Email Campaign Archive

Improving Consistency

-By Dave Cross


A Question for Dave:

I have a question that must match the frustration
of about 99.9% of coaches (the other .1% fell
asleep during the poll)

We have a couple of girls on our team who play
great the first match in a day and then the next
match it looks like they forgot how to play. I get
that some of it has to do with the talent level on
the other team but…it goes beyond that and while I
would like to say it is typically the first match
they are good in and then the next one they are
tired or something, that is not always true.

Have you come up with a conversation or coaching
technique that you have used to work through this?


Dave's Reply:

If the fluctuation in their play is significant
enough, and happens quite a bit, then it is simply a
matter of focus and pre-match preparation.

I am assuming you are talking about varsity level
players here, also. We all know the younger they
are, the more inconsistent they are-although I
still feel focus and preparation for the match
play a role even then.

I suggest you get them on a consistent pre-match
routine, in terms of when they start warming up,
etc. I would also monitor what they are eating,
and when they are eating it between matches.

Using the "Focus Circle" I have wrote about
many times will help, too. (It's in the members
area in a few places-it's also in the "special
report" you received when you first joined us.)

I would also make sure they are aware that it is
simply "not ok" to be so inconsistent and that
there is no reason for it. They are in control of
their state-of-readiness when the match begins-so
they are responsible to their teammates, coaches
and themselves to make sure they are ready.

If nothing else works, when you see them starting
out a match as they typically would when they are
going to play poorly-get them out of there. Get
them to understand that starting the match ready
to go is not optional - but their playing time is.

They also need to understand that every chance to
perform carries the same significance. Many times,
players will put more importance on a certain
match than they do others. Sure, this is a natural
reaction to who the opponent is, but that doesn't
mean it is acceptable.

Get them to understand that they need to have
pride in their focus and effort each time they
step on the court. Also, they need to understand
that each game, each match, only comes once-and
once it is gone, they will never get the chance to
go back and change what happened out there. Ask
them to think about how they want to be thought
about by the opposing players and coaches, their
own teammates and coaches, and the fans in the
stands. Do they want to respected for their effort
and focus, or looked down upon as not being "into it"?

Coach: Everything I have mentioned comes down to a
"sense of urgency" to do their best at every
opportunity-to not "throw away" a chance to do
this because they weren't "ready to go".

Pride in their performance, and how it is perceived
by others, leads to this sense of urgency, and will
bring out the effort and focus needed to do their best.


Good luck!

Dave Cross
National Director
Yes I Can Volleyball