What makes a successful volleyball season? It’s that time of year when we are in the midst of the volleyball season, and we’re constantly in practice, games, and back to practice. In the middle of all those practices, when do you find the time to increase your skill? Perhaps you want to work on your float serve or get your back-row attack down pact. Whether you’re a new player or this is your fourth season on your high school team, there is always time for growth and change, even when playing. My coach told me, “the season is for playing, and the summer is for practice.” While that statement does have a little sprinkle of truth to it, however, an old dog can learn new tricks, even in the middle of the season.

1. Break Down Drills For Foundation

During practice, your coach works on specific drills that can make short-term changes. You are unlikely to work on solid foundational concepts during the season because, HELLO! The game is tomorrow. (s/n: If you can learn how to serve in one day, please email me asap). During practice, you are more likely to work on the flow of the game, the team structure, and proactive changes that can make small changes during gameplay. You want to learn how to break things down especially to continue working towards a positive volleyball season.

When doing these drills, break down the drills into the basic concept. Is that butterfly drill working on serving or passing? What about the queen of the court? Is it working strictly on the passion for serving receive? I want you to pick the main goal you need to work on in those drills. If you know that you need to work on your serve receive, then within that drill, I want you to focus on the mechanics behind that skill. How can you apply these drills to the skill that you need to work on? Passing? Make sure to focus on your platform during butterfly. Serving? Focus on your serve during queen of the court? Do you get it? Boom!

2. Understand another perspective

Sometimes when we are in the thick of it, we don’t know exactly what’s going on and how to make a change. This is where video tech and feedback come in handy. I often ask someone to look at my swing to see where the disconnect is. Another set of eyes can help see where things could be getting a bit funky, and even recording it can help you see the mechanics behind why things could be going south. Feedback is constructive in changing things! If you know that your serve has a disconnect, take some time to ask someone for the feedback! What about your swing? Is it timing? Talk to both the setter and another pair of eyes. Throughout the volleyball season it is helpful to get feedback along the way.

3. A Closed Mouth Does Not Get Fed

Have you ever had a question from someone that you were too nervous to ask? Your coach is there to not only help you but also help you progress within a unit. You must remember that as a part of a team, you are now a part of a unit. With a unit comes feedback that is critical to you all as a team. If you need some necessary help with a particular skill, perhaps asking your coach for some feedback is both helpful and insightful. I know that it can be nerve wracking to speak with your coach but we have to remember that they have our best interest in mind. Here are some sample things you could say or phrases that you could use:

• Hey coach, I’ve been working on my serve but I need some feedback on how to get it further. Any tips?
• Hey coach, I would love if you could look at my attack and see if I’m going to early or too late.
• Hey coach, when I’m practicing serve receive, is is possible that you watch my body form.

Remember that it is not a bad thing to ask for feedback! A closed mouth never ever gets fed.

Throughout the experience of playing volleyball you are going to have plenty of experiences that are both positive and negative. However we ant to use those experiences as a chance for growth, development and change. Use all the opportunities during games and practices to learn something new and get the necessary feedback. Even if you are right in the thick of it, use the tools you have to keep playing!

KoKo