Seven Questions Coaches Should Ask
How to Maximize your Player’s Experience

As the club volleyball season wraps up, your players are transitioning from months of intense competition to summer pre-season training. They’ve been exposed to different coaching methods, played alongside athletes from other schools, and absorbed various techniques. Now is the perfect time to evaluate what they’ve learned and how you can carry that progress into the next season. Here’s a practical guide to help coaches maximize their players' growth as they prepare for the fall season.

Why Evaluation Matters

Players have been exposed to different coaching styles, key phrases, drills, and mental strategies. Understanding what worked (and what didn’t) is essential to help you incorporate new ideas, refine your training approach, and build continuity. Not addressing these insights now could leave your team falling behind while others seize the opportunity to improve.

The Seven Essential Questions to Ask Your Players

Set up a formal evaluation process with your players to understand their individual experiences better. This will not only help you develop tailored plans for summer training but will also give the players a chance to reflect on their progress and set new goals. Here’s what to ask:

Ask the players to list the skills they feel improved most during the club season. For each skill, have them reflect on:

• Specific aspects of the skill they mastered.
• Key tips from their club coach or teammates that helped them grow.
• Drills that were particularly effective.
• Mental exercises they used to focus and sharpen their technique.

Why it matters: Understanding how a player improved helps you build on those strengths moving forward.

Ask the players to be honest about skills they still struggle with. For each skill, they should consider:

• Which aspects of the skill were most challenging.
• Suggestions that didn’t resonate or didn’t produce the desired results.
• Instructions they may have ignored or didn’t focus on enough.

Why it matters: Identifying these areas will help you fine-tune individual training plans and target weaknesses early.

Encourage players to suggest any drills they think would benefit the entire team.

Why it matters: Gaining insight into effective drills from other coaches can add variety to your own practices and keep things fresh.

Ask your players to reflect on a teammate they respected and why.

Why it matters: This not only highlights the qualities they value but also serves as an opportunity to reinforce the traits that create strong team dynamics.

This question must be answered constructively, with a focus on growth and improvement, not criticism. Ask the players to think about what specific behaviors created friction and how they handled it.

Why it matters: Addressing this early helps reduce future conflict and fosters a more cohesive team environment.

6. Did Your Coach Help Strengthen Your Mental Game?

Ask if the club coach introduced mental strategies that helped the players stay focused and confident.

Why it matters: Understanding the mental techniques players benefited from can help you reinforce or build upon those strategies.

7. Did Your Coach Hinder Your Mental Game in Any Way?

Encourage players to share any negative experiences and why they felt their mental game was compromised.

Why it matters: Feedback on how a player felt unsupported or misunderstood can help you adjust your coaching approach to ensure you’re meeting their needs.

Allow players at least three to four days to fill out the evaluation thoughtfully. Begin with senior players and schedule 30-minute individual meetings. Take notes and confirm any insights the player offers, ensuring they have ownership over the process.

Evaluating Responses

1. Insights on Skills and Drills

The goal is to identify which drills, techniques, and mental strategies worked best. By learning what helped each player improve, you can incorporate these practices into your own training sessions. Adapt what you learn from other coaches to suit your team’s needs.
 

2. Teammate Dynamics

Asking players to reflect on their teammates provides valuable insight into team chemistry. Use these responses to reinforce positive team dynamics and correct issues before they escalate into conflicts. Strong team culture leads to better performance on the court.
 

3. Mental Coaching

It’s important to understand what coaching strategies helped or hurt a player’s mental game. Tailoring your approach to accommodate individual needs will foster a supportive environment, allowing players to thrive mentally as well as physically.

Final Thoughts: Invest in Long-Term Growth

This evaluation isn’t just about wrapping up the club season; it’s about carrying the lessons forward. By understanding what each player learned and where they need more growth, you can create a summer training program that’s tailored, effective, and primed for improvement.

Remember: Every positive or negative experience becomes a learning opportunity. Encourage your players to embrace their successes and work through their challenges—this will set the stage for a strong pre-season and a successful year ahead.
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