TCA Founder/California Club Director/Coach;
US Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year in 2006
Neil Mason feels that the jump serve offers the best opportunity to teach aggressive play and to help a player develop court and game sense. Coach Mason begins this AVCA on-court convention DVD with drills for how to incorporate jump serving into a practice warm-up activity. He then demonstrates a technical progression for teaching and coaching the jump serve. Mason includes keys for teaching the toss, footwork and arm movement, as well as strategies for how to generate speed and power into the skill. Adding invaluable substance to the technical aspects, Mason shares ongoing tips for coaching the skill and how to hold players accountable for proper technique. Mason's instruction includes a high velocity jump serve and a jump float serve, with differing contact techniques for a variety of ball rotations. He also shows a series of serving strategies for game considerations and common fallacies when it comes to jump serving. Mason's jump serve DVD is perfect for players at any level who want serving reps with a purpose.
56 minutes. 2009.
VVD-03209: with Bill Neville,
U.S. Volleyball Association National Commissioner of Coaching Education, 3X Olympic Men's Coach
and Bill Hamiter,
USAV National Team Coach for Men's Sitting Volleyball
Are you looking for creative ways to increase touches, create competitiveness, and increase athleticism and fitness levels? Stop running in circles! Play games to warm up! In this creative AVCA convention on-court presentation, legendary coaches Bill Neville and Bill Hamiter present you with a variety of activities and games that incorporate all of these essential elements of successful volleyball into your warm-up. Neville and Hamiter present more than 10 different activities, with each possessing a variety of progressions that you can adjust to create a desired outcome. Their instruction includes mixing up drill combinations, varying the amount of ball touches and changing the skills you want to incorporate into your practice. The goal throughout this presentation is to stimulate your imagination into wrapping these drills and games around the needs of your team. The desired outcome of this skill-based warm-up is to blur the line between the end of your warm-up and the beginning of practice. Use your imagination and make warm-ups a more valuable part of your practice.
58 minutes. 2009
VVD-03213: with Cathy Noth,
1998 Olympian;
former University of Nebraska Assistant Coach (1995 National Champs)
In this on-court presentation at the AVCA Convention, Cathy Noth shares a wealth of information that will assist you in developing a "complete" setter. Coach Noth begins with a positional skill set for the setter that includes proper hand positioning, body posture and court positioning. Noth moves into max jump drills that force the setter into varying court positions to reinforce proper positioning. Noth's footwork drills, transition drills and multiple ball contact drills are easy to understand and easy to implement. Noth is a firm believer in the importance of core body strength for successful setting and shares how she builds core training into a practice by showing a wide variety of core training exercises. Noth offers her invaluable coaching expertise on such topics as what to do when a drill breaks down, how to build player accountability in all areas of instruction and how to develop team communication and trust - all critical elements of developing consistency in your setter. A fantastic setting DVD.
64 minutes 2009.
VVD-03216: with Danalee Bragado-Corso,
USA Junior Beach National Team Coach
Did you know that volleyball players spend over 95% of their time away from the ball? This makes footwork and court awareness paramount for success! As a player, Danalee Bragado-Corso developed her own unique system for footwork training. In this sand court presentation from the 2008 AVCA convention Bragado-Corso shares this training system along with invaluable strategies for the sand game. Her footwork instruction focuses on patterns for defending a variety of shots including cut shot, deep angle shot, high line shot and short over shot, along with drills to reinforce proper footwork positioning. Bragado-Corso shows a simple method for dividing the court into strategic defensive positions. Her block call signal strategies along with verbal communication strategies are imperative in the sand game. Bragado-Corso's teaching style is simple and very effective with exceptional verbal cues for each movement.
53 minutes 2009.
VVD-03449: with Bill Neville,
U.S. Volleyball Association National Commissioner of Coaching Education,
3X Olympic Men's Coach
"In every rotation, expose your best serve receivers!"
Bill Neville builds this entire 2009 AVCA convention presentation around this law and shares with you innumerable ways to expose your serve receive strengths and hide weaknesses.
In the first segment of this presentation, Coach Neville sets his offense and takes you through a breakdown of six rotations. With each rotation, Neville physically shows how to set up serve receive to get the first ball to the best passer. While exposing the best passer, Neville shows how to hide the setter as well as hiding weaker passers.
Neville feels that getting a quality hit on the first pass is imperative to setting up your offense. He specifically points out what are typically the two potentially weakest rotations and presents strategies for optimizing serve receive success when in these challenging rotations.
A serve receive game of 4v2 throughout various rotations to drill serve receive is played, and with each point, Neville offers insight into the "what happened and why it happened" for each result. He then breaks down a server's sequence checklist to add more focus and purpose to each and every serve.
Neville presents a sequence for the serve receive team designed to create consistency in every serve reception. Neville models getting your team to communicate throughout the sequence.
This presentation offers specific examples of how to best set up formations that will return the highest percentage for first pass success.
44 minutes. 2010.
VVD-03450: with Marv Dunphy,
Pepperdine University Head Coach,
4x NCAA Champions,
USA National Team Coach and 1988 Olympic Head Coach (Gold Medal)
How often do you have the opportunity to learn hitting techniques from an Olympic Gold Medalist? Now's your chance! Legendary coach Marv Dunphy -- coach of the 1988 USA Men's Vollebyall Gold Medal Team -- shows you effective methods for improving your team's hitting.
Coach Dunphy begins with his 4-step attacking footwork cadence and teaching tips for working with the goofy foot attacker. Dunphy shows how to alleviate many of the technical difficulties with hitting by sharing tips to improve approach footwork and attack angles. These modifications will allow your players to see the full court, frame the ball and see what the block is doing.
Switching from footwork drills to arm drills, Dunphy concentrates on proper arm movement. He details specific arm sequences (forward and back, together and up), three arm segments for a technically sound contact and information for arm-healthy hitting. You will see common mistakes with the arm movement and learn what to look for and how to correct errant arm movements.
Dunphy discusses rules for shot selection and includes strategies for hitting high, into the hands of the potential block and not into the arms. He offers strategies for specific hitting situations from various locations on the court with varying challenges from the set. Dunphy demonstrates drills to train high hitting followed by rally games for attacking situations. Throughout these games, Dunphy offers constant instruction and insights to all aspects of hitting.
Coach Dunphy is one of the sports finest coaches and technicians making this a must have DVD for your volleyball coaching library!
54 minutes. 2010.
VVD-03451: with Craig Skinner,
University of Kentucky Head Coach
Learn simple ways to improve your transition game and get more productive swings.
In this 2009 AVCA Convention presentation, Craig Skinner provides strategies, games and drills to improve your transition game.
Learn how to handle the down ball, free ball and challenging situations like balls coming off the block, balls out of the net and what to do when your setter digs.
Discover key strategies for transition footwork, movement patterns for middles and the most common transition positioning mistakes and how to correct them.
Are your practices limited by the number of players on your team? This DVD highlights box drills for training transition. Learn how to work transition from several common game-like scenarios and how to react with defensive sets.
Put it all together with Skinner's 6-on-6 drills for training effective transition.
Implement Skinner's strategies and drills and start getting those extra points you've been missing.
53 minutes. 2010.
VVD-03472: with Peggy Martin,
Spring Hill College Head Coach;
former University of Central Missouri Head Coach; All-time winningest coach in NCAA Division II Volleyball (over 1,000 victories); 1987 NCAA Division II National Coach of Year Award. While leading CMU, her teams won 25 matches in 31 consecutive seasons and won or shared 19 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association titles, made a record 25 consecutive NCAA D-II Tournament appearances, reached the "Elite Eight" six times and finished as the National Runner-up in 1987.
After 1,000 career wins, there is no question that Peggy Martin knows what it takes to be successful.
In this 2009 AVCA Convention presentation, Coach Martin shares her favorite drills to start and end practice, as well as drills that are great for pre-match.
In the Start of Practice Drills segment, Martin begins with three warm-up specific drills. Within these three drills are more than 10 progressions that enable the coach to implement a progressive skill set during warm up. This gives your players more time to work on their skills while simultaneously warming up.
The Pre-Match Drills feature a four-drill progression Martin refers to as "necessary partner drills." These drills are designed to accomplish warm-up and skill rehearsal on a half court prior to a match.
Martin's End of Practice Drills include scored drills that are highly competitive and incorporate skill specifics with teamwork, communication and competitiveness.
For coaches who practice in gyms with limited space, Martin offers tips for maximizing available space. She also shows how drills can be modified to fit the ability level of your team.
2010. 52 minutes
VVD-03473: with Cecile Reynaud,
retired Florida State Head Volleyball Coach
Teach your libero to be more than "just a passer."
In this 2009 AVCA Convention presentation, legendary coach Cecile Reynaud breaks down the critical elements for the libero with active on-court drills and competitive play.
Coach Reynaud covers five critical elements for better libero play:
- A six-point libero job qualification list.
- Guiding principles for the libero.
- Training keys for developing the libero.
- Five essential areas for successful passing.
- 11 key points for becoming a defensive specialist.
Reynaud does a masterful job of intertwining passing and defensive drills to validate each critical element. She manipulates the drills to assure multiple first-contact touches for the libero.
This information-packed presentation will give you invaluable information to consider for selecting, developing and utilizing the libero to help your team be successful.
2010. 60 minutes
VVD-03474: with Jenny McDowell,
Emory University Head Coach;
2008 D-III National Champs;
2008 D-III National Coach of the Year;
over 400 career victories
Jenny McDowell believes that ball control gets you to the big match, but outside hitting wins you the big match.
In this passionate six-part presentation from the 2009 AVCA Convention, Coach McDowell shares her philosophy, training methods and drills for creating the type of error-free outside hitting that will help win you the big match.
McDowell begins with a brief discussion to the mental aspect of outside hitting. She moves into the training segment with a brief warm-up for hitting she describes as "pepper with discipline."
The bulk of McDowell's competitive drills are broken down into four segments:
- Court Positioning: McDowell leads her demonstrators through outside hitting drills from varying court positions and out of system attacking.
- Explosive Approaches: McDowell presents drills to reinforce stronger approaches to give your outside hitters more options and the most control.
- Transitioning and Maintaining Vision: This segment features a four-drill progression that progresses from simple to complex.
- Competition with Practice: McDowell shares five additional competitive training games with scoring systems designed to reward error free hitting. McDowell shares how to modify the scoring to best fit the needs of your team.
Using these drills, McDowell's squad finished fifth in the nation in 2009 in hitting percentage (27.5%). Now you can train your outside hitters to hit for a higher percentage.
2010. 47 minutes
VVD-03475: with Rose Shires,
University of Nebraska Omaha Head Coach,
Jill Stephens,
Florida Southern Head Coach,
Christyn May,
University of Minnesota Duluth Assistant Coach.
Stop racking your brain for fun activities to do at your summer volleyball camp!
In this unique presentation from the 2009 AVCA convention, you will learn 10 fun, exciting, energy filled activities you can easily use to ramp up camp fun while at the same time developing essential skills.
Among the activities that coaches Shires, Stephens and May demonstrate include:
- a challenging warm-up activity for throwing, jumping and strength development;
- a cooperative partner challenge that "warms-up the brain;"
- a fun, trust building activity that requires communication and cooperation to win;
- a toss-catch progression game that progresses in difficulty through five levels that end with progressive volleying.
The games and drills presented are not only great for summer camp activities, they are appropriate for in season fun, team building, competitiveness and skill development.
This DVD presents a great balance of skill development, teamwork, cooperation, communication, and trust, all under the umbrella of FUN!
2010. 55 Minutes.
VVD-03724: with Terry Pettit,
Director of Leadership Academies at the University of Denver and Colorado State University,
former NCAA Championship Coach at Nebraska,
3x National Coach of the Year,
USA Volleyball All-Time Great Coach Award Winner
Coaching legend Terry Pettit delivers THE most information-packed 46 minutes of setting instruction imaginable!
In this presentation from the 2010 AVCA Convention, Pettit provides an overview of the five characteristics of "deliberate practice;" a theme that is echoed throughout his presentation. Pettit reviews the evolution of setting that has led to the current technique of today's successful setter--the incorporation of the wrist as the most prominent lever of the set.
On the court, Pettit takes two demonstrators through the basics of how to engage the wrists into setting. Next, he delivers more than 20 drills, many of which include multiple progressions and sets. These drills cover individual skills, partner drills and situational drills for all aspects of the position.
Throughout the presentation, Pettit shares nuances for each of the drills and offers invaluable insight into coaching your setters.
The skill set presented is appropriate for developing setters at any level. This presentation is a gem from one of the most prolific volleyball coaches of all time!
46 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03725: with Carl McGown, Ph.D.;
Founder of Gold Medal Squared,
former USA Men's National team head coach,
former BYU head coach and 2x NCAA Men's Championship Coach,
USA Volleyball All-Time Great Volleyball Coach Award Winner; member of the AVCA Hall of Fame (2010)
Use statistically proven principles to improve your passing success!
Coaching legend Carl McGown shares statistical evidence that will assist you in strategically setting up your serve receive and effectively training your athletes for passing success. These are the same methods used by the USA men's volleyball team to capture the gold medal in Beijing.
McGown delivers five key principles to forearm passing and demonstrates a simple teaching method for implementing these principles into your volleyball program. Watch as on-court demonstrators methodically progress through each of these five keys.
Included in this skill set is proper hand placement, arm movement, angling the platform, seeing the server and ball spin, and other great passing "nuggets" from McGown.
Also included is a quick review of national team video that shows game footage of ideal forearm passing technique and strategies.
Give your team an advantage this season with passing expertise from legendary coach Carl McGown!
