“Just FYI”

(from YOUR COACHES)

Volleyball Is a “TEAM” Sport

This requires all members to realize that they are part of a process, whether they are sitting on the bench or standing on the court ( subbing, time outs, pass-set-spike-block ).   Team members may not like or understand why their coaches make certain decisions, but they must trust that the coaches are making decisions that they believe will best help the “team” succeed. 

IMPORTANT: You are playing for an NCFS “team,” for the good of every member of the team—not just for yourself.  Even if you succeed while everyone else around you is failing, your “team” will still fail. 

Team members are chosen based not only on skills, but also on personality and character. (This is also known as “coachability”- the ability to work well together with others, not hot dog/need to be the star of the show, positive and supportive on the court and off the court. )

Definition of a team player…..

team player

team play·er (plural team play·ers)

noun

Definition:

somebody who works cooperatively: a member of a group who cooperates with other people and who subordinates personal interests in order to achieve a common goal

Creating a Team and Your Role as a Player

1. How Coaches Put Together Rosters and Lineups

Volleyball team rosters usually carry 8-10 players; this helps ensure that

a.      there will always be enough players to play in each tournament (illness, injury, emergencies, and planned vacations occur, after all), and

b.     that coaches can maximize strengths, weaknesses and specialties (as they see fit) as part of game strategy.

Subbing is necessary; it’s based on both the position(s) your coaches feel you are best skilled at and can use to help your team AND again, it’s also based on your character/personality, or the “mood”/”vibe” you create while playing with your teammates.

At every moment in a game, coaches are trying to maximize the talent their team possesses in order to defeat an opponent.  Just because you are not “starting,” or just because you don’t spend every minute on the court DOESN’T mean you are being treated unfairly or that your coaches don’t see your talents.  Also, be assured that you DO have a chance to make an impact as an individual every time you are on the court—coaches compliment and ask players names and recognize you for the skills they see you personally perform while you are on the court.  Better yet, if you are constantly positive and are working for the good of the team (not to showcase yourself alone), coaches will be impressed with your maturity and your team mentality!

2. Your Jobs at Games and Practices

During all games, and ESPECIALLY at practices, we expect you to participate so that you can increase not only your skill level but your range of skills as well.  For a college or high school coach putting together a team, the most “valuable” recruits/players are those who are well-rounded and able to perform at all positions on the court.  If something happens (an injury, an illness, a “bad day”) coaches can expect these players to step up, do any job needed, and make up the slack to help the team avoid getting crushed in a crisis situation. In college (and most high school teams), you do not see a setter who cannot spike or dig, a libero who cannot set or spike 10’s, or a middle hitter who can’t serve and/or pass if needed. 

Furthermore, EVERY player must perfect her serve; it is without a doubt the best offensive weapon on a team.  Just because you “get it over” does NOT mean you don’t have to take criticism or try different things your coach may ask.  Until you have mastered the top spin, float, jump top, and jump float serves, nailing them to ANY area of the court on command, you are still the student, not the “master.”  Even Olympians ask for input/help or try to learn new and more effective serving strategies, because they know there is always room to learn more and to improve.  As young players, you surely don’t want to send the message to your coaches (by displaying a poor attitude or refusing to change/learn) that you are better than Olympic athletes!