Understanding the nuances between coaching indoor and beach volleyball is key, but the fundamental importance of the coach remains constant for team success. To offer fans a deeper look into the coaching profession and learn directly from accomplished European coaches, this series, “Secrets of Coaching Success,” explores the insights of leading figures in both disciplines.
This seventh feature focuses on one of today`s most successful beach volleyball coaches, Norway`s Jetmund Berntsen. He guides the Beachvolley Vikings, notably coaching the top-ranked men`s pair globally – Olympic, World, and four-time European champions Anders Mol & Christian Sorum. In the past year, Berntsen also steered the Norwegian men`s national team to victory at the CEV Beachvolley Nations Cup in Vienna. Here are more excerpts from his interview.
Continued from Part 2
The recent CEV Nations Cup win with the Norwegian men`s national team was a unique experience. Please share your thoughts on that competition.
“I can sum it up in one word: AMAZING! This event felt different, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The combination of Vienna and Hannes Jagerhofer proved fantastic; the organizers did an excellent job. It`s a fun format to play, and we hope it becomes an annual fixture. It also provided a significant platform for more teams to compete, which is sure to inspire and motivate.”
With the rise of team competitions like the Nations Cup, Continental Cup, World Beach Games 4×4, and national leagues, do you see the coach`s role in beach volleyball becoming even more significant?
“More competitions are a positive development, provided they are run professionally. They offer more venues to showcase our sport and encourage more participation. We still need to enhance all competitions so that more players and coaches can sustain a living from the sport. Some countries already boast strong national beach tours, which are vital for growth. The world circuit will always be our premier stage. If we can collectively improve it, the potential for both players and coaches is limitless.”
When coaching a beach pair, do you prioritize enhancing the individual skills of each player or improving their interaction and teamwork?
“Both aspects are crucial, and the focus certainly depends on the players` level and age. When forming teams, we first observe how they interact. To compete at the highest level in a team sport, the ability to elevate your teammate is paramount. Chemistry is indispensable because a pair spends immense time together both on and off the court without substitutions. The partnership simply has to work!”
What is something about the beach volleyball coaching profession that you believe the general public knows little about?
“We sometimes practice with the very opponents we`re scheduled to play against the next day! 😉
“Many people tell me how lucky I am to travel the world, enjoying beautiful cities and sunny beaches. What they often don`t realize is that we are away from home and family for around 250 days a year, and we are constantly working, even when we are home. It`s less a job and more a 24/7 lifestyle. And contrary to popular belief, it`s not always sunny on the beach…! But I`m not complaining.”
What do you consider the key to your coaching success thus far?
“Staying curious, asking questions, involving the players, and striving to build a cohesive team… Being open-minded… Engaging in daily discussions with players, other coaches, parents, kids… Working solely with just two players would feel too repetitive for me. Creating a team environment with multiple players, both male and female, alongside a coaching staff, provides so much more. When I`m not with the senior teams, I assist the talented young players at ToppVolley Norge whenever possible. Yes, volleyball and beach volleyball define our lives.”
Jetmund Berntsen on the podium after Norway`s Nations Cup victory.
Do your family connections within the players and staff contribute to this?
“When I speak about myself as a coach, I invariably say `we.` Kare and I have been partners in this project from the beginning. We collaborate exceptionally well, leveraging each other`s strengths to the fullest, not only with our top athletes but also with emerging talents. We also support the girls` program and are part of the beach program at ToppVolley Norway. For us, this is more than a profession; it`s a shared lifestyle. With so much family involved, everyone becomes part of it, whether they initially intended to or not… Fortunately, my entire family shares this passion, even my dog Kiara plays some impressively high-level volleyball (check out @kiarathevolleydog on Instagram). I admit my wife sometimes feels it`s a bit much, but we manage! We share the same interests and our families are together during training camps and tournaments. I coach my children Mathias and Frida, and Kare coaches his three sons – Hendrik, Anders, and Markus – with two more (Adrian and Melina) in the youth national teams for both indoor and beach. And yes, despite this, we are still happily married to amazing wives who balance everything perfectly!”
Family photo at the 2019 World Tour Finals in Hamburg.
What is the most important thing you try to impart to your players?
“To win games! Competing and winning is the essence of sports, isn`t it? We strive to have a lot of fun and be relaxed while still focusing on the task at hand. The primary lesson for all players is to practice diligently, be prepared, and give their utmost effort. Beach volleyball is a sport full of varied situations, so teaching them to quickly recognize these situations and choose the optimal solutions is crucial. There are many skills to hone, and high-quality practice is the single most important factor. Every practice session with a ball should ideally incorporate fun, competition, opportunities for achievement, and something valuable for the coach to observe and learn from.”
Jetmund Berntsen and Kare Mol celebrating with Olympic champions Mol & Sorum at Tokyo 2020.
Is there a coach, either from beach volleyball or another sport, whom you admire or view as a role model?
“I don`t follow specific role models. I simply aim to be the best I can be. I understand my strengths and constantly seek new ways to improve. I glean insights from the best people I know, considering how I can apply their approaches and perhaps even enhance them. Coaches across various sports have valuable experiences to share, and I appreciate discussing and evaluating different perspectives.”
How do you unwind and recharge outside of your professional life?
“It’s challenging to fully escape the `beach bubble` with my whole family involved. But I find solace in walking in the woods with our two big dogs and my wife Anette. Enjoying a nice dinner and a glass of red wine helps too. Personal practice is also energizing for me – I enjoy interval running or playing my second favorite sport, badminton. I`ve heard Alexander Horst is quite good at badminton, and I`d certainly relish the chance to try and beat him!”
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood