

The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball
Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox
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!
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

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/

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/


