The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is how and why to create opportunities in your practice to reinforce systems during serve receive practice. In match play serve receive there are a number of factors at play other than an individual's ability to pass to the target. There is a lot of contextual interference which makes it beneficial to practice with these conditions. Tod disucsses some ways that coaches can add these types of conditions to their passing practice and enhance their live play serve receive performance.

Our scenario segment builds on the idea of creating a balanced offense by focusing on how and why to get the Middle Attacker the ball more. Often middles have the highest hitting percentage on the team but get the fewest sets. This imbalance can limit the overall effectiveness of your team since the opposition will have a good idea where the ball is going. Davis explores how to keep your middles alive and working effectively, and finding ways to score and keep the opposition off balance.

For our resource section we share a book that offers rich ideas that mimic The Ten Commandments, but in regards to being a "winning" teammate. These ideas are well thought out and powerful concepts that, when practiced, can be one of the turning points on a competitive team. Integral concepts like self-sacrifice are explained with both wit and humor. Readers will be sure to get something that they can put into practice right away.

Skill of the Week: Reinforcing skill work during serve receive practice

Scenario of the week: Getting your Middle Attackers the ball more often and in better positions to score

The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos that we used this week focused on getting system work during serve receive practice:

Karch Kiraly’s "In a Row" passing drill

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/karchs-in-a-row-passing-drill/

 Luka Slabe on clarifying the seams in serve receive

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/clarifying-the-seams-on-serve-receive/

Fantastic youth, club, high school, and college coach, currently at Goldenwest Volleyball Club, Andrew Clifton demonstrates how he likes to teach how to divide up the court in serve receive

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serve-receive-dividing-the-court/

Resource of the Week

The 10 Commandments of Winning Teammates by Sean Glaze can be found here: https://greatresultsteambuilding.net/winning-teammates/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is how and why to create a safer environment in your gym. This segment provides a wide range of ideas about little things that coaches can do to promote their athletes' health and prevent some of the most common injuries. Our hope is to promote some discussion about what can be done to keep our athletes playing their best volleyball more.

Our scenario segment is about when your team needs to do team bonding but you don't want to do a ropes course. By that, we mean that we want a more generic binding scenario that encourages continual growth and genuine interest in one another. There is nothing wrong with doing a ropes course, but Tod and Davis favor a more consistent process instead of a one off experience. Tod explains some ways to get this to happen generically.

For our resource section we share an interesting research article that discusses how often and what types of injuries that high school volleyball players experience. This experiment looked at over 2000 high school girls' volleyball players and found that ankle and knee injuries were the most common types of injuries with finger and wrist being the next most common. There are some other great insights that coaches can get from reading this informative article.

Skill of the Week: Practicing safely

Scenario of the week: When your team needs to do team bonding but you don't want to do a ropes course

The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos that we used this week focused on injury prevention:

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/attack-approach-landing-accordion-it/ John Dunning on the spike approach landing and how to do it safely

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/attacking-mechanics-landing-safely-on-two-feet/ Laurie Eisler on how to land safely on two feet

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/exercise-physiologist-don-moxley-on-acl-injury-prevention/ Don Moxley on the very important concept of ACL Injury Prevention

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/injury-prevention-whats-important-after-40-years-of-coaching/ The legendary John Dunning's super informative discussion "What’s Important After 40 Years of Coaching"

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/wellness-blog-anxiety/ A blog called Managing Your Anxiety Before Your Anxiety Manages You by Dr. William Parham contains great concepts for dealing with anxiety

Resource of the Week

https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/58/2/177/446976/Incidence-and-Risk-Factors-for-Injuries-in-Girls from the Journal of Athletic Training

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's first segment is Davis' Deserted Island Drill, The Listening Game. Davis explains why he runs some form of this game nearly every practice. Also, we discuss variations that coaches can take and run right away. This game follows the Ecological Dynamics line of thinking about training and uses constraints to help form adaptable and intelligent teams.

For our scenario segment we discuss how to train and compete when your team starts strong, but fades in the middle of the match. This all to familiar situation can mean losses for your team if you don't respond quickly. In this episode we talk about how to think about this issue and plan your practices accordingly. Hint: Don't just play games to 25. Mix it up!

Skill of the Week: Deserted Island Drill - The Listening Game

Scenario of the week: When your team starts strong and fades in the middle of the match

The Resource of the Week is the work of Brad Stulberg, which can be found here: https://www.bradstulberg.com/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's first segment is Tod's Deserted Island Drill, Front Row 4s. We discuss how to make the most out of this drill and why Tod loves this drill and has added it to his menu of drills. So many good things can come from this drill!

For our scenario segment we get a little personal. This week's scenario is about when lack confidence as a coach. There are times when as a coach we know we are not at our best. This can affect your confidence, but there are ways to move forward. Davis and Tod cover what to do in those times and how to regain your best coaching self.

Skill of the Week: Deserted Island Drill - Front Row 4s

Scenario of the week: When you don't feel confident in your coaching

The Resource of the Week, The Volleyball Institute, can be found here: https://thevolleyballinstitute.com/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is how and why to develop a more balanced offense. Many teams fall into over-setting their best hitters and can miss out on opportunities to increase their team hitting efficiency. In this episode we discuss how to create more strong scoring attempts merely by getting offense from all parts of the net.

Our scenario segment is about when two are sharing a court and how to make the most out of that time for everyone. These ideas are really cool and are sure to help when your team when you share a court.

For our resource section we honor the life and legacy of Byron Shewman, a leader in the volleyball community, and an extremely generous person. Shewman was an outspoken advocate for volleyball and founded The Starlings Volleyball Program, a community-based club system, that was able to reach groups of people that typically would not have much access to volleyball. He was also an extremely talented player, and played on the Olympic team, and later on the beach. Beach Volleyball, by Shewman and Karch Kiraly is a thorough look at how to become a high level beach volleyball player.

Skill of the Week: How and why to create and implement a more balanced offense

Scenario of the week: When two teams are practicing on the same court and how to make the most of your team

This week's Art of Coaching Volleyball videos focused on why and how to create a balanced offense:

This video by Jim Stone discusses team attacking and using a variety attack positions across the net: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/jim-stone-sample-offense-with-multiple-attack-points/

This video from the AOC Vancouver Hitting Clinic explores running offense in gaps and overloading the block: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/running-an-offense-finding-gaps-overloading-blockers/

Tod Mattox discusses how to get offense from your middle blockers when the pass is in the middle of the court: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/running-the-middle-from-center-court-with-a-block/⁠ 

The Resource of the Week, Beach Volleyball, by Byron Shewman and Karch Kiraly, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Byron-Shewman/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AByron+Shewman

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is building up culture when both cooperation and competition are important to you. Davis and Tod go over a list of ideas that can help frame culture for coaches, and provide ideas for how to move towards a more ideal version of the team's time together.

This week Davis discusses how to get started on the first day of the High School season. What should you talk about? What should you do? Tod talks about all of this and more in this week's scenario segment.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is from our very Davis Ransom and his interview with Luis Cuatok on The VolleyNerd Podcast. This episode is one of the best talks on culture that you will find. Luis explains the signs of different types of cultures and how teams can move up the ladder. This talk is concise and filled with great information about team cultures and the various ways that the culture affects the team.

