Contemporary sport is an interdisciplinary field that uses the theoretical background of various scientific fields. Physical fitness and raw talent are no longer the sole determinants of a successful athlete. It is obvious that some other situational and individual factors can play a significant role. This final paper deals with the notion of motivation through the prism of psychology, a science that made a significant contribution to contemporary sport in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The paper provides an overview of the most well-known theories in the field of motivation: The theory of motivation for achievement, The theory of optimal experience, The theory of self-determination and Theory of self-efficacy, with examples from sport. Subsequently, the field of sport psychology is briefly described as an independent applied psychological discipline that is rapidly evolving in the modern world. It also provides an overview of the most well-known studies of motivation, in sport in general and volleyball. Volleyball is a group, highly complex sport in which motivation plays a prominent role. Players in this sport spend a lot of time together. Player connection, motivational climate in the team, motivation of each individual player, motivational techniques of coaches are of great importance in determining sports success.