Coach believes in chain of command with the ability to make decisions, set strategy, and go forward. He encourages collaboration and participation in the process, but the coach must be responsible for decisions. He believes […]
Blocking: Hands Technique and Positioning with Bob Bertucci – Sacred Heart Univ.
Watch as Coach directs the blockers to get in a good, ready position. When they jump, try to press the ball over the net. The goal is to get the hands up and shaped like […]
Middle Blocker Footwork Patterns with Jim Stone
Watch as Coach discusses middle blocker footwork moves and shows game film examples. The One-Step Crossover is similar to a basketball layup and can be used in both directions. Blockers will cross over, jump off […]
Hitting Mechanics with Brian Gimmillaro – Volleyball MasterCoaches
Watch as Coach explains, and players practice hitting mechanics while focusing on proper footwork and arm position. Coach emphasizes using a small first step and hitting the ball down using torque in the body. Keep […]
10 Prototypes of Problem Players
By: Mike Hebert Originally Published in: Thinking Volleyball Provided by: Human Kinetics The Pavlovian server. This server hears the referee’s whistle to beckon the serve and turns instantly into one of Ivan Pavlov’s classically conditioned […]
Game-Like Serving in Practice with Genny Volpe – Rice Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a player demonstrates this serving progression that helps create tough and consistent serves that challenge your opponent. Start with a standing serve, keeping the ball between the top of the […]
Coverage Team Drill with Tom Hilbert – Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this 6-on-6 team drill focusing on coverage. This is a 2-ball drill with wash scoring and helps with player alertness by creating coverage situations.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Progressive muscle relaxation helps you to first tense each of four muscle groups, part by part, in order to tire it […]
Serve to Dig Transition Drill with Beth Launiere – Univ. of Utah
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this transition drill which helps train the movement coming in from serving to dig. Players will start by serving line and then sprint to their defensive position to […]
Recognize, Respond, Refer with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Dorpfeld explains the necessity that all coaches on a staff understand the ‘recognize, respond, and refer’ guidelines. It is important to recognize at-risk athletes and the symptoms of mental health problems that […]
Columbus Drill with Kendra Potts – West Texas A&M Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate the Columbus Drill which alternates serve-receive and forces players to talk. This fast-paced drill has players thinking forward to their next move and anticipating team interaction.
Partner Pepper 2.0 with Nancy Dorsey – St. James Academy (KS)
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this 3-minute pepper progression that is great for conditioning and works on communication. Players use one ball and start with a pass and shuffle. After one minute, players […]
Blocking Form and Footwork with Jazmyne Johnson – Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate blocking form and footwork. Start loaded in a ready position, squeezing your core with hands at an angle in front, and jump. Footwork progresses to step and push […]
Athlete Skill Evaluation Tool
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics A coach’s skill evaluation tool should include all the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of performance they consider to be […]
Simplifying Defensive Movement with Taylor McColskey – Univ. of Houston
Watch as Coach explains the importance of working on defensive movements with your players. Practicing patience, timing, and communication will help to develop consistent simple movements and avoid “squeaky sneakers”.
Developing Leaders and Creating Culture with Amy Cataline – Seven Lakes HS (TX)
Watch as Coach explains the importance of defining your purpose and values and sharing them with your players. Be intentional and make sure your players know why you coach. Creating a mission statement with your […]
What Makes a Bad Coach
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Even bad teams have optimism. The Bad News Bears’ coach wouldn’t even tell his team that.” – Rob Babcock, Former NBA General […]
Situational Hitting with Emily Kohan – Colorado State Univ.
Does your team struggle with out-of-system play? Watch as Coach Emily Kohan discusses, and players demonstrate this situational hitting drill that is focused on outside hitter ball control but will also help develop passing and […]
Converting 1’s and 2’s, Not Only 3’s with Vinh Nguyen – Univ. of Hartford
How do you define a good sequence in volleyball? Watch as Coach Vinh Nguyen emphasizes converting on your 1 and 2 passes instead of just focusing your time on perfect passes that do not always […]
Defense: Teaching the Ready Position with Brian Gimmillaro, Retired – Long Beach State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a player demonstrates the defensive ready position. To manipulate the ball, you will pass from the knee or below focusing on elbow positioning and timing. You need the ‘snap’ and […]
Continuous Setting Drill with Luke Murray – NC State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this flexible setting drill which allows you to change the location of the pass, forcing your setters to open up. Working on contact points and exaggerating heights improves […]
Cross-Court Defensive Progression with Allie Yaeger – Binghamton Univ. and Ben Farmer – Univ. of Tulsa
Watch as Coaches explain, and players demonstrate this defensive drill progression that focuses on partner communication. Coaches hit across the court to a pair of players and they must dig the balls at the same […]
Effectively Using the Libero
By: Becky Schmidt Originally Published in: Volleyball: Steps to Success Provided by: Human Kinetics The libero is a position that was added to the game in 1998 to lengthen rallies and reduce the advantage seen […]
Figure 8 Setting Drill with with Felipe Coronel – Houston Juniors
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this 3-player setting drill. Two players remain stationary, and one follows a figure 8 movement pattern. All three players will set while focusing on their hands and how […]
Setting the Quick Attack with Keegan Cook – Univ. of Washington
Watch as Coach shares game clips and discusses setting the quick attack. Setting your middle hitters is a must for a great serve-receive offense. Coach talks about tempo and explains the differences between a fixed […]
Recruiting: Tips for Contacting College Coaches
By: Dr. Micheal Jones – Pasco-Hernando State College Twitter: @TJCF_Basketball As a college coach, we get a high volume of emails every day on recruits. I wanted to provide some examples that may help coaches […]
Fundamentals of Blocking with Jim Stone
Watch as Coach explains the fundamentals of blocking and shows clips of players demonstrating proper posture and various footwork options including the shuffle step and crossover. Coach explains the meaning of ‘shaping the block’ and […]
Attacker: Decision and Execution Errors with Travis Hudson – Western Kentucky Univ.
Watch as Coach discusses the two types of errors attackers make – decision errors and execution errors. Coach explains the difference between the two errors and how evaluating where the errors are coming from helps […]
Point the Finger at Yourself First
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good, you did it. […]
Post-Match Analysis: Player Feedback and Input with Chad Callihan – Univ. of Wyoming
Watch as Coach explains how he uses team feedback during post-match analysis. Ask your team how they feel, what they did well, and what needs improvement. Use this information when implementing your practice plans.