
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

Feb 16, 2024 • 29min
Episode 95: Part 2 of our Discussion with All-American Setter and Coach Krystal Jackson on Setting Consistency and Confidence
The podcast discusses the pivotal role of confidence in volleyball, exploring strategies to improve performance. It emphasizes self-belief, mental well-being in young athletes, and the psychological aspects of being a setter. The evolution of an elite setting system and empowering players through independent practice are also highlighted.

Feb 9, 2024 • 26min
Episode 94: All-American Setter and Coach Krystal Jackson on Setting Consistency and Confidence
Former UCLA All-American setter, Crystal Jackson, shares her journey of becoming a professional beach volleyball player. The importance of footwork and proper technique in setting is discussed, along with common mistakes to avoid. Different perspectives on footwork in volleyball are explored.

Feb 2, 2024 • 30min
Episode 93: Improve the tempo of your practice, The increasing cost of club volleyball, and Volleyball Coaching Wizards' book list
Episode 93: Improve the tempo of your practice, The increasing cost of club volleyball, and Volleyball Coaching Wizards' book list
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: Improving the pace of your practice
Scenario: The increasing cost of playing club volleyball
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on how to make your practices have a quicker pace:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/planning-effective-practices-ten-segments-planning/ Terry Liskevych explains how to plan a practice using 10 segments
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/practice-and-season-planning/ Dave Rubio sets up some great ideas how to run a fast, effective practice
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serving-basics-with-russ-rose/ Russ Rose talk about what he wants to see in practice every single day
The Resource of the Week is:
Volleyball Coaching Wizards Recommended Reading List, which can be found here:
https://volleyballcoachingwizards.com/recommended-reading/

Jan 26, 2024 • 30min
Episode 92: 15 Myths about club volleyball to dispel with your athletes, My team plays to the level of our competition, and Within The Game podcast
Episode 92: 15 myths about club volleyball to dispel with your athletes, My team plays to the level of our competition, and Within The Game podcast
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: Dispelling myths about club volleyball with our athletes
Scenario: My team plays to the level of our competition
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on how to make the most out of the club volleyball experience:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/russ-roses-rules-for-club-season/ Russ Rose talks about how to view the club season
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/6-tips-for-moms-and-dads-whose-kids-play-club-and-school-volleyball/ A great take on how parents can view their child's season and make the most out of the experience
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/5-keys-to-making-a-smooth-transition-from-high-school-to-club-volleyball/ How to make an effective switch from high school volleyball to club
The Resource of the Week is:
Within The Game Podcast, which can be found here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0tJruYghEgqhL4VMRpGb1x

Jan 24, 2024 • 30min
Episode 91: Techniques for creating a more positive coaching framework, Initiation matters, and 7 and 1/2 Lessons About the Brain
Episode 91: Techniques for creating a more positive coaching framework, Initiation matters, and Within the Game podcast
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: Techniques for creating a more positive coaching framework
Scenario: Initiation matters - all about how initiating can help your team get better
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on fostering a positive environment:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-week-practice-plan-week-2/
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serve-receive-dividing-the-court/
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/indoor-passing-techniques-and-training/
The Resource of the Week is:
7 and 1/2 Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Barrett, which can be found here:
https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/books/seven-and-a-half-lessons-about-the-brain/

Jan 12, 2024 • 28min
Episode 90: Guest Andrew Clifton from Goldenwest VBC is here with: serving under pressure, joining new programs, and The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Episode 90: Guest Andrew Clifton from Goldenwest VBC is here with: serving under pressure, joining new programs, and The Creative Act: A Way of Being
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: Serving under pressure
Scenario: Joining a new program and making your way as a coach
The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos focused on the work of Andrew Clifton, especially serve receive principles:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/4-week-practice-plan-week-2/
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serve-receive-dividing-the-court/
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/indoor-passing-techniques-and-training/
The Resource of the Week is:
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, which is available here:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/

Jan 6, 2024 • 29min
Episode 89: Teach your players to coach themselves, Coach better in 2024, and Bring Your Own Parent
Creating self-reliant players who can coach themselves, best decisions and new teaching methods, impact of speed and non-negotiables in volleyball, balancing creativity and dogmatism in coaching, teaching kids volleyball with parents

Dec 29, 2023 • 28min
Episode 88: How to keep your lines short, Don't do this at practice, and Hidden Potential
Episode 88: How to keep your lines short, Don't do this at practice, and Hidden Potential
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 of the Week
The skill of the week is how to to keep lines short in practice and get more out of your time. Tod shares ideas for setting up stations, organizing your shaggers, and providing tasks that enhance the practice for everyone.
Scenario of the Week
The scenario of the week is what NOT to do during practice, if you want to enhance your practice effectiveness and provide more quality touches for your team. Davis discusses a lot of ideas that will make your practice go from good to great, just by doing some things slightly differently.
The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos that we focused on had to do with running better practices:
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/creating-practice-plans-that-are-more-game-like/
Kim McLain from Corbin University shows us how to make more game-like practices, a staple of great coaching.
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/the-art-of-setting-up-drills/
Russ Rose explores the nuances of making a great drill
https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/drills-that-increase-competition/
Russ Rose on how to bring more competition into drills
The Resource of the Week is Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant, which can be found here:
https://adamgrant.net/book/hidden-potential/
Hidden Potential explores that immense value that can be had by addressing concepts like ignition and motivation, and the role that they play in achieving great things.

Dec 16, 2023 • 26min
Episode 86: Live From the AVCA Convention in Tampa, Florida
Tod and Davis are in beautiful Tampa, Florida, recording live from the AVCA Convention.
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!
The guys from Ballltime join us to discuss their new and remarkable app for video processing.
Also, The VolleyPod is joined by Lindsay Price, a club coach at Huskies Volleyball Club in Connecticut, who shares her takeaways from the convention.

Dec 8, 2023 • 25min
Episode 85: Accelerated learning through mindset training, 1st club tournament coach's checklist, and Jelly beans
This podcast episode discusses accelerated learning through mindset training, the coach's checklist for the first club tournament, and the importance of failure. It also explores the concept of automaticity in training and emphasizes the need to prepare players for the challenges of volleyball.