6 Most Important Factors That Make a Great Volleyball Player
You probably have your own ideas as to what makes a great volleyball player. But in our opinion, a great volleyball player must possess certain traits, know certain things, and also be able to execute these things consistently.
Here are 6 of the most important things that every great volleyball shares in common.
Enthusiasm
We believe that there is no factor more important than enthusiasm in becoming a great volleyball player. This is because without enthusiasm a player will remain stagnant and never improve – more importantly, they will never want to improve.
While it’s true that some players are naturally better at volleyball than others, time and time again we’ve seen that the more enthusiastic player who is willing to put the time and effort into getting better, will soon overtake the player who possesses the more natural ability. Without this enthusiasm, it’s hard to find the motivation to improve.
If someone gets excited at just the thought of playing volleyball, then we know that they will put the work in and do what it takes to improve their game, both in team training sessions and alone through the use of volleyball training equipment and aids. This includes mastering their technique, improving their physical fitness, and understanding the game – all of which we talk about below.
Great Technique
Whether we’re talking about volleyball, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, getting the fundamentals and correct technique down is key. With the correct technique, everything suddenly becomes that much easier.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t any exceptions. Over the years, there have been some very fine professional athletes who have a non-textbook, unique technique, but they are very much in the minority.
Physical Fitness
There’s no doubt that volleyball is a sport that can take a lot out of you and therefore requires you to be in excellent physical fitness. This includes great endurance and stamina so you can count on your body to have the energy to make those all-important plays in those dying moments; as well as explosive speed to get to the ball, and a strong vertical leap to become dominant at the volleyball net.
Mental Toughness
When you’re out there on the court and make a mistake, there is nowhere to hide. Some players let that one mistake affect them for the rest of the match and perhaps even beyond. Others are able to put it behind them and move on as if nothing happened. Others, still, are able to use the mistake as motivation to play even better on future points.
Every great volleyball knows that mistakes are inevitable, they happen to even the best in the world. But it is how they respond and what they do next that determines how great they can be.
Understanding of the Game
A great volleyball player doesn’t necessarily have to possess as much knowledge as the coach. But having a solid understanding of the game will always be an advantage, and give a player an edge over others.
Knowing which play to execute in which situation can be the difference between winning and losing the point. Knowing your own teammates’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to spot them in the opposition can also be invaluable.
Positive Influences
A positive environment is so important to help develop a player to be the best they can be. Supportive parents, friends, coaches, clubs, and any other person, people, or organization can really help positively influence a player.
Remember, that it isn’t necessarily any one of these factors alone that guarantees that a volleyball player will be great. Physical fitness by itself, for example, doesn’t make a player great, even if they are able to maintain their energy from the first whistle of the game to the last. Instead, it is the combination of all these factors that separate a volleyball player who is merely good from one who is great.