Volleyball Risk Management

"Life is about the management of risk."

People are risk averse so make choices to avoid risk, which compromises winning. Know that many games, including volleyball, involve both skill and luck. A range of outcomes are possible. 

Risk matters for volleyball. Control risk. 

What increases risk? 

• Impaired focus degrades performance. 
• Overconfidence. Overconfidence produces 'trap games'. 
• Playing through injury. Shorter-term availability may risk longer-term unavailability. 
• Unfavorable lineup combinations and inexperience risk poor play.  
• Playing less favorable actions could mean back row hitting, setter dumps, more opposite attacks. Team analytics define risk. Do more of what works and less of what doesn't.  
• Lack of depth might be costly, e.g. having only one setter.
• With the revised playoff format, a weak schedule may increase risk of lower seeding and an earlier 'out'.    

Lessen risk

• Avoid excessive emotion. Don't get too high or too low. 
• Have a well-conceived game plan. Your coaches guide you. 
• Get consultation. Coaching isn't only about sport but psychology. 
• Train players for backup roles. Redundancy matters in engineering, science, and sports. Engineers create backup systems. The body has two eyes, two ears, paired lungs and kidneys, and collateral 'overlapping' circulation. 
• Ankle braces can reduce injuries. Mouthguards reduce concussions. 
• A strong culture with player leaders and maturity reduces risk of player violation of team rules and chemical health violations. 

Lagniappe. Risk identification.