ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Players and teams need to possess quality and efficient
fundamentals to be successful.
The difference between a team winning a league championship and a state
championship lies in the players and team having a higher degree of mental
toughness and having the confidence to succeed.
Individual and team defense show the true character and integrity
of a team.
In the development of teams, it should be stressed the need for the
entire team to possess the necessary defensive movement patterns to play
aggressive defense and then try to enhance the players abilities to play as a
cohesive unit.
Different techniques are used to dig different shots, but the attitude
that "no ball will land in my area of responsibility" must remain
constant.
What counts is the effort, and the opportunity to get the ball is
the reward.
A player or players should be removed from a drill or scrimmage because
of their reluctance or hesitation to go for a ball.
This desire to "dig every ball inside the lines" is a trademark
of all successful volleyball teams.
Championship teams also are believers in the value of
communications whether it is coach-to-player or player-to-player.
The coaching staff and players have to be able to make adjustments and
communicate at all times their feelings and decisions to each other.
It is difficult for many teams to develop an emotional base where players
have high expectations and a sense of responsibility toward each other and to
keep this intensity high.
This is a very important principle, which is not solely the coach's job
to develop.
The entire team needs to be focused and committed to the various tasks of
a good team effort.
Each team enters a match with an offensive and defensive game
plan.
The reason one team wins is due to making the necessary tactical
adjustments and maintaining their concentration.
Winning teams are able to look at each rotation and determine the best
offensive and defensive system for that rotation based upon the opponent's
current and past tendencies.
It should be understood by all the players on a volleyball
teams that the goal of the program is to have each team compete to the best of
the combined abilities of the participants.
This means certain players are going to be given more opportunities to
play for longer periods of time than other players.
Some players will receive limited playing time but will have specific
responsibilities that are needed for the total team to compete successfully.
They will be role players or specialists.
Volleyball programs with a long history of success have been
especially fortunate to have players who listen well and are willing to
sacrifice for the welfare of the team.
It
is all part of the team concept.