How to Choose and Buy Volleyball Coaching Books That Improve Your Team
Why Volleyball Coaches Should Invest in Books
Good coaching starts with good learning. Here are reasons why every volleyball coach should develop their own library:
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Ways to Increase Tactical Knowledge – Learn offensive systems, defensive systems, and practice plans developed by coaches at the highest level of the sport.
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Ways to Improve Execution of Skills – Books provide descriptions and step by step instructions for teaching correct technique for serves, passing, and hitting.
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Ways to Improve Mental Coaching – Understand how to improve team confidence, concentration, and resiliency.
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Ways to Keep Current – Coaching develop over time. Books provide opportunities to stay ahead of the curve with new techniques.
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Ways to Learn from the Best – A large number of the most recognized volleyball books in the game have written by Hall of Fame coaches and Olympic trainers.
Top Areas Addressed in Volleyball Coaching Books
When you purchase volleyball books, identify content that address a variety of coaching needs:
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Fundamental Skills – serving, passing, setting, hitting and blocking
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Tactical Systems – rotation, serve receive patterns, plays
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Practice Planning – organizing drills, timing and structure of sessions, etc
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Team Management – communication, leadership, team culture
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Youth and Competitive Coaching – adapted methods by level of play
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Mental Game – motivation, focus, pressure, sports psychology
Best Volleyball Coaching Books to Purchase
Here are some of the most popular books recommended by coaches and players alike:
The Volleyball Coaching Bible - Vol. 1 & 2
A complete guide with perspectives from over 20 coaches. Discusses everything from team dynamics to advanced game planning.
Coaching Volleyball Technical and Tactical Skills
A good book if you are a new or developing coach, it offers a step by step organization in helping you coach many of the core volleyball skills and tactics.
The Art of Coaching Volleyball
From the founders of the training site many coaches and players have access to, this book describes coaching methods, drills, and performance.
Mind Gym by Gary Mack
A good book for both individual athletes and coaches reviewed by coaches to build mental toughness – but not volleyball specific.
Winning Volleyball Drills
Contains 150+ game-tested drills for every skill and situation. A great resource to plan fun, useful and game-based practices.
Where to Purchase Volleyball Coaching Books
In the market for building your coaching library? These are your choices:
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Amazon – Lots of books, read the reviews, chose kindle or paperback
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Book Depository – Ships free anywhere in the world for those coaches from afar
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Human Kinetics – Sports and coaching content specialists
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Championship Productions – Home of coaching books, DVD's and bundles from coaching instructors with pro-level experience
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Local Bookstores – Get your coaching literature while supporting local, browse physical copies
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Libraries or Online E-book Platforms – Free or low-cost access available
Considerations Prior to Buying
Before you hit "add to cart" consider these bits of advice:
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Coaching Level: Are you coaching youth, high school or at an elite level? Ensure the book is appropriate for the audience you want to serve.
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Content Focus: Are you looking for technical drills, team leadership or in-game strategy?
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Author Experience: Always, support books that are authored by people who are, or have been successful in real-world coaching environments, and who have the credentials to back it up.
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Format: Will you read an e-book on your tablet or phone, or do you feel that a paperback is your preference to make notes and highlights?
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Budget: A few places offer bundles/deals or e-books for free where the purchaser is paying a subscription fee.
More than Books
Books are not the whole story. Use them with:
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Online video resources such as The Art of Coaching Volleyball
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Podcasts, and coaching platforms
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Practice planners you can print
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Coaching applications available to track stats and progress
Conclusion
If you want to be a great coach, you have to be a great learner. When you are investing in volleyball coaching books, you are investing in yourself and your development as a coach, and that of your players and team's development. Whether you are honing fundamental skills, or working on developing strategies at a high level, a good book is your most valued aide de camp, to both on and off the court.
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