How to Be a Good Volleyball Coach

As a volleyball coach, you face the responsibility of instilling enthusiasm, courage, fearlessness and compassion in your team members, according to "Creative Coaching." Whether you coach a high school, college or professional team, you will need to understand the various needs, desires and challenges for each of your team members. As a good volleyball coach you will look at the whole picture involving your team, including teaching drills and new skills, good sportsmanship, discipline, accepting constructive criticism and the value of hard work and teamwork.

Things You'll Need

  • Volleyballs
  • Volleyball court
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Instructions

    • 1

      Develop your coaching philosophy. Decide how you want to positively impact your team members' lives. As a volleyball coach, you have an opportunity to reach young adults and help them learn life lessons on the court. Ask yourself if you want your fundamental philosophy to emphasize a hard work ethic, being self-motivated or pride in overcoming challenges. While all of these philosophies are important, choosing one as your primary focus helps you create a theme over which you and your team can bond.

    • 2

      Build mutual trust and get to know your team members. Ask your team members about their goals, both on and off the court, and try to understand what motivates each of them to play volleyball and what they want out of their experience. Go a step further to find out some of their other hobbies, interests, school subjects, whether they have siblings and their favorite foods, in order to help them feel like well-rounded individuals within the team.

    • 3

      Communicate your expectations. Let your team know you expect them to attend practices and games on time. Explain to the team that you want them to try their best and work hard each practice and game. Inform your players that you want them to communicate with you, as well.

    • 4

      Design a conditioning program before the beginning of the season. Ensure that your team members' fitness levels are up to par well before the first game. Set up a program that specifically conditions your team for volleyball-specific drills as well as a strength training program to help their strength, endurance and stamina on the court. Make sure that your team members learn proper stretches to prevent injuries.

    • 5

      Teach your team the fundamental rules and skills of volleyball, including stance, shuffling, footwork, passing, setting, serving, spiking, blocking and more. Have your team perform drills on each skill that they learn to improve their ability. Ensure that your team understands their respective positions and the court's positions. Make sure your team understands what will be expected of them on the court during a game.

    • 6

      Lead by example. Your team members will look to you to be an example of behavior. Remain composed even if you don't agree with a match official's call at a game, for example. Let your team know that it's fine not to win every game and that you respect their hard work, no matter what a game's outcome.