, the players will be open to learning and being coached. I guess it all comes back to the all important "positive attitude". Talk to players individually and in a group about what works for them during a game. They also need to get to know your style. I am constantly reminding players that when I coach them or question them about a decision they've made, it is not a personal attack. I am gathering information to help make them a better player and to make our team function more smoothly. If I feel that I have come on too strong, I will talk individually with that player to make sure they were understanding of my questions or directions. It is a two way street when you're coaching a team. Although the coach is in charge, to get the most out of your players, you need to know the best approach in communicating with each player. This is difficult, coaches, and I often have to bite my tongue and take a deep breath to consider what is the right thing to say in the heat of competition. Anyway, good luck with your first tournament. Think positive and be a good example to your team.