Conversation with AI about “game model” and “playing principles” in volleyball

▶︎Gemini: Effective phase division for setting volleyball playing principles varies depending on the team’s game model and preferred playing style, but generally, the following five main phases can be considered.

1. Serve:
   • Purpose: To disrupt the opponent’s defense and prevent them from initiating an attack, or to aim for a direct point.
   • Elements to consider: Type of serve (jump serve, floater serve, etc.), course, speed, spin, target player, etc.
     
2. Reception / Serve Receive:
   • Purpose: To stably connect the opponent’s serve to the setter and lead to an effective attack.
   • Elements to consider: Positioning, body orientation, prediction of ball’s landing spot, accurate ball control, priority to the setter, etc.
     
3. Dig / Receive:
   • Purpose: To pick up spiked or blocked balls and connect to attack chances.
   • Elements to consider: Positioning, low stance, reaction speed to the ball, accurate ball control, covering, etc.
     
4. Set / Toss:
   • Purpose: To deliver the ball to the easiest hitting spot for the spiker at the appropriate time.
   • Elements to consider: Type and position of spiker, opponent blocker’s position, attack intention (quick, delayed attack, etc.), accurate fingertip usage, rhythm and timing, etc.
     
5. Attack / Spike & Block:
   • Purpose: To score a point.
   • Elements to consider:
     • Spike: Course selection, power, technique (faint, push, etc.), block-out, judgment of opponent blocker’s situation, etc.
     • Block: Prediction of opponent spiker, timing of jump, hand shape and placement, commit block or read block, etc.

In addition to these main phases, transition phases (offensive-defensive switches) like the following are also important:

• Actions after gaining service right: Transition from reception to attack, blocker placement, etc.
• Actions after losing a point: Quickly switch mindset and prepare for the next play.
• Defense after failed attack: Blocker’s return, receiver’s positioning, etc.
• Attack after successful defense: Ball supply to the setter, spiker’s approach start, etc.

When setting playing principles, it is effective to specifically define what judgment should be made and what action should be taken in what situation for each of these phases.

(Omission)

By subdividing phases in this way and setting objectives for each phase, along with specific action guidelines (playing principles) to achieve them, players can execute consistent team play without hesitation during a match.

Furthermore, it is also effective to further subdivide these phases or set playing principles that place more emphasis on specific phases, according to the team’s tactical characteristics and players’ abilities.

For example, a team that primarily uses quick attacks would set playing principles that place more emphasis on the speed of the ball and the accuracy of the course in the “Set” phase.

▶︎Gemini: That’s excellent! That five-phase division clearly captures the offensive and defensive cycles and transitions in volleyball, and I think it’s very effective for setting playing principles. It’s well-suited for considering the team’s objectives in each phase and the specific action principles to achieve them.

Let’s delve deeper into each phase.

1. Service Phase:
   • Purpose: To disrupt the opponent’s defensive organization, destabilize their attack initiation, or score a direct point.
   • Focus of Playing Principles: Selection of serve type, course, speed, timing, risk management, awareness of opponent’s weaknesses, etc.
     
2. Serve Defense Phase:
   • Purpose: To stably handle the opponent’s serve and transition into a smooth attack from a high-quality reception.
   • Focus of Playing Principles: Receiver positioning, clear prioritization, accurate ball control, awareness of the setter, communication, etc.
     
3. Reception Offense Phase:
   • Purpose: To build an effective attack starting from a high-quality reception and score points.
   • Focus of Playing Principles: Setter’s judgment and toss quality, spiker’s approach and course selection, battle with blockers, utilization of combination plays, etc.
     
4. Attack Defense Phase:
   • Purpose: To effectively block and receive the opponent’s spikes and regain offensive possession.
   • Focus of Playing Principles: Blocker positioning and jump timing, hand placement, receiver positioning and covering, coordination between block and receive, etc.
     
5. Transition Offense Phase:
   • Purpose: After defending the opponent’s attack, quickly reorganize and transition into an effective attack.
   • Focus of Playing Principles: Ball supply to the setter after a receive, spiker’s quick approach, judgment to exploit gaps in the opponent’s defense, diversity of attack options, etc.

This five-phase division is very logical for clearly separating offense and defense and for capturing the flow after offensive possession changes. Specifically, it clarifies the flow of offense and defense starting with the serve (Service Phase and Serve Defense Phase), attack starting with reception (Reception Offense Phase), defending the opponent’s attack (Attack Defense Phase), and transitioning from defense to offense (Transition Offense Phase).

