How do we win game 1 of 3?

Question
I am a high school jv coach. We seem to have a hard time winning game 1 of a 3 game match. We have only won the first game one time all year. This makes it very hard to come back and win a match. Is there anything I can do in pre-game to prepare the girls for that first game?

Answer
Kelli,

Is it physical or mental?  If it is physical have them do a tough warm up.  Make sure they are in good enough shape so that they don't die at the end of the game.  We like to do run throughs and an off setter drill that has the girls while passing balls for about 8 minutes.  Before that we stretch and pepper and after we do hitting lines.  The fast warm up (I believe) will get their juices flowing and ready to start a game.

If it is mental you need to get them focused on the fact that they have the ability to win every game.  Some teams (mine included) sometimes do not belive they can play with the other team until they see that they can do it.....by that time it is 4-10 and too late.  Get them into drills at practice and start the drill at 23-27 (for a 30 point game) and play it out. (The starters are receiving with a score of 23).  The worst thing for your kids to do is believe they can't win.

Hope this was of some help.
Steve