Cultivating Healthy Competitiveness in Volleyball: A Mindset Shift for Success

Time out on a volleyball game.

As a volleyball player, you have an undeniable drive to win. You train hard, push yourself, and strive for excellence in every game. But somewhere along the way, you may have found yourself constantly comparing your skills, achievements, and even your physical attributes to those of your teammates and opponents.

If you've ever felt discouraged when another player outperforms you, or if your self-confidence fluctuates based on how others are doing, you’re not alone. This habit of comparison can drain the joy from the game and add unnecessary pressure, ultimately affecting your performance.

But here’s the good news: you can break free from this mindset and use competition in a way that fuels your growth rather than diminishes your confidence. Let’s explore how adopting a healthy competition mindset can transform your volleyball journey.

Redefining Success: It’s About Personal Growth

The first step in developing healthy competitiveness is shifting your perspective. Instead of defining success as “beating others,” focus on your own progress. Success should be about improving your serves, perfecting your footwork, or increasing your reaction speed—not just winning against an opponent.

By setting personal milestones, you take control of your journey. Each match becomes an opportunity to test your growth rather than a competition that determines your self-worth.

Using Competition as a Motivator, Not a Measure of Worth

Competition is powerful when approached with the right mindset. Facing strong opponents should inspire you to train harder, refine your skills, and learn from each experience.

Instead of letting a loss shake your confidence, analyze what you can improve. If a teammate excels in a particular aspect of the game, study their technique, ask for tips, and apply what you learn.

This approach transforms competition from something intimidating into an opportunity for self-improvement.

Practicing Gratitude and Learning from Others

Journaling helps to focus on what is important for you.

Healthy competitors know that success is not a solo journey. Practicing gratitude for your own abilities while acknowledging and respecting the achievements of others creates a positive mindset.

When you appreciate the growth of your teammates, you build a stronger, more supportive team dynamic. Instead of seeing their success as a threat, view it as inspiration to elevate your own performance.

By embracing a healthy competition mindset, you will:

✅ Develop unshakable confidence in your abilities.

✅ Experience a renewed sense of motivation in your sport.

✅ Stay focused on your own journey, instead of being distracted by comparisons.

✅  Become more resilient in the face of challenges.

True success isn’t about surpassing others—it’s about

becoming the best version of yourself.

A Lesson from an Elite Athlete: Simone Biles

Gymnastics athletes at practice.

A great example of healthy competition is Simone Biles, one of the most accomplished gymnasts in history. Despite facing intense competition, Biles focuses on her own progress, setting personal goals and using competition as a motivator—not as a measurement of her worth.

She once said, “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.” This quote reflects her commitment to personal growth and carving her own path, rather than simply trying to surpass others.

Her mindset has allowed her to break records and win multiple Olympic gold medals while maintaining a positive and healthy relationship with her sport. Like Biles, you too can harness the power of competition in a way that elevates, rather than limits, your performance.

Ready to Take Your Mindset to the Next Level?

Mindset is everything.

This is just one chapter from The Art of The Game: Volleyball Mindset, a book designed to help young athletes develop mental strength, resilience, and a winning mindset on and off the court. If you're serious about leveling up your game, grab your copy today on Amazon and start mastering the mental side of volleyball!

Click here to get your copy now!

Your journey to becoming a mentally strong, confident, and unstoppable volleyball player starts now. Are you ready?