49 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03726: with Peggy Martin,
the winningest coach in the history of NCAA Division II with 33 consecutive winning seasons at the University of Central Missouri where she compiled a 1,064-281-8 record and current head coach at Spring Hill College
In this on court presentation at the 2010 AVCA Convention, Legendary Hall of Fame coach Peggy Martin takes a look at how the game has changed and how these changes have had an effect on coaching the game today. Specifically, she discusses how these changes have affected her coaching consideration of going from a 5-1 to the 6-2.
To assist her preparation for this presentation, Martin tapped into three of the most successful coaches in the country that run a 6-2 and gathered their input as to why they run the 6-2. A review of their responses serves as a launching point into the specifics of the emergence of the 6-2. Martin details five pros and six cons to running a 6-2 that all serve as consideration for you to select a system that best suits your personnel.
Martin next takes her demonstrators through the serve receive rotations of a 6-2 and shares strategies for each rotation.
This presentation is sure to serve as food for thought in consideration of implementing the 6-2 and why the 6-2 could benefit your program.
56 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03728: with Fran Flory,
Louisiana State University Head Coach;
2010 SEC Champions, 2010 SEC Coach of the Year
Fran Flory demonstrates how she trains her middles to play fast and to emphasize jumping that is quick vs. high. Within this discussion she offers strategies for teams that have middles who are slower or have a slower swing.
Flory demonstrates a series of eight middle hitting drills that include:
- One foot spikes
- Location setting
- Creating angles
- Offensive timing
- Beat the middle
- Middle with three blockers
- Force the middle
- Force the middle tips and rolls
Flory explains the format and function of each drill and offers narrative during the drill that gives invaluable insight into coaching systems and reacting to challenges that the defense creates.
Flory concludes her presentation with Q & A that gives more insight for developing your middles and your middle attack.
Take advantage of this effective offensive weapon this season!
53 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03729:
with Anne Kordes,
former University of Louisville Head Coach; 2015 ACC Champions;
2015 ACC Coach of the Year - her third coach of the Year honor at Louisville, also earning the award as the Big East (2012) and American Athletic Conference (2013) Coach of the Year; 2010 and 2011 USA Select National Team Lead Coach; past President of the American Volleyball Coaches Association
In any given season, all teams face challenging situations that force change. Anne Kordes believes that teams can creatively take on the challenges of change and not only survive, but thrive.
In this high energy on-court presentation from the 2010 AVCA Convention, Coach Kordes shares a variety of system adjustments that you can implement to put your players in the best position to succeed. She examines fives situations and gives you strategies to address each.
How to adapt to a slow middle - Strategies addressed include creating and tweaking your offensive system to allow time for the middle to get to the ball. Kordes then reviews how to best utilize the slower middle on the defensive side with blocking and passing strategies.
How to best utilize a small outside hitter - Included in this situation: How to adjust the approach, how to "hide" in the offense, and how to win a ball on a block at the net. Kordes also covers specific shot technique for the small hitter.
How to best assist with serving and free ball challenges - Kordes identifies preferred zone strategies for serving and free ball situations.
How to best utilize a slow setter - Teach your setter the key to "getting a step" on the ball. Kordes also outlines how to best defend with a slow setter.
How to get more practice reps for teams with only one coach - Kordes demonstrates several drills that show how to maximize reps through player and coach initiated drills.
Kordes' strategies will greatly assist you to make the most out of the cards that you are dealt.
51 Minutes. 2011.
VVD-03753: with Gwen Egbert, Doane College Head Coach;
former Head Coach at Papillion-LaVista South (NE) High School; 6x Nebraska Class A State Championship coach; 2012 PrepVolleyball.com national coach of the year; ESPN and MaxPreps National Champions in 2010 and 2011; over 700 career wins; her teams made it to the state championship game 13 of the 19 years that they qualified for the state tournament; All-conference player for University of Nebraska
Out of necessity with a weak serving team, long time Nebraska high school coach Gwen Egbert was motivated to break down the serve into a simple progression. In this 2010 AVCA Convention video, she shares the progression she has used with great success.
Coach Egbert is very innovative in creating skills that help the athlete groove a feel for the proper technique. Her methods control the variables for the player in a way that prevents the most common serving technical errors and accentuates the techniques necessary for serving success.
She details how to teach the float, the jump float and the jump spin serves. After sharing the skill set of each of these serves, Egbert details how she presents and identifies serving zones to her players.
Watch as Egbert demonstrates a series of full serving drills and competitive serving games, all of which include a coaching narrative from Egbert on what to look for in your players to improve their serving success.
Egbert is in the trenches of high school and club volleyball and completely in tune with the challenges of coaching younger players. This presentation offers an invaluable proven skill set that is sure to add success to your serving game!
61 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03754: with Julie Kaiser,
Vista (CA) High School Head Volleyball Coach;
San Diego Volleyball Club
In games, score is kept and there is a winner. Why not treat your practices the same way?
Julie Kaiser dedicates this 2010 AVCA Convention presentation to showing how to offer more competitive situations in practice.
Coach Kaiser begins with a brief discussion on how to get girls to be competitive and how to convert any drill into a competition.
Kaiser shows a creative variety of competitive drills for conditioning and skill development that includes passing, hitting, serving, digging, middle work, serve receive and more! Learn the key components of each drill and hear an ongoing narrative from Kaiser of how to maximize the goals of each drill.
As a bonus, this DVD includes a PDF attachment featuring descriptions, diagrams and charts of the drills in the presentation, plus an additional 15+ drills to create competitiveness in your practices.
Implement these practice drills and create a tough-minded competitiveness with your team!
53 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03755: with John Kosty,
Stanford University Head Men's Volleyball Coach
John Kosty believes that the Libero position is a "game changing" position. Coach Kosty breaks down of the qualities of the libero position including physical attributes and volleyball skill proficiency along with the mental aspects necessary for success in the position.
He discusses:
- The importance of training the libero to set the tempo for the offense.
- Libero specific defensive strategies and responsibilities.
- Skill specific training for the libero.
- Four libero roles that he feels will give you the best opportunity to maximize team success through your libero.
53 minutes 2011.
VVD-03756: with Cheryl Butler,
Co-director of the Sports Performance Volleyball Club and co-owner of the Great Lakes Center in Aurora, Illinois.
She has been part of 67 National Championships and coached in Gold Medal National Championship matches in 14's, 16's and 18's. Her travels have included Japan, China and Dominican Republic with the SPVB 18 Elite Team.
Cheryl Butler shares a series of progressive drills perfect for teaching movement skills to players from kindergarten through high school. Each drill includes a 3-phase progression from the most elementary, total beginner to "real volleyball."
These progressions arm you with multiple options of the same fundamental skill set that you can adapt to any level you coach.
This five-section DVD features:
- Passing Progressions - A 12-activity progression that includes shuffle roll, shuffle-catch, and shuffle catch and toss in a variety of movement patterns.
- Pass-Set-Attack - A four-activity progression to teach basic passing, setting and attacking movements.
- Angle Work Progression - A five-activity segment to assist players in getting around the ball and into passing position.
- Partner Passing Drills Series - 20 rapid fire drills with skill sets for all levels of players.
- Ball Movement Drills - Butler presents a 10-drill series that includes 30 demonstrated progressive options.
This presentation is unique because it offers a comprehensive skill set that can be used with players K-12. The drills are easy to understand, easy to implement and are sure to help you better your players' movement skills!
57 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03757: with Tom Hogan,
University of Colorado Assistant Volleyball Coach,
former member of the USA Women's Volleyball National Team coaching staff;
and Jim Miret,
Front Range Volleyball Club Head Coach (Englewood, CO)
Tom Hogan and Jim Merit reveal the results of their in-depth research and analysis into the styles and techniques of the world's best setters. From these findings, Hogan and Merit have zeroed in on six key technical elements that are universal with all great setters.
Hogan presents the technical components of each element followed by a video breakdown of the world's best executing the element. Adding these elements to your training will produce setters with more control over the ball, hold the block longer with improved deception, and consistently improve the quality of each set.
Coach Merit provides a video analysis of setting from four positions. For each set, Merit shows video of the key techniques followed by training drills using 17 year old players.
- Left Side Sets
- Slide Sets
- Back to the Net
- Quick Set
These techniques will assist your setter in creating energy, controlling rotation into the ball and movement training.
Throughout each of these four areas, Merit points out the technical elements that all sets need to possess.
What you will learn from this great presentation is that no matter what country or style of setter, the technical elements at the highest level of play are all the same. Order now to ensure that your setters are using and perfecting these successful techniques.
59 Minutes 2011.
VVD-03758: with Stephen Florio,
Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne Associate Head Volleyball Coach
Universally, volleyball coaches put an extremely high premium on communication, but many coaches approach communication as an expectation rather than an essential skill set.
In one of the most innovative presentations at the 2010 AVCA Convention, Stephen Florio will challenge you to look at how you approach communication in your program.
Coach Florio reveals what his research has uncovered about how communication in pre-rally, in rally and after rally situations can positively affect a team. Based on his findings, Florio treats the skill of communication the same way he treats any other skill in the game.
Florio shares his innovative communication skill set using more than 25 drills and activities dedicated to training on court communication. These drills are appropriate for any level of team and have been implemented by Florio at all levels from club through university.
Included in these activities are two-player warm-up drills, partner drills, pepper drills, serve receive drills and 6-on-6 drills. What makes these drills so effective is that they require concentration and thought in order to be successful and they're fun and unique which keeps players engaged. Florio's drills are all integrated into game skills, position and team play.
The statistical evidence shows how many more points are won with effective communication - you cannot afford to miss out on implementing these strategies with your team!
59 minutes. 2011.
VVD-03759: with Marcelo Melado Mesquita,
Senior Volleyball Coach at the Minas Tnis Clube of Belo Horizonte, Brazil;
Has coached several teams to state and national championships
Brazil is notorious for producing Olympic Gold and World Championship teams in both its men's and women's volleyball programs.
In this 2010 AVCA Convention presentation, Brazilian club coach Marcelo Melado Mesquita demonstrates his "highly active" progressive training method.
Each drill series begins with a base drill concept. With each sequential drill, additional skills are added to the base drill to increase both the complexity of movement and the difficulty of the skill.
There are three drills series included in this DVD:
3-on-3 Drills - Mesquita offers a six sequence drill progression of pass, set and spike drills executed in a half court setting. High energy, a high numbers of touches and great movement training are at the heart of this sequence.
Serving and Defense Drills - A seven-sequence progression is presented, again moving from basic to complex in both difficulty and skill.
2-Phase 4-on-4 Challenge the Pens - This is a unique, high energy full court drill that requires movement and focus to accomplish the goal of the drill.
Order now and infuse this effective Brazilian training into your program!
48 minutes. 2011.
VVD-04003: with Genny Volpe,
Rice University Head Coach;
2009 Conference USA champions, 2008 Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Learn up-tempo drills that will create competitive situations in your gym and help your team achieve under pressure!
In this 2011 AVCA Convention presentation, Genny Volpe guides players on the court through a series of nine score-based drills that cover warm-ups, skill-emphasis, and team-building. Throughout the video, Coach Volpe stresses the importance of simulating pressure situations by setting results-oriented goals for drills, and discusses how to motivate players by enforcing accountability. These ideas will keep your athletes engaged in activity even when not on the court, and use incentives and consequences to motivate players.
Beginning with warm-ups, Coach Volpe shares her tweaks on the standard pepper and butterfly drills that will help your team begin practice with focus and intensity. Volpe demonstrates two drills that encourage servers to be aggressive with serve placement under pressure. To emphasize passing and digging, as Volpe introduces "bonus points" for the quality of the passes in a pair of 6v6 mini-game drills. In a similar fashion, Volpe uses alternative scoring methods to influence setter behavior in two setting drills. The video ends with a team-building "pit" drill that gives the entire team a stake in the results of individual players.
Being able to execute under pressure is a trait of championship teams. Incorporating these drills into your practice will help give your team the edge in crunch-time.
49 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04004: with Don Shaw,
4x National Champion as Head Coach of Stanford Volleyball;
member of the AVCA Hall of Fame; over 400 career wins
Hall of Fame Coach Don Shaw helps you design a blocking scheme that fits with your team's talent in blocking, digging and defensive systems.
Coach Shaw will show you how to develop your blockers and hitters to play all positions in the front row especially early in the season so you can switch them anytime to get favorable match-ups against your opponent's hitters. This allows you to coach your players to be effective at any height.
See how you can switch your outside blockers or middle to outside as part of their tactical blocking scheme. Coaches may also ask the team to move or shift towards their best hitters and sometimes dare the opponent to set to their not so great hitters. If their primary hitter is running slide most of the time, Shaw demonstrates how to commit the outside hitter to the middle hitter and/or shift the block to the left to have two blockers on the slide. Playing the percentage by shrinking the net or the court is always a very good strategy.
Teams will also learn the importance of one blocker defense and assign the off blocker to take tips while still having four diggers to defend the attacks. Shaw's 5 on 5 drills will help your outside blockers get better at one-on-one blocking.
Shaw features two drills to help develop blocking skills:
- Figure of 8 drills - Very useful for blockers' footwork in blocking and transitioning to attack the ball. This is a good drill for blockers to read and react against the hitters and can also be used as a warm up drill.
- 3 hitters vs 3 blockers drill - Will help your team get ready for good passes and make adjustments to bad passes. Tactical serving is also stressed as it will take away some of the opponents' offense.
54 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04005: with Barry Lovelace,
a fitness coach and personal trainer internationally recognized as the "King of Core"
a member of Team Men's Fitness and is an author of several volleyball specialized fitness videos and programs
Maximize your practice time by using Barry Lovelace's effective circuit training program to train up to 40 athletes on one court! Coach Lovelace, an internationally recognized sports trainer, speaks about and demonstrates the importance of training with movement in the sport of volleyball.
Lovelace demonstrates a sample circuit training session that he describes as a "buffet of sports performance exercises." The circuit contains exercises focusing on core, functional, proprioceptive and flexible resistance, which builds elasticity in muscles with quick results.
