The Secret of Team Chemistry
It’s not just between Coaches and Athletes

Another club volleyball season has come to an end, and as always, this time of year provides the chance for reflection. As I review feedback from our year-end surveys and talk with parents, coaches, and athletes, one theme keeps surfacing—team chemistry. However, we often focus on the chemistry between athletes and overlook another critical dynamic: the relationship between parents, coaches, and athletes. These relationships can make or break a team’s experience, especially in today’s highly competitive and high-pressure sports culture.

The Stress Behind the Scenes

As the season wraps up, I often hear from parents who tell me how different I seem—more relaxed, more at ease. It’s true. The stress of coaching, with all its emotional highs and lows, can take a toll on any coach, no matter how experienced they are. It’s not uncommon for coaches to be seen playing senior beach volleyball on a weeknight, completely at ease, free from the weight of competition and responsibility.

What many people don’t realize is how much thought and energy goes into coaching beyond the practices and games. Every decision—from who starts to what drills are used—affects a coach’s mental load. And yet, coaches continue to face negative feedback, sometimes harshly personal, from athletes and parents alike. I’ve received feedback from parents and athletes accusing coaches of being “insensitive” or “ill-prepared,” while the same coaches have received glowing praise from others in previous seasons.

The Real Challenge: Parent-Coach Chemistry

While we tend to think of team chemistry as something that exists between players, we often forget that the relationship between parents and coaches can be equally important. For every negative comment a coach receives, there are often whispers from parents at the sidelines, in the stands, or even in the car on the way home from practice. These side conversations can shape the overall atmosphere of a team and, in turn, affect the athletes’ perception of their coach.

Over the years, I’ve seen many talented coaches leave the sport because of the stress of dealing with difficult parents. When parents constantly question or undermine a coach, it can erode the trust between the coach and the athletes. This issue has become more pronounced as youth sports have grown more competitive, and the stakes have become higher. Fewer coaches mean fewer opportunities for kids to play—and that’s a reality we can’t ignore.

Understanding the Coach’s Role

Every coach I know goes into a season with one goal in mind: to help every player improve. We want to make each athlete the best volleyball player they can be, and that takes an immense amount of thought, planning, and care. We analyze every game, practice, and even individual player habits to figure out how we can help our athletes grow.
But despite all that effort, some parents and athletes may still feel dissatisfied. Perhaps they feel their child didn’t play enough, didn’t improve fast enough, or didn’t get enough one-on-one attention. These feelings are valid, but it’s important to remember that every decision a coach makes is about balancing individual development with the team’s overall success.

A Lesson in Commitment

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach young athletes is how to work through challenges. Sometimes, they won’t get along with their coach. Sometimes, they may feel frustrated with a teammate or the way things are going. These experiences mirror real life, where we often have to work with people we don’t always agree with. Teaching athletes to remain committed, even when things aren’t perfect, can help prepare them for future challenges in school, work, and beyond.

As parents, supporting this lesson is crucial. Instead of questioning every decision a coach makes, encourage your child to focus on their own effort and attitude. Help them see the bigger picture of being part of a team. These moments of frustration are not just about volleyball—they’re opportunities for growth, resilience, and learning how to navigate difficult situations.

A Personal Reflection

I still remember my own rides home after competitions when I was a teenager. My mom would listen to me rant about my coach and teammates for five solid minutes. Once I’d gotten it out of my system, she’d calmly ask me a few simple questions: “Do you like playing?” “Do you like most of your teammates?” “If you don’t, you don’t have to play. There are plenty of things you can do at home instead.” Her grounded perspective always helped me put things in context and reminded me of why I was playing in the first place.

Parents play a vital role in helping athletes keep that perspective today. After a tough game or a disappointing season, it’s easy to point fingers and place blame. But more often than not, it’s the chemistry between players, coaches, and parents that needs the most attention—not just the performance on the court.

Moving Forward

As we look ahead to next season, I encourage everyone—coaches, athletes, and parents—to reflect on the importance of team chemistry beyond just the players. A successful season isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about fostering an environment of trust, respect, and growth among everyone involved. And that’s something we can all work on, season after season.

Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg. Luc has been coaching volleyball for 30+ years with athletes of all age classes and all abilities. He has developed most of the training techniques used by VISION coaches and is responsible for the coach development program at Volleyball Winnipeg. For more details on our Coach Resources, click here.
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