18 volleyball awards for the calls, choices and practice work between points

A hitter may finish a point that began with someone else’s useful call or controlled touch. When choosing awards, look at the jobs around the ball as well as the final hit. A steady practice toss or a clear rotation check can be worth a specific thank-you.

First choose the team setting. Indoor roles may fit some examples below; beach pairs should skip roles they do not use. Then separate the routine from the decision: a repeatable serve setup is a different reason from a thoughtful serve target.

We wrote these titles and fictional sample sentences as planning ideas. They are not records of real players or tested award effects. Use your own observations in the free selection sheet and certificates.

Review contributions across the rally and practice

The Positive Coaching Alliance suggests rewarding effort and learning beyond results. That supports looking for a specific gain; it does not supply the original award names here.

Check each player, including newer teammates and those with fewer sets played. Ask another coach whether the example is a learned skill, help for a teammate or personal progress. More than one player can receive a broad skill award for different actions.

Avoid praise for playing hurt, body traits or attendance that depends on family plans. Keep private matters out of the script. A player should not need the loudest voice or most kills to have a true contribution recognized.

1. Serve Routine

Look for a player who uses a repeatable, coach-taught setup before serving.

Fictional example: “You checked the target and used the same setup in our last serving drill.”

Choose Serve Choice for the decision about where to serve.

2. Serve Choice

Look for a player who chooses a serve target for a clear reason.

Fictional example: “You aimed for the space we discussed instead of serving without a plan.”

Do not invent ace totals or reward force alone.

3. Passer Progress

Look for a player who improves control toward the agreed passing target.

Fictional example: “Your passes reached the practice target more often than when we began this drill.”

Describe what you saw; add numbers only if you kept a record.

4. Early Ball Call

Look for a player who calls for a playable ball before teammates converge.

Fictional example: “You called early and gave your partner room to pass.”

Choose Back-Row Guide for other useful information.

5. Setter Choice

Look for a player who chooses a workable option from the ball available.

Fictional example: “You used the safe option we practiced when the pass moved off target.”

Do not assume every player had chances to set in matches.

6. Clear Setter Call

Look for a player who makes the team’s agreed call at a useful time.

Fictional example: “You called the next option early enough for the hitter to prepare.”

Choose Setter Choice when the decision itself is the reason.

7. Hitter Coverage

Look for a player who moves into the taught support spot after a teammate attacks.

Fictional example: “You stayed ready behind the hitter so our group could play the next ball.”

Use this for support, not a made-up count of saved rallies.

8. Approach Progress

Look for a player who improves a coach-taught approach at a controlled pace.

Fictional example: “You used the new starting mark and arrived ready in our hitting drill.”

Do not make jump height or body size the award.

9. Block Read

Look for a player who uses a taught cue to prepare for the block.

Fictional example: “You watched the set and moved to the spot we practiced.”

Reward reading and control, not reaching into unsafe play.

10. Back-Row Guide

Look for a player who shares clear information while teammates track the ball.

Fictional example: “You called the open space while your teammate watched the ball.”

Choose Early Ball Call for taking responsibility for the ball itself.

11. Rotation Ready

Look for a player who checks the indoor team’s assigned starting place before play.

Fictional example: “You checked our lineup and asked about your next spot before the whistle.”

This is for indoor team tasks; do not apply a six-player rotation award to beach pairs.

12. Ready Substitute

Look for a player who understands the coach’s next task while waiting to enter.

Fictional example: “You checked the role change and were ready when the coach called.”

Do not give extra credit just for having more playing time.

13. Steady Practice Partner

Look for a player who gives a partner useful, controlled practice balls.

Fictional example: “You kept the tosses steady while your partner worked on footwork.”

Choose Welcoming Partner for bringing someone into the group.

14. Welcoming Partner

Look for a player who includes a new or quiet player in a shared task.

Fictional example: “You invited the new player to join your warmup pair.”

Name the action rather than guessing how the other player felt.

15. Feedback in Play

Look for a player who tries a clear correction on the next suitable turn.

Fictional example: “You changed your starting stance after the coach’s cue.”

Choose Passer Progress or Approach Progress for change across sessions.

16. Rally Reset

Look for a player who gets ready for the next point after a mistake.

Fictional example: “You checked the next job with your partner after the missed serve.”

Do not praise hiding pain or distress.

17. Shared Ball Care

Look for a player who handles and returns shared balls as the team was taught.

Fictional example: “You checked the ball count with our group and returned them to the cart.”

Adults still own equipment checks; avoid turning cleanup into a condition for recognition.

18. Fair Play

Look for a player who shows respect in one clear match moment.

Fictional example: “You accepted the call and got ready for the next point.”

Keep it about the observed choice, not a claim that the player never gets upset.

Make the final sentence fit the volleyball job

Read the award aloud without the title. Can a listener tell what the player did? “Gave the passer a clear call” names a task; a broad claim about being the best does not. Check the example with a coach and avoid assigning an indoor role that the player’s team never uses.

Confirm the chosen name, spelling and public or quiet preference before printing. Arrange delivery for anyone who misses the gathering. Keep the specific thanks even when the handoff happens one-to-one.