For each station in the circuit Lovelace shows several progressions and adaptations for various levels of athletes. He discusses the importance of focusing on different types of movement from station to station, as well as the role of interval training. Each station in the circuit is demonstrated by University of Texas athletes.
After the circuit, Barry guides you through several footwork and reaction drills that enhance muscle and cardiovascular endurance. All exercises demonstrated are volleyball specific. Through this video, you will see the importance of "training from the inside out."
Using Barry Lovelace's training techniques to create workouts will help your athletes gain incredible core strength, generate muscle elasticity and increase reaction time on the court.
Filmed at the 2011 AVCA Convention.
60 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04006: with Ping Cao,
coach/Trainer for Texas Advantage Volleyball;
former member of the Chinese National Team and was the Top Hitter in the world.
Get ready to improve your volleyball IQ! Using live demonstration at the 2011 AVCA Convention, Ping Cao presents the fundamentals of warm up, setting, passing, and both serve-receive and defensive positioning. Coach Cao breaks down each component to the very basics and gives attention to every detail of each skill.
Areas of instruction include:
- Passing: Ready position, platform and shoulder angles
- Setting: Footwork, hand position, and follow-through
- Serve-Receive: Body position and relaxed, focused movement
- Defense: Easy, controlled movement and patience
Minimize wasted movements in passing and digging to quickly reach every ball. Properly use your whole body (feet, legs, torso and hands) to improve ball handling while making overhead passes which leads to more accurate digs and sets.Watch your players with a critical eye for proper movement that will improve your players' ball handling form and provide greater control of passes and digs.
Beginning coaches will find the assortment of drills presented beneficial in planning practices and instructing their teams.
Ping will inspire you to push your athletes to perfect their technique - and make sure to keep everything in balance.
58 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04007: with Josh Steinbach,
Villanova University Head Coach;
2007 Big East Coach of the Year
The first contact is the most important contact in the game of volleyball. Making sure we control this contact and get the ball to go where we want it to go seems like a simple concept, but gaining control and awareness of your platform takes time and attention to detail. By focusing our attention on our platforms, we create a solid foundation for our team serve receive. This volleyball DVD will explore the styles and techniques used to increase platform control and awareness.
Villanova Head Coach Josh Steinbach presents the passing techniques and philosophies that he uses with his players. Coach Steinbach discusses his philosophies on technique vs. results, height of pass to control offense tempo, how to call the ball as a passer, and the much discussed thought on left is right-right is wrong.
Right from the start he explains his thoughts on how a passer should call the ball and use a simple yes or no to give themselves instant feedback on the accuracy of their passes. Steinbach continues the discussion with the question "how much time do we spend on the techniques?" Many coaches are very critical in every little aspect of the passing skill, while others only focus on a couple of things with result as the main goal. Although he feels that technique is not as important, he does stress two components that are a must when becoming a good passer; posture and angles and how they relate to the ability to control the direction of the ball. Once a passer can consistently use good posture, the angle of the platform is the key to passing to target.
There are some great visuals throughout the video when coach Steinbach stops and corrects players who breakdown in posture or passing from the right. He closes with the 3-2-1 drill that shows the importance of being able to get a pass to a spot as opposed to focusing on all of the techniques used to pass to target.
Even a veteran coach can walk away from this video with something to chew on in regards to the most discussed topic in volleyball.
48 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04008: with Cilene Drewnick,
Instinct Volleyball Club, Carrollton (TX);
former member of the Brazilian National Team; played in two Olympic Games (1988 & '92 Olympics)
The Brazilian men's and women's volleyball teams are regarded as some of the very best in the world. In addition, Brazil has produced some of the world's best all-around volleyball players. In this dynamic video from the 2011 AVCA Convention, one of Brazil's Olympians, Cilene Drewnick, allows coaches to examine the drills and skills that are used in the Brazilian strategy for developing volleyball players that excel in a variety of situations.
Coach Drewnick starts by demonstrating warm-up drills that emphasize ball control, while stressing all fundamental skills. The drills quickly move focusing on one skill to another, while making players highly skilled in all the fundamentals of volleyball.
Coaches will get to examine a variety of drills covering passing, setting and hitting that maximize repetitions in a fast paced and competitive environment. Drewnick will demonstrate how to train any player to control the ball in every situation. Her drill areas focus on how to instruct the wrist away spike shot, improve eye training for passing, improve ball control skills and train in a fast paced practice environment. Dewnick shares the "coaching points" in each drill to increase the improvement of players.
Finally, Dewnick shows the "five ball" defensive drill that helps players not only develop defensive skills, but become a more competitive player.
Using her experience with Brazilian training methods, Drewnick will show you how to apply these techniques to your athletes to gain an edge over the competition.
64 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04043: with Nabil Mardini,
Pierce College Head Coach;
2010 and 2011 California state champions;
AVCA 2010 National 2-Year College Coach of the Year;
Co-Founder and Club Director of Los Angeles Volleyball Academy (LAVA)
Teach your blockers to attack the offense!
In this 2011 AVCA convention presentation, Nabil Mardini thoroughly breaks down the mechanics and timing of swing blocking from the ground up, using on-court players as models.
Beginning with footwork, Coach Mardini explains ideal foot and body positioning during the push and crossover steps, while detailing how to read the path of the attacker. Mardini then covers proper hand and elbow positioning during the base, armswing and press phases of the block. Mardini points out common reasons that blockers "float" or get "tooled," and how to address them.
Bringing passers and setters to the court, Mardini explains how to adjust blocking technique based on the pass, and gives a tempo-based eye sequence that will help your players get to the block balanced and on time. Mardini wraps up the instruction by taking the players through three blocking drills and provides insight into how you can make your drills game-like.
Coach Mardini's thorough explanation of the swing blocking technique will help your blockers to be more aggressive to the ball, get more height and penetration, and increase their number of quality touches at the net!
57 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04046: with Dave Carstenson,
BCAP National Beach Coach; NASM Certified Trainer;
former USA Volleyball Florida Region Outdoor Director
A sand court isn't just for playing sand volleyball. It can also be used for the strength training and conditioning of all volleyball athletes. With little equipment, you can make your training program dynamic by moving it outside and using the resistance of sand to intensify your workouts! In this DVD, Dave Carstenson demonstrates a variety of drills and routines coaches can apply to athletes of all levels.
Conditioning plays a huge role in sand volleyball as the majority of the game is played out of system. Core strength, balance, and mental training will prepare athletes to be ready for anything and ready to play from any location on the court.
Filmed at the 2011 AVCA Convention, Dave Carstenson guides players through a demanding circuit training program designed to increase strength, speed, stamina, and stability, using a sand volleyball court as a training tool.
Created for coaches and athletes, Coach Carstenson begins with a dynamic stretching routine that focuses on balance and core strength. Carstenson then guides players through a circuit training program consisting of 18 volleyball-specific exercises, with emphasis on development of the legs and core. Many of these exercises incorporate resistance bands and/or a volleyball, in conjunction with the natural resistance of the sand court, to challenge the athletes. He demonstrates how versatile resistance bands are, making each exercise tough, but not impossible. Carstenson gives set and repetition guidelines based on age and level of play, and provides progressions in order to increase the difficulty of some of the exercises.
These exercises will make players stronger quickly, adding explosive power to their game. Incorporating these sand-court exercises into your training regimen will prepare you for the physical demands of sand volleyball and help take your indoor game to new levels!
Keep your training interesting - move it to the sand!
39 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04047: with Matt McShane,
US Air Force Academy Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
former assistant coach at the University of California-Berkeley - selected as one of Volleyball Magazine's 10 Best Assistant Coaches
In this DVD from the 2011 AVCA Coaching Conference, Matt McShane discusses how to identify the biggest mistakes your players make during game play and give verbal cues during the game to correct them.
Coach McShane's philosophy is to have the players in game-like situations as much as possible. He shows how to help individual players to correct their mistakes at game speed, which will help you make the most of every practice.
The game of volleyball is complex with your players constantly reading other players and reacting to their moves. An error is often an incorrect response to a cue. Teaching your players to identify cues during a game will help to cut down on errors. If a player is struggling, McShane shows how you can break down the drill in order to focus on just one part of a move until he is confident. Once a player understands the move, put him right back into team play.
McShane really brings home the importance of practice and the role of the coach in practice. He explains and shows how the coach should monitor the play of each player on the court and to identify the biggest mistakes. He shows how to correct a player during a 6-on-6 game and then how to take that player out of the game play to give him individual help.
Learn how to provide as many game-like situations in practice, which translates into more rally points in a game.
55 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04049: with Nina Matthies,
Pepperdine University Head Women's Volleyball Coach;
10x West Coast Conference champs; 6x West Coast Conference Coach of the Year
In January 2010, the NCAA added sand volleyball to its list of emerging sports for women for Division I. In 2012, women's teams from all over the country will compete at the collegiate level for the first time under the sanction of the NCAA. During this exciting time for the growth of volleyball the need for expert instruction in the sand game will become more and more desirable.
Enter Nina Matthies and her version of Sand Volleyball 101. In this excellent instructional video filmed on-location at the AVCA convention in San Antonio, Coach Matthies demonstrates the proper way to warm-up and train sand volleyball players. She lists and demonstrate the various differences between the indoor game and the outdoor game.
From technique differences to rule differences this video covers all of the basics you need to know as a sand volleyball coach or player. Coach Matthies also gives very insightful instruction on sand volleyball tactics, drills and practice games.
You will learn:
- The importance of understanding how to play "small ball" or passing to another player who is in close proximity in order to control the rally.
- The different types of attacks that are important in the beach game because open hand dinking is not allowed on the sand.
- The additional types of defensive moves available to use in the sand because the sand is significantly more forgiving than a sport court.
- The different type of communication necessary on the sand. Even more communication is needed in the two person game than in the indoor game.
46 minutes. 2012.
VVD-04286:
with Ron Kordes,
2016 AVCA Club Director of the Year (KIVA):
Assumption (KY) High School Head Coach,
2012 AVCA National High School Coach of the Year;
19x State Championship Coach; Club Director and Coach at Asics Kiva Club
We all want to win, but winning doesn't happen in matches, it happens at practice. As a coach, you can't expect teams to compete during a match if they are not competing during practice.
In this presentation, legendary Coach Ron Kordes shows you what it takes to turn your practice gym into a competitive environment and to cultivate a winning mentality. He lays out the foundation for building a competitive culture by stressing discipline, respect, sense of urgency and creating a learning environment on the court.
Coach Kordes discusses why creating this type of culture is important to team success and offers drill suggestions for how to build the competitive culture you desire. Each drill he shows has a purpose and comes with a scoring consequence. The more your players compete in practice, the more ready they will be to compete during matches.
The drills in this video encourage communication and coverage that creates energy and raises readiness. You'll see:
- A full court pepper-type drill that teaches hustle, communication and ball control.
- The Butterfly Drill which focuses on successful passing technique.
- 4 Corners and Box Drills which you can use to instill disciplined footwork and for a good cardio workout.
- The Serving Drill to prepare your players for out of system game situations.
Create a competitive culture in your gym and get ideas from one of the nation's great volleyball minds on how to take your team's competitive nature to the next level!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
54 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04287: with Arnie Ball, IPFW Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
2007 NCAA Runner-Up; 6x MIVA Champions; 2007 AVCA National Coach of the Year; Head Coach for the U.S. Team in the 2003 World University games (bronze medal); over 500 career victories
and Lloy Ball, setter for the 2008 US Olympic Volleyball Team (Gold Medal),
starting setter for the US Olympic Team at four Olympic Games; first male volleyball player to compete in four Olympic Games; US National Team Captain for 10 years; 3x All American at IPFW; 1991 NCAA Freshman of the Year; 2x MIVA Player of the Year
Having a good setter is crucial to the overall success of any team. It is essential that you not only choose the right setter, but also train them to his/her highest potential. In this session, father-son team Arnie and Lloy Ball teach the necessary skills to work with a partner or by yourself to improve your setting.
Lloy Ball demonstrates numerous drills you can do with a spectrum of resources - whether it's at home with one ball in or on a court with a bunch of balls and another teammate.
In practicing all aspects of the game, the Balls show setters how to become better and stronger while improving their teams. You'll learn how to drill skills crucial to becoming and remaining a top setter:
- Dig to and communicate with your libero
- Get to the ball from difficult rotations 3 and 4
- Dig from zones 5 and 6, then transition to set
- Use efficient footwork to cut the ball off
This DVD offers incredible insight from two of the world's top authorities on setting!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
57 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04288: With Nina Matthies, Pepperdine University Head Coach;
one of the winningest female beach players of all time;
and Marcio Sicoli; Coach for Kerri Walsh & Misty May-Treanor at the 2012 Olympic Games in London;
Assistant coach of the Brazilian Olympic Women's Beach Volleyball Team from 2000-2004 (2004 Olympic Silver medal); Pepperdine University Assistant Coach (both indoor and outdoor women's volleyball)
Sand coaches Nina Matthies and Marcio Sicoli share their wealth of knowledge of training sand athletes. You will learn their favorite drills that will not only keep your athletes engaged, but also give them the necessary skills and strategies needed to become an elite sand team. Add to your drill book with these great warm up drills and their progressions! Encourage your players to get multiple touches and serve various different roles within the same drill! Teach athletes to focus on solid ball control required to be able to play within a small area while still playing smart and aggressively.
