Every coach has their own style — from the way they run tryouts to their demeanor on the sidelines, and everything in between.
Even though coaches have their own style, there’s nothing wrong with comparing a few notes. As a women’s volleyball coach and athlete, I’m here to share my top seven coaching tips.
1. Socialize outside of the season.
It’s important to make your players feel like they’re a part of a team, even in the offseason. Especially for club teams where athletes won’t necessarily see each other otherwise, setting up some time to get together, outside of volleyball, can be a huge help in building those relationships. That closeness can help performance on the court, too.
2. Choose a manager that loves the sport.
Bonus points if they have friends on the team. An understanding of the game plus an existing investment in the athletes will inspire great work from the manager, and encourage a rapport between them and the team.
3. Befriend a tech-savvy parent or sibling.
Players’ families (especially an eager younger sibling) are a great resource for coaches; they already attend the games and love a chance to help out. Finding a volunteer to record games and track stats eliminates that responsibility for the coaching staff, and ensures consistency throughout the season.
4. Make a rule: Athletes use their own water bottles.
Your team spends a ton of time in close quarters, so any measure to fight germs is worth it. An easy way to promote team-wide health? Don’t let your girls share water bottles, chapstick or other personal items.
5. Live and die by the extra hair tie.
Athletes forget ‘em and they break all the time. Whether it’s practice, a game or a weekend tournament, you’ll never be sorry to have a few extra hair ties on hand. Really, no extra is ever a bad idea; throw a spare jersey, pair of socks and some knee pads in your bag, too.
6. Set goals as a group.
We know how powerful goal-setting can be, but the thing many coaches overlook is the opportunity to involve their athletes. The team is theirs, as much as yours, so working to set team goals together helps everyone feel connected. Establish goals early on (ideally, before the season begins) and keep them present in everyone’s minds.
7. Support family time.
Being a student-athlete is a huge time commitment, and your players aren’t likely to have a lot of downtime. Encourage your team to spend time with their families, and facilitate whenever possible. Use parents as cheerleaders (they can make signs, snacks and organize hangouts), and let athletes know that showing love to their family fans is important.
There’s no such thing as “too many tips.” Share your number one coaching tip in the comments below.
