Girls Volleyball
Working with Female Athletes
Working with female athletes is a unique experience, and girls volleyball is not different. Coaches should be prepared for an emphasis on communication, an openness about emotions, and a general avoidance of conflict.
Girls participating in girls volleyball all have a common interest, but they may have a hard time expressing their similarities. Coaches should help girls come together to find their common points, which will reduce tension and help everyone work well together. Without such a common interest, girls may turn against each other or not see how they can work together to find success.
Coaches of girls volleyball teams should prepare for an openness about emotions. Girls are usually more vocal than boys about how they are feeling and how something affects them, which may be confusing for coaches. They should recognize the benefits of discussing the emotional health of their athletes and encourage the dialogue to continue.
Conflict in Women's Volleyball
Girls handle conflict in a much different way than boys. Girls often avoid the issue and harbor unhealthy feelings as a way to keep from directly discussing the problem they are experiencing. For coaches, this presents an opportunity to assist athletes in airing their grievances and finding a common solution between two athletes.
Coaches in this situation should prepare for unexplained behavior that may signal an underlying tension. Coaches should also work to present themselves as open and trustworthy for athletes, inviting them to share their problems without judgment or punishment. This will encourage athletes to bring conflicts to the coach and seek mediation.
Girls Volleyball and Life Skills
Girls volleyball teaches many important life skills that girls can take elsewhere to find success. It teaches patience, teamwork, working with those you may not like, dealing with success and failure, and the importance of dedication and hard work.
Youth volleyball coaches have a responsibility to see that athletes learn these major life skills through their participation in the sport. Athletes should be encouraged to grow and learn from each other. Coaches can impart this type of experience by reminding athletes to look at the bigger picture of the sport and not just the competition coming up.
Coaches should also help athletes recognize these skills through evaluations and one-on-one feedback. Athletes need to know where they are improving from someone they look up to and trust, such as the coach. By giving honest feedback about performance, personality, and attitude, athletes will learn to see the whole picture and not just their volleyball skills.
Role Models
Girls in sports need role models, and girls volleyball has many. Athletes should be encouraged to look up to female athletes who excel in the sport and in other areas of life. Coaches can bring in older athletes from high schools or colleges to meet with the girls and give them advice as well as listen to their concerns and share their experiences. Such an event will give girls a positive role model for the future and help keep them on the right track.
BestVolleyballDrills.com > Coaching Volleyball > Girls Volleyball
Volleyball Practice | Volleyball Practice Plans |
Youth Volleyball | High School Volleyball | High School Volleyball Rules
|
