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As the captain of a volleyball team, you have a significant responsibility for the success of the team both on and off the court. Below are some tasks and responsibilities that captains often have.
Responsibility for the behavior of the team
The captain is responsible for the behavior of all players on the team. This means ensuring that all players behave properly and respectfully towards their opponents, referees, and teammates on and off the court. A captain must set a good example and address inappropriate behavior by teammates.
Representing the team at the toss
At the start of the match, the captain represents the team at the toss. This determines which team gets to serve first and which side of the court they start on. The captain is the person called upon by the referee. The visiting team always gets to make the choice first: field or serve? This used to be decided by a coin toss.
Signing the match sheet
Before and after the match, the captain must sign the match sheet. This document contains important information about the match, such as the names of the players, the final score, and any penalties for violations. The captain must verify that all information is correct and sign the document on behalf of the team.
Requesting explanations for decisions made by the referees
If the captain – or someone else on the team – disagrees with a decision made by the referee, they can request an explanation from the (first) referee. The captain must do this in a respectful manner and cannot be aggressive. This is an important skill for captains because they need to be able to communicate with referees while keeping their own emotions in check.
Requesting timeouts and player substitutions
If the coach is not present, the captain can request timeouts and player substitutions. This means that the captain is responsible for the tactical aspect of the game. The captain must carefully consider when the team needs a timeout and which players need to be substituted to achieve the best result.
As a captain, you are responsible for the behavior of your team, representing the team at the toss, signing the match sheet, requesting explanations for decisions made by the referees, and requesting timeouts and player substitutions. It is an important role that should not be underestimated and can often be decisive for the success of the team.
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The captain is also often the point of contact for the team. The captain ensures that there are substitutes for matches, schedules team meetings, and communicates with the match secretary when a match needs to be rescheduled. There are also captains who make sure that the team has fun, whether it’s sending cards on birthdays, providing champagne at the entrance of the new year, or organizing team outings. Every captain is a captain in their own way. The most important thing is that you enjoy being a captain and fulfill this role with enthusiasm and positivity!