Coaching strategies and holistic approaches for the volleyball student-athletes in a Philippine State Universities: inputs for an innovative training plan

This study examined the coaching strategies and holistic approaches employed by volleyball coaches to enhance both the athletic performance and personal development of student-athletes, guided by goal-setting theory. A descriptive qualitative research design was utilized, involving semi-structured interviews with 13 participants (10 head coaches and 3 assistant coaches) from selected State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Luzon, Philippines. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and online, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, and generated rich narrative data on coaching practices and institutional conditions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with Atlas.ti version 25, following an inductive coding process. The findings revealed that coaches employ diverse strategies, including holistic athlete development, physical conditioning, resourcefulness in training, balancing of academic and athletic commitments, cultural sensitivity, environmental adaptation, and team communication. Holistic coaching practices emphasized character development, life skills acquisition, academic prioritization, mental resilience, and team cohesion. However, coaches reported significant institutional gaps, such as inadequate facilities, limited equipment, financial constraints, a lack of year-round training programs, and insufficient holistic support systems. This study proposes an innovative volleyball coaching training plan grounded in holistic development and goal-setting principles to support student-athletes in resource-constrained environments.