The Game Teaches the Game

In the realm of sports coaching, the quest for an optimal learning environment is paramount. John Kessel, a longtime coach, FIVB Instructor, and retired USAV director of sport development, encapsulates this pursuit with a thought-provoking question:

"I ask you to critically think about any drill you see. Consider this question: Does the drill use the environment my players are going to compete and read and anticipate in?"

This probing question compels coaches to rethink the manner in which they train and structure practices, with the requirement to construct training settings as close to competition as possible. Such an approach prioritizes contextual learning in game-like activities over more traditional drill-directed practices. That is, "The game teaches the game."

Designing Effective Practice Environment

Incorporating game-like training during practices is crucial for replicating match-day energy (and stress). The simple use of a scoreboard or counting adds the component of consequence to any action on the court. I have seen players receive difficult serves perfectly in practice; one after another, perhaps twenty in a row without any mistake. The moment a scoreboard was added to the same drill, and the exercise turned into a competition between the server and a receiver, the perfect score of twenty suddenly dropped to ten, even five.

The same situation would repeat during ball-control drills. Tell your players to make pairs and perform controlled hits over the net without dropping the ball; no problem. But, tell them to make twenty (for younger/less experienced categories ten) controlled hits in a row without dropping the ball, and stress sets in. Some get it done on the first try, some get stuck on the exercise for 10 minutes.

Counting the score adds consequence. A point carries weight. You make a mistake, the other team scores. They drop the ball, your team scores. Everything has a consequence. Every action has a visible reaction. Like in a game. Every point counts. Every dropped ball adds to the final score.

The games you use in practice fall into two main categories: competitive and cooperative. As the names suggest, during competitive games, teammates are pitted against each other, competing to win. During cooperative games, they need to assist and help each other. You can even set up games that are competitive and cooperative at the same time - players on one side of the court cooperate to get the most touches without dropping the ball in 5 minutes, while competing against the players on the other side of the court who are trying to accomplish the same thing.

To set up these game-like drills, depending on the skill/tactics you want to work on as a coach, you can consider these variables:

1. Size of the court

2. Number of players

3. Number of touches allowed

4. Type of the last touch

5. Point weight

6. Wash games

7. Monarch

8. Overall score or time played

   
   

By playing in practice, you are letting your players experience game "pressure" every day, so they do not get overwhelmed in games. Coach them in practice with scoreboards and countings.

Embracing Game-Centered Training

By simulating match conditions, coaches can better prepare their athletes for the mental and physical demands of competition. This approach not only enhances technical skills but also develops crucial decision-making abilities and mental resilience. If each day there is a pressure in practice because of a score being kept, then game becomes yet another day; not an overwhelming event.

The use of scoreboards, time constraints, and competitive elements in practice drills creates a dynamic learning environment that closely mirrors real-game situations. It allows players to develop a deeper understanding of game strategies, improve their ability to read and anticipate plays, and cultivate the mental toughness required to perform under pressure. Moreover, playing competitive and cooperative games in practice fosters team cohesion while also encouraging individual growth. Your players become not only technically proficient but also emotionally and mentally prepared for the challenges of competition.

Lastly, by embracing the principle that "the game teaches the game," coaches can create a more engaging, enjoyable, and effective learning experience for their athletes. Playing games not only optimizes performance but also instills a love for the sport that extends beyond the court, fostering long-term athlete development and success.