Are Private Volleyball Lessons Worth It?

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Volleyball coach

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Most volleyball players want to find ways to improve their game. Because of this, you might be considering taking private lessons. But this means making a big commitment and paying extra tuition fees. So, is taking private volleyball lessons worth it?

If you are serious about improving your volleyball skills, private lessons are a good choice. Private coaches can tailor the approach to meet your needs. Plus, they will be able to keep you motivated and help you eliminate bad habits. As a result, you should be able to see a huge improvement in your performance on the court.

Ultimately, whether private lessons are a good choice for you will depend on your needs. Keep reading some of the things you should consider before deciding whether to get private lessons.

Beach Volleyball Net

Tailored to You

One of the biggest benefits of private volleyball coaching is that the lessons are tailored specifically to your needs. Your teacher will be able to look at your weak points and find ways that you can improve.  The exercises they recommend will be based on your specific needs.

They will also be able to spend more time talking you through tactics and exercises so that you understand what you need to do. These lessons can be tailored to suit your learning style and you’ll be able to ask plenty of questions.

You won’t be able to get this level of support in a regular coaching session. The coach needs to split their time between all the players on the team.

Eliminating Bad Habits

If you have been playing volleyball for a while you have likely picked up a few bad habits. These are little issues that can translate into big problems in the future. For example, if you aren’t positioning your body in the right way, there is a risk that you will get injured.

A private volleyball lesson will be able to help you find these issues. They can talk about some of the reasons why you might have developed this practice. They can also run exercises to help you break through these bad habits.

More Practice Translates to Better Performance on Game Day

The more you practice, the better you will perform during competition. However, how much you improve will often depend on the way you are practicing. Through private lessons, you’ll be better able to identify your weak spots. This will tell you what areas you should be focusing on so you can optimize your performance. Often, they will be able to recommend exercises you can do at home.

Doing additional training will bring some other benefits. This includes:

  • Improving fitness level. The more time you spend training, the fitter you will become. This will help you keep up with the fast-paced nature of a volleyball game. It will also reduce muscle pain after a match.
  • Proper body position during the game. If you practice a skill often enough it will become muscle memory. As a result, getting the right stance on the court should occur subconsciously.
  • Becoming more competitive. Overall, the biggest benefit of taking private lessons is to become a more well-rounded athlete. This will give you an advantage during the game, increasing the odds that your team will win.

Click here for How to Practice Volleyball by Yourself

Keeping You Accountable

Finally, having to report to a private couch will add an extra layer of accountability. They will be able to help monitor your progress, motivating you to keep going. By making sure that you are putting in the work, you are guaranteed to see your skills and confidence improving on the court.

Volleyball Player

Extra Cost and Time Requirements

Of course, there are a few downsides to taking private lessons. One of the biggest problems is dealing with the additional cost of these lessons. The average cost is between $15 to $100 for an hour-long lesson, though this can fluctuate. Some of the variables that will influence the price include:

  • The expertise of the teacher
  • Length of the session
  • Whether the lessons are in-person or online.

Furthermore, attending private lessons requires an extra layer of commitment, especially if you are already taking part in group coaching sessions. Plus, you’ll need to find a way of balancing this with other life commitments like study and work.

What Age to Enroll in Private Volleyball Lessons

Many parents might want to consider private lessons for their children. But this raises an important question. At which age should you enroll them in private lessons? There are a few schools of thought on this topic. Each perspective has its pros and cons.

Some people say that you should get your children private lessons as soon as they start to develop an interest in volleyball. This can be around the age of four or five. This can be a huge benefit. If they start to develop their skills at a young age, they will be able to excel during games. It took around 13 to 15 years for most athletes to develop the skills needed to win an Olympic medal. On the downside, too much pressure from a young age can potentially stifle their passion for the game.

On the other hand, some people prefer to wait until their children are older, starting private lessons at the age of 14 or 15. This ensures that they already have a strong passion for the sport. As a result, they will put their all into the training. But it can mean that they might have already learned some bad habits, which the private lessons will need to correct. 

Neither one of these approaches is right or wrong. It all depends on your parenting style. The best option is to talk to your children and see how they react to the idea of private coaching. It can also be a good idea to use a trial period, giving the coach a few sessions to see how your children react.

Volleyball Player Holding a Volleyball

Finding the Right Coach for You

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of whether you want to get private lessons. But how will you be able to find the right coach for you?  Here are some of the things that you should take into consideration:

  • The expertise of the teacher: It should go without saying, but you want someone who knows about volleyball. Look for someone who is a former player or has a lot of experience as a coach.
  • Curriculum: Most private volleyball coaches will have an area where they will specialize. They should be able to change the type of things that they teach, and the way they teach, based on your unique needs.
  • Approach: This is one of the most important elements. You need to find someone that you can get along with. Going to private lessons should be a fun experience. If you aren’t enjoying it, or aren’t seeing your skills improve, it might be time to see a new coach.
  • Expectations: When you are meeting with a potential volleyball coach, it’s important to outline your expectations. This will be different for everyone. Some people will be focused on winning more games and becoming the best possible player. Others will just want to get good enough to be selected for the school team. Discussing these with the coach will help you set a realistic goal.
  • Cost: Lastly, you need to make sure that you can afford to pay for these coaching sessions. Some people will give you a discount if you book multiple sessions at a time.
  • Geography: depending on where you live, you might have to travel a distance to find a qualified coach. While this is likely worth it, you still need to consider the extra travel time and cost.

Click here for Why Does My Coach Not Play Me

Final Thoughts

Whether private lessons are worth it is up to you. For some casual players, whether they win or lose the game is irrelevant, as long as they are having fun. In this case, private lessons might not be worth it. But if you are serious about improving your game, taking private lessons might be a great option. It can allow you to grow your skills while having fun.   

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