Bulgarian coach Nikola Dimitrov strengthened the position of the national school on the international stage, after being a leading CEV expert during the Coaches Training Programme, held on March 21 in Tirana.
The educational event, part of the CEV School Project initiative, was jointly organized by the European Volleyball Confederation, the Albanian Federation, and the National Olympic Committee. The forum gathered over 250 coaches and physical education teachers, which underscored its wide scope and significance.
The choice of a Bulgarian specialist for the role of CEV expert is not accidental. Nikola Dimitrov is part of the national youth teams system and has consistent experience at both club and national levels.
During the training, Dimitrov presented a modern concept aimed at the long-term development of athletes. The main message was clearly formulated – the focus should be on building potential, not on short-term results.
Among the main highlights of the program were the planning of the training process, the development of motor skills and technical abilities, as well as the psychological preparation of the athletes. Special attention was paid to the game-based approach and encouraging independent decision-making by young volleyball players.
The practical part, including two separate on-court sessions, gave concrete dimensions to the presented ideas. The demonstrations covered the main elements of the game – reception, setting, attack, block, and defense, using various training aids. Among them, exercises with elements of so-called "animal movements," game-based warm-ups for teamwork, and tasks aimed at communication between players stood out.
A strong emphasis was placed on children's engagement and the necessity for training sessions to be adapted to the modern environment, where young people have lower physical activity. In this context, models for working in small groups and approaches tailored to the athletes' developmental level were presented.
According to the organizers, participants actively engaged in both discussions and practical sessions, with a large number of them highly appreciating the opportunity to receive directly applicable ideas for their work.
Nikola Dimitrov's participation as a CEV expert in such a large-scale forum is further proof of the Bulgarian coaching school's authority, especially in youth development. In the context of European programs for education and sustainable sports development, such participations demonstrate that Bulgarian expertise continues to be sought after and applied outside the country.
photos:cev.eu
