The Art of Coaching Volleyball: Recent Episodes
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Setters are the “hub of your team’s wheel.” Those are the words of Western Washington University coach Diane Flick-Williams, who shares tips in this video on how to develop confident […]Source
Good footwork is a big part of making a smooth, efficient transition from digging or blocking to attacking in volleyball. In this video, Utah coach Beth Launiere has players demonstrate […]Source
How can you help players hone specific skills? Use focus points that help them improve daily. To implement this strategy, ask players to select a skill to work on. Next, […]Source
Many coaches hold 6 vs. 6 play until the end of practice. But why wait? Get your practices started quickly with these two drills that warm up your athletes and […]Source
When looking at your team, it’s important to consider what will make your players competitive. Giving them a “focus of the day” at practice can help you address areas your […]Source
Need some tips for running a slower middle attack? Coach Tod Mattox is here to help! To run this play, he instructs his setter to set the ball antenna high, […]Source
A quick offense gives your team a better chance to score. Hitters can speed their approach after they pass by omitting the shuffle and going immediately into their right, left, […]Source
Setters can score points with a well-placed, two-handed redirect shot. Since this is an aggressive play, you’ll typically see it performed by physical setters. Watch the video for a demo! […]Source
Jen Flynn Oldenburg's notes: Explanation of “Center” based moves GO posture Face the Action “Center” (belly button) to & under the ball as much as possible Understanding the difference between […]Source
How long should you spend on a dynamic warmup in practice? Coach Tod Mattox suggests focusing on a specific skill or technique that you want your team to learn. In […]Source
Developing your blockers’ eyework and timing is key for strong defense at the net. This full-court blocking drill gives your front row a chance to develop their net defense during […]Source
During serve receive, players must constantly adjust their footwork to successfully handle the variety of passes that come their way. One of the most common footwork patterns to teach your […]Source
Coaches often focus on the right arm when teaching players to swing. But the left arm is equally important! In fact, the non-hitting arm needs to be just as active […]Source
Planning to run a back-row attack? Before you add this option to your offensive system, be sure you’re willing to invest the time it takes to become proficient. Some of […]Source
Are you coaching a young team with inexperienced, but athletic players? The 6-3 offense in the 4-2 style may be a great option for you. To set up your offense, […]Source
The 4-2 / 6-2 combo is a great system for teaching a 6-2 offense to a young team. Below are a few suggestions for implementation: When your team is in […]Source
Chiropractor Abe Avender debunks a common myth about stretching: The more intense, the better. Instead, gentle and prolonged stretching is far more valuable than wrenching your muscle in ways that strain it and cause it to immediately contract as a stress response. The discomfort caused by stretching should be around 2/10 on the discomfort scale, […]
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Elite college coaches Gina Schmidt and Ryan Hofer talk about how in each offensive play the setter creates an overload play and an isolation play - and how to strategize which play will be most effective based on your team's attackers and the opposing team's blockers. In every play, there will be an overload play […]
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Men's college coach Ben Josephson shares strategies for mastering the overhead pass, which has a lesser chance of error than forearm passing does. How it Works: Three passers and a setter are on the court. The remaining players serve to the three passers. Passers must use their hands to receive the ball. For the first […]
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Featuring: Karch Kiraly, Head Coach USA Volleyball Women's National Team (3 Time Gold Medalist) Key Takeaways It's normal and important to feel uncomfortable if you're learning something new. The best in the world struggle while learning but have figured out how to embrace that discomfort. Some people say bad things to themselves, get small and […]
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Men's coach Ryan Hofer shares a queen's court variation that's perfect for tryouts and seeing how players adapt to constantly new teammates. How it works: Form 3-person teams with the players. Two teams of players line up on each side of the court, one in the front row and one in the back row. Side […]
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Kerry MacDonald of Volleyball Canada shares two serving drills that measure effectiveness by keeping close stats. Serve five drill: Five different people serve five balls at three receivers; each server records what the pass outcome is for her serves on a whiteboard (0, 1, 2 or 3). One non-passer keeps stats for the passers. Over-under […]
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Featuring: Nicky Nieves, USA Volleyball Sitting National Team (Paralympic Gold Medalist) Key Takeaways As you find community in different areas of your life it can help you feel seen. It helps to find others who have gone through similar journeys or faced similar struggles so you can see how they tackle challenges. Keep fighting to […]
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Tod Mattox | Head coach at The Bishop's School The Nation Federation of High Schools (NFHS) publishes this statement of philosophy: Student participation in education-based high school athletics and activities: Enriches the educational experience. Promotes respect, integrity and sportsmanship. Prepares for the future in a global community. Develops leadership and life skills. (+ others) If […]
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Men's college coach Ben Josephson discusses hand position for blockers. While coaches disagree about whether to use high hands or low hands, Josephson advocates for starting with low hands to quicken the blocker's footwork and maximize efficiency. As Josephson says, everything in the game of volleyball is a give and take. A low hand position […]
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Men's college coach Ben Josephson goes over a scenario where the offense is adept at setting up all three attackers for a kill including seam plays (spread offense). This creates a hard situation for the blocking team, so Josephson shares several ways to remedy the spread offense and still create a helpful block. The middle […]
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Kerry MacDonald of Volleyball Canada discusses various scenarios in which the 31 set to the middle attacker can be utilized. The 31 is a fast set to the middle that attacks a gap between two blockers. The set should be flat and quick and is placed right between the gap. There are two other less-than-perfect […]
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College coach Ryan Hofer goes over a simple but highly effective serve: The jump float. This serve is fast, clean and has little to no spin. It's a perfect option for all levels of play because of its simplicity. Below are the fundamental aspects of the jump float serve: The approach goes as follows: 1-2-toss […]
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