Frustrated Libero Making Preventable Mistakes During Competition

Question
Hi, so I've just currently been selected as libero/ back court defence specialist for my state team, but the problem is I have been really off in my passing lately.

I pass fine when I'm at trainings but during games my control just isn't there, there's 4months until competition so I was wondering if you have any suggestions to calm the on court nerves and improve the quality of my pass?  

Also what's is your opinion in terms of using a rebound/reflex ball to help with improving reflexes even further?

Any suggestions would be awesome, thanks.

Answer
Good morning!
Welcome to allexperts.com.  It's great to hear from you.

When I was playing volleyball, I would have bad days as well.  But I KNEW that I could do it.  I KNEW that I had the skills.  Therefore, I would keep talking to myself about how to fix whatever I was doing what.  

Sometimes, it wasn't me doing wrong; but, it was the opponent whose tough serves or sizzling spikes were creating my errors.  Then.....oh well.....the only way to fix it would be to try to anticipate or get a head start on the attack.  Or just get back in the gym and practice more.  Or maybe I'd never be able to pass that ball.  :(   Maybe there are certain 100 mph hits and serves that I'm physically incapable of returning.  Oh well.

But there are very hits/serves that are impossible to return.  Your situation is very similar to what mine used to be.  I knew those serves were pass-able, b/c I'd done it 1000 other times.  I knew those tips were diggable.  I KNEW those spikes were diggable b/c I'd done it 1000 times before.  

Now I'll answer your question.  What do you do?  (a) You must remain strong & confident.  You must not doubt your abilities.  Even, after an hour, if you are still not playing at the level you KNOW you can, you must say to yourself, "I can do this".  You CANNOT crash/burn, b/c if you do, then you're not only taking yourself out of the game (and right to the bench) but you're also hurting your team.  (b) You must also try try try to figure out what you're doing wrong.  Is it your feet?  Is the angle of your platform?  Are you not reading the hitter correctly?  Are you being lazy?  Did you not sleep enough last night?  Did you not eat breakfast or lunch? If you can fix them, then DO SO!  And if it's sleep or food, then FIX THAT as well.  If you refuse to fix them, then I guess volleyball isn't as important to you as you tell everyone. (c) And sometimes, the opponents are just too good.  You need to accept that.  You won't pass and dig everything.  No one ever has.  The women on the Olympic team get aced, don't make digs, pass frees over the net, etc.  

But, regardless.....you MUST remain confident.  You MUST believe in yourself!  Your coaches and teammates need to see determination in your face. Not frustration.  They need to see that you're trying to fix the problems.  Not that you've given up.  

YOU CAN DO IT!!  You must believe that.  

Please visit me sometime at www.coachhouser.com.  You won't see a single person who passes/digs perfectly!  :)   But you will see a lot of happy people, who love the game and work very hard at it.  Thank you again for contacting me.

Coach Houser