Youth Volleyball
Why Play Junior Olympics?

Coaching youth volleyball can be tough because volleyball isn't an easy game to master at any level.

Volleyball coaches need to be patient and stay up to date on the many advancements made in the sport. Volleyball is a unique sport and it's best if the coach becomes a "student of the game".

Reasons to Play Club Volleyball

• Teach kids the skills of volleyball. Each player that enters a volleyball program has the right to expect quality coaching and instruction.


• Teach how to have fun. The coach should help kids learn how to have fun playing volleyball. It's important to have fun volleyball drills because volleyball should be an enjoyable experience and having a good time is important.

• Help kids build confidence and self-control. Volleyball can be a vehicle to a better quality of life. Emphasizing individual development is important regardless of the score. There are many teachable moments and often you can learn more from losing than when you win.


• Teach kids to understand "winning". In every match, it's a guarantee that 50% of the participants are going to lose. Players need to understand that it's not all about winning. It's often said, "the most successful people have also failed the most." Don't get too caught up in what the score is during a game. How well you play has the biggest impact on winning and losing, so teach your players to focus on playing their best and not worry about the score.


• Teach teamwork. Volleyball is a team sport. To be successful, you must play as a team. Teach players to cooperate with teammates the best they can. With three contacts to a side, volleyball teaches teamwork in a unique way. Support the goal of reaching a common objective. Teach players to respect teammates, officials, fans, and themselves.


• Improve players' imagination and anticipation skills. The rebound aspect of volleyball means that the preparation for contact can be more important than actual contact. Players must learn to process information from clues, cues, perceptions, and demands, all before contact is made with the ball.


• Improve communication skills. Volleyball is game of constant communication between teammates. Players must learn how to respond to one another. Players must also learn how to make adjustments often on the fly during the game.


• Develop players emotionally. The nature of the game requires players to be somewhat self-reliant with little help from the coach on the sidelines. Players also learn how to take personal responsibility for their actions, with help from both teammates and the coach in establishing personal confidence through success on the court.


• Nuture, never destroy. There is a big difference between mental toughness and psychological abuse. Build a frame of realism, but never damage an athlete's self worth or confidence.

• Develop friendships. Youth volleyball players should develop friendships among parents and players, as well as among teammates. Friendships can also grow between opponents. A good volleyball motto, "Winning and losing are temporary, but friendships last forever."


• Cultivate parent participation. Parents need to be supportive and involved in youth volleyball activities.


• Learn a sport for a lifetime. There are national age group competitions for boys and girls from 12-and-under to players 75 years old and over.

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