Skill of the Week: Coaching language 2.0 and the the phrases I've dumped and their replacements

Scenario of the week: Improving servers' tactical awareness

The Resource of the Week, The VolleyNerd Podcast episode, starring Luis Cuatok, can be found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/competitive-team-culture-with-one-of-the-nations/id1520140118?i=1000502873940

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is building up culture when both cooperation and competition are important to you. Davis and Tod go over a list of ideas that can help frasme culture for coaches, and provide ideas for how to move towards a more ideal version of the team's time together.

This week Tod covers how to get started on the first day of the High School season. What should you talk about? What should you do? Tod talks about all of this and more in this week's scenario segment.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is from our very Tod Mattox, who shares his personal collection of quotes with listeners. This compilation is sure to provide coaches with important wisdom from many, many well-known people.

Skill of the Week: Establishing a culture of competition and cooperation

Scenario of the week: Day 1 of the High School season

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on developing culture:

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/finding-a-way-to-win/ from Russ Rose

 https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/intentionality-positive-culture/ a more scientific Quick Take

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/team-culture/ an hour long discussion from Russ Rose and Mike Sealy

The Resource of the Week, Tod's quote compilation, can be found here: ⁠SOON

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is building up decision making through 6 on 6 play. All too often 6 on 6 time appears to be a time where the coach is not actively coaching to a particular theme or concept. With just a little bit of tweaking, though, that same 6 on 6 play could be a powerful time for developing important decision making processes and habits. Tod explores this idea and offers several ways that coaches can make the most out of their time in 6 on 6.

In our scenario segment, Davis and Tod cover some of the important ways that parents can support their athlete through the tryout process, explain some common behaviors that could limit their success in tryouts, and suggest a philosophy for dealing with tryouts as a challenge unto itself, a process that is not entirely up to the athlete, and often a process that has factors that are completely unknown to the families. Parents need to check this scenario and discussion out!

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is TJ Sanders, former Canadian National Team setter, and volleyball content creator. His content is bite-sized chunks of high level setting training. He is a great demonstrator and has a knack for communicating complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. Sanders is a member of the NoEzyBuckets content creation team, which was started by American Libero Dustin Watten. They provide clinics and online content aimed at liberos and setters, as well as college level mens volleyball fans and players.

Skill of the Week: Decision making through 6 on 6 play

Scenario of the week: How parents can support their athlete through tryouts

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on decision making in 6 on 6 play:

Diane Flick Williams' demonstration of a great game that coaches can use to focus on first ball kill offense, and build up their team's decision making in 6 on 6 play: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/6-vs-6-competitive-drill-going-for-first-ball-kills/

Ben Josephson's video about defending the spread offense and how decision making comes into play: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/defending-the-spread-offense/

The Resource of the Week, TheTJSanders, can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/sanders_tj/?hl=en

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is defense cues and tips. Davis takes listeners through 15 of his favorite sayings and skill cues that help his teams play awesome defense. He also provides a framework for teaching defense that works without taking a million reps of every skill.

In our scenario segment, Tod discusses how to run a highly effective high school tryout. He goes into everything from administration, evaluation, cuts, and communicating your program's values throughout tryouts, as well as shares the games and drills he does at tryouts. You are sure to pick something up from Tod's 40 years in the game!

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is Catch Them Being Good, by Tony Dicicco, Colleen Hacker, and Charles Salzberg. This book focuses on how to connect with girl-athletes specifically and how to use this knowledge to build more effective teams. With questions and activities for parents and coaches, this book points out some key differences between training boys and girls, and how treating each team uniquely, coaches can get the most out of their teams, and help create a more positive overall experience for their athletes.

Skill of the Week: Defense cues and tips

Scenario of the week: High school tryout ideas

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on floor defense and reading:

Mike Sealy (UCLA) talks about connecting defense to vision: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/defense-drill-for-training-vision/

Jim Stone and Morgan Hentz demonstrate how vision affects defense: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/vision-impacting-defense/

Kimi Olsen from Michigan State has a cool look at how to "capture space" to play better defense: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/individual-defense-capture-space-and-have-more-range/

The Resource of the Week, Catch Them Being Good, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/290724/catch-them-being-good-by-tony-dicicco-colleen-hacker-phd-and-charles-salzberg/

This week's episode of The Volley Pod takes listeners through a season review that they can use or change to their liking. The review focuses on your coaching and how you handled training in various areas. To serve as an example of how coaches could use these questions, Tod asks Davis about his club season, which culminated in a Bronze Medal at AAU Nationals in 16 Premier.

If you would like a PDF of the list of Season Evaluation questions just message us on Instagram @aoc.thevolleypod

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is Passing 2.0. Davis covers his fundamentals of serve receive and how he thinks about teaching serve receive to young players. This talk is a more in-depth look at passing, complete with reading, movement, emergency moves, talent evaluation, and much more.

In our scenario segment, we go over an awesome plan that coaches can steal or change to make their own, for a middle-school grade summer volleyball camp. Tod and Davis both love running camps and Tod lays out his best plan for what to do with middle schoolers who want to learn to play volleyball.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is from the great Squash coach Paul Assaiante from Trinity College in Connecticut. His book Run To The Roar is about dealing with fear and consequences with resilience, courage, and humility. The motivational and educational nonfiction memoir points out the human nature of striving for excellence and how failure is just as important as success in the realm of sports.

Skill of the Week: Passing 2.0 - more advanced serve receive concepts and skills

Scenario of the week: Summer Camp plan for Middle School age athletes

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on Serve Receive:

Joe Sagula from North Carolina University and Jen Flynn Oldenburg from Ohio State University cover emergency moves that can help passers out of difficult situations: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/emergency-moves-for-passing-and-defense/

Jim Stone's video about creating angles is super informative and helpful: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/practicing-passing-angles/

John Speraw's foundations of serve receive skill is a must watch for coaches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Vpr1oGXwI&t=19s

The Resource of the Week, Run To The Roar by Paul Assaiainte, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.runtoroar.com/

This special episode of The Volley Pod is the second part of our talk with Joe Trinsey, a prominent influencer in the Volleyball community, as he speaks on “the Goldilocks method”. The scenario of the week is what to do when your team is losing a lot. Joe presents a lot of options for how coaches can handle this all too common situation. Also, Tod presents an incredible resource, SmarterVolley by Joe Trinsey, a rich source of fascinating information for the coach who really wants to go deep into the nuts and bolts (and the whys and why nots) of competitive volleyball.

Our guest this week is Joe Trinsey, a prolific writer who covers volleyball from a variety of perspectives. Today Joe talks with The VolleyPod about the "Goldilocks Method" for teaching passing. This technique inspires players to discover their kinesthetic feel for their game and allows for examination of a variety forms that allow for the same goal. This approach also encourages athletes to think more deeply about some of the key, yet overlooked aspects of passing, and open up a dialogue with the coach about what works for him/her, which can create some more genuine discussions than might be had otherwise. Our scenario this week is one that Davis knows all too well: when your team is losing a lot, what do you do? Joe discusses his ideas for what coaches can do to help their teams in this difficult yet extremely common scenario. The ideas will be helpful for everyone who has ever endured a brutal loss. Our resource of the week is Joe Trinsey's website Smarter Volley, which can be found here: https://smartervolley.substack.com/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is Tod's Deserted Island Drill, Kamikaze. This game is awesome for so many reasons. The game is a 4 v. 4 out of system game with basically one rule: the back row players set. You play with two front row players and two back row players and it really makes the back row and front communicate, be aggressive, and work together in order to protect the whole court. Tod goes into it in detail and explains how coaches can use it with their teams.

In our scenario segment, we go over the gear that coaches need for a multi-day tournament. There's nothing new here except for some great tips for which gear to use in the current club tournament setup. We include the links below!

