Team Preparation for Match Conditions

A coach should prepare his/her team for competition as early as possible by creating game-like situations during practice. A coach should inform the players of the conditions of the court (lights, floor, spectators, etc.) The coach should create practice games to check the form of the team, to evaluate the abilities of the players, to achieve the required tactical plan and to make sure the players are able to execute the game plan. It is during these intra-squad scrimmages that the "first six" and the needed substitutes are selected. During these preparatory games, a coach should make any changes to improve the tactical plan and, if necessary, change players. A hard or stressful practice the day before a game should be avoided. Rather an intense and sharp practice to review the basic skills and game plan should be used.

Meeting of the Team before the Match

The coach should arrange a meeting of the complete team before the match. This meeting should be short, clear, and encourage the players to give their best efforts. Using a few but noteworthy words, the coach sums up the importance of the match, the goals of the team, and repeat the principle points of the game plan. Any player questions should be answered at this time.

Pre-Match Warm-up

The team should arrive at the host school not later than one hour before the beginning of the match. The players change into their uniforms, etc. prior to the team warm-up. The players should begin their preparations at least thirty minutes before the match. A gentle warm-up consisting of stretching exercises should take about ten minutes. The last twenty minutes prior to a match are pre-determined by state, national and league rules: four minutes of ball handling drills by both teams, then each team has the court for six minutes for hitting, etc. while the other team is off the court continuing ball handling drills, and the final four minutes is used by both teams for serving. Without a sufficient warm-up, the players will not be able to give their best performance especially during the first game.

The Warm-up period is also used to get the players acclimated to the court and its surroundings. The mental warm-up is as important as the physical warm-up as all drills should increase the players' self-confidence. The players should "break a sweat." Team spirit must be emphasized.

Pre-Match Coin Toss (Choice of Side or Serve)

During the warm-up, the court, the ceiling, and the area surrounding the court should be evaluated to determine if playing on one side of the court has an advantage over the other side.

A team should choose first serve if:

• the opponents are poor in serve reception.
• it has a safe and effective serve.
• both teams are equal.
• it has a good defense and may score first points from defensive play.

• one side of the court gives some advantage, or the other side of the court gives some disadvantage such as lighting, clearance above and around the court, dark background, sun glare, etc.
• at the beginning of a rally scoring game (the team on the offense is always at the advantage.)

While warming up, during opening ceremonies, and introductions, coaches and players must give a convincing demonstration that they intend to leave the court as winners.

Just before the players take to the court, the coach calls the players together and gives the last advice and orders.

During the Game

In the early stages of the game, a coach must determine if the players are capable of accomplishing the game plan. The coach also evaluates each player to determine their physical and emotional readiness. The coach must also determine the other team's strengths and weaknesses and inform the players of any changes in game plan.

During the first game, the coach evaluates the physical and emotional readiness of each player and must decide to substitute or wait. A coach needs to let his/her players know that he/she has confidence in their abilities. In some matches, it may take the first game or longer before the team jells. The coach should never show that there is a loss of confidence in the team. The tactical plan should not be altered unless it definitely will not work.

Attitude is important. Both teams have a chance to win. A coach should not allow any player to give up, to stop trying for any ball. One player's lack of commitment will ruin the team's performance and morale. Volleyball is a game of momentum. A game is not over until the last point has been played. In most matches, a weaker team always has an opportunity to win. The players can only take advantage of this if they are prepared to make the sacrifices to do so. If a team believes it can win, then no matter what happens, it will have the team spirit and self-confidence to take advantage of any break down by the opponents. It is the responsibility of the coach to encourage and guide his/her team through these opportunities.

There are many critical points or psychological barriers that occur throughout the course of a game. The first barrier is from three to four points, the next from ten to eleven points, and the last from thirteen to fifteen points. It is very important at what point a team passes through these barriers. A coach must try to ensure his/her team passes through these barriers first. If the opponents are first, then a coach must encourage his team to fight back and get into the game. This can be accomplished by breaking the opponent's rhythm due to changing tactics, calling time-outs, making substitutions or delaying or speeding up the game. On the other hand, if a team has the initiative and momentum and is scoring point after point, that coach should not do anything to slow down his/her team. That coach needs to be careful so that his/her team does not lose the initiative, thus permitting the opponent to get back into the game.

