
The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball
The VolleyPod is all about coaching kids volleyball!
Each episode we cover 3 segments that are each designed to help you become a better volleyball coach.
First, we focus on a specific volleyball skill, talk about how to teach it, and provide drills and video links for further help with that skill.
Then, we present a common coaching scenario and discuss tips for how to (and how not to) handle it.
In the third segment we share a resource that has helped us to become a better coach, with the hopes that it can help you too!
See you on The VolleyPod!
Latest episodes

Apr 19, 2024 • 44min
Episode 104: John Mayer from CYBO on Serving ABC, Ideas for dealing with a frustrated player, and Mayer's top coaching resources right now
Guest John Mayer from CYBO discusses serving ABC, dealing with player frustration, and shares top coaching resources like Perception Action Podcast and Heads Up Baseball. The podcast highlights coaching strategies, handling player emotions, and fun sports games for skill development.

Apr 12, 2024 • 30min
Episode 103: Long court doubles constraints games, Playing up and playing down, and Powercore 360
Exploring constraints games for narrow court doubles, benefits of playing up vs. playing down in volleyball, and Powercore 360 training for hitting and serving harder and safer.

Apr 5, 2024 • 30min
Episode 102: Teaching setting with one drill, My team is mired in the midseason doldrums, and The Learning Leader
Topics discussed include teaching setting with one drill, overcoming midseason doldrums, volleyball techniques, leadership insights, and strategies for motivation. Features insights from top coaches like Lauren Carlini and Alicia Glass. Also, highlights valuable resources such as The Learning Leader Show and upcoming virtual clinics.

Apr 5, 2024 • 29min
Episode 106: Using "freeze framing" pt.1 serve receive and defense, Dealing with an aggressive front row setter, and Empathy vs. Sympathy
Episode 106: Using "freeze framing" pt.1 serve receive and defense, Dealing with an aggressive front row setter, and Empathy vs. Sympathy

Mar 29, 2024 • 31min
Episode 101: Tod's Top 10 Cringiest Player/Coach Moves, Managing expectations for major tournaments, and AOC's Virtual Clinics
Topics discussed in the podcast include Tod's Top 10 Cringiest Player/Coaching Moves, managing expectations for major tournaments, and AOC's Virtual Clinics. The podcast also touches on the real point of blocking, visual learning techniques for players, and the upcoming Art of Coaching Volleyball Virtual Clinics.

Mar 22, 2024 • 30min
Special Episode 100: Sydney Bennett joins us to discuss how we can get better as coaches
Celebrating 100 episodes, hosts discuss coaching tips, movement in training, maintaining player engagement, and the balance between firmness and fun. They explore handling parent meetings, building team culture, empowering coaching assistants, and delving into coaching psychology for growth.

Mar 15, 2024 • 30min
Episode 99: Coach Syd Bennett joins Tod and Davis at the VolleyCave to talk about strengths and areas of improvement
Coach Syd Bennett discusses coaching journey, innovative training methods like 'pizza box', and team culture dynamics. They explore competition culture, age group differences, and a unique yarn training method in volleyball. Don't miss the recommended volleyball resource on Instagram by Sydney Bennett!

Mar 8, 2024 • 30min
Episode 98: Teach your hitters to hit way harder, My team needs more targeted serves in practice, and Transforming Basketball
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!
Skill: Teaching your hitters to hit way harder
Scenario: My team needs more targeted serves in practice
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on hitting hard:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/training-middle-hitters-to-jump-higher-hit-harder/ Ken Murczek from Emporia State University
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/upper-body-torque/ Carrie Wallin from 949 Athletics
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/how-to-maximize-power-on-outside-hits/ Great video about hitting hard
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/training-good-armswing-technique-for-more-powerful-hitting/ Mark Barnard from Oregon State University
The Resource of the Week is:
Transforming Basketball.com, a website, podcast, Youtube channel, and soon to be book, which can be found at:
https://education.transformingbball.com/podcasts/the-transforming-basketball-podcast

Mar 1, 2024 • 28min
Episode 97: What to teach a beginning volleyball player, What to do when you lose all of your matches on Day 1 at a tournament, and How To Read People Like a Book
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!
Skill: What a beginning volleyball player should know
Scenario: What to do after you lost all your matches on Day 1 of a tournament
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on developing beginner fundamentals:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hands-down-for-better-passing-from-tod-mattox/ Tod Mattox
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/teaching-spiking-to-beginnersintermediates/ Tod Mattox
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-basics-of-setting-with-john-dunning/ John Dunning
The Resource of the Week is:
Read People Like a Book by Patrick King which can be found at:
https://www.amazon.com/Read-People-Like-Book-Charismatic/dp/B08QBB3MTG

Feb 23, 2024 • 28min
Episode 96: Beating the Block, handling the post-tournament parent meeting request, and The Untrained Mind
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!
Skill: Beating the block
Scenario: Handling the post-tournament parent meeting request
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on how to deal with the block:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/tooling-the-block-drill-with-nabil-mardini/ Nabil Mardini
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/hitting-scoring-off-the-block-drill/ Mark Barnard
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-mental-side-of-hitting-helping-hitters-understand-their-strengths/ Diane Flick-Williams Western Washington
The Resource of the Week is:
TheUntrainedMind.com and Coach Ferreira which can be found at:
https://www.coachferreira.com/