The more time you spend with a coach, the better your volleyball skills will become. But there is usually only one or two coaches, who need to spread their time across the whole team. This raises a conundrum that many players have grappled with. How can you get your volleyball coach to notice you?
The good news is you can grab their attention. You just need to make a few changes to the way you are approaching the coaching staff. Keep reading to learn some of the ways to capture your coach’s focus.
Have a Positive Attitude
Whether you are in the middle of a difficult game or warming up for a practice session, it’s always important to think positively. Try to compliment your teammates. Be vocal in your encouragement during the game.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t point out issues in your team’s performance. But you need to be tactful in the way you are doing it. You don’t want to be hurting people’s feelings. If someone on the team is struggling, reach out to them one-on-one and ask if there’s anything you can do to help.
Listen to Coaching Advice
It’s natural for coaches to gravitate towards players they think they can help. This is why some strong players don’t make the cut during team selection. Though they are skilled, they can also be set in their ways. Seeing the potential drama that lies ahead, the coach won’t pick them.
Remember, your coach is giving you this advice for a reason. When you are given a correction, it’s important to try and implement it. This will stop it from becoming a bad habit.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions
There are lots of places that volleyball players might turn to when they are having difficulties on the court. This includes:
- Blog articles
- Social media
- Talking to friends and family
- YouTube
However, the first place you should go any time are having issues is the coach. They are there to support your development, so they will be happy to talk about any issues you are having. Plus, they often have a lot of playing experience and will usually have had to work through the same problems you are experiencing. Click here for
However, talking about these concerns with your coach does something else. It proves to them that you are willing to learn and are passionate about your position on the team. Just knowing this will often cause them to spend a few extra minutes with you each session.
Put in Maximum Effort
One of the best ways to annoy your coach is by putting in a half-hearted performance. It doesn’t matter whether you are playing a game or if you are attending a training session, you should always be putting in maximum effort.
We all have days when we aren’t feeling it. But you need to find a way to overcome these feelings. Remember, you are playing as part of a team. A few lackadaisical performances will start to irritate your teammates and cause problems with the coaching staff.
Be Respectful
Another sure-fire way to get on your coach’s bad side is by not giving them the respect that they deserve. There are plenty of things that you should avoid doing, including:
- Using your phone using practice
- Talking when the coach is giving a presentation
- Chewing gum during practice
- Ignoring their advice
This is just basic manners. If you don’t respect your coach, there is no way that they are going to respect you.
Arrive Early for Practice
Coaches will gravitate towards players who want to learn. One of the best ways to show them that you want to improve is by turning up early for practice. You don’t need to be hours ahead of everyone else. Just arriving a few minutes before the session is due to start is a good way of proving that you are passionate about the sport. Click here for How to Become The Best Volleyball Player on Your Team
And make sure you’re prepared. Come on the court with your gear and your positive attitude, ready for instructions. This kind of attitude sets the tone for the rest of the team and helps motivate everyone.
Train Outside of Practice
There are plenty of players who only attend the training sessions. Outside of these sessions, they won’t do any drills or conditioning. But others will put in the effort outside of group training sessions, taking this time to work on their skills individually. These are the people that the coaches will gravitate towards.
This is about more than just seeing their performance improve throughout the season. It’s also a good way of showing that you are passionate about the game. There are plenty of ways you can improve your skills without the team or coach, these include:
- Drills. There are plenty of drills that you can do at home. Sometimes, you might need a friend or family member to act as a partner. At other times, though, you will be able to do it alone.
- Strength and endurance training. Volleyball can take a significant toll on your body. Throughout the game, you will need to make plenty of quick explosive measures. You will have to build your stamina to last a whole game without becoming fatigued. This will require a substantial amount of training, most of which will need to be done alone.
- Tactical knowledge. Finally, you might want to get a deeper understanding of the game. Watch the pros play. Look at the type of tactics they use and how they are positioning their bodies. This can give you more insight into what you should be doing on the court.
You don’t need to spend hours training. But if you can do an extra 30 minutes a day, you will be surprised at how quickly your skills will improve. Click Here for How to Practice Volleyball by Yourself
Be a Leader on the Court
One of the most important things that a coach is looking for is capable of being a leader on the court. To do this, you will need to learn how to be vocal. Call out when a ball is yours. Encourage your teammates after you score a point. Point out some of the weak points in your opponent’s defences. Most importantly, try to keep team morale high. This is especially important if you are playing a difficult game, where there is a good chance that you will lose. Click here for How to Build Sports Team Chemistry
Talk to the Coach About Their Expectations
Sometimes, your coach will be open about what they expect from the team. They will often have this discussion at the beginning of the season. Other coaches, though, won’t tell you what they expect. This can make it difficult to know what they are looking for.
If this is the case with your coach, ask if you can organize a chat. Ask them to be clear about what they want from you and how you can improve your performance. While this can be eye-opening, especially if you find that you are underperforming, it’s important to take this with grace. Once you know your weak spots you can start to correct them. Click here for Why Does My Coach Not Play Me
Consider Private Lessons
Finally, coaches will have a finite amount of time to dedicate to their team. If you feel you are struggling in your training sessions, you might want to consider going to private lessons. This will put you one-on-one with a coach. While this might be more expensive, you will be able to greatly improve your skills.
Final Thoughts
Coaches play an essential role on the team. Through their guidance, you will be able to improve your skills and give your team the best chance of winning. There are a few simple actions you can take in training to make sure that your coach will notice you. Plus, these will help you win the respect of your teammates and help you develop the drive needed to become a volleyball star.
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