System Variations

During the game, there will occur many situations which cannot be foreseen or effectively dealt with using the prepared team system. In these situations (due to the opponent's reaction tactics) a team needs to have different variations or improvisations of the basic system to combat the opponent's tactics with success.

As much as possible, these variations and improvisations should be consistent with the basic system used by the team and abilities of the players. These variations should be prepared in theory and practice and gradually these changes will become part of the overall team system. In addition, players need to be instructed on how to adapt their individual techniques to the opponent's offense and defense and be able to improvise on the court. The more experienced and skillful the players, the better they will be able to solve these situations successfully.

When to Call a Time Out or Make a Substitution

A coach should call a time out or make a substitution if:

• A team loses more than three consecutive points.
• The team becomes disorganized or confused or players are out of position.
• The team is psychologically upset or losing their morale.
• The opponents have changed their tactics with success.
• The team cannot carry out the predetermined game plan.
• The players are not reacting quickly to the opponent's tactics or not showing determination.
• A coach wants to stop the opponents rhythm or interrupt the flow of the opponent's game.
• The opponents have reached one of the psychological barriers first and his/her team is two or more points behind.
• A player is tired, injured, or has lost his/her concentration.
• A player does not follow the tactical plan or instructions.
• The coach wants to enter a substitute player with special skills or abilities to strengthen the front or back court play.

There are only two time outs permitted for each team in each game. A coach should not waste them. The coach should prepare notes prior to speaking to the players during a time-out. As soon as the time out is called by either side, the players should meet at the sideline. Everyone must listen. The coach should not tolerate quarrels, arguing between players, or discussion.

During the time out, the coach should be concise and constructive, not destructive. If the team or some players are playing badly, a coach should still find "something positive" to say. A coach should not describe in detail a team's or player's faults, rather a coach should provide instructions on how to improve a team's performance or player's techniques. Remember that players need advice that can be applied now, not a training session. if the team formation is wrong or needs adjustment, then the players should be told the changes and adjustments as quickly and briefly as possible.

The coach should aim to improve the team's performance by giving advice on how to enhance performance during a time out. A coach should not shout. A coach talks calmly and optimistically, giving advice or orders, reassuring the team and giving confidence. A coach who complains, becomes angry, or loses his temper is demoralizing to a team.

It is of great importance to a coach to find the personal approach to each player in relation to each player's type of personality. Depending on the game situations, a coach should try to relax the players in order to take the pressure off them or a coach may need to "light a fire underneath them" to increase the desire to win.

Finally the coach should check to see that the players use the advice or instructions given during a time out. If not, then substitute at once.

How to Substitute

As the coach watches the first six players, he/she must evaluate their technical and tactical performance as well as their attitudes and spirit. If a player does not give his/her full effort every play, that player will effect the overall team performance and a substitution must be made.

A coach should not change players if his/her team has the initiative and is scoring points. Follow the proverb, "Don't change a winning team." Often a coach tries to substitute and give reserve players a chance to play when the team is ahead and has momentum. Such a move can disrupt a team's floor chemistry and break the momentum causing a game to be lost. For the same reason, it is not useful to substitute players too often as the team can lose the flow of play and the players could lose their concentration or confidence. However, if a coach must substitute, young, inexperienced, and excitable players should not be used in critical or deciding moments. Rather, these players should be given their chance against a known weaker team or if the team has an insurmountable lead. This will permit these players to compete without added mental pressure and they will be able to demonstrate their skills. A coach should not replace these players after a mistake so as to not discourage them.

When a coach does substitute, the substitute should receive instructions from the coach and then enter the game under the prescribed rules of play. After the substitution has been made, the coach should tell the replaced player the reason for the substitution and offer some positive comment based upon the player's performance or instruction as to what the player should do to improve his/her performance.

Sometimes it is better that an essential player (captain, floor leader, experienced player, etc.) is not substituted for if that player is having problems. The substitute may have better technique but may harm the physical and mental psych of the player or upset the chemistry of the team.

Substitution of players is a difficult decision to be made by a coach. Often times, there just isn't enough time to weigh the advantages or disadvantage of a substitution that isn't planned. This is where a coach's experience and knowledge takes effect. For the younger coaches, remember that this experience and knowledge of when and whom to substitute most likely came from a previous mistake that is not forgotten by the coach.