This conversation explores various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on mental performance strategies, parental guidance, effective communication between players and coaches, and the importance of reading the game. The discussion also highlights creative ways to engage young players, the benefits of beach volleyball, and the significance of scouting opponents. Additionally, it emphasizes the value of video analysis for self-improvement and categorizing cues for effective defense. Takeaway...
Jun 27, 2025•30 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on enhancing private lessons, effective techniques, and strategies for player improvement. They emphasize the importance of adapting lessons to be more game-like, the value of group lessons, and the significance of setting clear goals for the end of the season. Additionally, they explore the necessity of having an adversity plan and team rituals to foster a positive and competitive en...
Jun 20, 2025•24 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod we get our first look at some content from Tod's upcoming book and cover lessons that coach Mark Massey observed during his time at Club Nationals. Then we cover important lessons from experience about how to avoid coach burnout, which is rampant at this time of the season. Finally, we share a cool coaching resource that challenges a lot of your typical concepts of coaching, Mark Lebedew's At Home On The Court. The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's ...
Jun 13, 2025•30 min
In this conversation, we explore the dynamics of being an undersized outside hitter in volleyball. Juliette D'Eliseo, 2025 18 Open National Finalist, shares her experiences and insights on how to effectively utilize the block, the importance of smart hitting strategies, and the transition from being a libero to an outside hitter. The discussion also delves into the mental aspects of playing in big games, the significance of team dynamics, and the mindset required to succeed as an undersized play...
Jun 06, 2025•39 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball , hosts Davis and Tod discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of statistics in junior volleyball, effective leadership for team captains, and the nuances of player development. They explore which statistics are most relevant for assessing team performance and how to use them to improve training and game strategies. The conversation also highlights the significance of leadership qualit...
May 30, 2025•36 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod engage with Ken Murczek, head coach at Emporia State University, in a deep discussion about leadership in sports. They explore the dynamics of team captains, the importance of communication over accountability, and the role of leadership configurations in fostering a positive team environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for coaches to adapt their leadership styles based on the unique needs of their teams and the individuals within...
May 23, 2025•27 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Head Coach of Emporia State University Ken Murczek about leadership in coaching. They explore various aspects of leadership, including whether leaders are born or made, the importance of allowing leadership to evolve naturally within teams, and the significance of prioritizing leadership development during preseason. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of shared leadership versus hier...
May 16, 2025•22 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss the importance of defensive skills in volleyball, the challenges of managing injuries during tournaments, and strategies for effective communication and player replacement. They emphasize the need for coaches to prepare their teams for unexpected challenges and to recognize the value of every player, regardless of their role on the team. The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's episode: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/con...
May 09, 2025•31 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss recent tournament performances, emphasizing the importance of consistency and skill development. They explore various drills and game strategies that can enhance team performance, particularly focusing on innovative drills like '21 Savage' and 'Shakespeare Serving'. The conversation also covers late-season practice planning, highlighting the need for creativity and adaptability in coaching. Finally, they introduce valuable coaching resources ...
May 02, 2025•36 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, including team performance, strategies for players to earn more playing time, and how to handle trash talk during games. They emphasize the importance of communication, skill development, and maintaining a positive mindset in competitive environments. Additionally, they recommend a valuable coaching resource to enhance training and player engagement. The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's episode: https:...
Apr 25, 2025•23 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , coaches Davis and Tod discuss their recent tournament experiences, emphasizing the importance of team management, preparation, and mindset. They share insights on how to handle expectations, performance, and end-game strategies, while also exploring innovative coaching practices from college programs. The conversation highlights the significance of focusing on good efforts rather than perfection and encourages coaches to maintain a positive outlook for their t...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the intricacies of volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of understanding rotations and the dynamics of player roles. They emphasize the need for coaches to adapt their strategies based on the players' skill levels and the significance of fostering a supportive community among coaches and players. The conversation also touches on the challenges players face when they perceive themselves as the 'big fish in a small pond' an...
Apr 11, 2025•38 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Coach Davis and Coach Tod discuss the often overlooked challenges of coaching volleyball. They delve into the emotional and psychological aspects of coaching, including the difficulties of giving constructive criticism, maintaining energy and positivity, and managing team dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, self-care, and a growth mindset for coaches. They also share practical tips and resources to help coaches navigate...
Apr 04, 2025•30 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , Coach Davis and Coach Tod welcome David Durand, a sports performance and psychology leader, to discuss his book ' Bet on It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond' The conversation explores the importance of mental performance, nervous system regulation, and the impact of social stress on adolescent athletes. David shares insights on how coaches can create supportive environments, utilize the BET system (Breath, Eyes, Touch) for athlete regulat...
Mar 27, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , Coach Davis and Coach Tod discuss the essential qualities and skills needed for liberos in volleyball, emphasizing the importance of bravery, communication, and mental toughness. They explore the 'Libero Manifesto' which outlines ten steps to becoming a superhero libero, including being aggressive in serve receive and honing all skills, and much more. The conversation also delves into effective timeout strategies for coaches, highlighting the need for preparat...
