The Art of Coaching Volleyball

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  Clinician: Lauren Carlini, four-time NCAA All-American and member of the USA National Team   Purpose: To train players to execute a side set   How it works: The setter stands with her right side perpendicular to a wall. She tosses the ball in the air, then side sets to the wall on her right. […] The post Wall work: Side setting drill appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Is your team getting the most out of practice? Do your practice sessions really prepare your squad for what they will face on the field or court? Here is sports psychologist Harvey Dulberg, Ph.D. on how to maximize the productivity of practice sessions. 1. Practice what really needs to be practiced and introduce pressure into […] The post 3 ideas to maximize practice productivity appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Marci Allison is the Head Coach at the University of Texas Dallas. Most teams follow a basic system of tempo passing, with a "4th tempo" ball being high above the net, a "3rd tempo" ball being slightly lower, and a "0" ball being anything under the net. Allison expanded this tempo system to passing free […] The post Adding the tempo system to all skills appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Purpose: Teach players to cover the ball after it's attacked. How it Works: 6 players are on the court. A coach initiates a ball into the court and the players play out the ball. Right after the ball is attacked by a hitter, the corresponding "hitter" on the other side of the net tosses a […] The post Coverage drill: The importance of covering the hitter appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Having your team captains plan practice for one day or part of one practice is a simple exercise that will help enhance their leadership abilities. Goal: Allow athletes to develop leadership skills and provide ownership of the practice. Space: Activity will take place on practice field or facility. Safety: Any drills proposed by the captains […] The post Team exercise: Have captains a plan practice appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Cary Wendell Wallin, a former NCAA Player of the Year at Stanford who is now Director of Player Development at 949 Athletics in Orange County, California, covers the basics of serving in this video, from how to hold the toss to the hand-positioning to the follow-through. This is a great guide for coaches who are […] The post Volleyball serving for beginning players appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Kirsten Bernthal-Booth of Creighton University talks about cultivating leaders on the team by modeling honesty, passion and a good attitude. She says that younger players often associate leadership with power; instead, Bernthal-Booth says coaches have to educate players about what leadership truly means including modeling good behavior, staying humble, maintaining a good attitude and caring […] The post Teaching leadership attributes appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

It's 21-20 with 5 seconds left on the clock. From 35 yards out, the field goal kicker lines up with the opportunity to win the game. Heart racing, adrenaline pumping, he knows the game is on the line. Will he come through in this clutch situation? There are certainly ways to make sure that your […] The post 5 ideas to reduce competitive fears appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Ron Kordes of Kiva Volleyball Club talks about how he manages parent and player communications in his long coaching career. He advises coaches to tell players and parents upfront on what communication style is appropriate for the particular team and families. Sometimes, coaches have to deal with difficult parents: setting a standard of communication (whether […] The post Setting expectations for players and parents from the beginning appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

John Dunning has seen a lot of volleyball players, and knows how to correct bad hitting form. One-foot landings make players injury-prone and is a common bad habit in outside hitters, especially when they tend to lean out to catch balls in the middle of their shoulder. How Dunning fixes it: Angle your approach so […] The post Why players land on one foot and how to un-train it appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

1| The Power of Attitude. The attitude you choose to assume toward life and everything it brings you will determine whether you realize your aspirations. What you are capable of achieving is determined by your talent and ability. What you attempt to do is determined by your motivation. How well you do something is determined […] The post 10 keys to excellence appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Purpose: Train hitters to wait to start their approach until the ball is set. How it Works: One outside hitter starts at the net, and pulls off of the net into the outside hitter position when the coach tosses the ball. Two defenders should be in the back row, one in left back and the […] The post Timing drill to stop hitters from leaving early appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

    Clinician: Terry Liskevych, founder of The Art of Coaching Volleyball and former US national team coach Purpose: To challenge players to adapt to and succeed in different situations How it Works: This drill is a progression of short, quick-moving rallies that incorporate all skills. Have two players on each side of the net […] The post Fast, adaptable, competitive progression drill appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.

Russ Rose of Penn State University explains a defensive strategy for defending the tip when the middle blocker decides to block to the pin. The setter scoots up to the 10-foot line and covers most of the tips from the opposing team, and the middle back defender shifts towards the right back in order to […] The post Defensive systems: Middle up appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.