What Players Wish Coaches Knew – Isabella's Perspective as a 16U Player - Episode #3
5/31/202610 min
What Players Wish Coaches Knew | Isabella’s Perspective as a 16U Player
What do players actually wish coaches understood?
In this episode of the Coach Chijo Podcast, Isabella shares her perspective as a 16U club volleyball player and talks honestly about communication, confidence, mistakes, pressure, and what truly makes a coach impactful.
We talk about:
• How different athletes respond differently to coaching
• What players are thinking after mistakes
• Why communication style matters so much
• How coaches can build trust and confidence
• Things coaches may never hear directly from players
• What athletes really want from their coaches
This episode is a valuable listen for coaches, parents, and athletes who want to better understand the player experience and create stronger relationships within sports.
JUST GO!
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsChijo· Host0:00
What's up, everybody? Welcome to the Coach Chijo Podcast, real conversations about volleyball, coaching, growth, and the journey behind it all. So let's get into it. Just go. So I'm Coach Chijo, and I have a guest with me, Isabella.
Isabella· Guest0:16
Hi.
Chijo· Host0:17
Yeah, so you're a volleyball player?
Isabella· Guest0:18
Yes.
Chijo· Host0:19
What age group do you play right now?
Isabella· Guest0:21
So for right now, I'm playing for a 16s team.
Chijo· Host0:24
Okay. So you're a sophomore in high school?
Isabella· Guest0:26
Yes.
Chijo· Host0:27
Okay, so I really am curious to know what players think about coaches.
Isabella· Guest0:32
Okay. Well, I mean, to start off, a good coach is always gonna be able to communicate with the player and be able to tell the player what they're doing wrong- Oh ... but in a certain manner to where they're not forcing it. So for an example, like, a coach isn't just gonna go up to a player and tell them, "You're not good at back row," and then just leave it at that.
Chijo· Host0:53
Yeah.
Isabella· Guest0:53
They're gonna explain, like, "Hey, maybe you can work on this specific area on back row- Yeah ... and to help overall, like, improve your performance." And I feel like that's so valuable in a coach specifically- Yeah ... 'cause that gives the player, like, self-assurance. Like, "Oh, this coach is gonna be watching what I'm doing and looking for these specific things."
Chijo· Host1:13
Mm.
Isabella· Guest1:13
I think also another huge thing with coaches is how they interact with the player, and not just like parent-player, 'cause I know some coaches may act more respectful, like, when the parent's there, and then different when a player's there.
Chijo· Host1:27
Oh.
Isabella· Guest1:28
They all have to be respected on all