How To Coach Volleyball (Checklist Included)

If you are a new volleyball coach and want to learn the basics of how to coach volleyball, you’re in the right place! Although there is a lot that goes into coaching, you can feel much more confident on the court by understanding the fundamentals.

Just a heads up: even though these are the basics, it still takes time to learn and feel comfortable with these concepts. Start your volleyball education by tackling the items on this checklist as soon as you know you’ll be coaching! This way, you won’t be blindsided when the season starts.

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HOW TO COACH VOLLEYBALL CHECKLIST

1. Watch a full volleyball match online if you’ve never coached or played before (watch the 2018 NCAA National Championship here to see a match go all 5 sets).

2. Learn (and practice) the 5 basic skills (serving, passing, setting, hitting, and blocking).

3. Learn about the different positions and fill roster spots on your team based on position needs.

4. Understand the 3 basic offensive systems (6-2, 5-1, and 4-2) and 2 main defensive systems (rotation and perimeter) if you’re coaching 7th grade or older.

5. Clearly communicate with parents regarding practice times, uniforms, tournaments, playing time expectations, and address any issues right away.

6. Run drills that are game-like (instead of controlled).

7. Encourage your players with positivity and support.

8. Set goals based on the process of improving.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Where to watch full volleyball matches:

• YouTube (free full matches)

• FloVolleyball (paid subscription for college and professional volleyball)

Learn the 5 basics skills:

• Serving

• Passing (also called “bumping”) and Ball Control

• Setting

• Hitting (also called “attacking” and “spiking”)

• Blocking

Understanding positions and how to choose players for your team:

• Understanding positions on a volleyball team: Read about the positions or listen to a podcast episode.

• Evaluate and rank potential players at tryouts: Download our Tryout Evaluation Form and our Scores and Ranking Excel Sheet!

Learn the main offensive and defensive systems:

Offensive Systems:

• 6-2 (shorthand for 6 players who primarily hit and 2 who set. The setter sets while in the back row.)

• 5-1 (shorthand for 5 players who primarily hit and 1 who sets. There is one setter who sets when they are in front row and back row.)

• 4-2 (shorthand for 4 players who primarily hit and 2 who set. The setter sets while in the front row.)

Defensive Systems:

• Perimeter defense

• Rotation defense

Communicate with parents:

• Learn more about important information that parents need from coaches (plus a whole lot more!): “Coaching Volleyball: A Survival Guide For Your First Season”

Game-like drills:

• Freeball/Downball Game

• Queen of the Court

• How To Read The Hitter

• Half-Court Round Robin

• Team Serving Challenge

• Design your own game-like drills using “chaos”: Listen to the podcast episode

Positivity:

• Positive Coaching Alliance

• Motivating players with gestures: Listen to the podcast episode.

Set goals with your team:

• The Importance of Goal Setting

• Volleyball Goal Setting Packet

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