Tips and Trends: The High School Volleyball Time Crunch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school volleyball season is here, and that means the schedule is about to get BUSY! Between classes, practices, matches, travel, homework, family commitments, and everything else that comes with being a student-athlete, there is not always a lot of extra time in the day. The good news? You do not need more hours. You need to make the hours you already have work for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time management might not sound like a volleyball skill, but trust us, it matters. The athletes who learn how to stay organized and prepared are often better equipped to handle the ups and downs of a long season. So, before the calendar gets completely packed, here are a few ways to stay ahead of the time crunch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Know Your Week Before It Starts</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the easiest ways to feel overwhelmed is to look at your schedule one day at a time. Instead, take a few minutes at the beginning of each week and look at the big picture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When are your matches? Which days have longer practices? Do you have a big test coming up? What assignments are due? Are you traveling this weekend?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once you know what is coming, you can plan around it. A lighter Monday might be the perfect time to get ahead on Thursday's homework. A long bus ride might be a good opportunity to knock out a reading assignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The goal is simple: don't let your schedule surprise you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Use the Little Pockets of Time</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not every productive moment needs to be an hour long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe you have 20 minutes before practice. Maybe you have study hall. Maybe you have some downtime during lunch. Those smaller windows can add up quickly!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Use them to finish an assignment, review notes, organize your backpack, respond to an important message, or simply get something off your plate. Then, when practice starts, you can focus on volleyball instead of thinking about everything you still have to do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Don't Wait Until the Last Minute</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one sounds obvious, but it is SO important during volleyball season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you know you have a major project due Friday and a tournament Thursday, do not wait until Thursday night to start. Your volleyball schedule is probably not going to magically get lighter when your homework is due.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look ahead and start early when you know you have a busy week coming. Giving yourself some breathing room can make a huge difference when an unexpected change comes up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pack Ahead</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want an easy win? Get your stuff ready the night before!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pack your volleyball bag. Charge your devices. Put your shoes where you can find them. Make sure you have everything you need for school and practice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These little things can save you time and stress the next morning. Plus, there is nothing worse than realizing you forgot something important when you are already halfway to school!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Remember That Recovery Is Part of the Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being productive does not mean filling every single minute of your day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volleyball takes a lot out of you, especially once matches and travel start stacking up. Sleep, meals, hydration, and downtime matter. You need time to reset so you can show up ready to compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is give yourself a chance to recharge!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Communicate Early</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things happen. A test gets moved. A family commitment comes up. Your team has an unexpected schedule change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When something conflicts, communicate as early as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prepared athletes do not wait until the last second to explain a problem. They communicate, make a plan, and take responsibility for their commitments. That is a quality coaches notice!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Preparation Is a Volleyball Skill, Too!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At Prep Dig, we talk a lot about the things we see on the court. We watch how players compete, communicate, respond to mistakes, and make plays when the pressure rises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, preparation starts long before the first serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being organized does not guarantee a great match. It does not mean every week will go perfectly. What it does give you is a better chance to handle the chaos when the season gets busy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school volleyball moves FAST. The schedule will fill up. Matches will run late. Homework will pile up. Plans will change.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So get ahead of it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Know your week. Use your time wisely. Communicate. Get prepared before you need to be prepared.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because when game day comes, the goal is to walk into the gym thinking about volleyball — not wondering when you are going to finish that homework assignment!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a lot easier said than done, but if you can work on it now, the better prepared you will be as you go to play at a higher level!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, player features, recruiting content, and all things Colorado volleyball, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->