Cheer for a Teammate
Attitude
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to actively encourage teammates after mistakes and successes with positive words.
What you need
- volleyball
Your focus
A positive attitude starts with how players respond to others around them. Young athletes who learn to cheer for teammates , regardless of the play outcome , build an inclusive team culture and reduce fear of failure. USA Volleyball IMPACT identifies positive attitude as one of the foundational character skills that enables athletes to grow.
Coach introduces the concept: 'Great teammates cheer for each other, win or lose.'
Players pair up. Partner A attempts to pass a tossed ball 5 times.
Partner B must cheer for EVERY attempt, hits or misses, using positive phrases ('Good try!', 'You've got it!', 'Nice hustle!').
After 5 passes, partners switch roles.
Coach debrief: How did it feel to be cheered for? Was it harder to cheer after a miss?
Helpful cues
- Cheer loudest after a mistake, that's when it matters most
- Use your teammate's name when you encourage them
- Positive words are a skill, just like serving
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Give players a list of three approved cheer phrases to choose from.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Expand to groups of four; cheering player must also track and call out what their partner did well technically.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.