In this episode of The VolleyPod we discuss innovative coaching strategies for youth volleyball, emphasizing the importance of play over work. We introduce the concept of 'home play' as a way to encourage skill development outside of practice. The conversation covers various movement techniques, practice strategies, and common coaching mistakes during playoffs, highlighting the need for adaptability and focus on growth. The episode concludes with insights on innovative training...

In this episode of The VolleyPod, Sean Thomas joins the pod for a new monthly segment called In The Lab. This month on In The Lab we discuss the balance between winning and young player development. The hosts delve into the anxiety young athletes face, particularly during serving, and explore various coaching philosophies. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reframing mistakes as learning opportunities and highlights the significance of mental health awareness in sports,...

Setting for beginners with just a ball and a wall, Preparing to play a team a second time, and Rob Gray's new book Our spookiest episode yet! Coming out October 31st! In this episode of The VolleyPod, hosts Tod and Davis discuss the excitement surrounding the high school volleyball season as it approaches playoffs, and the upcoming club season. They delve into coaching techniques, particularly focusing on the fundamentals of setting, including key principles and drills. Then the...

In this episode of The VolleyPod, hosts Todd and David engage with legendary coach Peter Ogle, discussing the intricacies of volleyball coaching. They explore the importance of hard work, mindfulness in practice, overcoming personal roadblocks, and the mental aspects of performance. Ogle shares insights from his 41 years of coaching experience, emphasizing the joy of improvement and the significance of effective practice strategies. The conversation also touches on...

In this episode of The VolleyPod, the hosts discuss various strategies for improving attacking efficiency in volleyball, particularly for hitters who may not have a powerful arm. They emphasize the importance of understanding one's identity as a player, making good decisions, and adjusting techniques to enhance performance. The conversation also covers the significance of recovery in sports, introducing modern recovery techniques and tools that can aid athletes in their training and...

The Parent Pod In this episode of The VolleyPod, the hosts discuss essential topics for parents involved in youth volleyball. They cover: communication strategies, the importance of schedules, coaching philosophies, and the dynamics between parents, coaches, and players. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear expectations regarding playing time, skill development, and the overall role of parents in supporting their children in sports. This episode is vital for coaches and...

In this episode of The VolleyPod, the hosts discuss various aspects of coaching volleyball, focusing on common mistakes coaches make, the importance of resilience in teams, and how to create a fun and competitive practice environment. They emphasize the need for flexibility in coaching rules, the significance of competition in practice, and the necessity of connecting resilience to team values. The conversation also highlights the importance of humor and creativity in coaching, as well as...

In this episode of The Volley Pod, Tod and Davis start with briefly discussing their experiences in the Coastal Conference, focusing on the competitive nature of the league. They introduce the '46 Challenge' drill aimed at improving both offensive and defensive skills in volleyball. The conversation then shifts to the 'Tether Method,' a technique for enhancing out-of-system play, emphasizing the importance of tight sets and player positioning. Finally, they explore leadership...

In this conversation, the hosts, Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox, discuss the importance of training athletes to respond effectively in various situations. They emphasize the need for coaches' words to extend beyond the present moment and for athletes to take action based on the feedback they receive. The hosts provide strategies for teaching athletes to choose their behaviors consciously and to make informed decisions in challenging situations. They also discuss the significance of...

In this conversation, Todd and David discuss the importance of giving meaningful feedback to players and establishing a coaching voice. They provide specific tips for individual coaching and catching players doing things right. They also discuss the process of selecting players for a club team, considering factors such as goals, playing time, parents, and team style. They emphasize the importance of attitude, learning velocity, and the ability to work well with others. Skill of the...

In this conversation, Tod and Davis discuss the importance of bridging the gap between practice and competition performance in volleyball. They explore various factors that contribute to inconsistency in teams and offer solutions to address these issues. They emphasize the need for game-like practices, matching the intensity and mode of competition, and using anchor terms to refocus on fundamentals. They also discuss the role of communication, setting, first contact, and attacking error...

Beth Van Fleet, a beach volleyball coach at Georgia State, joins The VolleyPod and shares her insights on teaching blocking techniques. She emphasizes creating hesitation in the attacker's mind through route, depth, timing, and hands. She uses visual cues, such as focusing on the attacker's hips and getting hands above the net, to improve timing. Feedback for blockers includes using video analysis and loops to help them understand their positioning and timing. Beth also highlights the...