Matthies reiterates over and over again the importance of:
- Facing your target when setting
- Facing forward with passing
- Using legs to push the ball to your target
Don't miss out on these incredible practice tips from one of the world's top female sand players of all time!!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
47 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04289: with Jenny McDowell, Emory University Head Coach;
2008 NCAA D-III National Champs, 2010 NCAA Runner-Up; 2008 NCAA D-III National Coach of the Year; 4x UAA Conference Champs; 5x UAA Coach of the Year; over 512 career wins;
and Judy Green, Birmingham-Southern Head Coach,
1993 AVCA National Coach of the Year; former University of Alabama Head Coach; over 600 career wins; played volleyball at Western Carolina where she was named Southern Conference Volleyball Player of the Decade for the 1980's
If you're a coach who loves adding new drills and variations to your drill book, DO NOT miss out on this great DVD. Coaches Jenny McDowell and Judy Green put together the top 10 drills for all teams to learn from. All the drills are very competitive and lots of fun to help transfer knowledge from the practice court to the match.
Jenny McDowell and Judy Green combine to share their 10 favorite drills that they use with their teams. The drills shown here aim to improve skills such as:
- Passing Technique
- Communication
- Coverage
- Libero Setting
- Setting out of system
- Scoring with off-speed shots
- Blocking
- Playing under pressure
- And more!
Green and McDowell stress the importance of being organized for each and every practice. The presenters also encourage coaches to have a goal for every drill that they do. Each drill is explained in full, easy to understand detail and the goal is clearly stated. A group of skilled athletes demonstrate each drill at a very high level.
The last three drills presented in this video are all 6-on-6 drills that create pressure and put players through fast paced, chaotic situations. Some of these drills are old recycled drills that have been spiced up with some new twists and ideas to keep them fresh. Each drill explained can be used in a competitive nature to bring the best out in your athletes.
Whether you're looking for completely new-to-you drills or simply ideas for progressing practice activities you already use, this is one to add to your library.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
53 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04290: with Mike Lingenfelter, Munciana Volleyball Club (Yorktown, IN) Head Coach;
has coached for over 15 years and has four national championships, four national runner-ups, and two third place finishes; Wapahani (IN) High School Head Coach; 2x State Champions; 3x Coach of the Year
No team is perfect. If your practice consists of drills in which your setter sets a perfect pass or your hitters attack a perfect set, your team is not prepared for a live competitive match. Elite college volleyball teams are in system 60-65% of the time, elite high school teams maybe half that!
How much time are you spending training out of system play with your volleyball team? The answer is probably not enough. This video will teach you how to practice in an out of system environment to limit the amount of free balls your team sends over the net and help greatly increase the percentage of attacks for your team in a match.
Coach Lingenfelter begins his high energy presentation by insisting that all coaches must have a plan for what their team will do in all out of system situations. Once a plan is established drills are designed to execute all phases of the plan.
Using the part to whole training philosophy, the basic fundamentals are taught first in a series of drills and subsequent progressions. Eventually, full 6v6 game-like drills are used to tie everything together to prepare for the most common element in a volleyball match: chaos.
Not only does this video teach you how to play out of system, but it teaches you how to attack and be aggressive out of system. If your team regularly produces more free balls than good swings, this information will definitely give your team a competitive advantage!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
57 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04291: with Jamie Morrison, UC Irvine Assistant Coach;
Assistant coach for the US woman's National team 2009-2012; Assistant coach for the men's national team 2005-2010 (2008 Olympic Gold Medal)
Teams must have a strong "we're passers first" mentality to focus on sticking the pass first to get in system then be able to aggressively attack. Join USA Women's National Team Assistant Coach, Jamie Morrison, as he brings in his variety of experience including coaching collegiate athletes and working with national team athletes to bring you almost an hour of training focused on footwork and technique for passers transitioning to hit.
Throughout the video, Coach Morrison uses live players to show drills that include passing and then releasing to swing hit. He demonstrates how the approach will differ depending on the tempo of the set and where the set will be located. Morrison discusses strategies that should be considered when using a swing hitter depending on the strengths of your team.
Many of the drills used in this video will push your athletes outside their comfort zones. This will help them improve and become better volleyball players. The drills included in this video will help you teach swing hitters how to pass and then transition to hit high balls, huts, go balls, 1's, bics and slides. Coach Morrison uses small groups in most of his drills and gets players touching the ball as many times as possible in each drill. He shows ways that you can make each drill more game like and gives various examples of how to control the drill by score, time or in a row type scoring system. Whether or not you use a swing hitter, this video will prove to be useful for any coach and team who wants their offense to be as efficient as possible.
Take your team to the next level of aggressive attacking by enabling your passers to transition directly into an attack using a variety of shots (e.g. Bic, Slide, Go, High Ball, etc.) regardless of where they are on the court!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
56 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04292:
with Anne Kordes,
former University of Louisville Head Coach; 2015 ACC Champions;
2015 ACC Coach of the Year - her third coach of the Year honor at Louisville, also earning the award as the Big East (2012) and American Athletic Conference (2013) Coach of the Year; 2010 and 2011 USA Select National Team Lead Coach; past President of the American Volleyball Coaches Association
Ever wonder how some setters are able to confuse middle blockers on a consistent basis or why some setters are more difficult to read than others?
In this video, University of Louisville Coach Anne Kordes demonstrates how she teaches her setters to freeze the middle blocker, so her hitters can hit against an unorganized block.
Whether your goal is to give your hitters a 1-on-1 block or get them an ideal set location or both, Kordes shares great teaching techniques and demonstrates drills for training the key elements to accomplishing these goals.
Coach Kordes shows you a simple drill progression you can use in every step of the development process. This drill begins by teaching basic techniques that are necessary for a setter to become more deceptive and progresses into a game of setter vs. middle blocker that will give instant feedback on just how difficult your setter is to read.
This video is ideal for a coach who is ready to take their setters to the next level or for a setter who is competent enough fundamentally that they are ready to learn how to be more deceptive.
By learning how to be more deceptive, a setter can give her team an offensive edge and provide new scoring opportunities!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
2013.
VVD-04293: with Rick Reynolds, Western Wyoming Community College Head Coach;
2011 NJCAA Runner-Up; back-to-back NJCAA Final Four appearances (2010-11); 2x WCCAC Coach of the Year
and David Rehr, Arkansas State University Head Coach; former Head Coach at Blinn College;
2x NJCAA National Tournament Coach of the Year; 2x NJCAA Champions; 10x conference champions
Get your middles involved and make them a force to be reckoned with! Nationally renowned coaches Rick Reynolds and David Rehr share their thoughts and demonstrate drills on how to get your middles to transition and be ready to attack on every single ball during a rally.
The drills included in this video will give your middle attackers numerous repetitions in blocking, transitioning, approaching and attacking.
These drills will give your middles valuable reps in blocking and transitioning from all locations on the net, transitioning to different locations off of the net, and approaching to hit all different types of sets. Each drill starts out with a written set of instructions shown on the screen as the drill is explained. Then each drill is demonstrated with players and feedback from coaches.
The drills include basic individual drills with no ball, small group drills, and full 6-on-6 scrimmage drills. Every drill shares a common theme - middle transition.
The video focuses on getting the middles to transition every single offensive possession no matter where they come from or where they end up. These drills will improve your team in a variety of ways:
- Reduce steps for quick transition
- Incorporate the setter for game-like multi-player transition
- Attack accuracy
- Reading opponents' setter and hitters
- Closing the block
This video shows you how to make your middle hitters the powerhouse of your offense. Push your team to the next level with a dominating middle attack!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
42 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04294: with Dane Selznick, Westside Volleyball Club (Santa Monica, CA)
Fine tune your athletes to move more efficiently to control the ball with precision whether siding out or playing defense. Understand how the ideal ready position can control every ball coming your way. Learn how getting hit by the ball on defense is the first stage to playing "offensive defense." Moving from your #1 starting position to another #1 starting position is the physical and mental approach to a successful beach player. Learn how to shrink the court into 3-step plays anywhere you go. You'll think your athletes are gliding around the court on ice skates! Prepare your prep and college athletes to move and think like Olympians Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor! Coach Selznick will guide you through the thought process of history's best sand players.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
68 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04296: with Sidney Feldman, Piedmont College Head Coach;
2010 GSAC Champions; over 400 career wins
Sidney Feldman, the self-proclaimed "dinosaur" of volleyball presents you with ideas from the past for a bright future. Coach Feldman wants you to "forget everything you knew about why a 4-2 is antiquated." Feldman shows you the advantages of the 4-2 system and why it should be used from the high school level down.
Using basic examples and some very compelling arguments, Coach Feldman will have you pondering the merits of your multiple offensive system, and may indeed have you rethinking your offensive philosophy. By utilizing the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method, Coach Feldman uses young players to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages seen in the 5-1 and 6-2 offenses and how they are conquered by returning to the roots of volleyball with the 4-2 offensive system. See how having your setter at the net full-time in a 4-2 offense is the most efficient system, especially for young players.
Feldman points out several reasons why having your setter up is beneficial to your juniors-level team:
- Your setter becomes an available attacker.
- Your setter can run an offense entirely on forward sets.
- The potential for back row holes due to setter leaving early is not an issue.
- As setter and middles advance, they can learn and utilize slide attack.
While many coaches may find the 4-2 less sophisticated than other offenses, the 4-2 can solve many problems that young setters experience and can turn your offense into a great attacking system.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
36 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04297: with Jeff Alzina, California State University Olympic Beach Coach;
2004 US Men's Olympic Volleyball Coach (fifth place). Alzina has coached more than 30 Olympians and 30 NCAA All-Americans and has been hired as the National Team coach for eight different countries.
Offense takes a whole new meaning on the sand. With only two athletes, offensive strategy is seen from an entirely new perspective.
Jeff Alzina will explain the various offensive systems in the sand and how to select the one that is best for each of your sand teams. From attacking to setting to passing, Coach Alzina covers the offensive game from the net backwards and explains important key principles that have helped him be one of the most successful beach coaches.
Sound beach volleyball principles are taught throughout the video. From helping your attackers understand the importance of swinging to score a point to teaching the basic swing that will be most successful when mastered. Setting players are taught the proper direction to face as well as two very important keys that will mean the difference between scoring points and simply keeping the ball in play. Finally passing principles are taught so specifically that you will know the difference between where a right side should pass the ball in relation to where a left side should pass the ball, but most importantly, you'll understand why there is a difference.
Coach Alzina give you the best drills and techniques to train each of these offensive systems. Specific goals are definied for every aspect of offense and all aspects of the offensive game are taught from a perspective of "how often will I use this in a game," so no time is wasted on drills that will not produce the best offensive results in a limited amount of practice time.
Everyone interested in being a better sand volleyball coach will be able to take multiple ideas from this video and improve your team's offensive strategies immediately.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
60 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04298: with Marcio Sicoli; Coach for Kerri Walsh & Misty May-Treanor at the 2012 Olympic Games in London;
Assistant coach of the Brazilian Olympic Women's Beach Volleyball Team from 2000-2004 (2004 Olympic Silver medal); Pepperdine University Assistant Coach (both indoor and outdoor women's volleyball)
How and why did Misty and Kerri win a third gold medal? What do they do better than others? What type of training and strategic adjustments do they use to perform at the highest level?
Follow along with Team USA Beach Volleyball coach Marcio Sicoli as he directs a session on how he coached Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor to their third consecutive Olympic gold medal. In this session, Coach Sicoli provides incredible insight into the practice design, preparation and drills involved in training our Olympic champions.
Coach Sicoli discusses the mind set coming into the third Olympiad for Wash & May-Treanor and what needed to happen to keep the team focused on the goal of doing something that had never been done before in beach volleyball. You'll learn the importance of building your practice drills around improving a particular aspect of the game or preparing for a specific situation or opponent. Coach Sicoli emphasizes over and over that coaches must allow for players to sufficiently adapt to their environment. He shows a number of drills aimed at helping players "get their sand legs", so they are comfortable when asked to step it up and compete. His lineup includes drills for:
- Warm up
- Passing
- Combinations
- Transition
This video opens a door to view the inner workings of a professional beach volleyball team and their coach as they prepare to close out a historical career. A must see for anyone who enjoyed Walsh & May-Treanor's run through the London Olympics.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
54 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04299: with Mark Massey, University of Puget Sound Head Coach;
1992 NCAA D-II National Coach of the Year; 3 NWC Conference Championship; 2x NWC Coach of the Year
Learn how to teach faster and better!
Mark Massey covers everything he thinks you need to know as a coach about skill development, which will instantly turn your practice time into an incredible learning environment. In Skills without Drills, you will learn through live game play examples how to "shape the court" so that it automatically "shapes skill behaviors" FOR you. We will explore dynamic new skill training formulas, fun formats, and little-used (but simple and powerful) feedback methods to help you learn how to blend the science of learning . . . with the art of coaching volleyball.
Drills are drills, but how they are run and how feedback is given is what makes them effective. Coach Massey explains some very simple but powerful ways to use feedback in your gym during the simplest of drills. With the use of high school aged players, Massey takes you through some drills and demonstrates how he uses his techniques to help players evaluate themselves to become better at whatever skill they are focusing on. You will learn how to run an effective practice by yourself, or by using untrained people to be assistant coaches.
Coach Massey discusses the use of the latest video apps for iPad. These apps will provide immediate feedback for your team and can be a very powerful coaching tool. He demonstrates how to best utilize these apps that will instantly turn practices into learning environments. His very simple to follow methods make it easy for anyone to assist with practices by giving feedback or using electronic devices.
Throughout the video, Coach Massey explains some of his powerful methods that he uses during practices such as layering, 3x10 method, Xontro and MTW fading. All of these methods will instantly make your players put more focus into their practice time and skill development. He changes the way feedback is giving during practice sessions by using different methods such as vocal choices, the thumb system, and the use of video apps.
