When players don’t get along, it can negatively impact team performance, especially when those players are on the court together full-time. In this roundtable discussion, six veteran coaches, Terry Liskevych, John Dunning, Ray Bechard, Russ Rose, Moira Long, and Mike Houlihan, share strategies for managing interpersonal conflict between teammates, with a focus on communication, accountability, and team dynamics.

The coaches stress that while players don’t have to be friends, they do have to perform and communicate effectively for the good of the team. Suggestions range from setting clear expectations and enforcing accountability to redefining what it means to contribute beyond just playing ability. Some recommend direct conversations, consequences like benching, or even moving players to other teams if they can’t commit to a shared goal.

Ultimately, the message is clear: volleyball is a team sport, and being part of a team means finding a way to work together, even if personalities clash. If players can’t or won’t do that, they may be better suited for individual sports.