How to Coach Volleyball

Resources for building stronger teams and winning more games

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An 8-Step Guide for New Coaches

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Game

Volleyball players who become coaches have an advantage over coaches who have never played.

Having first-hand knowledge of the sport is very useful for teaching rotations, improving players’ skills, and raising their volleyball I.Q.

If you have never played volleyball before, familiarize yourself with the game’s tempo and rules by watching a full match – there are plenty of club, high school, and college volleyball games on YouTube.

Joining a local league will give you hands-on experience with all of the positions, and working to improve your own skills will help you become a better teacher to your players.

2. Find Coaching Principles & Philosophies that Speak to You

A coaching philosophy is a powerful tool for discovering what motivates you, what your personal goals are, and how you will accomplish them.

It will take time, effort and reflection to identify what coaching (and teaching) aspects resonate with your personal beliefs and personality.

3. Run an Organized Tryout

The secret to success is in the planning. Running an organized tryout is a crucial step in building a competitive team.

Find the athletes you are motivated to coach and who are motivated to work hard.

4. Build a Strong Team Culture

A team’s culture sets the tone for the players’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, and plays a critical role in the ultimate success of a team.

5. Learn How to Teach the Skills

Volleyball skills can be broken down into 13 categories – Moving, Passing, Setting, Jump Setting, Arm Swing, Attacking, Landing, Blocking, Diving, Digging, Serving, Jump Serving, and Serve Receive.

Technique is everything. Technique will determine your players’ highest level of play. It is necessary to watch high-level coaching clinics to learn the proper technique for each skill and expand your vocabulary.

6. Choose an Offensive & Defensive System

Your team’s ball control will usually determine the level of your offense. Identify your strongest players and design the offensive/defensive systems around their strengths.

7. Prepare for Competition

Everyone has the will to win but few have the will to prepare. Mental training is just as important as the physical training.

Design drills to increase the transfer from practice to competition. Design practices to mirror the intensity and speed of competition. Teach your players mental health and resilience techniques.

8. Get Better

Once you have all the pieces in place, find ways to get better.

Track statistics to find the baseline for your current level of play and help players choose reasonable goals. Watch and attend coaching clinics to expand your coaching vocabulary. Watch film to improve your coaching eye work. Experiment with new drills and use the most efficient ones.

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