Nikolay Markov
Imagine beach volleyball as a computer game; players are the on-screen avatars, but the coach is the “programmer” meticulously coding the strategy beforehand, a significant departure from indoor volleyball coaching. To offer fans a deeper insight into the dedicated, often unseen work of these mentors, our “Secrets of Coaching Success” series delves into the minds of Europe`s top beach volleyball coaches, uncovering their behind-the-scenes methods.
Latvian beach volleyball coach Aigars Birzulis, a celebrated figure in the sport, is featured in this installment. His teams have amassed numerous international medals across senior, junior, and youth levels, including a bronze at the London 2012 Olympics. Most recently, he guided Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina to a European Championship title at EuroBeachVolley 2022. Below is an excerpt from his interview.
What inspired your journey into beach volleyball coaching, and how does it compare to indoor volleyball coaching?
“I began coaching youth national teams in Latvia in the early 1990s, using beach volleyball during summers to maintain fitness. My formal entry into beach volleyball coaching was in 1997 at the inaugural junior European Championship in Dubulti, Latvia, where my male teams secured first and third places. While I once considered beach volleyball merely a variation of indoor volleyball, I now only partially agree. The key distinction lies in player motivation: indoor volleyball allows for player substitutions, whereas beach volleyball demands greater mental and physical resilience from its fixed pair.”
Your recent victory with Tina & Anastasija at EuroBeachVolley 2022 was a significant achievement. Could you share your feelings and experiences during that memorable event?
“It was an honor to be entrusted by the Latvian federation to coach our teams for the Nations Cup and European Championship, and I`m grateful for the opportunity. Tina and Anastasija, at that time without a coach, requested my assistance for the European Championship. Having previously coached them during their junior careers, I had a good understanding of their dynamics. This familiarity helped mitigate pressure, allowing us to collaboratively achieve an excellent result.”
Given that beach volleyball coaches often work directly for the player duo, how do you navigate the psychology of this unique relationship?
“A strong relationship with the players is fundamental; without it, achieving results is impossible. It`s crucial to understand each player individually and how they operate as a team. Cultivating positive relationships among all team members—from players to coach and vice versa—is paramount.”
Beach volleyball notably restricts in-game coaching, unlike indoor volleyball. What`s the rationale behind this rule, and would you advocate for a change?
“Beach volleyball has adopted many organizational aspects from tennis, some beneficial, others less so, such as prize money structures. To enhance the sport`s appeal and showcase higher performance, I believe coaches should be permitted to interact with players during matches. Coaches can significantly impact game dynamics, thereby elevating match quality, as demonstrated during the Nations Cup and various youth championships.”
Due to these restrictions, beach volleyball coaches often remain out of the public eye. Do you see this as a positive or negative for the sport?
“I consider this detrimental and believe it needs to change. It hinders the sport`s visibility. Like any athletic endeavor, it`s not solely the players who invest their time, effort, and passion; coaches do too, which is precisely why they are integral to the team. In fact, some coaches exhibit even greater passion than their players.”
You recently coached the Latvian women`s national team at the CEV Nations Cup, which presented a unique format. What was your experience like at this event?
“Firstly, I must commend the Austrian organizers for delivering such a superb event, distinguished by its enthusiastic spectators. Austria, famously since the Klagenfurt tournaments, consistently features top-tier DJs who cultivate an electrifying atmosphere. This environment encourages players to perform freely, which is crucial. In such a setting, every player and coach strives for excellence, making everyone feel like a winner.”
Finley Blackwood