The Case for Coach Education in the Age of Sport Specialization: Lessons from Elite Club Volleyball Families

Elite youth sport increasingly demands year-round participation, yet family-level impacts remain under-researched. This study examined the impact of elite club volleyball on key areas of family functioning among 446 parents nationwide. Nearly all athletes (96%) specialized in volleyball, with 90% starting before age 14. Most families (88%) reported substantial time demands and 62% spent over $5,000 annually. While parent-athlete relationships strengthened (81%), spousal relationships (12%) and sibling activities (41%) were negatively affected. Higher parental stress correlated with perceived excessive club expectations and negative family outcomes. Financial burden predicted relationship strain independently of stress. Findings reveal that elite club volleyball restructures family systems, strengthening some relationships while straining others. Critical gaps remain in coach education programs. As youth sport continues to evolve, coach education programs should be intentional about broadening the scope of their curriculum to address the challenges of today’s elite youth sport parent.