Imagine beach volleyball as a video game; the players are the on-screen characters, but the coach is the mastermind, the programmer who meticulously crafts the game`s very essence beforehand. This highlights a fundamental distinction between indoor and beach volleyball coaching. To shed light on the dedicated, often unseen efforts of these sand-based mentors, my series, Secrets of Coaching Success, delves into the minds of Europe`s top beach volleyball coaches, extracting their invaluable insights into the intricacies of their craft.
Birzulis on the Nations Cup podium with the Latvian women’s national team
This segment of the series features Aigars Birzulis, a distinguished Latvian beach volleyball coach. His extensive career boasts numerous medals across senior, junior, and youth international competitions, notably an Olympic bronze at London 2012. More recently, he guided Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina to a European Championship title at EuroBeachVolley 2022. Below is the comprehensive interview he shared.
Question: What inspired your career in beach volleyball coaching, and how do you compare it to coaching indoor volleyball?
Aigars Birzulis: My coaching journey began in the early 1990s, leading Latvian youth national teams. We incorporated beach volleyball into our summer training to maintain fitness. The inaugural Junior European Championship in Dubulti, Latvia, in 1997, where our male teams secured first and third place, marked my entry into beach volleyball coaching. While I once considered it merely another form of indoor volleyball, I now see significant distinctions. The core difference lies in player motivation: in indoor volleyball, you can substitute players, but in beach volleyball, you cannot. This demands greater mental and physical resilience from beach volleyball athletes.
Question: Reflecting on your recent EuroBeachVolley title with Tina and Anastasija, what were your feelings and thoughts during that triumphant moment?
Aigars Birzulis: I was deeply honored when the Latvian federation invited me to coach our teams for the Nations Cup and the European Championship, and I extend my gratitude to them. Tina and Anastasija, being without a coach at that time, requested my guidance for the European Championship. Having previously coached them during their junior careers, I understood their dynamic well. This familiarity alleviated any pressure, allowing us to collaboratively achieve an excellent outcome.
Question: Given that beach volleyball coaches often serve as employees of their player duos, could you elaborate on the psychological dynamics of this unique player-coach relationship?
Aigars Birzulis: A strong coach-player relationship is paramount; without it, success remains elusive. It`s essential to understand each player both individually and as an integral part of the team. Fostering positive relationships among all team members—from players to coach and vice versa—is crucial for effective collaboration.
Celebrating Tina & Anastasija’s continental title in 2022
Question: Coaching during beach volleyball matches is typically prohibited, unlike in indoor volleyball. What is the rationale behind this rule, and would you advocate for its change?
Aigars Birzulis: Beach volleyball has adopted many organizational aspects from tennis, some beneficial, others less so—for instance, the prize money structure. I believe that to enhance beach volleyball`s appeal and showcase its true potential, coaches should be permitted to interact with players during matches. A coach`s real-time input can significantly alter game dynamics and elevate the overall quality of play, a fact demonstrated during the Nations Cup and youth championships.
Question: The current rule often keeps beach volleyball coaches out of the public eye. Do you see this as beneficial or detrimental to the sport`s growth?
Aigars Birzulis: I view this as detrimental and believe it warrants reconsideration. It hinders the sport`s visibility. Like any athletic endeavor, beach volleyball thrives not just on player dedication, but equally on the coaches` investment of time, effort, and passion. Coaches are integral team members, and occasionally, their passion even surpasses that of the players.
Question: Could you share your experience at the recent CEV Nations Cup, where you coached the Latvian women`s national team? It was a unique event.
Aigars Birzulis: Firstly, I must commend and thank the Austrian organizers for putting together such a superb event, graced by an incredible audience. Austria, I believe, has consistently provided the best DJs since the Klagenfurt tournaments, cultivating an exceptional atmosphere. This liberating environment is vital, as it encourages every player and coach to perform at their peak, ultimately making everyone feel like a winner.