Coaches of all levels will learn how to maximize player development with the simple use of voice cues, visual cues and the latest technology. By adjusting how you structure your games and drills, as well as learning how to give better feedback, you can help your players learn at an accelerated rate.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
50 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04300: with Bill Hamiter, U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Head Coach and Program Director
and Cara Long, USAV National Team
Endorsed by Cecile Reynaud, Retired Head Volleyball Coach, Florida State
National Sitting Volleyball Coach Bill Hamiter, along with assistant coach Cara Long, bring you an "outside the box" idea for training your players using techniques from the Paralympics sitting volleyball team.
Learn how you can improve your players serve toss, arm swing, arm speed, defensive floor moves, hand passing, blocking hands, setting technique and other skills by sitting on the floor.
Every aspect of the game is covered and there are benefits to standing players at every turn. Learn how to teach your team to master several key facets of sitting volleyball:
- Move QUICKLY to the ball at sitting-game speed
- Read hitters while stationary blocking
- Use overhead passing for serve receive
- Close the block
- Find a way around the block
- Use the block
By taking away their feet, players will get more effective reps as they attempt to correct the problems that are associated with their upper body. Once your players effectively master each of these crucial skills for sitting volleyball, they will begin to play standing volleyball more confidently with greater court vision, control, and efficiency!
If you are looking for a creative way to help your players improve, this training method will completely change your players' understanding of volleyball mechanics.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
52 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04301: with Julie Kaiser, Vista High School (CA) Head coach;
USA CAP Level III certified coach; a USA Volleyball Conditioning Master Instructor
As a volleyball coach do you find yourself at a school or a club with limited resources? Even if you have nothing but a volleyball court, some volleyballs and four walls you can still get in a great conditioning regiment and maximize contacts with the drills provided in this video.
Julie Kaiser, in this video shot on location at the AVCA Convention in Louisville, KY, works a boys club volleyball team through the paces using only a volleyball court and a basket of volleyballs. Many of the drills presented in this video are drills that most coaches have done in their very own gym, but Kaiser provides some great ideas on how those simple drills can also become an intense training drill that will be sure to have your players gasping for air.
Focusing on core strength, agility and jump training, these exercises are perfect for any coach at a school or club who has minimal equipment. Core training drills will develop a players overall strength, Agility drills will help players to move around the court more effectively and jump training will help players to build a better overall vertical leap making them better hitters and blockers.
Coach Kaiser introduces and explains in detail 12 total training drills that not only work on conditioning your players, but also focus on the skills of volleyball. The 12 drills are broken down into six core strength drills and six agility drills. Each drill incorporates fundamental volleyball skills such as passing, digging, setting, hitting, blocking and hitter coverage.
Coach Kaiser demonstrates how to set up and run each drill with many variations and progressions included. These progressions and variations make this video useful for coaches of all levels. You should be able to tailor these drills for the ability and skill level of their own team. In Kaiser's conclusion, she takes the boys through a dynamic stretching routine that will be sure to properly warm-up the body and properly prepare your team for practice or competition. This routine consists of 18 different sport specific movements that will raise the body and muscle temperature and help prevent injuries in your players.
Anyone with a gym, volleyballs and some time can provide their team with a solid workout, while developing volleyball skills with the help of this video. Maximize your teams practice time next season without forfeiting the benefits of core strength and agility training.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
44 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04302: with Tim Vande Schraaf, President of the Eastside Volleyball club
It's important that young athletes develop good habits and solid volleyball skills from the very beginning. This can provide a solid foundation for the rest of their careers, as well as ensuring they enjoy the sport and will not get burnt out.
Tim Vande Schraaf and his staff at Eastside Volleyball Club provide a complete description of the club's youth volleyball programs. He explains the differences in coaching this age compared to high school aged players and what type of adjustments need to be made. With the main goal of keeping fun in mind, the coaches explain and demonstrate a complete warm-up, progression drills for volleyball skills, and game play to teach young kids the concepts of volleyball.
This video shows you effective methods for teaching young children the basic fundamentals of passing, setting, moving, approaching and attacking. The staff presents great tips on how to keep the kids coming back for more, which is crucial at these ages. At the end, they put all the skills together by illustrating how game-play can be presented to players of this young age.
The video includes everything that an organization would need to begin their own youth volleyball program. Numerous drills are presented and many of them are demonstrated by older, more experienced players. Learn the teaching cues and modifications that they use to teach the basics of volleyball successfully.
This is a great video for parents, recreation programs, volleyball clubs or any coach who wants to begin a youth camp or program.
Start you own youth program or find some great new ideas to add to your existing one. This video is perfect for any coach involved in coaching youth volleyball!
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
61 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04303: with Jeff Lipton, Stevens Institute of Technology Head Coach
Teaching proper technique and fundamentals to young players is essential for player development. This is especially true with serving as developing bad habits is easy to do if a player uses incorrect technique at a young age.
Jeff Lipton breaks down the steps to become elite servers showing you easy to follow strategies for teaching serving with a point of view geared towards younger kids.
Coach Lipton explains the four teaching keys that he uses to teach the serve. These keys will touch on areas of the serve such as the stance, toss, swing and contact point. Proper stance and footwork before ball contact prepares the server to be consistent in her approach to serve. Middle of the hand to the middle of the ball will give will give servers maximum contact and control for the speed and direction of the serve.
Drills are demonstrated throughout the video to. After each phase of the serve is completely explained and shown, Lipton presents drills that show what the keys look like and how to correct errors in techniques. These drills include partner drills, target drills to hit specific zones to help the servers to be more effective and drills where the athlete competes against themselves. Lipton shows an outstanding drill of personal competition where coaches can give different point values to different positions on the court depending on where the area of focus is for that team or practice.
This DVD is a very good source for all levels on giving skills to the young players to become elite volleyball servers. The concept and drills will help your players grow from a novice into elite servers..
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
45 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04305: with Gwen Egbert, Doane College Head Coach;
former Head Coach at Papillion-LaVista South (NE) High School; 6x Nebraska Class A State Champions; 2012 PrepVolleyball.com national coach of the year; ESPN and MaxPreps National Champions in 2010 and 2011; over 700 career wins; her teams made it to the state championship game 13 of the 19 years that they qualified for the state tournament; All-conference player for University of Nebraska
Coaches consider the approach a critical part of hitting, yet we ask our blockers to penetrate the net with no arm swing or approach. Does this make sense for smaller players?
Coaches with shorter players, or players who struggle at the net, will love this presentation. Coach Egbert introduce you to new principles for more effective blocking. In addition, you will discover why swing blocking may be the best option for your team and learn drills for implementing this technique with your players.
With a strong focus on technique and these easy to follow keywords and drills even the shortest teams can become blocking forces. Egbert shows how coaches can use training tools such as resistance bands and weighted gloves to help their blockers become stronger with the block and demonstrate better body posture. By becoming stronger a player with better posture will be in control more often and have less net violations.
With the use of high school aged players, Coach Egbert takes you through her can't miss step-by-step keywords and progressions to becoming a better swing blocker. The progressions go into great detail in all aspects of the swing block such as hand position, footwork, and blocking as a whole. Drills are presented for each part of the swing block with full explanation and tips on how to correct mistakes. Egbert does a great job of explaining why the mechanics need to be done in a certain way and how to explain it to players so they know why they need to do a certain way.
These drills can be used in conjunction with station work or as the same time as ball control drills with your team. This is a great video for any coach of any level who wants to get their team to become a swing blocking team. By having players perform these drills on a daily basis coaches will see their team become more aggressive blockers, more athletic, and more physical.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
56 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04306: with Chrissy Elder, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Head Coach; former University of Central Missouri Assistant Coach; All American Setter at Pittsburgh State
Don't let your opponent throw your team out of system anymore! Chrissy Elder introduces drills that will help maintain your fast tempo even when rallies get hectic and the other team is coming at you hard. If all of your players able to initiate a fast-paced offense, your opponent will have a difficult time keeping up.
Coach Elder is emphatic that the speed of your offense is controlled by your passers more than your setters. Her drills will train all of your players to set quick attacks, and train hitters to effectively swing in-system even when their set comes from the back court or from a non-setter.
You'll see a series of drills that puts passers in chaotic situations where they are required to create fast tempo offense. Each drill is explained in full and demonstrated by a team of young club players. Elder explains variations for each drill to make them easier or more difficult depending on the skill level of your players.
The second series of drills focuses on running a fast tempo out of defense. Coach Elder stresses that defense can be in-system also and gives many drills that will help teach and perfect the idea. In these drills you will learn how to maintain your fast paced offense when your setter is taking digs at the 10 foot line and when someone other than your setter is setting up your hitters. Additionally, Elder takes the players through a progression of drills that teaches hitters how to hit the ball faster.
Training your team to run a quick offense must be taught throughout all aspects of the game. Elder does a great job of showing you how to train your passers, your setters, and your hitters to "speed it up" in a way that will make them all successful.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
42 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04307: with Dan Clotfelter, Emory & Henry College Head Coach;
holds a Level II Certification from the USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program
Everyone wants players who are flexible in the way they attack and defend. Coaches want players that can spot weaknesses in opponents and adjust their own play to take advantage of those weaknesses. In addition, coaches want players that constantly read through the net and make adjustments based on the visual cues they see.
If you feel like your team's volleyball IQ is not where it should be, Emory & Henry College Head Coach Dan Clotfelter examines both mental and physical volleyball IQ tools that every player should have in their toolbox and give coaches drills and practice techniques to develop these tools.
Starting with simple individual skill drills, progressing to small sided drills and finally 6v6 drills, this presentation will give you many great ideas to take back to your next practice. Each drill doesn't focus on specific fundamentals, but instead helps your team to learn how to play the game more effectively.
Of course fundamental skills are important, but without the knowledge of how to play the game your volleyball player is woefully incomplete. This video focuses on how to teach players of all ages how to better play the game of volleyball by increasing their Volleyball IQ.
Volleyball IQ is the ability to think strategically and tactically while automatically executing skills and movement at a high level. If you are looking to help your team win more matches, look to this video to increase your squad's Volleyball IQ.
Produced at the 2012 AVCA National Convention in Louisville (KY).
52 minutes. 2013.
VVD-04558: with Courtney Thompson, U.S. Women's National Team Setter,
2012 Olympic Silver Medalist; 3x All-American for the University of Washington; set the NCAA record for career assists per game with 14.56
Courtney Thompson, of the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, discusses the things that make her a better setter and leader. She shares her thoughts on how to create practice sessions that enhance player performance, and explains four ways to better coach drills. Her in-depth explanations cover everything from drills that measure improvement to drills that are uncomfortable to ways coaches can explain the focus and goals of drills while providing feedback.
Thompson shares several key points for player improvement, including:
- Using drills that measure improvement
- Recording practice performance as well as game performance
- Explaining the focus of the drill (i.e. footwork, hands and so on)
- Providing feedback specific to the goal of the drill
- Utilizing drills that challenge in the same way games challenge
Thompson demonstrates some of the drills used by top coaches to improve her own performance. Although these drills focus primarily on setters, they very game-like and include other aspects of the game as well. As the drills are performed Thompson gives feedback that helps players make changes during the drill. She explains how the use video during practices and drills to give players instant feedback that, in turn, helps them make adjustments during the drill.
After walking players through setting drill demos, Thompson fields questions from coaches and players about how to become a top-notch setter. Using personal anecdotes, she tells how her experiences have helped her become a top athlete and how she continues to develop as a leader and grow her craft as a setter. She encourages setters to learn to read their passers in order to best adjust no matter how the ball comes off their arms. Thompson also explains how to use feedback during games to create consistency and clear understanding.
Do not miss out on this rare opportunity to learn from one of the top volleyball athletes in the country!
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
47 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04559: with Cathy George, Michigan State University Head Coach,
over 500 career wins, first female coach to reach Final Four (1989)
Do you have a favorite serve-receive pattern? Do your players ever struggle with the question "whose ball was that" on serve-receive or defense? Are you unsure which serve-receive pattern is right for your team? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, do not miss out on this video!
Michigan State Head Volleyball Coach Cathy George shares several drills that she uses to train individual and team serve-receive in the gym. Starting with an individual passer and using drills for two- and three-person patterns, she explains the keys to teaching players when to use a specific pattern and how to determine who's responsible for the ball. Learn how to establish a go-to serve-receive pattern based on your players. Then learn how to make adjustments to handle even the toughest serving opponents. Help athletes develop a clear-cut understanding of the following important principles:
- A server's toss is indicative of serving direction
- EARLY decision-making and communication is crucial
- Even short serves need to be passed high
- Who has low, short and who takes the high, deep
- Which players get "protected" and by whom
By teaching players how all of these things run within your offensive system and against any particular opponent, you will empower your team to make smart decisions quickly, communicate early and move into the best possible position to make a higher quality pass.
Whether you work with advanced athletes or novice players, these tips from Coach George will help you get the most out of your team's serve-receive and maximize the time your team spends "in system."
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
47 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04560: with Doug Reimer, University of British Columbia Head Coach;
2013 CIS National Champions, winners of six consecutive CIS National Championships (2008-13); 2x CIS Coach of the Year
The goal of all coaches is to make their athletes better players, even if that means using unique training methods. In this DVD, Doug Reimer, one of the most successful coaches in Canada, ties a motor learning-based training method to various volleyball drills for a number of different skills. These novel methods can help your players learn skills more quickly and efficiently.
With his "less is more" theory, Coach Reimer explains that a million reps do not always increase learning. He shares ways to engage learners in drills that require them to figure out the right answer as they perform the drill. The drill does the "talking" while the players take ownership of their own learning as they try to accomplish the task. Reimer takes players through a variety of drills focused on specific aspects of the game in order to encourage "transfer-appropriate processing." These include:
- 3-on-3 Tricky Drill progression to 5-on-5 for warm-up
- Karate Kid progression for serving
- Dig Three for targeted digging
Coach Reimer shares his recommendations on executing drills and communicating with athletes in ways that will help them absorb what you're trying to teach. Though these drills may not be familiar, they are proven and effective at teaching players the game and making them move. They push players outside of their comfort level, making them better during match play.