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is from the really great resource for parents, I Love To Watch You Play. This team is helping parents to raise happy, healthy, and successful athletes by offering free information for families about a range of insightful topics such as: From Youth to College Soccer: 5 Takeaways for Sports Parents, or Is Your Athlete Playing To Win or Not To Lose?. This resource is fantastic for coaches who hope to help their athletes lead balanced but successful lives during and after their sporting careers.

Our new segment this week "Deserted Island Drills": Kamikaze, a 4 v. 4 out of system game

Scenario of the week: All the gear you need for a multi-day tournament

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on Tod's Deserted Island Drill, Kamikaze, a 4 v. 4 out of system game: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/kamikaze-scrimmage-drill/

Beth Launiere from University of Utah demonstrates the game with college-age players : https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-on-4-kamikaze-volleyball-drill-with-beth-launiere/

The Resource of the Week, I Love To Watch You Play, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ilovetowatchyouplay.com/

Links for the Gear from the Scenario segment

Pen:

https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Acroball-Ballpoint-Pen-1.0-mm-Blue/pd/11097

Carhartt Backpack:

https://www.carhartt.com/c/accessories-bags?kpid=Ecomm_Search_Brand-Plus_go_cmp-18079202292_adg-143233814787_ad-617131973024_kwd-4194591157_dev-c_ext-_prd-_sig-Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oK-TP-gdaZCN-LAfxRKuiQjOu93VPWrCHlWFXsEBDt-0nBUgjTCBfcaAnvMEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oK-TP-gdaZCN-LAfxRKuiQjOu93VPWrCHlWFXsEBDt-0nBUgjTCBfcaAnvMEALw_wcB

First Aid Kit:

https://www.amazon.com/First-Aid-Only-Piece-All-Purpose/dp/B000069EYA/ref=zg_bs_3762881_sccl_1/131-5679508-1594137?psc=1

Tripod:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Lightweight-Camera-Mount-Tripod/dp/B00XI87KV8/ref=sr_1_1_ffob_sspa?keywords=tripod&qid=1686874600&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Vuori:

https://vuoriclothing.com/collections/best-sellers?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=vuori&utm_campaign=WP_G_SRCH_BRAND_AMT_X_CORE_US_ECPCBID&utm_content=648488011333&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7aqkBhDPARIsAKGa0oIQg2DXSRc_b7Nby5KW_5J0KlYAksmAlWhBnVVeN6YbP-OZctU3yWQaAl-REALw_wcB

Luis Cuatok is a top youth coach in Southern California. His teams have consistently performed well at junior nationals and they have won several medals. At that level, not only do the athletes need to be composed, they also don’t have that many experiences in that situation, so they are learning as they go. On this episode of The VolleyPod Coach Cuatok joins the guys to discuss a newer interpretation of mental toughness, mental adaptability, and it’s role in helping young athletes to be their best.

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is a relatively advanced skill: working against the block. On this episode we provide a bunch of ideas that you can train with your team that can help your hitters to deal more effectively with a big or disciplined block and score more points. There are ideas are points that coaches can implement right now with their hitters as opposed to saying "we will wait until she gets stronger and jumps higher". Mastering the ideas in today's episode will definitely help your team win more games.

In our scenario segment, we discuss how to handle the question: "is my offensive system a good use of my team's personnel?". The coaches with The VolleyPod discuss how to look at this question through a lens of the uniqueness of your team, and which strengths that you can maximize to get the most out of your team from an offensive standpoint. This is one of our most fun things to do in coaching; find the unique factors that make your team great!

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is from the super-optimistic mindset teacher Jon Gordon. His podcast, Positive University, focuses on people who have become masters of their mindset. It includes people like Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Damian Lillard, and Drew Brees. There is a broad plan of helping people who listen to make a greater impact and overcome challenges, but there are many different topics discussed within those broader goals. This podcast is a great listen for anyone trying to make the most out their situation in life.

Skill of the week: Attacking against a big or disciplined block

Scenario of the week: Is our offensive system a good use of our personnel?

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on working against the block:

Mark Barnard's drill for tooling the block: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-scoring-off-the-block-drill/

Jim Stone teaches three of the most useful options for dealing with the block, score, recycle, or tool: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/5-hitting-options-kill-recycle-tip-use-block-in-play/

Jim Stone has athletes demonstrate another highly useful game for working against the block: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/competitive-5-point-blocking-and-hitting-drill/

The Resource of the Week, Jon Gordon's Positive University, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://positiveuniversity.com/

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is a coaching skill -- adding two contact games into your practices. This is an underutilized, easy to implement method which can speed up learning as well as provide a ton of additional benefits for the athletes. Speeding up the ways our athletes read is important to every team, and two contact games can be a simple but effective way of enhancing this ability. Plus, using two contacts stresses ball control and can help athletes to build decision-making abilities quicker than waiting for these situations to present themselves in games.

In our scenario segment, we discuss a scenario that certainly applies to many teams at the high school or club levels, only having two primary passers on your team. Davis and Tod discuss both the long view of not having enough passers, and the shorter-term view of having to win now without enough passers.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is a very cool resource on Instagram called BounceBeach. BounceBeach is essentially a highlight video collection from the world of beach volleyball, but it is curated in a way that allows for study of the best athletes that beach volleyball has to offer as well as the innovative tactics that they are using to raise their level of play and get more wins.

Skill of the week: Coaching skill -- adding two contact games to your practice

Scenario of the week: When your team only has two primary passers

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on two contact games:

Tod's competitive two contact game: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/one-on-one-competitive-two-contact-drill/

Kirsten Bernthal Booth from Creighton Univ. demonstrates a two contact in the queen of the court style: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/small-group-drill-two-contacts/

The Resource of the Week, BounceBeach on Instagram, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bouncebeach/?hl=en

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is critical for every coach: finding a practice planning process that works for you to ensure the most optimal practice for your team. Every coach plans practice differently, but what is most important is discovering a consistent process that brings about really great practices. Without proper planning practices invariably falter or lack the necessary organization to be as effective as they could be. In this episode we go into the process that Davis uses to plan his practices and what listeners can take from how he sets up highly impactful practices.

In our scenario segment, we discuss a skill that is underutilized: using evaluations to help yourself and program get better. Often coaches shy away from evaluations because they can be uncomfortable and can expose aspects of our coaching that are not operating at a high level. This is equally why evaluations are important. They can point out our "blind spots" and help us to realize our greater potential. On this episode, Tod discusses how he uses evaluations and how others can learn from their players, other coaches, and parents to help make everyone better.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is a great resource from Cassidy Lichtman, a highly successful player for Stanford University, an Athletes Unlimited athlete, and a motivational speaker. Her website, P/ath Sports, is a great source of all types of videos related to the "soft skills" of being an elite performer. Topics include building confidence, identity and empowerment, and becoming a great teammate and much more. The videos on the site are not all from volleyball players, in fact, they are mostly from well-known athletes and coaches from outside of volleyball. The videos are powerful and can really help athletes to reach their full potential.

Skill of the week: How to utilize a process and routine for creating practice plans that are efficient and effective

Scenario of the week: Using coaching evaluations to make everyone better and more effective

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on AOC founders' ideas about practice planning:

John Dunning discusses how to divide up coach and player roles during practice for the most impact possible: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/roles-during-practice/

Russ Rose teaches coaches how to be better at designing practices in the following video: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/practice-planning-and-design-with-russ-rose/

Terry Liskevych goes into how to use 10 segments of practice for efficient practice planning: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/planning-effective-practices-ten-segments-planning/

The Resource of the Week, P/ath Sports by Cassidy Lichtman, can be found here: ⁠https://www.pathsports.org/

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is a coaching skill about using a glossary of your own terms to create a unique, individualized team identity, as well as recognizing and naming often overlooked smaller plays. Tod talks about several of his favorite in hopes of other coaches creating their own cool terms.

