What is your reason for playing volleyball, going to practice, leagues or tournaments?

When you come up with an answer, ask yourself "WHY?" 3 more times and write them all here so you can get to the core of it.

This answer will be COMPLETELY different for everyone. Some are here for health. Some are here to escape stress. Some are here for the battle. Some are here to win medals. 

We've opened this assessment with the most difficult but most important question because it will dictate the rest of your answers. Take time and care with this first doozy of a question.

EXAMPLE:

Because it's fun.

Why is it fun?

Because my friends play.

Why do you want to do what your friends do?

I like feeling part of the group. I enjoy the feeling of community.

Why do you like the community feeling?

I think its important to feel connected to people so that we have people around who can support us and be there for us.

NEW ANSWER - I like supporting people and being supported

Name one to three of your favorite volleyball players, athletes or coaches.

Next to each name, write some of their personal mental, emotional or social qualities that you admire. This is not the place to write about physical skills or attributes.

What mental or emotional attributes are you most proud of? These are your mental / emotional / social superpowers.

What mental or emotional attribute do you want to improve the most? What type of mentality or consistent internal feeling do you want to turn around or seriously upgrade?

What is one positive physical action or skill that you know and promise you can always bring to your team?

This is what you fall back on to do well when maybe nothing else feels right.

How do you "get your mind right" before a practice or a match?

Listen to music?

Beat your chest?

Focus in a quiet area?

Talk, joke, and keep it light hearted?

What is the the best way for your teammates to support that?

If you were in a high pressure situation, (you're winning 15-14 in the 3rd set of the Manhattan Beach Open) and you know the other team is going to serve to you...

What should your partner do or say before the point? Be exact with words, posture and actions.

("Silence" or "Nothing" is a perfectly ok answer"

Close your eyes and visualize it to find out.

If you were in a high pressure situation, (you're losing 14-15 in the 3rd set of the Manhattan Beach Open)  and you know the other team is going to serve to you...

What should your partner do or say before the point? Be exact with words, posture and actions.

("Silence" or "Nothing" is a perfectly ok answer"

Close your eyes and visualize it to find out.

What volleyball game situations do you LOVE to be in? Tight games? Big leads? Big deficits? Fans for you? Mean hecklers?

Best Pick-Me-Up: What is the best thing to do for you when you are in a slump or had a string of errors? 

What is the worst thing to do for you when you are in a slump, had a string of errors or you're not feeling confident?

Think back to past experiences and  the words or actions that have really upset you or thrown you off your rhythm.

What is your biggest turn off at a practice or a match?

What is a word, phrase, posture or action that will immediately make you not want to be there or would just sour your mood?

What volleyball game situations do you HATE to be in right now? Tight games? Big leads? Big deficits? Fans for you? Mean hecklers?

What physical attribute or skill (be very specific) is your greatest strength?

What physical attribute or skill do you most want to improve right now? This is important because it allows your partner and coach to direct their feedback in order of importance. i.e. If you only care about getting better at hitting hard and you miss a cut shot, your partner shouldn't waste their energy giving you feedback on your cut shots.

Do you like when your partner coaches you?

If yes, how much is too much? Set an upper limit of "Coach Comments" per practice or match.

If no, you are unsure, or it depends... when are the best and worst times for your partner to do it?

Practice tonality out loud. What tone should your partner use? What words are best to lead with?

Take a minute to write down any concerns or worries that you have about yourself, your season, your partner, your team or your situation.

Once you have them, find a way to schedule a talk or a meeting where you can put your fears and concerns on the table.

This might seem like it can be dangerous but talking about your doubts in yourself or the people around you is the fastest way to fix them. The ONLY way to make it better is to address it.

Make sure you subscribe to our emails on the next page so we can send you your printable results.

Look at this page before your next few practices and matches and start intentionally applying your new tools.

MAKE SURE YOU SHARE THIS TOOL WITH YOUR PARTNERS, TEAMMATES AND COACHES!

JUST WRITE "OK" HERE