These drills are based on motor learning, and are effective at any age level and playing level. Players might "fail" at practice but, as they learn from their mistakes, they will be better in game-day situations.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a valuable title to your coaching library! Bring Reimer's evidence-based methodology for training for maximum transfer and true learning into your gym, and watch as your team really takes their performance to the next level.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
39 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04561: with Chris McGown, Brigham Young University Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
2013 NCAA runners-up; 2013 AVCA Coach of the Year; 2013 MPSF Coach of the Year
Do you have a logical-minded approach to your defensive system? If not, join Chris McGown, Head Men's Volleyball Coach at BYU, as he explains how to maximize your chances for success with a strategically designed defensive system.
Coach McGown explains that good principles are key to a good defensive system. He shares the most important principles to a great defense and then gives a detailed explanation of each one. His principles include:
- Put the best defensive players where the most balls are hit
- Use a simple system instead of a complex one
- Read the set, as it dictates the location and quality of the attack
Using six athletes, he shows how to position players against different types of attacks across the net, and explains the rationale behind each decision. No matter what kind of offense your opponent uses Coach McGown explains how to take away their best options and how to position your players to do so. From blocking to base defense and dig defense, your players will learn why they should be where they are told to be.
Most importantly, Coach McGown goes into great detail about reading to defend. A key strategic component to any defensive system is a purposeful blocking system such as a "bunch read" or a "spread read." He explains what to look for and how that information dictates how and where to move defensively. The best way to defend using these systems is to evaluate the following for every attack:
- The set
- The hitter's approach
- The hitter's tendencies
- The hitter's shoulder
- The block
Listen in as Coach McGown answers questions that coaches and players struggle to answer on their own. McGown explains the "myth busters" reasoning behind his system's belief that the block does not dictate the opponent's attack. He also discusses the differences between an opponent's one-off, situational trends and their intentional strategic tendencies, as well as when to adjust to each. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get helpful answers to all the defensive systems situations you've been struggling to master!
This video is a great learning tool for coaches of all levels and perfect for high school and club players to view as well. Bring Coach McGown's evidence-based methods for designing a defensive system into your gym and watch as your team achieves a whole new level of defensive success.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
56 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04580: with Tonya Johnson, Georgia Tech Head Coach,
former University of Texas Associate Head Coach
Get your middles involved in your offense whether you're in or out of system, and push them to become a dominant component of your team's attack! Georgia Tech Head Coach Tonya Johnson explains the principles of middle hitter involvement and shares drills and progressions that she uses in her gym to build an effective middle attack.
Coach Johnson discusses four keys to an effective middle attack: vision, timing and tempo, spacing and volleyball IQ. Using drill demonstrations with progressions and helpful explanations, she shows how to train these principles effectively in your own gym in order to:
- Help middles see the defense beyond the block and be better able to score
- Train hitters to create a good lane to see the pass and be included in the offense
- Run middles up early to connect aggressively rather than attacking at the tape on the way down
- Provide optimal attack options for zero-tempo situations
- Teach middles to use a wide range of effective shots, not just the most impressive looking ones
If your middle hitters are not an offensive force because they're not always available to get involved in an aggressive attack, don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from Coach Johnson. Teach the principles you learn here and bring Coach Johnson's progressive middle-targeted drills into your gym today. Then join in your team's excitement when their middles put the ball to the opponent's floor again and again.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
42 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04581: with Leisa Rosen, University of Michigan Associate Head Coach;
All-American player for Ohio State University, Big Ten Player of the Year;one of the 50 greatest sports figures of the 20th century from the state of Alaska by Sports Illustrated
University of Michigan Associate Head Coach Leisa Rosen explains the importance of the libero, their character qualities, their role on the team and the team's need to identify them as key players. She takes you through drills used at Michigan during the season to help these players become defensive specialists and develop the right attitude to give the much-needed extra effort to play this position.
Many coaches use defensive specialists and liberos as shaggers or feeders during offensive drills. Coach Rosen believes defensive specialists need to have an identity. She shares great examples of the characteristics and personality traits that help give a libero an identity, and excellent coaching tips on how to let them know they are as important (or more important) than other positions on the court. She explains how defensive specialists are game changers and that they affect both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Overall, Coach Rosen stresses that when it comes to defensive specialists, effort and attitude takes precedence over technique.
Coach Rosen uses highly skilled players to demonstrate some of her favorite drills to train defensive players. These drills cover serve receive and digging. Each drill includes progressions that start with fundamentals and techniques, and then advances to running them in game-like situations. These drills stress getting the body around the ball, moving the feet, and proper body posture. Many of the drills introduced are multi-purpose drills as they work on passing, ball control and setting. These are three very important aspects of the game for defensive specialists.
Beyond drills, this presentation can helps coaches develop the proper mindset in their defensive specialists. Without this mindset, DS's can have the best technique ever but will not get the job done.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
43 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04582: with Nina Matthies, Pepperdine University Sand Volleyball Head Coach;
former Pepperdine University Head Coach; over 580 career wins; 11 West Coast Conference championships; 2012 AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Champions and 2013 runners-up; one of the winningest female beach players of all time, distinguished member of the Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame
Attacking on the court and on the sand are two very different techniques. In this session, Pepperdine Head Coach Nina Matthies uses her decades of experiences in both indoor and sand volleyball to present training ideas to help your players develop their attack mechanics for sand volleyball. With the use of experienced indoor players, she introduces drills and strategies that are very useful in transforming an indoor player to a sand player.
Her drills begin with the basic step close jump in all directions. Coach Matthies does a great job explaining the differences in strategies of sand volleyball and what types of skill sets are necessary to excel. She points out how each skill is different from the indoor skill and why it is necessary to perform the skill differently. This can be very useful for both indoor and sand coaches as the skills for both venues can be very useful for all players. The second half of the video uses drills that stress ball control while still emphasizing the different types of approaches. The focus of the drills will trains players to be patient, find the ball, and use a quick step to get close to the ball.
A valuable part of the video comes at the end when Coach Matthies takes questions from the audience. Here she does a great job of reiterating the differences in strategies and skill sets between the two types of volleyball and gives some detailed explanations of why skills should be done a certain way.
This video would be great for any indoor or sand coach who would like to know some in's and out's of approaches and different paths to the ball.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
36 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04583: with Marcio Sicoli; Coach for Kerri Walsh & Misty May-Treanor at the 2012 Olympic Games in London; Assistant coach of the Brazilian Olympic Women's Beach Volleyball Team from 2000-2004 (2004 Olympic Silver medal); Pepperdine University Assistant Coach (both indoor and outdoor women's volleyball)
Olympic coach and trainer Marcio Sicoli shares the secrets to conditioning athletes for winning sand volleyball.
In this video you will learn how to incorporate a conditioning session into your regular practice routine. Coach Sicoli, coach for Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, demonstrates drill ideas that develop skills, and train and condition the team at the same time. From the very beginning of practice to the end, Sicoli uses volleyball specific activities to both warm up and condition the athletes. By combining the two he is giving you valuable tips on how to make practices more efficient without neglecting skills or conditioning.
Coach Sicoli starts out by explaining the three energy systems that are used in sand volleyball, and gives examples on how they are used. He feels coaches need this information to be able to properly plan what type of conditioning program is needed. He then goes into great detail on how to warm up and condition while using court movements and volleyball skill sets. These drills help coaches with their dynamic stretching, plyometrics and general court movements.
With the use of skilled players, Coach Sicoli demonstrates how normal volleyball drills can be used to warm up and condition players as well. He continues by showing how conditioning can also be incorporated into main practice drills and game drills. Players get great sand conditioning while working on their passing, setting and court movement.
Sand players need to be in a different kind of shape than court players and coaches never seem to have enough time for both practice and conditioning. Incorporate these drills to build your players aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, explosiveness, and stability all while working on volleyball specific skills.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
2014.
VVD-04587: with Anna Collier, USC Women's Sand Volleyball Head Coach;l
ed two U.S. teams to fifth-place finishes at the Olympics (1996, 2000); led American teams to first- and fifth-place finishes at the 2012 World University Championships; founder of the USAV Hi Performance Beach Coaching accreditation
Every coach looks for drills that will enhance their players' skill levels. These game-like exercises are all pair-oriented and demonstrated in the sand. They can also be used indoors.
Coach Collier shares combination drills (pass, set, attack), which she believes are the best type of drills for overall skills improvement. Drills featured in her presentation include:
- Controlled Chaos Drill - These drills, which address the mental aspects of setting, get players thinking and working hard right away in practice.
- Triangle Setting Drills - These are tried-and-true drills to improve setting skills.
- Shuttle Setting Drills - These strategies are designed to teach players how to work at the net and off the net, and also get them facing the proper direction when setting the ball to their partner.
- Double Dutch Drill - Doubles the number of setting touches and teaches hitters to wait before attacking the ball.
- Control Serving to the Middle Drill - Get a great attack from this serve receive drill that teaches players what to do with balls served between the receivers.
- Net Group Sets - These drills focus on setting on the net, off the net, tight net sets, trouble sets, and balls off the court sets.
Coach Collier finishes her presentation with game-like action that includes several variables. One of the variables is playing the game in complete silence, which ultimately demonstrates the importance of communication when playing. Coach Collier also demonstrates the value of timely corrections and praising players as they try to score points and compete against each other.
This DVD gives sand volleyball coaches challenging drills to work their players and get them to working together, communicating and knowing what to do in various game situations.
This DVD gives the beginning players and intermediate players a good idea what drills will help improve their skills as they work together as a team. - customer review
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
50 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04588: with Rod Walsh, Precision Volleyball Academy Program Director,
former setter for the Canadian National Team
Rod Walsh shares some of the strategies he uses to create setters in a clinic that covers hand positioning, ball contact, footwork, setter defense and the mental side of setting.
After discussing techniques for hand contact and posture, Coach Walsh quickly moves to real game applications. Though setter training focuses on both technique and repetition, Walsh always brings the discussion back to how the technique is important in real-game applications.
One of the strengths of the presentation is Coach Walsh's ability to add a level of complexity to a drill to increase the physical and mental demands on the setter. By watching Coach Walsh's drill progression, viewers can easily see how a long-term training program can refine the skills of their own setters.
This presentation offers concepts that are appropriate for all skill levels and can be used with beginning setters as well as elite players.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
63 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04590: with Diane Flick, Western Washington University Head Coach;
7x GNAC Champions;8x GNAC Coach of the Year; 2007 NCAA D-II National Runners-Up
While chaos is a natural part of the transition offense, there are ways to maintain order within it. In this presentation, Diane Flick discusses the concepts she uses with her players to transition seamlessly from defense to offense.
Beginning with a definition of "layer of transition" and how it applies to each position, the presentation covers specific player movement concepts from blocking to attacking and defense to attacking. Give your hitters freedom to make themselves available in every situation while also bringing organization to the chaotic moments of the transition offense. Your offense will consistently have many options available. The presentation also offers several drills to help introduce these concepts to your team and increase their transition speed.
Coach Flick closes with a Q&A session covering topics such as the place of the back row attack in transition offenses and the placement of the Libero when designing a transition offense.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
45 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04624: with Matthew Cribbin, American International College,
recipient of a Thirty Under 30 award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)
The majority of matches are won by the team that does the best job of staying "in-system" while forcing the other team out-of-system and into a predicable offense. Aggressive play requires players to focus on what comes next.
AVCA Thirty Under 30 recipient Matthew Cribbin shares strategies and drills for developing a multi-faceted offense while out-of-system. Coach Cribbin introduces, demonstrates and assesses multiple drills and techniques that allow players to attack successfully from all areas on the court.
The ability to create an attack out-of-system is the best way to gain control of a rally and force the opposing team to create a play that greatly increases the chance of being in-system on the next possession.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
52 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04625: with Bala Spencer, Kamehameha Schools (HI) Head Girls' Volleyball Coach;
Maui Volleyball Club Head Coach; NFHS National Certified Coach; IMPACT Certified; Coaching Accreditation Program I and II
With limited practice time during the season, every minute players and coaches spend together on the court should be put to good use. Warm-ups are no exception, as this time can be used to not only get ready for play, but also to improve team chemistry and communication skills. Bala Spencer believes that if you can start practice at a high energy level, it is easier to sustain throughout the entire practice.
Coach Spencer has three objectives of his productive warm-up:
- Stresses communication
- Stress out players through limits and boundaries to pull them out of their comfort level
- Challenge players to compete
Coach Spencer shares four drills/games that he uses for his practice warm-up. Each drill includes a multitude of progressive tweaks and adjustments that can be altered and wrapped around the skill needs of any team. The drills progress from simple to more complex and competitive. He explains how to add more stress and more competitiveness to the warm up. With each added complexity, there is more pressure on the team to increase communication and group problem solving skills are put to work.
This concept is perfect for every level!
Implementing this high energy warm up philosophy has helped Coach Spencer fulfill his mantra of "creating a team with many voices and one beating heart," and believes it can do the same for your team as well. Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
40 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04626: with Nabil Mardini, Los Angeles Volleyball Academy Director of Operations;
Pierce College Head Coach, Back-to-Back-to-Back CCCAA California State Champion, 2x AVCA 2-year College Coach of the Year
According to research, the three least productive volleyball moves are: 1) missing a serve; 2) serving a ball that an opponent can pass; and 3) hitting a ball out of bounds or into the net. Conversely, serving tough and in-bounds are among the most important skills in volleyball. In this fast-paced presentation, Nabil Mardini shows how to teach and train serving and passing with a focus on deliberate practice of these essential skills.