In our scenario segment, we discuss a challenge that occurs almost every season for almost every club coach, navigating the Qualifying Process. Qualifying is such a challenge, and the expectations are high, so how can coaches avoid some of the pitfalls that Davis has fallen into? Find out on this episode. We discuss topics like: setting up goals from the beginning, process and outcome focused goals, and managing expectations.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is a great resource from Isaac Kneubuhl, a coach who has built a following on Instagram by examining the volleyball armswing, training athletes to hit harder, and being a proponent for the circular armswing. His page, TorqVB, is our resource of the week.

Skill of the week: Using a glossary of your own terms to create a unique team identity

Scenario of the week: Navigating the Qualifying Process that so many club teams are aiming for

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week focused on Utah coach Beth Launiere:

This is an awesome 4 on 4 out of system game: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-on-4-kamikaze-volleyball-drill-with-beth-launiere/

This video is the first in a series by Beth Launiere that focuses on improving your athletes' individual ball control skills: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/individual-ball-control-part-1-with-beth-launiere/

The following video is an insightful discussion about how to find and train elite performers: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/elite-performers/

The Resource of the Week: TorqVB on Instagram by Isaac Kneubuhl, can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/torqvb/?hl=en

Episode 52: Coaching lessons from Japan, coaching in the deciding set, and EpicSportsWait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is a coaching skill all about what Tod learned from his trip to Japan with Coast Volleyball club's top teams, where they played against several of the country's top high school team and a highly competitive university team. He shares his insights about how they do things better, in some ways, than we do in the U.S., and what we can learn from them.

In our scenario segment, we discuss a super fun scenario: winning late in a deciding set (game 3 or 5), and how to approach that situation to win more of those situations, more often.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is EpicSports.com's volleyball page where you can find almost anything you need in terms of gear. From nets and balls to clothing for coaches and athletes, EpicSports is the one page you should Bookmark for finding gear.

Skill of the week: What Tod learned from his recent volleyball trip to help compete against some of Japan's best high school and university teams

Scenario of the week: Winning a close deciding set, tips and tactics

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week:

Jen Oldenburg from Ohio State University explains and demonstrates emergency passing and defense moves with former North Carolina Head Coach Joe Sagula: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/emergency-moves-for-passing-and-defense/

Tod's famous sock slide drill that helps teach diving: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/sock-slide-drill/⁠

Dani Busboom Kelly from Louisville has her players demonstrate several sprawling variations: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/dig-and-sprawl-drill-variations/

The Resource of the Week: EpicSports for any type of volleyball gear can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://volleyball.epicsports.com/

On this episode, The VolleyPod covers Karch Kiraly's newest book, Chasing Greatness. The coaches take an important takeaway from each chapter and discuss why/how it is relevant to coaches, and how it can help them be better.

"This is the closest thing you can get to being in the gym with Karch" said Davis on this week's episode. There are so many great points in the book and Tod and Davis go over some really interesting ideas.

You can find Karch's book here: https://store.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/shop/karch-book/

Episode 50: Getting my team to play with heart, Mental training remedies for playing better in practice than in the games, and VolleyMovement by Daniel Maciel

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

This week's skill is a coaching skill about how to get your team to "play with heart". But what is "heart"? Tod and Davis discuss what it is, how to train it, and how to get your team to want to play in that way.

In our scenario segment, we discuss the common refrain from coaches, "My team plays way better in practice than in the matches", and we think about it in terms of mental training techniques for how to make that situation better, and switch that idea to "I perform better in matches".

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is a unique resource from someone who has gone through recovery and rehab and continued to play at a very high level, Daniel Maciel and his Instagram page about strength and conditioning with a focus on longevity and safety.

Skill of the week: Getting my team to play with heart

Scenario of the week: Mental training remedies for playing better in practice than in games

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on The VolleyPod This Week:

Russ Rose's video about emergency defense moves: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/individual-defense-emergency-moves/

Luca Yanez from Benedictine University and his 4-step progression: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/digging-while-moving-forward-4-step-progression/

John Dunning and standout Libero Morgan Hentz have a discussion about training excellent defenders: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/training-defenders/

The Resource of the Week: VolleyMovement on Instagram by Daniel Maciel, can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/volleymovement/?hl=en

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠⁠ and Twitter at ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Scouting can mean the difference between a fast start and an advantage in matches, but many teams do not really scout. This week's podcast covers what to look for that actually matters when it comes to scouting, how to do it, and how to teach your team how to do it.

In our scenario segment, we discuss the common refrain from coaches, "My team plays way better in practice than in the matches", and how to think about the issue.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is recently deceased football coach Mike Leach and his book Swing Your Sword.

Skill of the week: Scouting opponents

Scenario of the week: My team plays way better in practice than in matches

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on the Pod This Week:

Russ Rose's video about creating a game plan and scouting your opponents: ⁠⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/game-planning-scouting-your-opponent/

Kevin Hambly's in-depth discussion about scouting opponents: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/scouting-with-kevin-hambly/

Brennan Dean from Wave VBC discusses scouting: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/scouting-competition/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Resource of the Week: Mike Leach's book, Swing Your Sword, can be found here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Swing-Your-Sword-Leading-Football/dp/1938120124

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/⁠

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/⁠ and Twitter at ⁠https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod ⁠for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

With great insights from Tod, we discuss the coaching skill of teaching decision making. Tod is 1/2 way down an ecological dynamics rabbit hole, so he is rethinking how he teaches decision making, and he shares how coaches can use some of those ideas to make their own practices more effective.

In our scenario segment, we discuss how to think about the recruiting process prior to your junior year in high school, when colleges can actively recruit junior level athletes.

We always share one great resource each week, and this week it is VIVI Athletics, who helps athletes value and build their internal athlete.

Skill of the week: Teaching decision making

Scenario of the week: Getting recruited before your junior year

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on the Pod This Week:

Diane Flick Williams' instruction about how to overload the block to create advantages for the hitters: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/teach-setters-to-overload-and-isolate-to-gain-an-offensive-advantage/

John Dunning's video discussing how to become a better reader and how to teach players to become betters decision makers: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/becoming-a-better-reader-and-learning-to-make-decisions/

Christy Johnson-Lynch's demonstration of 8 Game-mimicking drills to help promote decision making: ⁠https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/8-game-mimicking-drills-that-promote-decision-making/

The Resource of the Week: VIVI Athletics can be found here: www.viviathletics.com

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

One of the most under-taught skills in volleyball is attacker coverage. In this episode we go over how to approach coverage and why it is so important. Learning how to cover will save your team more points and frustrate your opponent.

In our scenario segment, we go over ideas for what to say during a coach's critical breaks in action, timeouts.

Finally, we share information about Karch Kiraly's book, Chasing Greatness.

Skill of the week: Hitter coverage

Scenario of the week: What should I say during a timeout?

