Starting To Coach

[volleyball_12 0]

I am coaching my younger sister's volleyball team (USVB). They are in 7th grade. I am still in highschool, so the girls think that i'm easy going and they think that they can do whatever they want. I want them to get the most out of what i'm trying to teach them. Do i act like i'm a "hard, get down to business" coach or do i act like one of them, just at a higher level? If anyone can give me advice on how to make it simpilar for them to learn a 5-1 rotation (they aren't the quickest bunch), and how to have more ball control, i'd greatly appriciate it!

[fmfjohn 0]

volleyball 12,

Any young woman who has the guts to step up and coach a jo team, to say nothing of it being her sister's team, probably already has all the backbone needed to keep the team in line. I would only offer a couple of suggestions. (based on having coached both of my daughters - which is only slightly close First, keep in mind that you are likely to be harder on her than you would be on the rest of the players, and you should let her know that she is a special "situation". Talk it out between yourselves, but let her know that the rest of the team will be watching both of you to see how "even handed" you are and how your sister acts towards you. Her responces to your coaching will have a lot to do with how the team responds to you. Secondly, it is a heck of a lot easier to start out "strict" and lighten up as you and the team get used to each other. But "strict" is a very relative thing. You know what you like - and want - from a coach and that ought to be your guide. Most coaching books say that you should not worry about being a friend, just maintain their respect by keeping their best interests ahead of anything else. (usually meant to mean your own) In your case I expect the best way to do this is to let the girls know up front what you expect from them at practice and a rough idea of what you will and wont put up with. Just don't get caught up in too many do's and don'ts. Something like: always be respectful of each other, give your best effort when you're on the court, don't talk when I'm talking (and I wont talk when you are). And then be consistant in the way you react to whatever happens. Let them know what the "consequences" are for violations of"team" rules. (did I mention that you should have their input before you finalize "the rules"?)

What should you expect of them? How about: play ( and practice) hard, play to win, have fun!

You already know that the way they practice is the way they'll play, so be sure they know it!

One last suggestion. let your team (sounds good, doesn't it!) know what your idea of fun at practice and at tournaments is. Give them your standards, but be flexible as situations and your experience change. Oh, and be prepared (in writing) for practice. Have a plan, and again, stay flexible.

As far as playing a 5-1 goes, I'd first have you ask yourself if that is the best "system" for their skill level. As you know, a 5-1 requires that they pass the ball well to a pretty specific location, and if they can't, they wont have much success. What I'm suggesting is that you pick a system that matches their skills, not a system just because "the big kids" use it.

To improve their ball handling skills you want to provide as many touches of the ball as you can, while at the same time enforcing the proper technique for each touch. Catch them doing things that they do correctly, and then show them how you want them to do the things they aren't doing properly.

Coach (and Dr.) Carl McGown (USA National Team) would tell you that one of the main keys is to NOT give them information overload. Use cues or key phrases - short & to the point - to give them a hold on the proper technique. He would also tell you that you learn to play good volleyball by playing good volleyball. Make your practice and drills revolve around bump,set, hit!

Ok, I'll stop before this becomes a book. (speaking of which... try "VOLLEYBALL FUNDAMENTALS - a better way to learn the basics" by Joel Dearing published by Human Kinetics $14.95)

One last sugg: get rid of the whistle. talk to the girls and keep their attention.

Lots of luck! let us know how it's going. Hope our girls meet at a tournament! john

[fmfjohn 0]

Volley,

I left out improving ball control yesterday, and since no one's commented on it, I'll add two short ideas.

First, do whatever it takes to ensure that your girls bump pass properly. Even at their ages, most of them probably already have started to form their passing platform with a "prayer"; hands come together somewhere near the face, and then dropped to between the knees, followed by a big swing to "hit" the ball. I would suggest that you spend a little time having them get in a low ready position, then extend their arms out/down at appox. 30/45 degrees and have the soft pads at the bases of their thumbs and little fingers come together. A cue/key could be: hands and wrists together. "straight and simple" as a cue would work for getting their arms together. Of course at their level they may have to "hit' the ball a little as there may not be enough force in it to rebound to the target. If this is the case, have them work on lifting with their ankles (for a little lift) or with their legs for more lift. The other problem for them will be wanting to hit the ball in the direction they want to ball to go. Work with them to "set the angle" of their platform early, and trust it to re-direct the ball.

Secondly, get them to overhand (set) pass the ball 4 or 5 times as much as they bump it. Giving them a good hand shape and the proper posture will help alot. Then give them lots of drills/game-like opportunities to use it. Don't let them stand waiting to bump a high lob pass when they ought to set it.

Did I mention not letting them stand in one place to practice these skills?

OK, I'll be quiet. (but i do seem to spend alot of time thinking about coaching. guess this forum just gets the overflow