By setting playing principles based on this division, the team’s overall tactical understanding will deepen, and it will become clear what role each player should play and what judgments they should make in each phase.

Furthermore, in practice, performing drills that focus on each of these phases will cultivate more practical skills and judgment.

It is extremely important to specifically define the playing principles within these phases according to the team’s characteristics and desired playing style when building a game model. This five-phase division will be an excellent starting point for that.

▶︎Gemini: Wow, I’m truly happy to hear you say that! Thank you very much.

Now, regarding your proposal for the process of setting playing principles, I think it’s excellent! It truly feels like an ideal progression, transitioning from coach-led to player-led as the team develops.

[At Team Start: Coach’s Presentation]
As you mentioned, when a team is just starting out or has many new members, it is highly effective for the coach to present a clear set of basic action guidelines, or initial playing principles, that embody the team’s desired game model.

• Fostering Common Understanding:
  Sharing the team’s basic philosophy and what to prioritize in each phase at an early stage prevents misalignments between players and promotes smooth coordination.
  
• Guidance for Action:
  Players gain a standard for judgment and how they should move, allowing them to play with confidence.
  
• Efficient Learning:
  By initially demonstrating the coach’s intended play, players can form concrete images more easily and learn the team’s tactics efficiently.

At this stage, it’s best to present principles that are not overly detailed, but rather focus on fundamental concepts in key phases or the values the team wants to cherish most. For example, starting with relatively universal and easy-to-understand principles like “Aim for the course that makes the opponent uncomfortable on serve” or “On reception, return the ball to where the setter can move easily” might be effective.

[After Common Understanding Permeates: Player-Led Construction] Then, once a certain common understanding has permeated the team and player communication has become active, the process of players themselves participating in discussions and self-organizing playing principles while respecting functional systems is a wonderful approach that will further accelerate the team’s growth.

• Increased Autonomy:
  When players are involved in deciding playing principles, their sense of ownership over the team increases, and they become more proactive in their play.
  
• Deeper Understanding and Acceptance:
  Principles that are discussed, thought through, and created by the players themselves will deeply penetrate each player’s mind, allowing them to practice them with conviction.
  
• Adaptability to Situations:
  The incorporation of perspectives and feelings from players who are actually playing increases the likelihood of creating more functional playing principles that are better suited to on-field situations.
  
• Team Cohesion:
  The process of players cooperating and discussing among themselves towards achieving goals is an extremely valuable experience for strengthening team unity.

At this stage, the coach will play the role of a facilitator, guiding the direction of discussions and offering objective perspectives. It will also be important to support players in deriving more effective playing principles based on analysis of past matches and characteristics of opposing teams.

Self-organizing playing principles is certainly not an easy process, and it may take time. However, by going through this process, a team can evolve from merely a group that follows the coach’s instructions to an organization that autonomously thinks, acts, and grows.

I strongly believe that this phased approach is a very logical and effective method for fostering team growth and player autonomy. Thank you for your wonderful proposal!

Gemini: Yes, you’re right, as the category and level increase, creating a match plan tailored to the opponent becomes extremely important. I will explain the difference between playing principles and match plans as concretely as possible.

[Playing Principles]
Playing Principles are the core action guidelines for a team. They are the fundamental ideas that the team should consistently value, regardless of the opponent or situation. These represent the team’s identity and philosophy and serve as a decision-making standard for players when they are unsure.

(Omission)

[Match Plan (Game Plan)]
On the other hand, a Match Plan is a game-by-game strategy that outlines exactly how to fight against a specific opponent to win, based on an analysis of that opponent’s characteristics and weaknesses. While built upon playing principles, it adjusts specific tactics and player roles within each phase to match the opponent’s strength and tendencies.

(Omission)

To use an analogy, playing principles are like a “compass” for a voyage. They constantly show the direction to proceed and serve as fundamental guidelines to return to when lost. A match plan is like a “nautical chart” for a specific voyage. It shows the optimal route (tactics) to reach the destination (victory), considering the characteristics (strengths and weaknesses) of that sea area (opponent).

As the category and level increase, opponents also study your team, so always fighting the same way becomes ineffective. Therefore, having a flexible match plan tailored to the opponent, while building upon established playing principles, is key to victory.

You can think of playing principles as the team’s unchanging core axis, while a match plan is a variable strategy for each match.