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on the Pod This Week:

Former Penn State University Head Coach Russ Rose's coverage drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/coverage-drill-2/

Russ Rose's video about how to handle variations in coverage situations: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/russ-rose-adjusting-hitter-coverage-to-the-situation/

Austin Juniors' drill that focuses on tooling and covering your hitters: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/cover-your-hitter-drill/

The Resource of the Week: Chasing Greatness by Karch Kiraly is available here: https://store.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/shop/karch-book/

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

One of the most powerful ways to coach involves using key words or phrases to help athletes learn skills. By "chunking" bits of information coaches can "lead" the athlete into the desired behavior, by calling out the word/phrase prior to the goal/behavior. This episode is all about key words that our coaches use to help their athletes learn various aspects of the game. They share their key words and phrases for each primary volleyball skill and they want to hear yours, too!

In our scenario segment, we do something new, and place the spotlight on a particular player and try to describe what makes him or her "so good". This episode's player spotlight is star opposite, Yuji Nishida, from Japan. He has taken the volleyball world by storm and is nothing short of a celebrity! He can also really play and we go in on how he is so dang effective!

Finally, they share information from the Junior Volleyball Association's beautiful, concise coaching resources

Skill of the week: Using key words to teach skills

Scenario of the week: Yuji Nishida player profile - How is he so good?

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on the Pod This Week:

Deborah Newkirk from Coach Em Up with 30 minutes of drills for young players: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/30-minutes-of-drills-for-beginning-volleyball-players/

Cary Wallin from 949 Athletics, and her cues for serving: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/volleyball-serving-for-beginning-players/

Key words/phrases for beginning passing form: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/training-beginners-to-master-proper-passing-form/

The Resource of the Week: Junior Volleyball Association's Coaching Resources are available here: https://jvavolleyball.org/education/coaches/

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Everyone wants to hit harder, but there is not that much discussion on how to do so. This podcast goes into everything "heat" and how to get yourself to hit harder, with more power!

Also, Tod and Davis discuss a common scenario, when the team is too emotional, and ways to think about, and handle that situation.

Finally, they share information about The Change the Game Project, which is available here: https://changingthegameproject.com/

Skill of the week: Hitting hard(er)

Scenario of the week: My team is too emotional

The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos discussed on the Pod This Week:

Brent Hilliard's look at what goes into hitting harder: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/help-your-outside-hitters-generate-more-power/

Ken Murczek's drill to reinforce the mentality and skill of hitting hard: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-drill-train-players-to-take-more-aggressive-swings/

Mark Barnard's video about why and how outside hitters should "go big": https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/why-outside-hitters-need-a-go-big-mindset/

The Resource of the Week: The Change the Game Project is available here: https://changingthegameproject.com/

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As an attacker, using the entire court to score can be crucial. One of the "key" swings that attackers can use to "unlock" the whole court is sharp cross-court. This shot forces the blockers and diggers to dial their defense around which can expose the middle of the court for numerous kills. However, many athletes hit sharp cross-court in a manner that can be dangerous for either: their legs/knees, like when they land on one leg, or their shoulders, when they swing outside of their body line. This episode focuses on how to hit sharp angle safely, but also with a lot of power and efficiency.

Also, Tod and Davis discuss some options for what to do when you have front row players who are not physically capable of blocking over the net. They also go into some ways that coaches can evaluate whether or not having a big blocker is more useful than having a smaller, more skilled player in the front row. 

Finally, they share multi-time a very insightful book written by Hugh McCutcheon, an Olympic medalist as the coach for both the U.S. Men's National Team and the U.S. Women's National Team.

Skill of the week: Attacking sharp cross-court

Scenario of the week: Front row players that can't block

 Videos Discussed on the Pod This Week:

From The Art of Coaching Volleyball, the following video is an instructional video about hitting AND defending sharp angle swings: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/drill-to-train-attacking-and-defending-the-angle/

From Titans Volleyball, this video is a collection of crazy angle swings. Watch and learn from the best!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EugO_ogF40Q 

From Power Volleyball, this video is also collection of super sharp angle swings. Check out the 30 second mark for possibly the sharpest angle ever. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EugO_ogF40Q 

The Resource of the Week can be found here: 

Hugh McCutheon's book, Championship Behaviors, is available widely, but you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Championship-Behaviors-Competitive-Excellence-Sports/dp/1629379573 

AND

McCutcheon has an incredible TEDTalk, based on the same topic, available here: https://www.ted.com/talks/hugh_mccutcheon_championship_behaviors 

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Team communication has become a source of debate in the coaching world lately. Some coaches feel as if less communication is more effective, while others believe that communication is a critical part of success. Coach Tod Mattox shares his take on communication and how to make it really work for your team.

Also, the two experienced coaches discuss the common refrain, "I want it more than my team", and talk about how to think about this type of situation, perhaps differently than we would have as young coaches.

Finally, we share an excellent resource that teaches volleyball through lots of International level clips combined with instruction.

Skill of the week: Teaching communication

Scenario of the week: "I want it more than my team"

Resource of the week can be found here: https://volleycountry.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/volleycountry/ and Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@VolleyCountrycom 

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Closing the block can be extremely difficult when teams are running a fast, balanced offense. However, having two blockers that are hip-to-hip, in front of the hitter, will make it much more challenging for the hitter to score. How can our teams get two blockers in front of the hitter more often? Today on The VolleyPod we cover this and much more!

Today Davis and Tod go over closing the block, and give listeners a slew of ideas for how to close the block more often and more effectively. This podcast is mostly focused on the middle blocker closing to the pins.

Also, the two old buddies discuss the common refrain from coaches, "My team has no leaders", and talk about how to handle this situation and make it great for our players.

Finally, we share an excellent resource for developing new leaders, Jeff Jansen's The Team Captain's Leadership Manual.

Skill of the week: Closing the block

Scenario of the week: My team has no leaders

Resource of the week: Jeff Jansen's The Team Captain's Leadership Manual is located here:https://www.janssensportsleadership.com/resources/leadership-for-captains/ https://www.instagram.com/Volleycountry/?hl=en

Volleyball resources mentioned in this episode:

- Ohio State Mens Volleyball Blocking Concepts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2R5H7FI43o

- Keegan Cook from University of Washington and Chris Tamas from University of Illinois share tips about how to close the block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJclrFY7YZM

- Rachel Adams from the U.S. National Team teaches the 3-step crossover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOCp5wUOrXk

Bonus Video:

- Brian Rosen from Carolina Juniors introduces concepts through a game-like blocking drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKK1qKDo8Q

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When events follow the typical sequence of pass-set-hit, typical transition footwork can be utilized, but what about when other, less common, events take place? Has your team rehearsed a plan for each of these occurrences? 

During this episode Tod and Davis discuss how to train for the randomness of transition and become more effective when things are less than perfect. 

Also, the coaches discuss the challenges and fun of winning a 3-day tournament: the before, during, and after.

Finally, we share a new device that can help players to maintain a strong, resilient shoulder and help keep injuries to a minimum AND get a killer workout. AXIO Centripetal Training uses the energy of creating and maintaining centripetal force to make the shoulder and core stable and injury resistant.

Skill of the week: Transition options and choices

Scenario of the week: Winning a 3-day tournament

Resource of the week: AXIO 360 and AXIO Centripetal Training is located here:https://axiotraining.com/

AOC Volleyball resources mentioned in this episode:

- Karch Kiraly's middle transition drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/middle-transition-drill-with-karch-kiraly/

- Michelle Collier from Georgia Tech's video discusses solutions to common transition problems: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/michelle-collier-finding-effective-solutions-to-various-transition-situations/

- Christy Johson-Lynch from Iowa State goes into how to effectively train transition using 6 on 6 games: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-art-of-training-transition/

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Do you want to score more points and run a fun, fast offense that uses all of your players to achieve a way higher hitting efficiency, create more 1 on 1 attacking opportunities, and put more stress on the defense? 

