How One Drill Can Change You
Every year, at about two and half months into spring training every year, I introduce a drill to the girls that requires teamwork, perseverance, and following simple instructions. The girls must complete this drill perfectly before we can work on other things.
The rising 9th graders have to complete 60 repetitions of pass and the varsity and junior varsity athletes have to complete 100 repetitions of pass. Once they complete that, they do another set of 60 or 100 repetitions of sets. There are 3 simple rules: the girls are required to call the ball before they touch it saying “mine!” and they all have to say together which number of the repetition they’re on--1, 2, 3 and so on until they get to 60 or 100. They also must only utilize the skill they’re assigned--either platform or hands. If they fail to do any of these things they have to start over. They go back to the very beginning of the drill.
Because of their athletic skill levels, the girls should be able to do this drill pretty easily from a physical/ fundamentals standpoint. So, the main problems the girls face have to do with working together as a team, pushing through frustration, learning how to move forward after making multiple mistakes, overcoming obstacles, and keeping their energy up enough.
They often forget to focus on the task at hand because they get too distracted by their emotions, impatience, and their desire to just be done with the whole thing. This drill teaches the girls how to direct their attention to the drill’s rules so they can do what they’re supposed to do. They have to pay attention and be mentally disciplined or the drill will fall apart and they will have to start all over again.
I tell the girls, “You can quit coming to me and you can quit volleyball. But we’re not moving on until we reach this goal.”
There is a lot of room for improvement for each girl individually and as a team member. Doing this drill and learning how to accomplish a goal while navigating the problems they face will help the girls succeed in all areas of life, for the rest of their lives. Succeeding in this drill, and learning the lessons this drill teaches them will move them toward a greater ability to excel on the court and off.
They may not yet realize how beneficial this drill is for them as athletes and in other roles and responsibilities, but I realize it. It’s my job to instill this work ethic and a sincere commitment to excellence, perseverance, and teamwork. It’s my job to help the girls learn how to bounce back from making mistakes. I want them to experience failure. We all fail. But failure isn’t the end of the story.
It usually takes multiple tries to follow all of the instructions, complete the drill, and reach their shared goal. After the girls have attempted to do the drill correctly several times, they are jubilant when they finally reach their goal. When they experience success after experiencing several mistakes, they are so happy and proud of themselves and each other for persevering and completing what they set out to do.