In this conversation, Davis and Todd discuss various skills and drills that can be incorporated into volleyball practices. They cover topics such as drop kicks, spin setting, defensive pairs, long distance thumb flicks, Karch's slow pepper, threes juggle, HOCs (hold and cover), offensive shots, serving third tempo pairs, and more. They also provide tips on the scenario: how to stand out during tryouts, emphasizing skills, attitude, and composure. The conversation concludes with...

Summary In this conversation, Davis and Tod discuss the priorities for the beginning of the volleyball season. They emphasize the importance of serving tough and preventing aces, as well as finding reliable passers. They also highlight the need for strong hitters who can hit the ball with topspin and a right front blocker who can stop or touch the ball. They then shift their focus to the Olympics, discussing the dominance of the opposite position and the impact of instant replay. They also...

In this conversation, Davis, Sean, and Todd discuss various topics related to coaching volleyball. They focus on the skill of talking less and letting players play more, providing tips for planning ahead, using visual aids, and using the environment to provide feedback. They also discuss the use of keywords, giving feedback on the fly, and creating activities and games that allow for individual feedback. They touch on the complexities of blocking, the prominence of curve serves, and the...

Sean Thomas on malleability in passing, what to check out from The Olympics, and HowStuffWorks.com https://store.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/middle-school-prep-clinic-24/ Skill: Malleability in passing Scenario: What to check out from The Olympics Resource: HowStuffWorks.com https://www.howstuffworks.com/

Making Camp Great, Evaluating Your Practice Plan, and John Kessel USA Volleyball 6 on 6 Games Skill: Making camps fun and effective Scenario: How to evaluate your practice The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos we focused on this week: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/camp-warm-up-ship-to-shore/ https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serving-games-for-youth-camp/ https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/bjerring-tournaments/ Resource: John Kessel's 166 Top...

Day 1 Practice Plan, Moving Up a Team, and Top Dog by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman Skill: Creating a Day 1 Practice Plan/Tryout Scenario: When your players want to move to a higher team, what steps should they take Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos we discussed on the pod this week: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/jim-stone-practice-plan-1-2/   Transition Focus https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/jim-stone-practice-plan-2/      Out of System...

Upcoming High School Coaches Clinic from The Art of Coaching Volleyball this weekend (7/13)) Check it out here: https://store.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/high-school-prep-clinic-24/ Skill: The Difference Between Just Playing and Playing to Win and How To Win More Through Intentional Training Scenario: Tod's Book of Lists This week's videos from The Art of Coaching Volleyball https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/karch-kiraly-mini-games-to-practice-serving/ Karch's...

Lessons from Tod's 11s, Starting with a New Program, and Avignon The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos of the week: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/eyes-closed-advanced-setting-drill-with-john-dunning-and-cassidy-lichtman/ https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/integrating-drills-into-practice/  https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/out-of-system-attacking-error-management-with-glenn-hoag/  Resource: Avignon Volleyball Club https://avignonvolleyball.fr/

Summary In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts engage in a game called 'This or That' where they discuss various coaching methods and strategies. They debate topics such as coach-imposed team values vs. team-determined values, dynamic team stretching routines vs. no consistent team stretch, using music in practice vs. no music, and more. The hosts provide their arguments for each side and discuss the pros and cons of each approach. Keywords Coaching methods, team values, team...

Skill: 10 Skills To Have in Your Teaching "Bag" Scenario: Ending the Season on a High Note The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos that were discussed on today's show: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/tyler-hildebrand-we-need-to-teach-juniors-to-play-closer-to-the-net/ Tyler Hilderbrand https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-to-perform-the-lift-tip-for-easy-kills/ Tod Mattox and Audrey An demo the lift...

Balltime is the leading video analysis platform in volleyball and they continue to evolve and innovate, providing more and more value to the consumer. Their team joins us to update everyone on their most recent improvements, and discuss where they are headed in the near future.

Skill of the Week: Making the end of the season fun and effective Scenario: Do's and don'ts for when players miss practice The Art of Coaching Volleyball's videos of the week focused on practice planning: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/annual-plan/ Terry Liskevych https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-week-practice-plan-week-1/ Jim Stone Week 1 https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-week-practice-plan-week-2/ Jim Stone Week...