Practice makes perfect. Nowhere is this old axiom more apt than on the volleyball court. Players must practice as hard as they play, improving their skills through tireless work and dedication to the sport. Crisp practice sessions build discipline, improve skills, and foster team camaraderie. To ensure players get the most of out of each practice, volleyball coaches should implement a few simple rules to govern the proceedings.
Attendance
To benefit from volleyball practice, players need to show up first. Barring a legitimate doctor’s excuse or family emergency, practice should be mandatory. Team members must feel they can depend on one another, meaning unexcused absences cannot be tolerated. Coaches should also stress the importance of being on time. Players must be dressed and on the court when practice is scheduled to begin. Tardiness breeds an unacceptable lack of discipline. Coaches should get nets and volleyballs in place ahead of time so practice can start without delay.
Attention
While practice does build camaraderie, and should be fun, it isn’t a time for casual socializing. Players must listen at all times and cut out needless chatter when the coach is giving instructions. Players also must focus on the drills and nothing else: Practice time is volleyball time. Players should leave all personal issues at the door.
Attitude
Volleyball practice is also a time for working on emotional strength. Players must respect their teammates and coaches at all times — and should guard against emotional outbursts when things don’t go their way. Demonstrating frustration, even during practice, leads to poor sportsmanship and betrays mental focus — mistakes that must not be repeated during actual games.
Effort
Players must be prepared to work — volleyball practice isn’t the time for lallygagging. Players should run constantly, whether during drills, when shagging balls, or when rotating in and out of position. Walking disrupts the pace of practice; everything needs to be fast and up-tempo. By running throughout practice, players also build stamina and improve cardiovascular strength, translating to better performance during games.
Safety
Coaches should reserve the first few minutes of practice for stretching and a light warm-up. All players must take part, to prevent muscle strains and other needless injuries. Players should also come to practice with water bottles so they can stay hydrated throughout, without having to take extensive breaks. Lack of water can cause cramps and further slow practice. Coaches should also encourage practice participants to shag loose balls whenever possible. Allowing loose volleyballs to roll unattended can cause injuries due to trips and falls.
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