Coach Mardini's serve instruction includes teaching the jump float and jump spin and his passing philosophies are based on training the player at an early age to be able to face and angle with the platform. His 4-on-4 drill is the staple of his practices that enable his players to focus upon an improve serving and passing in a high pressure competitive setting. Mardini includes several variations that show how to manipulate the game to best serve the most critical improvement areas facing a team. This 4-on-4 demonstration shows how rapid, deliberate repetition for serving and passing is critical to success in the game.
This presentation will offer drill ideas for quality control in serve and serve receive that will help your team be more successful on the court.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
59 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04635: with Jim Hunstein,
Lewis & Clark Community College Head Coach;
In this detailed presentation, Jim Hunstein shares a number of drills to build server confidence and skills. Also included are tips for developing a sliding scale for optimum serve percentage.
Using the similarities between volleyball and tennis, Coach Hunstein shows how to help players advance their serving game. He discusses in-depth how player confidence and playing without fear can instantly improve serving performances. Starting with a plan that can be implemented at the first practice of the season, Coach Hunstein gives tips and suggestions on improving player success at the service line. He uses visualization, rituals and scouting as tools to improve serving and build server confidence.
Coach Hunstein demonstrates a series of drills to improve players' serving skills in all types of situations. These drills create a deliberate practice where players can see and feel their serves and learn how to make adjustments to improve them.
Coach Hunstein discusses his drill philosophies and shares examples on how these philosophies can be used in practice. He also discusses building a line-up around your servers to help give your team an advantage: He covers what to look for, how to move players around in the lineup and what kind of stats should be used to build your team's lineup. He finishes with an explanation on measuring players' serves to determine who should be serving and where in the rotation they should be serving. By following these drills and concepts, coaches will see significant improvement in their team's performance from the beginning to the end of the season.
Serving is an under-appreciated skill of the game. This DVD will help your team take a step towards the next level of success.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
56 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04636: with James Sneddon,
Volleyball Canada, Calgary, Alberta
How do we get kids to play volleyball and how do we convince them to play volleyball instead of other sports?
James Sneddon introduces Canada's approach to teaching youth volleyball. "Heroes Volleyball" promotes physical literacy by teaching volleyball movement patterns, reading/anticipation and tactical thinking to a very early age. This proven and effective approach captures young players' interest and gets them interested in volleyball over other sports.
Coach Sneddon uses sample lesson plans to demonstrate how to run a program for players in grades 1-7 while progressing towards more volleyball-type activities. By using a game-skill-game strategy, he teaches volleyball through understanding. Young players will get a feel for the game while engaging in activities designed to help them succeed. Coach Sneddon's lesson plans introduce important, basic concepts like ready position, movement, reading and movements such as balance, agility, and quickness.
The games introduced in the video use different volleyball skills to progress to a level where youngsters can compete against each other. The games are broken down into levels that are appropriate for grades, 1, 2, 3 and 4-7. The program has a proven and impressive track record: In Holland 20,000 kids joined club volleyball because they were introduced to a program like this when they were younger. Kids really get hooked early, which, in turn, grows both the game and programs.
This video will help programs create an interest in volleyball at a much younger age, giving athletes a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the game by the time they reach the high school level. Soccer and basketball have used this approach for a long, long time. Now it's volleyball's turn!
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
51 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04637: with Bivin Sadler,
692 Beach Volleyball Club (TX) Head Coach and Program Director (12-14)
Junior players have taken the game of beach volleyball by storm! In this presentation, Bivin Sadler shares exciting and effective drills, cues and strategies for coaching and motivating young players.
For beginning coaches, the presentation is a great tutorial on the fundamentals of the game. Experienced coaches will also benefit from the fast-paced, motivational drills presented here that can be worked into their own coaching philosophy.
The system discussed in this presentation has helped produce five national championship teams and numerous college sand scholarships.
Produced at the 2013 AVCA Annual Convention in Seattle, WA.
48 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04652:
with Kevin Hambly,
Stanford University Head Coach;
former University of Illinois Head Coach;
2011 NCAA Runners-up; 2011 Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year; President of the AVCA Board of Directors
Everything Kevin Hambly does during training is designed to result in his team getting more swings than their opponent . He knows that the team that gets the most swings will win most of the time, so he approaches every facet of the game with this in mind. This presentation shows you how his philosophy affects his training methods for passing, blocking, defense and even sending free balls over the net.
Passing
Coach Hambly's main concern in serve receive is getting a quality swing. He is willing to sacrifice some perfect three-option passes to maximize the number of decent passes his team makes. By taking the ball higher when passing, facing the line of the ball and moving with intention, his passers eliminate passes and increase the number of attacks the team gets.
Bunch Read System
Coach Hambly's goal for his blocking system is to control block as many balls as possible, especially on middle attacks. He realizes his players may give up a few stuff blocks over time, but he trains his blockers to soft block in order to maximize the number of swings his team gets. The "Bunch Read System" of blocking is perfect for this philosophy. Using this system creates deflections leading to more opportunities for your team to create swings.
Defensive System
Like all of Coach Hambly's system, his defensive system is designed to ensure a quality swing. Because of this, defenders are instructed to pass high off the net. This gives the setter time to make a good set and gives the hitter time to transition to attack mode. He is willing to give away quick attacks in transition to maximize the number of quality swings.
Managing the Rally
In the final segment, Coach Hambly talks about managing the rally when your team is out of rhythm. When his team is out of rhythm, their job is to give the opponent a ball that will result in the easiest ball back. He prefers free balls to strategic locations instead of downballs. Specific locations are demonstrated for occasions when the setter is front row and back row.
Volleyball is an imperfect game. Coach Hambly realizes this and shows you how to develop systems to get quality swings even when players are peforming less than perfectly.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring clinic.
46 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04653: with Kelly Sheffield, Wisconsin Head Coach
Led Wisconsin to National Championship Game in First Season;
coached Dayton to four straight A10 championships; 2012 AVCA Northeast Coach of the Year
Using video and on-court demonstrations, Wisconsin Head Coach Kelly Sheffield teaches coaches how to train the individual defender.
Eliminate Pre-Contact Movement on Defense
Coach Sheffield starts by showing clips of Olympic play and demonstrates how even the best defenders are often moving when the attacker hits the ball. This movement at contact keeps the defender from reacting quickly to the ball and limits range. Video examples are used to show defenders that are stopped and balanced at attack, and the positive plays that result from it.
Defensive Posture and Ankle Load
After using video to demonstrate the importance of a balanced defender at contact, Coach Sheffield uses an on-court demonstration to discuss proper posture and ankle load. Using basic training drills, he shows how a defender with good ankle load can cover plays in all directions.
Training the Defender to Read the Attacker
Again using video, Coach Sheffield shows what defenders should be looking at when the attacker prepares to hit. Using multiple attackers, the hand position that "gives away" tips and off-speed shots is shown. Coach Sheffield talks about training defenders to watch for the "give away" and react correctly to it. This ensures the earliest opportunity to be in correct defensive position to make the dig.
Develop good fundamentals in your defenders to make more plays with the techniques provided in this dynamic presentation.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring clinic.
48 minutes. 2014.
VVD-04764: with Cheryl Butler,
co-director of the Sports Performance Volleyball Club and co-owner of the Great Lakes Center in Aurora, Illinois.
She has been part of 67 national championships and coached in Gold Medal National Championship matches in 14's, 16's and 18's. Her travels have included Japan, China and Dominican Republic with the SPVB 18 Elite Team.
In volleyball, movement skills are the most important first skills to teach to young players. In this presentation, Cheryl Butler demonstrates how to incorporate movement and ball control drills into every practice in a short amount of time.
Coach Butler introduces a series of volleyball-specific movement drills that will not only get players warmed up, but will also teach the proper moving technique required to excel in volleyball. Although these movement drills are great for players of all ages, Coach Butler encourages introducing them to girls at a young age, even before they start to learn how to play volleyball.
Coach Butler uses two different age groups to demonstrate each drill. As players ages 11-13 are taken through the more advanced version of each drill, Coach Butler shows how to modify each drill for first through fifth graders. Modifying these drills for younger players establishes a great foundation at an earlier age.
Movement Drills for Warm-up
Coach Butler starts with warm-up drills using volleyball movements without a ball. This is the "active warm-up" technique that her teams use at the beginning of every practice. The series includes eight different shuffle drills that can be completed in less than 10 minutes; defensive posture, shuffle steps, directional movements and change of direction are covered. A blocking movement drill is also shown with a variation that can be used with very young players.
Use the techniques in this segment to help players simultaneously execute proper volleyball movements and warm up properly.
Ball Control Movement Drills
Many ball control drills are done while the athletes are stationary, which is unrealistic to the sport of volleyball. Coach Butler shares a series of movement drills that focus on ball control. These drills work on passing and setting while in motion. They require movement and many of them will work on controlling the ball outside the midline of the body.
Partner drills are shown (can be used with both platform passing and overhead passing) that require court movement in order to keep the ball alive. Serve receive movements are practiced during a drill that requires players to move forward to receive short serves, and drop and shuffle back to receive deep serves. Coaches who want to improve their serve receive passing will find these drills beneficial and easy to implement.
Defensive Movement Drills
The final section of the presentation focuses on defense and movement drills. These drills create fast-paced, chaotic situations that require players to stay under control and dig the ball to target. These are multi-player drills that will also require a high level of communication among players. The intensity of these drills will really help players prepare for the pace of fast action rallies in game situations.
Movement is the basis of all skills. Athletes who understand the proper way to move to a ball will be more successful in each skill. Coach Butler gives you many great drills to help you get your players moving.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
"The great part is with every drill that she presents with talented 13U players demonstrating, she also uses a group of 1st-5th grade players to demonstrate a modified version of the drill so they can be successful as well. The skills and drills that are being worked on are things that even college players need to practice on a regular basis." - Shawn Stoliker
56 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04765: with Courtney DeBolt Slinko,
All American setter and a four-year letterwinner at Michigan State
Former All American setter Courtney DeBolt Slinko understands the importance of great setter play. In this presentation, she presents tweaks for 10 common problem areas that setters experience. The first seven tweaks cover the physical aspects of setting and the final three deal with the mental aspects of court awareness, communication, and problem solving.
The first line of defense for setter improvement is learning how to identify problems. Coach DeBolt Slinko discusses the problem, demonstrates it, teaches the correct skill set for the problem area and discusses how to solve the problem through simplified breakdown drills.
Coach DeBolt Slinko believes that great setters are made outside of practice. She shares drills that players can execute on their own outside of the gym and even at home. Using two athletes-one highly experienced and the other fairly new to the sport-she demonstrates that no matter the experience level, there's always room for improvement.
This AVCA convention session is sure to assist you in being able to consistently help your setter help themselves to identify and work through common problems. Help your setters move from good to great with the strategies shared here.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
55 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04766: with Jen DeJarld,
Mother McAuley (IL) High School Girls' Head Coach; 2013 Illinois High School Class 4A State Champs;
founder of Michio Chicago Volleyball Club
The section on situational serving alone makes this video worth the money! - Shawn Stoliker, Millbrook (NY) High School Varsity Volleyball Coach
Jen DeJarld helps coaches understand the serving strategies and skills that are necessary to disrupt an opponent's offense. In this presentation, Coach DeJarld demonstrates how to properly warm up with serving technique as her focus. She introduces all of the different types of serves and the strategies necessary to make them effective. She also shares a series of drills to help servers work on their technique and placement.
Active Warm-Up Coach DeJarld begins with an active warm-up drill done in pairs with players hitting the ball back and forth while working on their control and technique. These drills help players become aware of their body mechanics during contact, which, in turn, helps with accurate placement and consistency. The partner drills are useful for high school and club players who are trying to get better at serving where they want the ball to go. Throughout this segment, Coach DeJarld discusses different types of serves like float, topspin, jump float and jump float spin.
Serving Drills In this segment, Coach DeJarld shares drills that help players improve serving to different locations. This prepares players to serve aggressively with the intent of disrupting their opponent's offense. She shows her four corners drill, which is a great multi-purpose drill that gets athletes working on serving to and from different areas of the court. The drill puts great emphasis on serving down the line, cross court, short, and deep corners.
Situational ServingThe last set of drills Coach DeJarld explains works on situational serving. Learn how to serve at different types of rotations and offenses that opponents might be using. The goal of the situational serving is to disrupt the opponents' offense, take them out of system or stop their best hitter. The situational serving drill goes into great detail on how serving can help teams win games.
High school and lower-level college coaches will instantly improve their chances of winning with the serving strategies introduced in this presentation. Using the drills players will be prepared to execute strategies that will disrupt their opponents' offense.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
54 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04767: with Jen Fry, Elon University Assistant Coach;
former assistant coach at Washington State University, University of Illinois (Final four team) and the USA Volleyball High Performance Championship Junior Continental team
In the fast-moving sport of volleyball, players are expected to do and see many things at once. However, coaches often times do not cover this aspect of the game in practice. In this dynamic presentation, Jen Fry demonstrates ways to teach players to get all their senses involved in the volleyball action. She also covers ways to improve players' ball control skills so they can be more aggressive and get more swings. These drills will help teams improve their eye work, passing, setting, court movement and out-of-system offense.
The first series of drills helps players train their eyes to transition back and forth when playing. This skill helps athletes play the ball while taking note of their surroundings. Coach Fry demonstrates three variations of a basic partner ball control drill using a white ball and a colored ball. The focus of these drills is to train players to quickly move their eyes from one ball to another, which helps them see the whole court and all of the activity on it including the location of the ball, where the block is, how the other team is set up and so on. In addition, these drills add an element of chaos that teaches players to remain calm and in control during pressure game situations.
Improving "second ball touches" or out-of-system balls can lead to more swings and less free balls. The majority of a volleyball match is played out of system but many coaches neglect training their players in this area. Coach Fry demonstrates bounce drills to practice setting out-of-system balls high and inside so hitters can get swings. Players will work with ball control using their platform and hands from all different locations on the court. Setter drills are shown that can also be run using "second ball touchers" or non-setters to get more reps setting out of system balls. These drills increase non-setters' confidence in their ability to set up a hitter when the setter cannot take second ball.
