In the modern world, sports have become an integral part of our lives. It not only helps maintain physical fitness, but also builds character, develops team spirit and discipline. One of the sports that is rapidly gaining popularity in our city is beach volleyball. This dynamic and exciting sport attracts the attention of both youth and adults.
MYNIZHYN journalists spoke with the coach of the beach volleyball section in Nizhyn, Pavel Hlushko. He shared his experience with us, told us regarding the peculiarities of this sport, as well as how volleyball affects the life and development of our young athletes and why some children are denied lessons.
— How long ago did the beach volleyball section appear in Nizhyn? What difficulties did you have to overcome in order for the people of Nizhny Novgorod to be able to practice this sport?
— The section appeared in 2019. The biggest problem was the lack of beach courts. At first there was no money, then there was no suitable place, no equipment, but thanks to the deputies of the Nizhyn city council, entrepreneurs and people who care regarding volleyball, it was still possible to build a beach sports center at the city stadium. Now we have three courts at the stadium.
— Explain, please, what are the characteristic differences between beach and regular volleyball?
— Yes, there are differences, many of them. For example, the number of players: in beach volleyball there are two, and in classic six, the playing field is made of sand and is shorter by a meter. The rules also have some differences: in beach volleyball there can be a maximum of three games that last up to 21 points, and in classic – five games up to 25 points.
– You train children. How did your volleyball career turn out? Have you tried professional volleyball? How did it end?
— Yes, I have been training children since 2008. I have never played professionally, but I still participate in semi-professional leagues to this day! I play for the team of the first division of the EasyTeam Capital Volleyball League.
Photo: EasyTime team (Pavlo Hlushko — in gray uniform). Author: Palo Glushko
— Does Nizhyn volleyball have prospects at the All-Ukrainian level? Is it still regional and intercity history?
— With the right approach, of course, it has a perspective. Only this year, eight of my best students entered the Olympic Vocational College named following Ivan Piddubny for beach volleyball. Last year, another student joined the Epicenter-Podolyan volleyball academy and became the Champion of Ukraine and the best player among the boys born in 2010.
Photo: At the beach volleyball tournament. Author: Pavlo Hlushko
— We have seen a lot of activity recently: you hold many tournaments, but it is extremely hot outside. Is it reflected in the physical condition of the athletes or are they already trained to tolerate the heat?
– Indeed, it is difficult for an untrained person to endure such heat, but my pets train almost every day, so they are better adapted to the heat. They also have appropriate equipment, beach socks. Students follow the rules and advice on how to endure the entire distance of the tournament.
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
Author: Pavlo Hlushko
— Have there been any tragic incidents at training/tournaments?Advertisement:
— There are injuries in any sport. Volleyball is no exception, but because of the sand, beach volleyball is considered a less traumatic sport. There are some muscle strains, sometimes bruised fingers, overheating rarely happens, but these are all the nuances of this sport. Most injuries and risks can be minimized if everything is handled carefully and professionally.
— What do children currently lack for potential achievements at higher levels?
— Sometimes motivation from parents, sometimes financial opportunity to participate in all competitions in the region and Ukraine, lack of coaches in the city and lack of competition.
— Five important qualities that a good volleyball player should possess.
— Do you have any non-standard training methods? What can a coach resort to as a last resort when it is necessary to “squeeze” the maximum?
— Each coach trains in his own way, has his own methods and approaches. In order to “squeeze” the maximum out of a child, you need to make him fall in love with volleyball so much that he himself wants to train to the maximum of his abilities and then be able to enjoy his victory. For example, I added a summer fitness sports camp to the training process. Right now, such a 10-day camp is ending, in which 24 of the city’s best athletes.
Photo: Sports camp. Author: Pavlo Hlushko
— How would you describe your coaching philosophy in three words?
— Physo (physical training – ed.), thinking, skill.
— Do you have your own rituals that you practice as a team before important matches?
– There are no rituals. I analyze the opponent, analyze the game of each of his players, and then give personal instructions and game tasks to my players.
— How do you work with athletes who lose motivation or self-confidence? Do you give instructions?
— Instructions are an integral part of the training process. As for motivation, everything is very simple here: there are many willing and motivated children. Of course, there are dropouts, and there are those who leave on their own – this is a normal process. As they say, you can’t be cute by force.
— Finally, your words to the people of Nizhny, as an athlete and the head of the department for physical culture and sports of the Nizhny City Council?
– It’s never too late to start playing sports! It is useful, interesting and exciting. But it is worth remembering that children must be brought to sports schools on time. There is a certain age when you should start practicing a particular sport. For example, it is best to send a child in the 3rd-4th grade to the volleyball section. Quite often there are situations when children are brought, whom we have to refuse precisely because of their age. Parents who notice the achievements of our pupils of the Junior High School, who have been training for more than a year, bring their children, but we cannot take them into groups by age, because they do not have the necessary playing skills, and you cannot put adult children in a group with beginners, where they practice children are much younger. So, in order to avoid such troubles, it is worth finding out the necessary information regarding this or that sport in advance.
We will remind you that on June 29, 2024, the Random Mixed beach volleyball tournament was held at the city stadium “Spartak” in Nizhyn. This event, dedicated to the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine, became a real holiday for all residents of the city and athletes.