The Tempo Spread Offense is the answer. But what is it and how can you use it achieve its best effects? This episode goes into the fundamentals of the Tempo Spread offense and how and why to use it with your teams.

Also, Tod goes into how he handles the end of the season, player recognition, and the end of season event. 

Finally, we share info about AOC's Youtube channel which is packed with great videos, including full episodes of The VolleyPod!

Skill of the week: The Tempo Spread Offense

Scenario of the week: The end of the season event

Resource of the week: The Art of Coaching Volleyball's Youtube Channel is located here:https://www.youtube.com/@AoCVB 

AOC Volleyball resources mentioned in this episode:

- Kerry McDonald from Volleyball Canada discussed how to create attacker-blocker advantages: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/running-an-offense-finding-gaps-overloading-blockers/

- Kirsten Bernthal Booth discusses the many advantages of running an up-tempo offense: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-a-fast-offense-can-give-your-team-an-edge/

- Jim Stone goes into how and why to run an offense that uses space across the whole net to help attacker score from a variety of attack points: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/jim-stone-sample-offense-with-multiple-attack-points/

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Does your team make too many errors? Everyone knows that errors are the kiss of death for a volleyball team, right? Well, sort of. Davis goes into how to perceive errors in a way that will help your teams to win more matches. 

Is your team "not mentally tough"? Being "weak mentally" is why they lose all of those close games, right? Kind of. Tod dissects this common refrain from coaches and discusses ideas for how to help your teams handle this challenge differently than many coaches. 

Scenarios of the week: When your team makes too many errors & when your team isn't "mentally tough"

Resource of the week: Max Out Mindset can be found here: https://www.maxoutmindset.com/ 

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Don Patterson's blog about how a 9 second clip of Samantha Bricio can help your hitters be better: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/9-second-video-of-samantha-bricio/

- Mike Sealy's video about two different methods for setters to deliver the ball: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/setting-touch-on-the-ball/

- Jamie Morrison's video about coaching while considering the limits of a person's working memory: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/working-memory/

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Movement and athleticism go hand in hand. So why are we allowing young players to stand around while the ball is in play?  

Instead we should train their movement and both "on ball" and "off the ball" skills.  

In this episode, experienced coaches Tod Mattox and Davis Ransom go all in on how to create movement in meaningful ways for younger teams and get them playing more efficient, more intentional volleyball, right away.

Skill of the Week: Movement guidelines for beginners and intermediate teams 

The Art of Coaching Volleyball drills noted during this episode:

Former National Team Head Coach Terry Liskevych's demo and discussion about how to maintain balance during serve receive: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/when-passing-balance-is-everything/

Kansas' Head Coach, Ken Bechard's quick talk and demo regarding how to get more individual defensive range for your athletes: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/posture-balance-for-range-on-defense/

 2022 NCAA Finalist with Louisville, Coach Dani Busboom- Kelly's staple team defense and movement drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/rotate-switch-stay-defensive-drill-to-improve-movement/

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From the floor of the AVCA Convention, Tod Mattox and Davis Ransom share some of the most interesting ideas that they found over the course of the annual coaches meeting, as well as interviews with some of the tops coaches in the game:

Tina Kinkead, from La Jolla Country Day School and Coast Volleyball Club

Toby Manzanares, Hall of Fame coach from St. Pius X in New Mexico

Terry Liskevych, the ambassador for The Art of Coaching Volleyball, former National Team Head Coach, and one of the greatest influences in modern volleyball history

This episode is so good that we had to make it one hour!

Each coach shares some of what makes him/her great and you can sense the excitement on the floor of the Convention Center!

Bonus Instagram video showing the Fake Attack Then Set tactic: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CfMlfj-De99/?igshid=ZmMyNmFmZTc=

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How can we, as coaches, make our practices more enjoyable, engaging, and joyful for our athletes? We know that athletes will be more likely to keep playing and be more engaged if they have fun while they are playing. This episode goes into how we can create space for joy in practice!

On this episode of The VolleyPod Tod and Davis cover some really valuable topics. First, they discuss how to make practice more joyful and therefore more effective, for players. Little things can make all the difference. Next, they go over statistics, from the ground up. They cover all of the fundamental stats, how and why to take them, and how to make them actually benefit your team. Finally, they share a incredible resource from legendary coach Terry Pettit: his book about championship teams, Talent and the Secret Life of Teams. 

Skill of the week: Making practice more joyful and fun for players

Scenario of the week: The why, what, and how of Statistics 

Resource of the week: Terry Pettit's book Talent and the Secret Life of Teams can be found here: https://terrypettit.com/shop/talent-and-the-secret-life-of-teams/

AOC Volleyball resources related to this episode:

The value of rewards: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/motivating-ice-cream/

Terry Liskevych's fascinating article about Norway's unique method of putting fun first: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/norways-winning-formula/

Deborah Newkirk's great video about subtle ways to add some more fun to practice: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-to-add-subtle-fun-to-practice/

Debbie Brown's video discussion about how to figure out which drills are both fun and effective for your team: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/identifying-what-makes-drills-fun-for-your-team/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

At the youngest levels, consistent serving can easily overwhelm the opponent's serve receive and help your team to win games. But, serving can be a challenge for many young players. So, how can we as coaches become experts at teaching serving and help our players achieve more, earlier?

This episode goes into coaching serving with a baker's dozen tips on teaching serving to our newest players. This week on The VolleyPod, 

Davis and Tod cover how to serve for beginners, and offer key insights that will most certainly help your team serve more consistently, and improve quickly. Next, the coaches discuss how to handle the situation that happens to almost every team in the early part of the season: when roles have not been clearly established yet, and you are going into competition soon. Finally, we share an incredible resource for coaches and players alike, MoreThanWinsVB, an Instagram profile from Scott Mattera, a coach who really knows how to win, but he also creates a culture of fun and inclusion. 

Skill of the week: Serving for beginners

 Scenario of the week: Playing time when roles are not clearly defined yet

 Resource of the week: MoreThanWinsVB on Instagram or they can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/morethanwinsvb/?hl=en  

AOC Volleyball resources mentioned in this episode:

- Julianne Faucette-Johnson's (Univ. of Texas Alum) tips for beginning serving: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/developing-a-consistent-and-powerful-serve/ 

- Everyone's favorite serving game, "Dead Fish", where the servers "fish out", and rescue, the servers that miss their serve: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/dead-fish-serving-drill/ 

- Gwen Egbert provides a great wall serving series that gives instant feedback to players: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/wall-serving-progression/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

A strong "Base" defense can frustrate the opponent through discipline and defensive grit. How can you be super solid in base and win way more rallies where the ball comes over on 1 or 2 contacts, or they run the quick?

On this episode of The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod go over the importance of, and keys for, a strong "Base" defense. Base defense has been described as one way coaches can tell if they have a disciplined team, and the tips in this episode can definitely help with that. Next, Tod and Davis discuss a situation that happens all the time on younger teams: when one player is less experienced than the rest of your team, and offer some great ideas for how to handle it, that are win-win for the player and the team. Finally, we share What Drives Winning, a Ted-talk style website that features influential figures in sport delivering some of their best advice.

