Robert Grasso discusses how coaches must determine with their players what type of standards and values they must set that define their teams. It is important to ask questions so that players understand why they […]
Developing Athletes at Practice
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life “The best athletes have the most potential to be the best players.” Prior to, and possibly including 8th grade, I think all players benefit from playing […]
Blockbuster Drill with Kris Fiore – Lincoln-Way East High School (IL)
Watch as Coach Kris Fiore explains, and players demonstrate the Blockbuster Drill that works on transition footwork. This is a 5v5 competitive, high-energy drill that also works on a full range of shots and has […]
Genuine Feedback with Kendra Potts – Grand Canyon Univ.
Watch as Coach Kendra Potts shares insight on the importance of genuine feedback. People do not want pity, but a simple ‘I see you and you’re doing a good job’ goes a long way. Coach […]
Coverage Team Drill with Tom Hilbert – (Retired) Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach Tom Hilbert (Retired) explains, and players demonstrate this 6-on-6 team drill focusing on coverage. This is a 2-ball drill with wash scoring and helps with player alertness by creating coverage situations.
Jump Float Serve: Clean & Flat with Joe Sagula – (Retired) Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach Joe Sagula explains, and players demonstrate a jump float serving drill. Coach applies elastic over the net and asks players to make a clean serve, hitting under the elastic and over the […]
Model, Teach, Test, Reward with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Watch as Stephen Mackey discusses how leadership is critical in the teaching progression of athletes. He explains “Model, Teach, Test, Reward” as a method of teaching that produces results. How you work as a coach […]
Setting Effective Goals
By: Colleen M. Hacker Originally Published in: Achieving Excellence Provided by: Human Kinetics Olympic athletes, like most high achievers, commonly set goals to guide and motivate performance. These elite performers would not engage in action […]
Where Do You Find Leaders with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Jeff Janssen discusses the areas of the Commitment Continuum in which you will find leaders. He urges athletic administrators to not just look at parents, coaches, or kids, but to look at themselves on the […]
Ball Control 1-on-1 Drill with Megan Wargo-Kearney – North Carolina State Univ.
Watch as Coach Megan Wargo-Kearney explains, and players demonstrate this 1-on-1 drill that works on ball control. The major focus is on the first ball being high which gives players time to set up for […]
Shuttle Passing Drill with Melissa Wolter – Univ. of West Florida
Watch as Coach Melissa Wolter explains, and players demonstrate the Shuttle Passing Drill. This flexible drill can be timed or completed through a certain number of touches. Players will group in threes and the outside […]
2-Step Swing Drill with Matt Darling – Gannon Univ.
Watch as Coach Matt Darling explains, and players demonstrate this hitting drill that progresses from 2 steps into a full three-step approach plus arm swing. Coach emphasizes the importance of speed and wants players finishing […]
Middle Attacking: Self Toss to Attack Drills with Dan Meske – Univ. of Louisville
Watch as Coach Dan Meske explains, and players demonstrate this drill progression that works on middle attacking. Middles will control the pass by tossing to themselves then setting to the setter. This helps players to […]
Mental Toughness: A Skill That Can Be Developed with Dr. Colleen Hacker – Team USA / Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Watch as Dr. Colleen Hacker explains that mental toughness is a skill, and it can be developed. It is about how an individual responds to adversity, difficult situations, setbacks, and failure. Mental toughness is not […]
The Mental Side of the Game
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life With regard to athletic and sport skill development, what a player does with their mind, both on and off of the field, is at least as […]
High Hands Pepper with Emily Kohan – Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach Emily Kohan explains, and players demonstrate the High Hands Pepper Drill. This pin-focused drill works on hitting the ball off the top of the block. Coach encourages players to challenge themselves, swing […]
25 Contact Drill with Nancy Dorsey – St. James Academy (KS)
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate the 25 Contact Drill. The object of the drill is to complete 25 touches with the option of players rotating after each ball. Increase difficulty by requiring your […]
Jump Float Serve with Jim Stone – Jim Stone Consulting
Provided By: Jim Stone, Author of “A Game Plan For Better Practices” Purchase Access to Full E-Book Here: https://jimstoneconsulting.com/book/ Watch as Coach explains how he wants the jump serve to have a rhythm to it […]
Arm Swing Mechanics Towel Drill with Simone Asque-Favia – Siena College
Watch as Coach Simone Asque-Favia explains, and players demonstrate this towel drill to help train arm swing. Coach has players focus on keeping a high frame while swinging crossbody using a fast whip through down […]
What U.S. Coaches Should Teach to Elevate Their Athletes’ Game with Danijela Tomic – Bowling Green State Univ.
Watch as Coach Danijela Tomic explains how important teaching the fundamentals is for young athletes. Players should know how to serve, how to set, and how to pass. Holding off on the specialization of position […]
You Have Served and Served Well
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life There are very few certainties in life. In coaching, one of those certainties is that no matter the season, no matter the league, no matter the […]
Interesting Stats on Serving with Mick Haley – Volleyball MasterCoaches
Watch as Coach Mick Haley discusses serving statistics and explains that knowing the numbers gives you decision-making freedom and will make you a better coach. Coach shares the most effective serving placements and emphasizes the […]
Columbus Drill with Kendra Potts – Grand Canyon Univ.
Watch as Coach Kendra Potts explains, and players demonstrate the Columbus Drill which alternates serve-receive and forces players to talk. This fast-paced drill has players thinking forward to their next move and anticipating team interaction. […]
Unwritten Culture Rules with Joe Sagula – (Retired) Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach Joe Sagula talks culture and discusses how it all starts in the locker room. Each team has a set of player-enforced “unwritten rules” that have been passed down. Coach explains that when […]
Setting: Efficient Feet with Zach Weinberg – Tennessee Tech Univ.
Watch as Coach Zach Weinberg explains, and players demonstrate this setting drill that trains efficient feet. This concept ensures the team will get the majority of killable balls. Setter will first set themselves off two […]
What Is Your Biggest Regret and What Did It Teach You? with Craig Skinner – Univ. of Kentucky
Watch as Coach Craig Skinner talks about the importance of player accountability and why he is constantly educating and communicating on and off the court. Coaches should be vulnerable enough to admit that everyone struggles, […]
What May Matter Most Is What You Do Not Say or Do Not Do
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life “Players will likely forget what you said and what you did, but they will not likely forget how you made them feel.” Great coaching takes an […]
Game-Like Serving in Practice with Genny Volpe – Rice Univ.
Watch as Coach Genny Volpe explains, and a player demonstrates this serving progression that helps create tough and consistent serves that challenge your opponent. Start with a standing serve, keeping the ball between the top […]
Blocking Form and Footwork with Jazmyne Johnson – Univ. of Louisiana at Lafayette
Watch as Coach Jazmyne Johnson explains, and players demonstrate blocking form and footwork. Start loaded in a ready position, squeezing your core with hands at an angle in front, and jump. Footwork progresses to step […]
Step Hops with Craig Skinner – Univ. of Kentucky
Watch as Coach Craig Skinner explains, and players demonstrate this step hops progression drill focusing on a setter’s footwork. Using a taped-out area, setters will start in a loaded position and rep footwork in four […]