Champion coach mulls study in top volleyball clubs

Li Mu, left, head coach of the Beijing Basic Motor volleyball club, takes interview after returning with a champion's title to Beijing, Feb 4, 2013. [Photo/CFP]

Chinese volleyball still lags far behind world's top level, according to a Chinese champion coach.

Li Mu, head coach of the league champion Beijing Basic Motor volleyball club, said scientific and advanced techniques western clubs and teams are handling are inaccessible to Chinese volleyball coaches.

The 43-year-old Li led Beijing to a champion's title in 2012 and was awarded the Best Coach of the Season, ending the last season with the highest honor he had ever gained in his 13-year-long coaching career.

But Li was still worried about the future of Chinese volleyball. "There's a huge gap between Chinese men's volleyball and world's top players," Li said.

He hopes to learn top techniques in western clubs. "I would like to learn in a top club for a whole season. (Some details like) warm-ups before a game, team cooperation…"

"I wish to experience by myself instead of watching the videotape." Li said.