How to cope with a bad volleyball day?

Question

i've been doing really well in tryouts, and today I like lost it. I kept spacing out, making terrible passes, and not keeping up with the 6-2 rotation. I know sleep is a factor, but I also am very distracted because my brother left for college so i'm sure that comes into play too.

i guess my question is, how do i stop thinking and start playing? whats the best way to start my day to get me psyched, focused and ready to prove to them I don't suck tomorrow at practice?

Answer 1

You CANT  let things like that get to you.  

The next day or even at that moment.  Everyone is expect to make a bad play once in a while.  The fact that your here reading this is evident that you let mistakes bother you too much.

You need to get focused and shrug it off immediately.

If you really are tired and it's too late to fix that problem, go to the store and buy an energy drink before you play.  

If you make a mistake in a game/scrimmage do an action that will remind you that you need to get over it.  I did it all though highschool.  I simply would "knock" the court once with my knuckles.  I guess it worked, i was an all-state setter.

Answer 2

Eat a good breakfast, drink lots of water, tell yourself to concentrate while the coach is talking. As soon as you start to drift off into space tell yourself you have to pay attention. Think to yourself over and over what you need to do to get the pass to the setter etc.

Answer 3

As others have said, so much of volleyball is mental.  Something you can do that will really help you is create a short ritual that helps you let go of outside distractions and focus on volleyball for the short time you'll have in the gym.  

I had some pretty wacky distractions when I was playing high school volleyball as well, and realized that dragging all that outside stuff on to the court was affecting my focus, both during practice and during matches.  So I came up with a little ritual that I still do today, nearly 40 years later.  

When I get to the court, I stand on the end line for a moment and let all those distracting thoughts into my head for a few seconds.  Then I tell myself, "Time for volleyball," and step onto the court.  I'll bend down and touch the floor with both hands and just release all those distractions.  Sometimes I give my body an all-over shake just to shake off the distracting thoughts.  

To everyone else, it looks like I'm starting my warmup stretches, but for me it's a powerful way to focus my energy and my thoughts.  

What you may find is that allowing yourself to focus on just one thing -- volleyball and improving your game -- is oddly relaxing.  When I leave practice or a match, I sometimes stand quietly at the edge of the gym and open my hands up as though I'm telling myself, "OK, now you can be distracted again."  

I teach this sort of mental control to all my teams at the beginning of the season.  I hear it's spreading as my players move on to other places; I've had quite a few other coaches call or email me and say, "Tell me more about this shaking-off thing I heard about."  :-)

If you can think of some way that you can pull your mind back into the gym, you'll find your game improving.  Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

Try a little music, something to take your mind off of things

Answer 5

6-2? thats like really easy.

Try doing a 5-1, then see which to ***** about.

Answer 6

Tell yourself every night you'll do better tommorow! Then go to sleep early and wake up early. Get a good breakfast and feel confident about yourself! Think positive and remember you are great. I hope this helped! Good luck in volleyball!

Answer 7

its all mental.

take a deep breath threw your nose, hold it, release threw your mouth.

tell your self this pass is going to target, and your a great passer.

visualize the pass going perfectly to the target.  

Answer 8

well, ive had plenty of those days, trust me, and so i know how ur feeling!  but just go out there focus on volleyball and nothing else, go home and think about your brother.  AND DEF.  get a good nights sleep cuz not enough sleep will effect how you play, have breakfast in the morning, have eggs, cereal, something that will wake you up and get you energized!  AND HAVE A TON OF FUN. volleyball is a fun sport,  and think of it this way, ur brother isnt leaving you forever!  so just focus on the sport and have fun!

Answer 9

volleyball is such a "mind" sport.  it requires precision.  this means:  use your mind, but if you think too much you'll make mistakes.  just relax and play.  don't ignore the stuff going on outside of practice, use it.  pay attention to the technicalities and rules, but when it's time to pass, just pass.  if you know the ball will make it to it's target, it will.

have a good day and good luck at practice tomorrow!