This goes out to all the Volleyball Coaches...?

Question

I am a volleyball player from a small town team.

For years, our team has done...really badly, to put it as an understatement, in district play. It's NOT because the girls on the team are not talented (because they are), I think it's because we are not mentally strong enough to go up against these teams in our district.

For years now, we've been the blow off team.

and I'm tired of it.

I want THIS season, OUR season, to be the change, to show our district, and our school, that this year, Our team is not just going to roll over and give the opponents the game. That this year, we will be scrappy, aggressive, and that we are here to stay, to kick some butt.

Here's the problem:

Personally, I am in the "Do or die" mindset. That whatever I do, that ball is not going to hit that court on my watch. I strive for that every practice and every game.

it just seems that some of the others on the team are still in the "oh, we've lost for years now, why change?" mindset.

How can I get everyone else to have that "killer" mindset? to be able to put their hearts and souls into putting that ball in the air for a kill, no matter the cost?

We have so much talent on the team, and it just kills me that we aren't showcasing that during our games. It also kills me to know that our coaches KNOW we can do it, that they have so much faith in us, but we don't have any in ourselves to push it throught and win.

I want to show our coaches that we CAN pull through, that we CAN finish, and that we WILL give our all this season.

But I need the team to be on the same page.

how can I do that?

If you would drop an opinion, that's all I'm asking for.

Answer 1

The difference between winning and losing a match between two teams of the same caliber is two percent.  One team must prove themselves to be two percent better than the other.  (25-23, 23-25, 15-13).  Two points spread over three games is all that separates the closest competitors.  I'll try to give you some advice on the mental side of the game to swing those two percent to your side.

You mention that your team is lacking 'mental fortitude' To increase 'mental fortitude' I believe you need to focus on minimizing mental errors:  Missed serves and miscommunication in serve receive are two huge results of mental errors.  You say that your technical ability as individuals is on the same level as your rivals, and I'll try to guide you on a few things to minimize those two results of mental errors to give yourself that edge.

Missed Serves:  Force every player to develop an established routine.  Any sports psychologist will tell you this, and it's similar to basketball players and free throws.  Take two  days of practice for each player to develop a routine as soon as she receives the ball to serve.  Write every player's routine down.  Every detail of it:  i.e. Stand facing net.  Eyes are on your coach.  Ref beckons for serve.  Look down at ball.  Three small bounces, hold ball up.  One deep breath.  Toss ball, serve.  Hold yourself and your teammates accountable to perform their written down serving routine in every practice, scrimmage, and game.  It'll be amazing how your errors decrease.  

Serve receive miscommunication:  Every game, you'll most likely get aced once or twice, not because the server made a spectacular lightening speed serve, but rather because teammates miscommunicated.  Establish your passers.  Separate your passers from the other players.  Work on nothing but serve receive for at least 20 minutes every practice.  Work through every potential rotation.  You need to practice until every girl feels comfortable in every position she will potentially play.  Mandate calling for every ball in serve receive.  Establish stiff physical penalties for teammates that choose not to call the ball, even if her resulting pass is perfect.  Establish team penalties for those in serve receive who get aced.  

You mention a lack of 'killer instinct' and 'do or die' mindsets.  That might be important for you, but I'd take a different approach. I'd rather take a calmer rational approach.  You will know coming into the game you've got two technical skills your opponents are not as disciplined as.   Ask your teammates before the game:  'Are we evenly matched'? [Yes].  'Where will we find our two percent to beat them?'  Remind them of your serving routines, and communication.  If it saves two errant serves during the course of a match, all this is worth it.  You don't always need fire to win games, sometimes you just need to think it through.

Answer 2

OK, I don't know your age group, but here's one way to help get team members focused. I call it the CASH INCENTIVE

Each game you EACH put in 5, 10, 20 dollars (depends on age group etc, but it must be an appreciable amount). If you win, the Most Valued Player* of the team gets the lot (after shouting a milkshake or coffee for all): If you lose, the Coach gets to keep half and the rest goes towards end of season celebrations (or something like this).

It usually doesn't take long for players to realise the coach is doing very nicely and they could be a lot richer.

Also, the real wimps tend to drop out rather quickly

Another trick is to practise against male teams of similar ability. Once you start winning against them you will find your teams defence ability climbs way up.

Answer 3

I always believed that if you've given your best, that's enough.  The important thing is not to win, but give your own 100% each game.  If everyone does that, and you really have that much talent, the winning will happen.  If you focus to much on the win, it takes the fun out of it, and after all, why play if you're not enjoying yourselves?  So give it your all and have fun!  The win will come.  Be sure to condition yourselves well to last until the end, because it takes a lot to make it to the end strong.  Stay positive, stay focused!  Remember this also:  the best players aren't always those with the most natural talent.  It's usually those who can stay mentally strong and give that effort regardless of whose ahead in the game.    

Answer 4

Well, if you aren't already you should step up and start making the team speeches before, during and after games and practices to motivate them. I don't think it's your teams fault they're feeling that way, I think it's the coaches. Personally, you need to find something to motivate them. Try introducing some really fun games that incorporate the things you need to work on. Some silly games I played with my girls were "The Pit." One person stands in the middle of the court and the coach tosses the ball ANYWHERE. It motivates the girls because it can turn out to be really fun and it encourages hustling. Also, I ALWAYS condition my girl with running. They make a mistake, they run. If they make a mistake and complain because they know they're going to run, they run some more. But it's all in fun. I even jumped in here and there. Your coaches should bond with you more and make things FUN to learn. Hope I helped!