What defines a good game model?
This is a question that has been constantly on my mind as I’ve worked to develop a game model for volleyball. In this article, I want to share my thoughts on what makes a game model truly effective.
What is a Game Model?
First, let’s briefly review the basics.
A game model is a blueprint for how a team intends to play a match.
It acts as a guide for the team and a shared map that every player must have in their mind. It dictates how the team will operate in every phase of the game—whether in serve, reception, attack, or defense.
Is There Such a Thing as a “Good” or “Bad” Game Model?
Having reviewed the definition, I’d like to explore the criteria for judging a game model.
While I was in the process of creating a game model for a youth volleyball team, I always wanted to build a “good” one. At the time, my criteria were still vague, but I felt strongly that it should be something timeless and resistant to the ever-changing trends in the sport.
As I delved into various books, I came across one that provided a crucial insight: “How to Create a Practical Game Model, Even With Zero Playing Experience,” written by a high school history teacher who successfully created and implemented a game model for his school’s football club. It’s a book full of lessons, and a single phrase from a discussion with the one of Japanese coaches, Maiki Hayashi, truly resonated with me.
The “Unstoppable, Even When Anticipated” Game Model
During the conversation about game models, Maiki Hayashi said something that instantly clicked:
A good game model is one that still wins even when the opponent knows what you are going to do. When your opponent knows what you’re doing, it also means you can anticipate their countermeasures.
A great game model allows you to stay one step ahead.
This simple yet profound statement was the missing piece for me.
It suggests that a good game model is like having a core playbook or fundamental principles that are so solid they are difficult for opponents to stop.
While an unconventional strategy might work in a one-off tournament, in a league where you face the same opponents multiple times, the team with a solid, predictable playbook will likely win in the end.
A game model that becomes a fundamental truth for your team—a strategy that works even when the opponent has studied it—this is what defines a good game model.
A Game Model Isn’t Built in a Day
So, how do you create a game model that becomes a core part of your team’s identity?
For someone like me, who had not yet fully created a game model, the only answer was clear:
You must create it, implement it, and then refine it.
It’s a continuous cycle of trial and error.
To begin, you must first create a prototype, even if it’s not perfect. You have to put it on paper and share it with others. The only way to improve is by taking action.
As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Neither is a game model.
