The unseen work that builds team chemistry and competitive edge
Not every athlete will be the top scorer, the team captain, or the one in the spotlight — and that’s okay. In fact, the best teams are built not just around talent, but around players who lead quietly, show up consistently, and make others better. These are the role players — and they’re often the glue that holds the team together.
In youth volleyball and other team sports, embracing a role player mindset can turn frustration into opportunity, build leadership, and elevate overall team performance. This blog explores how athletes can lead without starting, shine without stats, and make a real impact no matter their role.
1. Understand Your Role — and Own It
Every team has limited starting spots. That doesn’t mean a player on the bench or in a supporting role is less important. Coaches look for athletes who are reliable, coachable, and ready when called upon.
Role player responsibilities often include:
– Coming in with energy when the team is flat
– Supporting starters from the sideline with focus and communication
– Filling in with confidence, not hesitation
– Mastering specific tasks: serving, defense, calming the team under pressure
Owning your role doesn’t mean accepting less — it means committing fully to the opportunities you do have.
2. Find Other Ways to Lead
Leadership isn’t about being loud or having the most kills. It’s about how you carry yourself when no one’s watching.
Ways to lead as a role player:
– Be the most focused athlete in practice
– Celebrate others’ success loudly and sincerely
– Be the first to pick someone up after a mistake
– Stay ready. Mentally and physically. Every. Single. Point.
Coaches and teammates notice players who make the team better without needing attention — and those players earn more trust (and often, more playing time).
3. Develop a Resilient Mindset
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re not playing as much as you’d like. But the strongest athletes use that time to build mental toughness and long-term discipline.
What mentally tough role players do:
– Focus on effort, not ego
– Train with the same intensity as starters
– Ask coaches for feedback and apply it immediately
– Control what they can: attitude, preparation, consistency
This mindset not only builds better athletes — it builds better people.
4. Improve Where Others Aren’t Looking
When you’re not in the spotlight, you have a rare advantage: you can sharpen skills without pressure. Use that time.
Smart ways to grow your game:
– Work on volleyball IQ (watch film, study rotations, learn every position)
– Perfect your serve or serve receive — high-value, low-ego skills
– Develop vocal leadership — call out tips, seams, and coverage
– Stay game-ready so when your number’s called, there’s no drop-off
Players who treat practice like competition close the gap between bench and starter faster than anyone expects.
Conclusion
Role players aren’t just “filling space.” They’re often the pulse of the team. They bring energy, keep the bench locked in, and set the tone for culture. They show what it means to lead with humility and compete without entitlement.
Being a role player today doesn’t mean being one forever. Many of the best athletes in the world — in volleyball and beyond — started their careers on the bench.
You don’t need to be the star to be a leader. You just need to show up like one.
Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg. Luc has been coaching volleyball for 30+ years with athletes of all age classes and all abilities. He has developed most of the training techniques used by VISION coaches and is responsible for the coach development program at Volleyball Winnipeg. For more details on our Coach Resources, click here.