The roles of a volleyball coach and a beach volleyball coach, while distinct, both highlight the critical importance of their leadership for team success. To provide fans with a deeper understanding of this role and firsthand insights into what makes a successful coach, I`m featuring accomplished European experts in my “Secrets of Coaching Success” series.
This seventh installment of the series spotlights Jetmund Berntsen, one of today`s most successful beach volleyball coaches, hailing from Norway. He guides the “Beachvolley Vikings” and, notably, the world`s top men`s duo: Olympic, World, and four-time European champions Anders Mol & Christian Sorum. Last year, Berntsen also led the Norwegian men`s national team to victory at the CEV Beachvolley Nations Cup in Vienna. Below is the full interview he shared with us.
Interview with Jetmund Berntsen
Q1: You recently won the CEV Nations Cup coaching the Norwegian men`s national team, which seemed like a unique experience. Could you share your thoughts on that competition?
A1: “I can sum it up in one word: AN AMAZING TOURNAMENT AND EVENT! It was truly something different, and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Vienna, coupled with Hannes Jagerhofer`s expertise, creates a fantastic combination. The organizers did an outstanding job! This format is really fun to play, and we hope it becomes an annual event. It also offered a great opportunity for more teams to compete on a larger stage. Undoubtedly, this experience will foster inspiration and motivation.”
Q2: There`s a growing trend of introducing more team competitions like the Nations Cup, Continental Cup, World Beach Games 4×4, and national leagues. Do you think this will enhance the importance of the beach volleyball coach`s role?
A2: “It`s positive to see more competitions emerging, provided they are professionally organized. This means more platforms to showcase our sport and involve more players. We still need to continuously improve all competitions so that more players and coaches can pursue this as a profession. Some countries already boast excellent national beach tours, which are crucial for the sport`s growth. The world circuit will always remain our most vital stage. If we can collectively enhance it, we`ll have a product with sky-high potential for both players and coaches.”
Q3: When coaching a beach pair, do you prioritize improving each player`s individual skills or enhancing their interaction and chemistry?
A3: “I believe both are vital, and naturally, it depends on the players` level and age. When forming teams, our initial focus is on how well they collaborate. To excel at the top level in a team sport, the most crucial aspect is how effectively you can empower your teammates. Chemistry is indispensable because you spend so much time together, both on and off the court, without substitutions. It simply has to work!”
Q4: What`s something about the beach volleyball coaching profession that you feel the general public largely overlooks?
A4: “Well, we sometimes practice with our opponents the day before we play them! 😉
Everyone I meet tells me how lucky I am to travel the world, enjoying beautiful cities and sunny beaches. What they don`t realize is that we are away from home and family for 250 days a year, working constantly, even when we are back home. It`s not just a job; it`s a 24/7 lifestyle. And it`s not always sunny on the beach! But I`m not complaining…”
Q5: What do you consider the key to your coaching success thus far?
A5: “Being curious, asking questions, involving the players, and striving to build a cohesive team. Being open-minded. Engaging in daily discussions with players, coaches, parents, and kids.
Working with just two players would be too monotonous for me. Building a team with multiple players, both boys and girls, alongside a dedicated coaching staff, offers so much more. When I`m not with the senior teams, I frequently assist with the talented youngsters at ToppVolley Norge. Indeed, our lives revolve around volleyball and beach volleyball.”
Q6: Do your family connections with players and staff play a role in this success?
A6: “When I discuss my role as a coach, I always use `we.` Kare and I have been integral to this project from its inception. We collaborate exceptionally well, leveraging each other`s strengths effectively, not only with our top players but also with emerging talents. We also contribute to the girls` program and are part of the beach program at ToppVolley Norway. For us, this isn`t just a job; it`s a way of life. With so much family involvement, everyone becomes a part of it, whether they initially intended to or not.
Fortunately, my entire family shares my passion, even my dog Kiara plays high-level volleyball (check out @kiarathevolleydog on Instagram). I admit my wife sometimes thinks it`s a bit much, but so far, so good! We all share the same interest and spend time together as families during training camps and tournaments. My children, Mathias and Frida, are on the team, and Kare has three of his – Hendrik, Anders, and Markus – with two more, Adrian and Melina, involved in youth national teams for both indoor and beach volleyball. And yes, we`re still happily married with amazing wives who perfectly balance everything!”
Q7: What is the most important lesson you try to instill in your players?
A7: “To win games! That`s why we engage in sports, to compete and win, isn`t it? We aim to have a lot of fun and maintain a relaxed yet focused approach to our work. The primary lesson for all players is to train diligently, be prepared, and always give their best. Beach volleyball is a sport full of dynamic situations, so teaching them to quickly recognize these situations and select the correct solutions is crucial. Many skills require practice, and the overarching principle is high-quality training. Every ball practice session should incorporate fun, competition, achievements, and valuable learning for the coach.”
Q8: Do you have a role model coach, either from beach volleyball or another sport, whom you admire and follow?
A8: “I don`t have any specific role models. I simply strive to be the best I can be. I`m aware of my strengths and constantly seek innovative ways to improve. I adopt ideas from the best coaches I know, then assess how I can implement them and perhaps even refine them further. Every coach, across different sports, has valuable insights to share, and it`s always enriching to discuss and evaluate various approaches.”
Q9: How do you unwind and recuperate outside of your professional commitments?
A9: “It`s challenging to step out of the `beach bubble` with my entire family deeply involved. However, we have two large dogs. Walking them with my wife Anette in the woods is effective. A nice dinner and a glass of red wine also help. Exercising myself also energizes me; I enjoy interval running or playing my second-favorite sport, badminton. I`ve heard Alexander Horst is a decent badminton player, and I`d genuinely love to beat him!”
