Watch as Coach Tom Hilbert explains that he likes training aids for certain drills and believes that gadgets can assist players in learning. The players demonstrate this drill by placing bean bags on their shoulders […]
Box-Initiated Setting Drill with Felipe Coronel – Houston Juniors and Lauren Carlini – USA National Team
Watch as Coaches Felipe Coronel and Lauren Carlini explain, and players demonstrate this box-initiated setting drill. The player next to the inclined box uses an easy toss to hit the ball at the box. The […]
Defining Commitment with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Jeff Janssen discusses defining commitment with your athletes and obtaining their feedback. It is important to question where they feel their commitment level is in regards to practice, social life, and acceptance of their role on […]
Elements of a High-Performance Culture
By: Carla Nicholls Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics Being a part of a high-performance culture team is exciting, yet these environments can be extremely vulnerable and cannot be […]
Bounce Gun Middle Attacking Warmup with Dan Meske – Univ. of Louisville
Watch as Coach Dan Meske explains, and players demonstrate this middle attacking warmup progression. First, Coach wants players focusing on a high snap as they work on quick arm swing, bouncing the ball under the […]
Butterfly Drill Variations and 1-2-3 Passing with Kendra Potts – Grand Canyon Univ.
Watch as Coach Kendra Potts discusses the Butterfly Drill which offers the athletes multiple reps in every category. The 1-2-3 passing exercise is great for players of all levels and can be modified to work […]
Setting: Balance Balls with Carolyn Condit – Miami University
Watch as Coach Carolyn Condit explains and players demonstrate this balance ball setting drill with an emphasis on maintaining a good contact point and the follow through.
Use Social Media as a Tool
By: Becky Burleigh – Retired Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics Most athletes have outward-facing social media as well as inward-facing social media. You can post things on your […]
Culture Is Not a Sign or a Saying with Seth Greenberg – ESPN
Seth Greenberg explains that building your culture takes time. Culture is not a sign or saying but how you live every day and how you carry yourself. It involves being consistent and setting expectations and […]
Hazing in Athletics
Hazing in Athletics: A Culture that the Realm of Athletics and Coaching May Unknowingly Contribute To! By: Rick Farnham, Retired AD – University of Vermont Athletics have always professed that “sports build character,” but it […]
Setting: Transition Situation Drill with Natalie Morgan – Long Beach State Univ.
Watch as Coach Natalie Morgan explains, and coaches and players demonstrate this transition drill that focuses on setters having to decide who they will set. The setter has three options: setting the outside, setting the […]
Up and Available Rapid-Fire Hitting Drill with Arturo Rivera
Are you finding that your hitters are unprepared for a fast set? Watch as Coach Arturo Rivera discusses this up and available hitting philosophy that he teaches his athletes and shares one drill for reinforcing […]
Kneepad Touch Cardio Drill with Anne Kordes – Assumption HS (KY)
Watch as Coach Anne Kordes explains and shows video of kids running the Kneepad Touch Drill. This is a physical drill, requiring players to touch the kneepad of the teammate that passes the ball. Coach […]
Jump Float Serve: Creating a Good Line with John Grossman – North Carolina State Univ.
Watch as Coach John Grossman explains, and players demonstrate this jump float serving drill that focuses on creating a good, straight line. The ball and the serving shoulder both start on the line (which you […]
7 Key Steps for Making Ethical Decisions
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics To help you make ethical decisions in your own coaching, here are seven key steps. Recognize that ethical decisions […]
Slide Connection Drill with Adrianna Blackman
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this slide connection drill that works on tempo and vision. Each player takes two balls and focuses on transition before the second swing. Start with players hitting line […]
When You Win, Lose, and Rubbing
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Be hard on them when you win, and love them when you lose.” – Unknown Years ago, I read this quote in […]
Tempo Hitting Drill with Emily Kohan – Colorado State Univ.
What is more important for a set, location or tempo? Watch as Coach Emily Kohan discusses the benefits of using a stopwatch in practice to give your athletes immediate feedback and help them, and yourself, […]
Dragon Fly Drill with John Newberry – Univ. of Central Arkansas
Looking for a high-rep drill that incorporates passing, setting, and hitting? Watch coach John Newberry demonstrate this dragon fly drill where players rotate through all 3 skills to accomplish a predetermined goal.
Off-Blocker Hitting Drill with Joe Morales – Texas A&M Univ.-Commerce
Does your team struggle with off-blocker defense? Watch as Coach Joe Morales demonstrates a defensive focused transition drill that teaches your athletes to come towards the ball instead of moving backwards.
Accountability and Empathy with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale discusses accountability and empathy. Your program should have high standards, and everyone should be held accountable to those standards. He describes empathy as the ability to put yourself in someone else’s […]
Buying In
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Buy-in means that the members of your organization choose to embrace, share, and maintain the culture a coach is trying to create. A culture doesn’t […]
Attacking Drills and Training Methods That Maximize Game Production and Minimize Injuries with Adrianna Blackman
Watch as Coach Adrianna Blackman discusses her team’s attack-focused practice progression. Coach places special emphasis on warm ups and drills that minimize potential injury while maximizing game production.
Louisville Middle Attacking with Dan Meske – Univ. of Louisville
Watch as Coach Dan Meske discusses various progressions that can be used to develop the attacking skills of middle blockers. Coach gives helpful tips for each progression as players demonstrate the drills.
Sports Officiating/Become an Official “PSA” with Dana Pappas – NFHS
Watch as NFHS Director Dana Pappas encourages coaches to become contest officials. Pappas stresses the shortage of officials and looks to those who have a passion for the game to help revive the profession.
Training the Middle Blocker with Deitre Collins-Parker – Legacy Sports USA
Watch as Coach Deitre Collins-Parker explains and demonstrates drills used to train middle blockers. Coach makes sure to touch on important details that she believes are often overlooked by other coaches and players.
Creating an Up-Tempo Middle Threat in Your Offense with Derek Jackson – Claremore High School (OK)
Watch as Coach Derek Jackson discusses how to create an up-tempo middle threat in your offense. Coach proposes things to consider before changing your offense, explains the benefits of having a faster middle, breaks down […]
Trauma-Informed Coaching & Coaches Mental Health with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld discusses trauma informed coaching and coaches mental health. Dr. Dorpfeld emphasizes the importance of supporting athletes’ mental health while being careful to not overlook or neglect coaches’ mental health. He […]
The Story Your Stats Are Telling and How It Can Help You Win with Emily Kohan – Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach Emily Kohan discusses which game statistics to focus on to help your team win. Coach shows examples of her players’ stat pages and explains how she sifts through the abundance of information […]
Drills & Competitions Using 2s, 3s, and 4s with Gary Bynon – Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School (NY)
Watch as Coach Gary Bynon explains and demonstrates competitive drills he implements into his practices using groups of two, three, or four players. Coach suggests beginning the season with specific goals in mind and shaping […]