Mar 21, 2025•31 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the intricacies of passing float serves, emphasizing the importance of mastering this skill for volleyball success. They explore various techniques, emergency moves, and practice strategies to enhance team performance. The conversation also touches on the emotional challenges of coaching and the significance of effective communication. Listeners are provided with actionable insights to improve their volleyball practices and player d...
Mar 14, 2025•29 min
In this episode, Davis and Tod engage with Loren Anderson, a volleyball coach and expert in ecological dynamics. They discuss the principles of ecological dynamics in coaching, emphasizing the importance of creating game-like environments for player development. The conversation covers the coupling of perception and action, the differences between traditional and ecological coaching methods, and practical strategies for implementing ecological dynamics in training. Loren shares insights on foste...
Mar 07, 2025•39 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss the intricacies of volleyball coaching, focusing on serving techniques and strategies. They emphasize the importance of float serves, the need for players to track their serving stats, and the mental and physical preparation required for effective serving. The conversation also touches on the social-emotional aspects of serving, linking practice to game scenarios, and creating pressure situations to enhance player performance. The Art of Coaching Volleyball vid...
Feb 28, 2025•38 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the Triple Crown tournament, emphasizing the emotional investment coaches have in their teams. They delve into skill development, focusing on attacking choices, shot access, and situational awareness. The conversation also addresses team culture issues, offering actionable strategies for coaches to improve their team's dynamics and performance. The episode concludes with resources for further learning and development in volleyball c...
Feb 21, 2025•35 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox discuss various coaching techniques and metaphors to enhance volleyball skills. They explore the importance of using external cues over internal cues for skill acquisition, share creative metaphors for teaching spiking and serving techniques, and emphasize the role of technology in coaching efficiency. The conversation also highlights valuable resources for coaches and concludes with a reflection on the impact of integrated co...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss the new rule eliminating doubles in high school volleyball and its implications for coaching. They delve into the triangle concept in volleyball, emphasizing the importance of passing, setting, and hitting as interconnected skills. The conversation highlights the benefits and challenges of this approach, including the need for game-like randomness and decision-making. The hosts also share strategies for incentivizing player performance, error...
Feb 07, 2025•32 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on differential learning, effective passing and setting techniques, and strategies for serving. They also address the challenges coaches face, the importance of building a positive team culture, and provide resources for further development in coaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability in training and the significance of mental resilience in competitive environments. The Ar...
Jan 31, 2025•41 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on team progress, decision-making, and the importance of teaching blocking to young players. They explore the psychological impact of blocking, share effective drills and techniques, and emphasize the need to reinforce team values and systems. The conversation concludes with valuable resources for coaches to enhance their training methods. The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today'...
Jan 24, 2025•43 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis are joined by Sean Thomas to discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of teaching philosophies, particularly the use of analogies to enhance understanding. They share personal coaching experiences, explore passing techniques, and emphasize the significance of balance and movement in volleyball. The conversation also touches on the role of biomechanics and data in coaching, as well as the need to engage youn...
Jan 17, 2025•37 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss essential strategies for coaching youth volleyball, focusing on ace prevention, communication, and movement. They explore the balance between winning and development, emphasizing the importance of teaching foundational skills while also preparing players for competitive scenarios. The conversation includes practical tips for coaches and highlights valuable resources for further learning. The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos of the Week https...
Jan 10, 2025•36 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on pursuit training, effective coaching strategies, and the importance of creating a positive team culture. They emphasize the need for training methods that encourage players to pursue the ball without punitive measures, and they share a list of approaches to improve player engagement and performance. The conversation also touches on the significance of utilizing video tools for player d...
Jan 03, 2025•31 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences at the Final Four and the AVCA National Coaching Convention, highlighting innovative coaching techniques, creative drills, and the importance of player development. They share insights from various sessions, including blocking strategies, setter-middle connections, and the impact of technology in volleyball coaching. The conversation also touches on Karch Kiraly's coaching philosophy and the significance of winning the middle in team dynamics....
Dec 20, 2024•40 min
In this conversation, The Volley Pod hosts, Tod and Davis, discuss the release of Tod's new book, The Volleyball Coaches Book of Lists , exploring its inspiration, the collaborative process of gathering insights from various coaches, and the key themes of coaching philosophy, leadership, player development, and effective practice design. They highlight the importance of mindset, engaging young players, and utilizing resources for coaching improvement. The discussion also touches on innovative pr...
Dec 13, 2024•48 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis discuss the essential elements of coaching, focusing on the importance of framing experiences for players, building a strong team culture, and utilizing technology to enhance coaching effectiveness. They explore various strategies for improving player development and understanding the challenges young athletes face. The conversation also highlights valuable resources for coaches looking to enhance their skills and knowledge. The Art of Coaching V...
Dec 06, 2024•29 min
In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis reflect on their recent volleyball seasons, discussing the importance of continuous improvement in coaching and player development. They delve into innovative serving strategies, including the 'yo-yo' effect and the 'two bouncer' serve, emphasizing the need for variety in serving techniques. The conversation also highlights engaging games for serving skill development, the use of technology like Balltime for video analysis, and the significance o...
Nov 30, 2024•25 min