Skill of the week: Protecting your "Base" defense

Scenario of the week: When one player is significantly less experienced than the rest of the team

Resource of the week: What Drives Winning can be found here: https://whatdriveswinning.com/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Tod's win more than 50% game allows for tons of team defense feedback: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/defensive-transition-drill/

- Defense is an attitude and teams should use that competitive edge to score more points: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/digging-to-score-and-train-a-competitive-mindset/

- Nabil Mardini plays 3 vs. 6 in his practices to reinforce good team defense habits: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/wash-to-five-drill-with-nabil-mardini/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

How can we decrease our opponent's hitting efficiency, making it easier on our team to produce enough points to win the match?

On this episode of The VolleyPod we discuss specifics about how to hinder the opponent's scoring by following several (relatively) controllable principles. The principles found in this episode can help any team to be more competitive immediately. 

Then, Tod and Davis go over some ideas for how to start off the season with an experienced team. The ideas that we cover on this topic can help your team get off to a fast start at the beginning of the season. 

Finally, we share Davis' first project, The VolleyNerd Podcast, with our listeners. The VolleyNerd Podcast is a deep dive into some of the more interesting and fun topics surrounding coaching.

Skill of the week: Decreasing the opponent's hitting efficiency

Scenario of the week: Starting off the season fast with an experienced team

Resource of the week: The VolleyNerd Podcast can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yk8DUT53pb98uGTMjuYt9

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

Mark Rosen's video about understanding the opponent's setting tendencies: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/volleyball-strategy-setting-patterns/

Russ Rose's video about defending the left side attack and its important role in decreasing the opponent's hitting efficiency: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/defending-the-left-side-attack-with-russ-rose/

John Dunning's fascinating talk about how to set up your defense in order to compete against different types of teams: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/defensive-scheming-with-john-dunning/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

What do our players have to do to switch successfully from indoor to beach and from beach to indoor?

On this episode of The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod go over some of the key differences, that can be trained between indoor and beach. Then, they discuss how to respond when the ref you have for your match is inexperienced or below average. They also share the latest and greatest Video Analysis App, OnForm, which uses video to help athletes learn from watching their (or others') technique in a multitude of different ways.  In addition, they share 2 great video resources from The Art of Coaching Volleyball library that coaches can view to consider how the beach game relates to the indoor game. And, they share an episode from The VolleyNerd Podcast that compares and contrasts beach and indoor volleyball even more thoroughly with Coach Justin Marshall from Park University Gilbert.

Skill of the week: Switching from indoor to beach and from beach to indoor

Scenario of the week: When the ref is inexperienced or below average

Resource of the week: OnForm Video Analysis App can be found here: https://www.onform.com/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

Adam Johnson's beach benefits indoor and indoor benefits beach video: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/adam-johnson-beach-helps-indoor-indoor-helps-beach/

Holly McPeak's video about the specific differences between beach and indoor: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/beach-volleyball-training-the-differences/

Additional Resource for the Week: 

The VolleyNerd Podcast Episode (on Spotify) comparing and contrasting beach and indoor volleyball with Justin Marshall from Park University, Gilbert: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7p9KNNJPSSb59JRl7Cndfl

Your team's attacking efficiency is arguably one of, if not the, single key statistic, for deciding who wins the match at the high school Varsity level.

Today on The VolleyPod, Tod and Davis discuss how to help your team increase their offensive performance, and win more matches! 

Then, they explore some playoff do's and don'ts. There is not only one recipe for success in the postseason, but The VolleyPod hosts give everyone some things to think about that could help you win more late in the season, which is the best time to win!

They also share a unique pair of shoes that has demonstrated an increase in the verticals of athletes that were wearing these shoes by nearly 4 inches. 

In addition, they share a blog post and 2 drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's tremendous library of resources, that can help coaches fine tune their timeout-taking philosophies

Skill of the week: Team attacking efficiency

Scenario of the week: Playoff Do's and Don'ts

Resource of the week: Athletic Propulsion Labs' Vertical Enhancing Shoes can be found here: https://www.athleticpropulsionlabs.com/collections/concept-x

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- An excellent blog discussion on typical errors for individual hitting and how to correct them: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/7-common-hitting-approach-errors-and-how-to-fix-them/

- Nabil Mardini's video, 5 shots that every hitter should have: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-five-shots/

- Luka Slabe's video about expanding athletes' array of "tools" in their "toolbox" to score more or work out of tough situations: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/what-to-do-when-youre-stuck-using-your-toolbox/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Increasing your scoring from the pins goes a long way towards helping your team win, so how can your team start putting up a bunch of points from the wings?

On this week's episode of The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod discuss ways to immediately impact your scoring from the pins and some longer-term principles to help you keep your scoring high all season.

Then, they explore some non-standard ways that coaches can utilize their assistant coaches in a meaningful way other than that day's fun chat. 

They also share an incredibly "rich" resource, RichKern.com, that is like an encyclopedia of results, players, and schools, and much more.

In addition, they point listeners towards Britney Abercrombie's "Opposite Hitting Series" of videos from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's highly useful library. This series covers technique, tactics, and the mental approach of attacking.

Skill of the week: Scoring from the pins

Scenario of the week: Utilizing an assistant coach in non-standard ways

Resource of the week: Rich Kern's informational website about all things volleyball: www.richkern.com

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

Brittany Abercrombie's Opposite Training Series Intro Video: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/opposite-training-series-intro/

Footwork and Mechanics: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/arm-swing-and-footwork-mechanics/

Hitting Back Sets: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-back-sets/

Hitting on the Left Side: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-on-the-left-side/

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Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Do you ever ask you athletes how many times they tooled the block?

Tooling the block is so frustrating for the opponent and can open other types of attacks, so this episode is all about how to help you athletes hit off of the block for points.

Then, they talk about how to get the most out of your team and win when your best player is out.

They also share a resource that will surely get you motivated with heartfelt messages from popular culture's most noteworthy people, called Mindsethub_

In addition, they point coaches at 3 drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform that can help them with getting their athletes to tool more

Skill of the week: Tooling the block

Scenario of the week: Concepts for playing and winning without your best player

Resource of the week: Mindsethub_ can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/mindsethub_/?hl=en 

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- This cool drill uses punching hand pads to aim at and still protect the blocker's fingers: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-art-of-the-timeout/

- Nabil Mardini from L.A. Mission College runs a fun game where you can only score with a tool: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-to-score-off-the-opponents-block/

- John Dunning's fun, cooperative game where hitters aim at the block: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/tooling-the-block-drill-from-john-dunning/

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Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Timeouts are one of a coach's only really influential tactics from the sideline and if they are used in a smart way, they can dramatically affect how your team plays.

Today on The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod discuss timeouts, and why, when and how to use them to great effect, as well as a few habits to avoid.

Then, they explore some ways that black and white rules can be helpful for your team, and some other times when rules with some room to adjust may be better.

They also share a set of research from Angela Duckworth that places a higher importance on determination and meaningful action over time than intelligence and sometimes even genetics, and inspired millions of people in the process.

In addition, they share a blog post and 2 drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's tremendous library of resources, that can help coaches fine tune their timeout-taking philosophies

Skill of the week: Timeouts

Scenario of the week: Using black and white rules and/or using rules that allow for shades of grey

Resource of the week: Angela Duckworth's incredible novel, Grit, can be found here: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Debbie Kniffin's blog discussion on the subtle art of the timeout: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-art-of-the-timeout/

- Terry Liskevych's timeouts are simple and unemotional: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/calling-time-outs-2/

- John Dunning's video about talking with slumping players: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/time-out-talk-what-should-coaches-say-to-a-slumping-player/

Bonus Video - In preparation for the JVA Virtual Clinic, Mike Lingenfelder's video that asks: "Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?": https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/coaches-thermostat-or-thermometer/

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

How can you make drills more game-like, competitive, and fun? Turn them into games! But how, exactly?

