Mental Toughness Training: How I Grow Your Confidence and Mental Game

Unlock your volleyball potential with Coach April's mental toughness training. Learn pro strategies to stay calm under pressure and outperform the competition.

In the world of elite volleyball, physical skills are just the beginning.

As a private volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience training top-tier athletes, I've seen firsthand how mental toughness separates good players from great ones.

My name is Coach April, and I'm here to share how my unique approach to mental toughness training can transform your volleyball game.

1. Pressure is Part of the Game:

Whether you're serving for match point or defending against a powerful hitter, volleyball is a high-pressure sport.

Being mentally tough helps you perform your best, with self confidence and technical consistency when it matters most.

2. Quick Recovery is Crucial

In volleyball, points can change hands quickly.

The ability to bounce back after committing an error quickly is super important, and that's where mental resilience comes in.

3. Focus Determines Performance:

With so much happening on the court, maintaining your focus is challenging but critical.

Mental toughness training sharpens your ability to concentrate on what truly matters.

4. Confidence Fuels Success:

Belief in your abilities can make or break your performance. My mental toughness training builds unshakeable confidence that translates directly to on-court success.

1. Individualized Assessment:

I start by identifying your unique mental challenges.

• Are you prone to self-doubt? 
• Do you struggle with how to handle pressure?
• Do you have a habit of saying "my fault" or "my bad" all the time
• Do you look down at the floor all the time after you make a mistake?

Once I pinpoint specific areas for improvement, I work on tailoring the training and my feedback to your needs.

2. Visualization Techniques:

I love visualization exercises because they worked for me as a high school, college and pro player.

I teach players to use visualization to prepare for high-pressure situations incorporating it in on-court sessions periodically.

By mentally rehearsing successful performances, you're better prepared when those moments happen in real matches.

3. Mindfulness and Focus Training

While on the court coaching basic skills I also address the topic of mindfulness and I talk about the importance of maintaining focus during high speed and faster paced drills.

I don't just work on improving technical skills but along with technique I help clients develop laser-like focus for extended periods of time which is useful during long rallies and extended plays.

You'll learn to tune out distractions and stay present in the moment, a crucial skill for high-level volleyball.

4. Positive Self-Talk Strategies

The way you talk to yourself impacts your performance.

I'll teach you how to reframe negative thoughts and use empowering self-talk to boost your confidence and performance.

5. Goal-Setting and Progress Tracking

We'll establish clear, achievable goals for both your mental and physical game.

Regular check-ins and adjustments ensure you're always moving forward.

6. Pressure Simulation Drills:

In our private sessions, I intermix low pressure with high-pressure scenarios that mimic game situations.

This controlled exposure helps you build resilience and confidence to perform better under real match high  pressure situations.

7. Emotional Regulation Techniques:

Volleyball is an emotional sport. I'll equip you with strategies to manage your emotions effectively, making sure you know how to have your emotions work "for" you and not "against" you so they help fuel your performance rather than hinder it.

Serving Under Pressure:

I love love love to coach serving and my clients are known to be some of the toughest servers on the court building a reputation for scoring aces in each set on whatever team they paly for.

Before coming to me many players struggle with serving when the game is on the line, when the score is tied at game point or when their team has to come from behind to win a set or a match.  

Through mental toughness training, you'll develop a pre-serve routine that centers you and boosts confidence, leading to more consistent serving in clutch moments.

Bouncing Back from Errors:

Mistakes are inevitable in volleyball. I'll teach you how to acknowledge errors quickly, learn from them, and refocus on the next point. This resilience is crucial for maintaining high-level play throughout a match.

Maintaining Focus During Long Rallies:

Extended rallies can be mentally draining. My training helps you stay sharp and make smart decisions, even when fatigue sets in.

Dealing with Intimidating Opponents:

When facing tough competition, mental strength is your secret weapon. You'll learn to focus on your game plan and performance, rather than getting psyched out by an opponent's reputation or physical presence.

Leadership Under Stress

For setters and team captains, mental toughness is especially important.

My training helps you stay composed and make smart decisions, even when your team is looking to you for guidance in high-pressure situations.

1. Pro Athlete Mindset:

As a former USA National Team member and international elite level professional player, I bring firsthand experience of high-stakes volleyball.

I know what it takes to perform at the highest levels, and I pass that knowledge on to you.

One of the things I can attest to is the power of being mentally and emotionally strong. 

I was a pro player in Italy for many years and not only that, I'm one of a very handful of American women who has played in the Division I championship finals which some have called one of the toughest matches to play in. 

