I just got offered a job for assistant volleyball coach at a high school but have no clue where to start, help

Question

They needed someone just to put down and it pays good. I know the general rules of volleyball and some exercises but need some advice. help.

Answer 1

I've been a head coach all my coaching career.  Then, in the past couple of years, I became an assistant coach.  It was a little difficult to transition, and I catch myself saying or doing things that "weren't my authority".

So, here's what I comment.  First of all, you are the head coach's "assistant".  Therefore, you will follow his/her program.  Therefore, do what he/she asks.  Don't question his/her decision publically.  You can, however, discuss it in private.  

Head coaches 'sometimes' have difficulty "letting go of the reigns".  So, just shadow the coach and he/she will let you know when they want you to participate.

You two are a team now, but ultimately, the head coach makes the decisions.  

During practices and games, just stand there and keep your mouth shut until the coach asks for an opinion.  The worst thing is to just spout out something and it turns out to be the opposite of the coach.

During games, stick mainly to the basic skills coaching.  The head coach doesn't have the time to coach the kids on basic skills.  That is what practice is for.  During matches, the coach is too involved in the strategy of the game.  Therefore, most coaches allow assistants to take care of the basics for them.  If you do coach the strategy part of the game, stick religiously to the strategy that the coach set out.  

In other words, you live and die by his/her program.

Again, you two are partners now.  On the off time, you two need to sit down and discuss what his/her expectations are.  It's okay.  That's professional.  

Tell him/her that you want to be able to coach what you need to coach under his/her guidance.  

To impress him/her, on your own, take down necessary stats.  These are things that coaches love to have but don't have the capactiy during matches and practices.

For example, during a match, you can come to him and say something like "Coach, they're on a 8-1 run."  That's it.  Leave it at that.  Don't need to go further.  This helps the coach decide whether to take a time out or not.  The coach isn't going to sit there and count the run or not.  That's what you're there for.  

Also, you could say, "Coach, Mary is hitting 800 right now."  This helps him/her develop a strategy around the hot hand.  Or "That's three serves in a row she's missed."

In other words, you do the things that the coach cannot.  Like stats, or counselling.  

Be very careful about counselling.  If a player has an issue (of any type) and comes for your help, you have to tell the coach about it.  No matter how minor.  Here's what happens if you don't.  As one player tells you something, then more will come.  And if the head coach doesn't know about it, you will develop a "friendship" atmosphere where the players will tend to "like" you more than the head coach.  This could back-fire on you.  Do not be stuck in the middle of the players and the coach.  You are now part of the "staff".  Not a player.  Therefore, your loyalty is to the coach.

The one that brought you in is the one that sends you packing.

Therefore, do everything "for the coach".

Answer 2

The above answers are good.  You are the assistant coach.  Ask the coach what they want.  Listen to what they say and reinforce exactly what they say.  

I would also suggest books.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search...

http://www.jes-soft.com/volleyball/topte...

Answer 3

Congratulations on the offer.

I guess you have interviewed with the coach and they know what you can do... you don't need to worry that much.

Be prepared to listen to the coach, whether s/he says anything wrong or not :)... just kidding, if should be a great opportunity for you to learn lots of new stuff, not just playing volleyball. You might have to do some demo from time to time, if the coach thinks you are the best to do the demo.

Scouting on other teams could be an option during tournaments, but I am not sure how much the coach would listen to you.

So, where to start? Keep yourself in good shape, be ready to have fun with younger players, and be ready to learn. Bring with you a positive attitude, your dedication, your love in volleyball, and your love of playing (sometimes patience) with kids.

Answer 4

follow the coach and maybe be more of a conditioning coach

Answer 5

Here's some volleyball excerises that my coach put us through:

For Serves: Have the team split and serve on each side.  Any girl who didn't get it over had to lay down in the "dead roach" position (on back, arms and legs in the air). Any person that serves and hits a roach can eliminate a lap from the running exercise at the end of practice.  Or any roach hit gets to get up and serve again (accurate servers make friends fast here)  The "Dead Roach" position gives the girls conditioning on their arms and legs.  It's really a fun exercise if you can serve well.

Digs: Pull the Refs ladder/stand onto one side of the court to the net and put a bag of balls on stand with you.  Put your six on one side and have the other girls get the balls for you.  Just throw, toss, chunk, spike the balls at the girls so they get use to reacting to a ball with short notice.  Make sure they call for it, get on the ground, and have proper bumps.  This can be used to practice just the first hit or you can continue it through bump, set, spike before tossing your next ball.

Blocking: running excerise: start from the line that seperates the back spike line and the front area.  Have them run straight, jump up straight and block.  Run backwards diaginally until they reach the line again, then straight forward to the net.  They should be able to do this 3 - 4 times before running out of net.  Then sprint around the court once and get back in line to do it again.  It conditions their legs and tells you who's your strongest jumper.

You could also toss balls at them and get them use to blocking properly.  

Slides: With their knee pads on have them do sprints across a net-less court.  On your whistle they go down to slide on both knees then up and continue running.  It'll show you who has fears of sliding and who will sacrifice the body!

Accuracy: Put them on the basketball hoops and have them paired in 2's or 3's.  Have them bump into the net and make a basket.  Have them move around the net to different angles to the net.  It'll help teach them accuracy.  This is also great for "sets" which require much more accuracy!

Accuracy: (good ice breaker game) Put them into a circle and say everyones name once.  Then bounce around, but the girls have to call the name of the person they are passing to.  They can only call each girl once until they pass to everyone.  You can also have them do the Bump, Set, Spike as they do it.  Every 1st hit should be a bump, 2nd set, third light spike to a girl who bumps it.

Net Balls: Have the front row practice for balls that fly into the net but tossing, throwing or hitting the balls into the net and making the girls dig and respond to it, trying to get it up.  Tell them if it's their 2nd hit or 3rd hit so they can practice trying to set it up or pump it over.

Spikes: Have the setters set the balls to them in the front and back row.  Remember, back row has to stay behind a line so girls need to practice not crossing that line!  Have the setters only practice good sets.  You should toss slightly wild sets to the spikers to get them use to managing wild balls and changing their attack mode.

I hope that helps.  If your not teaching a girls team then I'm sure this will help for boys too.

Take the job!!  There are plenty of videos and books that can help you figure out what your doing.