“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”
– John Wooden
Youth volleyball coaches are more than just instructors—they are mentors, motivators, and role models. Developing them properly is essential to the long-term success of both athletes and programs. Whether you’re building a coaching pipeline or supporting new volunteers, the following essentials provide a powerful foundation for success.
✅ 1. Build a Personal Coaching Philosophy
Why do I coach?
What impact do I want to have?
How do I define success?
Encourage every coach to begin their journey by writing a coaching philosophy. This is their personal mission statement that reflects their beliefs, values, and approach to leading a team.
A clear philosophy:
Guides decision-making under pressure
Builds consistency in coaching behavior
Communicates vision to players and parents
Helps coaches stay grounded during wins and losses
🛠 Pro Tip: Offer a guided worksheet with prompts to help coaches articulate their philosophy (see template at the end of this article).
📚 2. Encourage Lifelong Learning & Endless Curiosity
The best coaches never stop learning. Foster an environment where curiosity is celebrated and growth is constant.
Ways to Encourage Daily Development:
Read one article or chapter a day
Reflect in a coaching journal
Watch high-level matches or training videos
Follow coaching accounts on social media
Attend webinars, clinics, or conferences
“What did I learn today that I didn’t know yesterday?” – Make this a daily question for your staff.
🎓 3. Host Bite-Sized Training Sessions
Coaching education doesn’t have to be long or formal. Short, focused learning modules can be highly effective.
Ideas for 20–30 Minute Presentations:
How to teach the 6 core volleyball skills
Basic offensive/defensive systems
In-game strategy: substitutions, timeouts, adjustments
Match-day preparation & post-game reflection
Navigating common rule misunderstandings
These can be delivered in-person, over Zoom, or even pre-recorded. Supplement with Q&A time and real-life scenarios.
🏐 4. Ensure Mastery of Fundamentals & Game IQ
A coach can’t teach what they don’t understand. Make sure your coaches are confident in both technical skills and tactical systems.
Essential Knowledge Areas:
The 6 Volleyball Skills: Serve, pass, set, attack, block, dig
Game Tactics: Transition offense/defense, reading the opponent
Match Coaching: Lineups, rotations, momentum shifts
Rules & Regulations: Common violations, referee communication
Consider providing a skills checklist or yearly curriculum guide that all coaches follow for consistency across your program.
📊 5. Hold Coaches Accountable Through Measurable Growth
Progress isn’t just for players—it’s for coaches too. Set standards and measure improvement over time.
How to Track Team Progress:
Conduct baseline tests (skill-based and written volleyball IQ)
Retest near the end of the season
Track player improvements: technique, decision-making, effort
Include feedback from player evaluations
Are your athletes better today than when they started?
This is one of the best indicators of coaching impact.
📂 6. Create a Coaching Resource Library (Physical & Digital)
Equip coaches with tools they can return to over and over.
Ideas for Your Coaching Library:
Books on leadership, volleyball, and youth development
Practice plans, drill sheets, and tactical breakdowns
Rulebooks and official guides
Access to recorded clinics or training videos
Shared Google Drive or Dropbox folders
Having both a physical shelf at your facility and an online portal increases accessibility and long-term value.
🫱 7. Build a Collaborative Coaching Culture
Training is more than information—it’s connection. Build a program culture where coaches learn from each other and grow together.
Ways to Build Culture:
Host monthly roundtables or Q&As
Encourage mentorship between veteran and new coaches
Celebrate coaching wins and personal development
Normalize talking about challenges and learning from mistakes
When coaches feel supported, they stay longer and coach better.
📝 Coaching Philosophy Template
Instructions: Answer the prompts below to begin crafting your personal coaching philosophy.
Why do I coach?
What are the most important values I want to teach my players?
How do I define a successful season?
What kind of coach do I want to be remembered as?
How do I handle adversity, wins, and losses?
How will I build relationships with players and parents?
What does “growth” mean in my program?
Once completed, condense your answers into a 3–5 sentence mission statement. Post it in your practice space, include it in team meetings, and revisit it every year.
When you invest in training your youth coaches with purpose and structure, you raise the standard of your entire volleyball program. These essentials aren’t just strategies—they’re seeds that grow into confident, capable, and caring leaders.
Let’s raise the game. One coach at a time.
This article was a collaboration with Terry, Liskevych, Co-Founder of The Art of Coaching Volleyball, and Briana Schunzel, JVA Director of Education and Partner Development. AOC is JVA’s coaching education partner and together they created the Club Management Guide Volume I and II, and co-host Coach Connection LIVE, and numerous virtual coaching clinics. Terry has been a top coach in the collegiate and international game for more than 50 years as well as a leader and innovator in volleyball education.
