“Not to moralize, but to communicate sincerely,” Larisa Tsukanova, coach of RUDN University national volleyball teams

Continue the phrase: “A good coach is ...”

A professional in his field.

What qualities should a coach have?

Be honest and fair with your students.

Why did you choose volleyball?

As a child, I did all kinds of sports. I connected my life with volleyball because of the coach, who taught not only to play, but also to be a worthy person. He taught collectivism, leadership, hard work, never be afraid of difficulties, love life and even dance the waltz.

What is the highest reward for you as a coach?

When the pupils remember you, and when they meet you they say “thank you”. When athletes can call you on the phone and tell about success in life, sports and family. When people say: “You taught me ...”, you understand that you do not live in vain.

What difficulties do you face in your profession?

Envy of strangers who you have to prove to that everything you do is hard work.

What is the most interesting about your profession?

Teach and see the results of your work.

You are the volleyball coach of the most titled of all RUDN teams. What is the secret of high sporting achievements?

The secret is the desire of the students to be a friendly team, in hard training, in the support of the university management. This allows you to regularly train, go to competitions and show good results.

How can a student get into RUDN University women’s national volleyball team?

She has to be a semi-professional volleyball player (preferably graduate of a sports school), have good physique and give a hundred and ten percent at workouts.

How do members of the university team manage to combine study with training?

These people go in for sports from an early age and are used to combining training and competition with study. They know how to prioritize in life. I am proud of the girls who manage to be excellent students and receive an increased stipend not only for sports achievements, but also for excellent academic performance.

How long did it take to form the team?

I started coaching the team in 2014. After a while, the team began to take first places in international student competitions and in the Moscow Student Sports Games.

Athletes from other cities and towns began joining us. 6 years have passed, during this time the roster is changing all the time, someone has already graduated from the university, someone is married, and new players are coming. But the main thing remains — it is RUDN University team with its traditions, principles and the main goal — to be the best!

What is the most difficult thing in training athletes?

Not to moralize, but to communicate with them sincerely. Athletes are children who have been brought up in a family and all values ​​in life are laid by their parents.

Are athletes superstitious? Do you have a talisman or any signs?

Yes, athletes, like many people, are superstitious. We all believe in someone and in something in life! I believe in my girls and my team!