How to Coach High School Volleyball

Your role as a high school volleyball coach involves more than teaching players how to bump, set and spike. You need to work with school administrators and parents on improving student grades while calling other coaches to set up exhibitions or scrimmages. In all of these tasks, you need to be a clear communicator, with a solid coaching philosophy.

Things You'll Need

• College squads
• Varsity coaches
• Club teams
• Athletic director

Instructions

Promote Strong Skills in Your Volleyball Squad

1. Coordinate with your school's athletic director to purchase volleyball supplies. Your team needs to have volleyballs, kneepads and other equipment to practice on a daily basis, as well as for hosting other teams. Your school may be able to work with sports equipment suppliers to get a group rate by purchasing supplies for other sports along with volleyball equipment.

2. Rotate potential players during tryouts to determine versatility and natural skills. You should utilize experienced volleyball players to test the blocking, serving and setting skills of young athletes. This rotation should take place after a few volleys, challenging players to adjust to new situations.

3. Stress the importance of hand positioning in hitting an effective serve. Many young players assume that the use of their closed hands will give them enough power to stymie opponents. Demonstrate the accuracy and power that is achieved when using a flat hand to strike the ball.

4. Schedule exhibitions with a variety of club teams and college squads to test your team's skills. You can use the speed and improvisational skills of experienced teams to coach your team on the need to make basic techniques second nature. Many college coaches and club managers like to demonstrate their skills while helping young players.

5. Create an off-season training program that utilizes plyometrics. This type of exercise isolates lower leg muscles to enhance explosiveness and jumping ability.

6. Manage your volleyball program by meeting with freshmen and junior varsity coaches on a regular basis. As a varsity coach, you have the right to determine the coaching philosophy and approach of every team in your program. Speak with fellow coaches about potential varsity players, off-season programs and game strategy.

Tips & Warnings

• Observe your high school's student body to find potential members of your team. Intramural sports often highlight the athletic ability of students who may be focusing almost entirely on schoolwork. Approach these students and discuss the benefits of playing high school volleyball.