Today on The VolleyPod, Tod and Davis discuss why and how to turn boring drills into exciting, effective games, and they provide examples!

Then, they explore some ways that can actually serve your team in a positive way, when you are losing games and matches. Davis has a lot of experience with this scenario, so he discusses some ways to think about how to handle this unfortunate, but very common (50% of the time to be exact), part of the game

They also share a narrative that explores some of the most common ways teams can get "off track" and what they can do to get back on track and become a more successful team.

In addition, they share 3 drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's cornucopia of useful videos, that are all great examples of taking what could be a dull drill, and turning it into a more useful, enjoyable game.

Skill of the week: Turning drills into games

Scenario of the week: When your team is losing

Resource of the week: Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: https://www.tablegroup.com/product/dysfunctions/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Mark Rosen's competitive serving and passing games: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/making-your-serve-pass-drills-competitive/

- Karch Kiraly's outside hitter tournament: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/outside-hitter-tournament/

- Terry Liskevych's 3 versus 6 game that focuses on back row defense reps: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/90723-2/

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Serving tough doesn't just mean serving hard. How can you maximize your serving? By thinking like a pitcher. Davis and Tod explain why and how.

On this episode of The VolleyPod, long-time volleyball coaches Tod Mattox and Davis Ransom discuss intermediate/advanced serving tactics that will make you think about serving in a new light.

Then, the two grumpy old men discuss how coaches can react when a player comes to them asking for help with losing confidence after playing as a reserve.

They also share a fantastic resource, Anson Dorrance's series of talks on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform, that can definitely relate for all coaches.

In addition, they share 2 drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's website that coaches can use to expand their knowledge and skill, and Davis' favorite drill, which can be found on The VolleyPod's new Youtube channel. Just click the link below.

Skill of the week: Intermediate/Advanced Serving Tactics

Scenario of the week: When a player loses confidence after playing as a reserve

Resource of the week: All of Anson Dorrance's discussions on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform, can be found here: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/?s=anson%20dorrance

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Joy Tietz from Minnesota Select Volleyball's serve targeting drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/box-drill-for-deep-effective-serves/

- Craig Skinner from Kentucky Univ. and how he structures his team's serving practice to get a lot of variation in their targeting: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serving-targets-create-variation/

- The VolleyPod's very own Davis Ransom and his Serving Golf game that emphasizes consistency and serving well under pressure: https://youtu.be/cqetaOGMHzo

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Running the quick quickset, otherwise known as the "1", super fast, can be inefficient and a downright waste of a good hitter if your team doesn't connect well. So how can coaches run the quick in a useful way to score and never miss? 

On this episode of The VolleyPod, long-time volleyball coaches Tod Mattox and Davis Ransom discuss how to train and run the 1 in a way that helps hitters score more, and the setters and middles truly connect for great effect.

Then, we explain our Top 10 Tips for new coaches. These are not drills, but ways to perceive coaching at a high level.

They share a resource that will help to get your athletes jumping higher, TODAY! That's right, today!

In addition, they share 3 drills that will be unlocked on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's website that coaches can use to expand their knowledge and skill.

Skill of the week: The zero tempo 1

Scenario of the week: Our Top 10 Tips for new coaches

Resource of the week: ProjectPureAthlete, can be found at  https://projectpureathlete.com/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

Jim Stone's quick video about how to teach the quick-quick with example video: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/quick-middle-attack/

Team Canada's Kerry McDonald addresses how to fix some typical issues that present themselves when training the quick attack: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/remedy-common-middle-attack-issues/

Ray Bechard from Kansas and his fun and effective middle vs. middle drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/middle-vs-middle-drill-with-back-row-attacking/

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

Nearly all young hitters struggle to learn timing for attacking. How can we speed up that process and help our athletes connect at the top of their jump?

On this episode of The VolleyPod, Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox how to help hitters improve their spiking timing, both in terms of drills to do, and concepts to help athletes with the challenge of hitting a variety of sets.

Then, the discuss a scenario that coaches should be putting some thought into, contingency plan(s), and how much to time and thought to invest into them.

They also share another great feature from The Art of Coaching Volleyball's vast menu of resources, the blog feature.

In addition, they share 3 drills that will be unlocked on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's website that coaches can use to expand their knowledge and skill.

Skill of the week: Hitter timing

Scenario of the week: How much time and energy to spend on contingency plans

Resource of the week: The Art of Coaching Volleyball's Blog Feature, which can be found at: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/category/quick-take-blog/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Ryan Theis from Marquette's "Don't leave early" drill: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/timing-drill-for-hitters/

- Mark Barnard's discussion and demonstration of a fun attacking drill to help hitters understand timing: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/help-hitters-understand-timing-with-mark-barnard/

- John Dunning's set timing and set types discussion and demonstration: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/set-timing-and-types/

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

How can your team score more points when the setter isn't setting great?

On this episode of The VolleyPod, Tod Mattox and Davis Ransom talk about scoring more "out of system".

Then they go into how to approach when coaches are tasked with both winning games and matches AND developing players for the future.

They also share a technology for coaches and players that helps setters become more consistent with their setting trajectory called Noah.

In addition, they share 3 drills that will be unlocked on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's website that coaches can use to expand their knowledge and skill.

Skill of the week: Out of system setting and concepts

Scenario of the week: Coaching when you have to both develop players AND win

Resource of the week: Noah can be found here: http://volleyball.noahbasketball.com/volleyball/dunning.php

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

- Christy Johnson-Lynch's revolving 4 player back row setting game: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/follow-your-set-drill-attacking-out-of-system/

- Jim Stone's quick video about how to get swings out of system with examples from USA Volleyball's Junior National Team: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/out-of-system-offense/

- Stanford's fun and useful setter digs out of system game: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/setter-dig-drill-with-stanfords-kevin-hambly/

Wait!

Use code "VOLLEYPOD" for 20% off of almost anything on The Art of Coaching Volleyball's platform INCLUDING memberships, nearly all of the books, printouts, and more! https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/

Also, be sure to follow The VolleyPod on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aoc.thevolleypod/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheVolleyPod for exclusive content and immediately useful tips and drills!

How can some coaches make it seem so easy to get their players to make changes?

On this episode of The VolleyPod, Davis and Tod talk about providing effective feedback. 

Then they discuss the age old question of whether to run a 5-1 or 6-2 and some food for thought on how to make that decision

They also share a daily resource for coaches, right in your email, The Daily Coach. 

In addition, they share 4 helpful drills from The Art of Coaching Volleyball library that coaches can learn from and get their players playing volleyball younger and loving the game sooner!

Skill of the week: Providing effective feedback

Scenario of the week: Deciding between the 5-1 and the 6-2 

Resource of the week: The Daily Coach can be found here: www.thedaily.coach/

AOC Volleyball drills mentioned in this episode:

8 tips from Karch Kiraly, John Dunning, and Tod Mattox about what makes for effective feedback: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/error-correction-8-keys-to-giving-feedback-that-benefits-your-players/

Being positive doesn't mean saying everything is good: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-to-identify-correct-errors-feedback/

Rosen from Univ. of Michigan talks about framing feedback in a positive light: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/spur-success-with-positive-feedback/

John Dunning discussing how minimizing feedback can work as an advantage: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/dont-hurt-a-setters-brain-with-criticism/