Okay, so I had this volleyball game the other day, and I really wanted to try out some new coaching strategies during the match. Here’s how it went down.
Preparation is Key
First things first, I spent some time before the game watching videos of the opposing team. I noticed their setter loved to tip, and their outside hitter was super predictable with cross-court shots. I jotted down these observations, and planned to use them.
Game Time – Staying Observant
During the game, I kept my eyes glued to the court. I wasn’t just watching the ball; I watched player movements, body language, everything.
- I saw when our blockers were late, leaving a huge gap.
- I noticed our server hesitating before serving, probably nervous.
- I observed the other team’s libero cheating towards the line, anticipating our hitter’s shot.
Timeouts: Quick and Clear Communication
When I called a timeout, I made sure to be super clear and concise. No rambling! For example:
- “Sarah, you’re doing great, but remember to close that block. They’re exploiting the gap.”
- “Mike, take a deep breath before you serve. You got this. Just like practice.”
- “Emily, watch their libero. She’s cheating over. Let’s hit it down the line.”
- Also, “Remember what we trained during practices. This will become automatic reflex after a while.”
I tried to keep it positive, even when we were down. Getting frustrated doesn’t help anyone.
Substitutions – Strategic Swaps
Substitutions were a big part of my in-game coaching. I didn’t just throw players in randomly.
- When our setter was getting tired, I swapped her out for fresh legs.
- If our middle blocker was struggling against their quick attacks, I brought in someone with better agility.
Each substitution had a specific purpose, a mini-strategy within the bigger game plan.
Between Points – Mini Coaching Moments
Even between points, I used every opportunity to coach. A quick word of encouragement, a reminder about positioning, a gentle nudge in the right direction – little things that add up.
“Great hustle, team! Keep it up!” or “Remember to call the ball, guys!”
After the Game – Reflect and Review
Win or lose, I took some time after the game to think about how it went. I try to follow up with my players, ask questions, and receive some feedbacks.
- What adjustments worked well?
- What didn’t work?
- What can I do better next time?
It’s all a learning process, and every game is a chance to improve, both for the players and for me as a coach. Some adjustments worked very well, some didn’t. That’s okay, I’m learning from it.
