With increasing focus on player well-being in volleyball, mental toughness has become a key area of development. The ability to execute skills under pressure, bounce back from errors, and maintain composure during crucial points can determine match outcomes.
Understanding Pressure
What creates pressure in volleyball:
Close scores: Deuce situations where every point feels enormous.
Serving at key moments: Match point serves or serving to stay in the set.
Error recovery: Playing after making a costly mistake.
External pressure: Crowds, championships, scholarship implications.
Mental Skills Training
Breathing techniques: Controlled breathing calms the nervous system before serves and crucial plays.
Pre-serve routines: Consistent routines anchor attention and build consistency.
Visualisation: Mental rehearsal of successful execution in pressure situations.
Self-talk: Replacing negative thoughts with constructive internal dialogue.
Building Resilience
Next ball mentality: Each rally is independent. Focus on the present, not past errors.
Body language: Project confidence even when things aren't going well.
Team support: Picking up teammates reinforces collective mental strength.
Process focus: Control effort and execution, not outcomes.
Creating Pressure in Training
Consequence drills: Points matter - losing means running or other consequences.
Deuce situations: Practice playing from 24-24 scenarios regularly.
Time pressure: Add constraints that force quick decisions.
Fatigue: Practice crucial skills when tired to simulate match conditions.
Key Coaching Points
- Mental toughness is trainable through deliberate practice
- Pressure in practice prepares players for pressure in matches
- Breathing and routines provide practical tools for composure
- Next ball mentality prevents one error becoming many
- Team culture supports individual mental strength
