Leadership is something every team needs for success, but it’s not always easy to define or develop. We cannot say do this and do that and you will be a great leader for your volleyball team. However, here are some tips to help you move in that direction.
Tip #1: Be a model player
A leader does not need to be the best player on a team, but he does need to represent its ideals. This is mostly about attitude and effort. Leaders arrive on time and follow team rules, written and unwritten. They work at least as hard as everyone else. They don’t whine or whine, but get on with what needs to be done. Leaders don’t make excuses. They also respect the coaches and everyone else associated with the team. I could go on, but I think you probably get the idea.
All of this may seem like something that isn’t part of on-pitch leadership, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. It is the basis for being the person that the other players look at when it comes time for the competition. A leader doesn’t just show up on game day and everyone follows him. They earn that right by what they do in training, in meetings, during strength and conditioning work, basically every facet of being part of the team.
Tip #2: Communicate
You don’t need a loud voice and a constant stream of chatter to be a good leader, but you do need the ability to communicate with teammates. Speaking is the most obvious example of this, and all leaders must be able to speak at the right time and in the right way for the circumstances. However, communication can come from a look, a pat on the back, or a gesture. It’s about staying connected with teammates and making sure everyone is on the same page.
Tip #3: Put the team first
You can’t be a good team leader and a prima donna at the same time. A strong leader focuses on the team’s goals, not their own. Even if he is the best player, a leader keeps the focus on the team, not his own performance. They don’t let their own success or failure individually affect how they interact with their teammates, knowing that it is the success of the team that is important at the end of the day. This is perhaps the most difficult part of leadership on the pitch, as we all tend to get caught up in the way we play, especially if we are struggling. A good captain puts that aside for the good of the team.
Think about the word respect and how someone earns it. That will go a long way toward understanding what you need to do to be a good on-court leader for your volleyball team. Leadership begins with respect. Everything else is built from there.