During that time, I was on the USA national team but I hadnt played in an Olympics game yet. The other foreigner on our Reggio Emilia was Olympic MVP Paula Weishoff and on the other side there were other Peruvian Olympians playing against us. 

One of the things I knew I had to do was not worry about whether I had the right to be there. We had gotten all the way through quarterfinals then semifinals and then the finals and that was when I had to work extra hard to remember that I had every right to be there and that just because I wasn't an Olympian I still contributed to our team getting as far as we did.  

That year and that season we also made it to the finals of the Italian Cup championship finals and the CEV- European Championship finals ..three championship finals and every now and then there was this small doubt that entered my mind that maybe I wasn't enough and I needed to really focus on staying in the present and not thinking about or critiquing the past. 

April Chapple American Professional Player for Reggio Emilia Braglia Cucine passing with 3-time Olympian Paula Weishoff and Italian National Team member Cristina Boselli during the Division I Championship finals against 7-time Italian champions Teodora Ravenna.

I fully understand what it feels like to put pressure on yourself and question your abilities no matter how much you contribute to your team's success. 

2. Holistic Approach

Mental toughness isn't developed in isolation. I integrate this training seamlessly into my technical and tactical instruction, ensuring a comprehensive improvement in your game.

3. Customized Strategies:

As a longtime coach I know that no two athletes are the same but some can be similar.

I like to identify what makes players different and sometimes that isn't obvious to other coaches that you may have had. 

One of my strengths is seeing certain qualities in a player, that other coaches don't see and I identify personality traits that other coaches don't value in a player.

I've gotten that feedback year after year from satisfied players who keep coming back every summer so I can train them even when they're in college.

That's why I'm good at being able to tailor mental toughness strategies to your personality, playing style, and specific challenges.

4. Ongoing Support:

Mental toughness isn't built overnight. I provide continuous support and reinforcement, even outside of our scheduled sessions.

For my top tier clients I offer 24/7 availability which means if you're having a tough time during a tournament that you've travelled to you can text/call me and I'll talk down off the roof. If you're nervous or don't feel super confident about your serving or any other aspect of the game. 

Before tryouts for high school or club if you're feeling nervous I'll walk you through a visualization and relaxation session so you regain your confidence. 

5. Real-Time Feedback:

During matches and tournaments, I offer real-time mental coaching, helping you apply our training in actual competitive situations.

"Coach April's mental toughness training was a game-changer for me. I went from being a good player who crumbled under pressure to a confident athlete who thrives in big moments. It's been the key to my success in college volleyball."

"As the daughter of a former NBA player, I thought I understood mental toughness. Coach April took my mental game to a whole new level. Her strategies have been invaluable not just in volleyball, but in all aspects of my life."

1. Performance Metrics:

We'll track key performance indicators like serving accuracy under pressure, error recovery time, and decision-making in crucial moments.

2. Self-Assessment Tools:

Regular self-evaluations help you become more aware of your mental state and track improvements over time.

3. Video Analysis:

We'll review match footage together, focusing on body language, reactions to setbacks, and overall composure on the court.

Mental toughness isn't just for game day.

I'll help you develop daily habits that reinforce your mental strength with practices and routines like :

1. Morning Mindfulness:

Start your day with a brief mindfulness session to set a positive tone.

2. Pre-Practice Visualization:

Before each practice, visualize successful performances to prime your mind for peak training.

3. Post-Practice Reflection:

End each session with a brief self-assessment, celebrating successes and identifying areas for improvement.

4. Bedtime Affirmations:

Close your day with positive affirmations that reinforce your identity as a mentally tough athlete.

Mental toughness is the X-factor that can elevate your volleyball game from good to great. Ive been on the court when the most physically intimidating players are the first ones to break down mentally while the shorter less imposing players on the court are the toughest mentally. 

Through my comprehensive, personalized approach to mental training, you'll develop the resilience, focus, and confidence needed to perform at your best when it matters most.

I teach all my clients and players not to let mental barriers hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Don't let mental barriers hold you back from reaching your full potential. Invest in your mental game, and watch as it transforms not just your volleyball performance, but your approach to challenges in all areas of life.

Ready to build unshakeable mental toughness?

Contact me, Coach April, to start your journey towards becoming not just a physically skilled volleyball player, but a mentally unbeatable athlete.

Email me at info@improveyourvolley.com

Remember, in volleyball and in life, the mind leads and the body follows.

Let's train your mind for greatness.

ShareFacebookXPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp