Skill alone is not enough: "Shin Yoshida" suggests 3 key points for Thai volleyball players who want to compete at the global level.
On 3 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Shin Yoshida, a Japanese staff coach for Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team—winners of the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship in China and qualifiers for the 2028 Olympics, a first in Thai volleyball history—shared three important tips for athletes aiming to play internationally.
"Coach Shin" joined Thailand's women's volleyball team after Japan’s national team decided not to renew his contract as analyst and interpreter, leading the Volleyball Association of Thailand to invite him to work with the Thai national team.
Although Shin Yoshida’s current contract with Thailand’s women’s volleyball team has ended, the Japanese coach left three key pieces of advice for athletes aspiring to compete globally via his personal Instagram story, summarized as follows.
"Skill alone is not sufficient to compete at the world level."
These are insights Shin Yoshida gained from working abroad as a volleyball coach for Thailand's women's national team.
1. The ability to think independently (to think, analyze, and solve problems on one's own).
2. English language skills (considered part of competitive ability and communication).
3. Self-management ability (including discipline, mental condition, and physical health).
"This is the reality of the wider world, from the perspective of a coach working overseas."
According to Shin Yoshida, to become a successful athlete at the global level, skill or technique alone is not enough. Additional skills are required: independent problem-solving, English communication, and professional self-management.