In addition, Coach Fry shows variations of 2-on-2 drills, using two balls, then adding a third ball, and even a fourth, to train players to think and move their eyes quickly.
As players progress from younger teams to high school, the biggest change is the speed of the game. These drills help the players keep up with that increase in speed by training them to transfer their eyes quickly and be ready for the next play.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
48 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04768: with Abby Hasebroock,
Mt. Carmel (IL) High School Head Boys Coach;
4-year starte on the Boston College Women's Volleyball Team
Abby Hasebroock, Head Boys Volleyball Coach at Mt. Carmel High School, discusses the psychology of the male athlete's brain. She explains what drives and motivates male players and how coaches should organize practice to adapt to them. Coach Hasebroock shares drills that work on pressure situations, communication and competition.
Insights into Male Psychology
In the first segment, Coach Hasebroock explains adolescent development and the psychology of the adolescent male brain. She believes that coaches must have a thorough understanding of how their male players think and react in order to construct practice plans and approaches for the season. This is especially true for coaches who have worked with females in the past.
You will discover the "10 learning traits" of males and how they are different from females. With those traits in mind, Coach Hasebroock explains how to design a practice that will help keep the boy brain active and engaged from beginning to end.
Drills for Creating Pressure Situations
On the court, Coach Hasebroock highlights drills that create pressure situations. These drills put different players on the spot at random times, which helps boys experience game-like pressure and competition. She uses the term "X factor" in many of her drills. The X factor randomly calls out a player to execute a skill in the middle of a drill, and there are consequences for being unable to perform the task. The pressure situation drills presented in this segment cover serving, digging and attacking.
Drills for Encouraging Communication
Coach Hasebroock also shares communication drills. Active communication means the brain is engaged and athletes are actively ready for play. These drills also help build team chemistry. The "Three vs. Self" drill is a great way to improve team communication and to build endurance.
To conclude the presentation, Coach Hasebroock shares philosophies on coaching a male player. She covers topics such as how to use consequences properly, how to critique performance in a way that motivates players, how to give feedback and how to increase competition. Understanding each of these topics is crucial to successfully coaching the male athlete.
With the information and tips provided here, a coach who is taking on a male team will be well equipped to handle the psyche of his or her athletes.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
46 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04769: with Charlie Sullivan, Springfield College Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
back-to-back-to-back National Champions (2012-14);
9x National Championship; 6x EIVA Division III Coach of the Year
An effective back row attack gives you more hitters and other options when your team is out of system. Nine-time national championship coach Charlie Sullivan covers an entire lesson on how to train and implement quick back-court options into an offense. From the ground up, he demonstrates how to get players to understand what it takes to properly run quick attack options out of the back row.
Coach Sullivan explains his philosophy on running an offense with multiple back-court options. He discusses the rhythm and tempo the pass and set, and what is necessary to run the offense properly. You'll learn about the hitter's approach and how it influences the tempo of the pass and set.
The next segment includes a series of drills to train a team to run a faster back row offense. These drills start with easy-to-understand tempo drills involving front row attackers. This helps set up the back row attack that will be hard to defend due to the tempo of the front row attackers. Coach Sullivan progresses to drills that work the passer, setter and back row attacker. He gives feedback to help the passer, setter and hitter understand how they are all part of creating the proper tempo for a back row quick attack. By putting the front row and back row attack together, Coach Sullivan shows how tandem attacks can be run to keep blockers and opponents defense off guard. He runs players through drills where the setter has multiple quick options. These drills piece together the entire sequence of the previous drills.
Coach Sullivan concludes his presentation with small group and 6v6 drills that put the entire offense together while focusing on running front row and back row quick tandem options. Throughout these drills he explains the importance of the tempo of the pass and set, which also needs to be combined with the tempo of the hitters approaches. He makes it easy for coaches to understand what it takes to run a quick-tempo offense that includes back row options.
This presentation will be valuable to coaches who want to add more speed to their offense, It's a complete package that's great for any coach at a high school, club or college level.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
49 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04770: with Joel Walton,
Ball State University Head Men's Volleyball Coach; 2x MIVA Coach of the Year;
Ball State University's Joel Walton tackles the frustrating skill of blocking by breaking down both the mechanics and strategies of the skill. He shares a series of drills that work on blocking footwork and being able to read and react where to set the block. He also covers blocking strategies and schemes that are used to take away the most dangerous attack options from your opponents.
Philosophy and Scouting
Starting with his philosophies on blocking, Coach Walton covers the main purpose of blocking and how to coach blockers to do their job in the most efficient way possible. He explains how to scout an opponent. He also touches upon footwork, hand positioning and the strategies of swing blocking during this segment.
Blocking Drills
Coach Walton uses players to demonstrate a warm-up drill that helps blockers learn to move together and read where the setter is going to put the ball. In this drill, middle blockers remain neutral in order to be ready to move either direction. Middles are encouraged to take a big first step in order to cover a lot of distance. He progresses through a series of drills that work on reading, footwork, hand positioning and timing. These drills start with walk-through type drills and lead up to drills that involve more game-like situations. Featured drills include:
- Blocking Group vs Hitters on Boxes - Blockers get practice reading hitters' shoulders and they get immediate feedback on where their hands are facing.
- Attacks vs Blocks - This drill provides an opportunity for you to see if your players are setting the block correctly, if they are stopping or flying through the block, and if they are taking away the correct shot, or reading correctly.
Q&A Session
The presentation includes a question and answer session that does a great job of picking the coaches' brain and giving some insight into blocking in practice, strategies and how to implement different blocking schemes. Coach Walton discusses how often and in what manner blocking should be practiced. He explains how the use of videotaping is a great way to reinforce what coaches are trying to tell their players. Video can be used during practice to show players exactly what they do when they are blocking. Coach Walton answers a great question about blocking schemes and which ones are most commonly used and how the players and coaches communicate the schemes.
This presentation is a useful resource for any coach who wants to know more about blocking, how to teach it or the strategies involved in it. Coach Walton's instruction will give you a solid foundation for your team's blocking.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Spring Clinic in Chicago, IL.
53 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04824: with Maggie Griffin,
Club founder and Director of VCNebraska,
VCNebraska Master Coach for the College Prep program,
member of the 2006 NCAA National Championship Nebraska Women's Volleyball team, played for Sports Performance Volleyball Club winning two Junior Olympic titles, was a 4-time AAU All-American and 2-time JO MVP
Maggie Griffin has been trained by some of the most successful coaches in the world. Now she's implemented her training and experience into a system for developing young volleyball players. This system includes movement training, coordination drills, conditioning and training the basic skills of volleyball using a language that athletes can understand.
Active Warm-Ups
A lot of coaches only know how to do a basic set of dynamics, but these warm-ups also help with agility, speed and strength. Coach Griffin's warm-up exercises are used to increase coordination, core strength, speed, agility and endurance. The goal of the warm-up is to produce a more functional athlete who is prepared to train at a high level.
Shuffle Series
Shuffling is an extremely important concept when preparing an athlete to pass. Using a variety of shuffle drills, Coach Griffin demonstrates how on-court movement is trained in her gym. The use of key words and `naming' the posture is critical to ensuring that everyone is on the same page and remembers how each skill and drill are performed.
Fundamentals of Setting, Passing, Serving and Attacking
The final third of the video focuses on introducing the fundamental skills of volleyball to the novice player. Each skill is broken down using key words and numbered steps, so everyone has a common language. Starting with the stationary execution of the skills, movement is then introduced as the basic concepts are mastered.
This video showcases tried and true methods for training athletes in the fundamental, technical skills they need to excel and succeed in an environment of discipline, success and enjoyment. This is a valuable resource for high school teams with active feeder programs or any club that includes young players.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
52 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04825: with Fred Chao,
George Mason University Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
3x EIVA Coach of the Year, USA Junior National Team Assistant Coach
The back row attack has become an instrumental part of volleyball. As blockers have gotten bigger and faster and the overall speed of the game has quickened, the need to maximize attacking options has increased exponentially.
Coach Fred Chao explores the back row attack's past, present and future. After talking about its history of being mostly an outlet set for out of system attacks, Chao discusses and demonstrates new ways that the back row attack is being used to diversify offenses and defeat opponents' blocking systems.
Using back row attackers as a part of a coordinated offense will result in more favorable blocking match-ups, more in-system hitting options, and more offensive firepower.
Slide and 10 Combination
After demonstrating how the back row attack has been used primarily as an outlet in the past, Coach Chao presents how to use attacks from behind the 3-meter line as a part of your in-system offense. With the setter in the front row, Chao has the demonstrators run a slide / 10 combination that causes the opponent's blocking system to leave at least one hitter with a one-on-one attack.
Mobile MH and Back Row Stacks
Current higher level offensive strategy includes running a double quick with the back row attacker following the middle hitters audible and attacking with a quick tempo attack directly behind the middle hitter. This wave of attackers draws the opponent's middle blocker. In addition to being difficult to defend both quick attacks of the stack, it can free up both pin hitters for 1-on-1 attacks.
`On Balls' Back Row Attacks
The final segment of the video is about the future of the back row attack. At the international level, the use of `on balls' have started to become lethal weapons. It allows the setter to have a back row option right in front of them if the pass is on or near the 3-meter line. These sets, which are floating first tempo back row attacks hit off wherever the setter receives the ball, force the opposing middle to be in the air to block the attack while all three front row attackers are still viable options.
The back row attack can be very effective if it fits within an offensive system based on athlete capabilities, timing, and positioning. Understanding how to integrate these components can lead to a dynamic, multi-point offense in both serve-receive and transition situations.
Coach Chao's thought provoking video will make you rethink how you are using your back row players in your offensive attack.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
46 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04826: with Chris McGown, BYU Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
2013 AVCA National Coach of the Year; 2013 NCAA Runners-Up;
back-to-back MPSF regular-season and tournament titles (2013-14);
Attackers need to develop skills in assessing conditions before and during the play. This includes seeing blockers and back row defenders as well as executing a variety of shots in a very dynamic environment. BYU Head Coach Chris McGown, the 2013 AVCA Coach of the Year, shows you how to coach all three - assessment, vision, and shot development and execution.
Coach McGown delivers 10 must have shots for pin hitters and six must have shots for middles. He calls these "shots in the hitter's toolbox." Throughout the video he explains, demonstrates and provides drills for helping players understand and work on the shots. McGown also goes into great detail on which shots are effective versus different blocking schemes and situations.
You will learn how to develop the shots against single and double blocks. These drills help teach hitters to read the blockers and decide where to hit. Throughout the drills Coach McGown shows different progressions and variations to the drills that add to the difficulty level of reading the blockers. These drills will help hitters to read and understand blockers tendencies, which will help them to decide which shot to go with to beat the defense. Once the hitters learn what to do in different blocking situations they can then take their attacking game to a whole new level.
The last segment adds game like situations. Threepeat is a game action drill that allows hitters three opportunities to redo a shot if they make a hitting error. Afterward the coach asks the player what they saw, what they were trying to do and which tool in the toolbox were they trying to use. These drills will help players make decisions on reading the block and shot selection.
This video does a great job of explaining the what, why and when of hitting. Coaches will be able to take the good power hitter and turn them into a great scoring hitter!
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
34 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04827: with Marci Sanders, University of Texas-Dallas Head Coach;
2x American Southwest Conference Tournament Champions, seven straight ASC East Division titles (2006-12);
five straight ASC East Division Coach of the Year awards (2006-10);
Launched the UT Dallas volleyball program as their inaugural coach in 2004;
3x selection as an assistant coach with the U.S. Collegiate National Team (USVBA);
Over 230 wins and 3 NCAA Division III National Tournament Bids
In order to run specific plays, your players need to control the height of their passes. Marci Sanders provides coaches at all levels with a method for teaching their players how to assess ball contacts by performing, and therefore reading, the different tempos of ball contacts.
You'll learn ball control drills for introducing the concept of tempo into serving and passing. Coach Sanders also shares competitive games that focus on assessing first touches and tempo during live play.
Discover drills for teaching players to develop pass tempo. These drills will help players learn to identify and name each tempo using a simple numbering system and basic ball handling warm up drills.
Coach Sanders introduces a number of drills and techniques to teach players how to read and understand pass tempo. Your players will learn and develop an understanding of tempo while they're gaining touches on the ball.
Serving and passing drills continue the education for the players learning to define tempo in a game-like situation. Tempo in serving is important. Low serves over the net or high serves to the deep part of the court over a passer trying to use their hands can get aces for your team. Scoring systems are explained and used to keep the drills competitive and fun.
Finally the Serve/Pass Grading competition is a 6 v 6 drill where scoring is based on the pass grade. It allows players to start to read earlier on what the opponent might do next with that pass and increase their volleyball IQ, and gets all of the passers on the same page in communicating how long they have to move to the ball.
If you are looking for a way to take your players to the next level by speeding up (or slowing down) your play but don't have any idea how to communicate that to your team, look here to Coach Sanders' way of defining tempo and basic drills to teach the language of tempo to your players.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
52 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04830:
with John Dunning,
Stanford University Head Women's Volleyball Coach;
2016 NCAA National Champions - 5x National Championship Coach (2016, '04, '05 at Stanford, 1985-86 at Pacific);
Distinguished member of the AVCA Hall of Fame (2011);
2001 AVCA National Coach of the Year; 4x Pac-12 Coach of the Year; over 800 career wins
The ability to improve your team's performance in specific areas is critical to your success.
Using on-court demonstrations, AVCA Hall of Fame coach John Dunning takes you through a series of drills and explains how they address the details that are important to coaches. Coach Dunning discusses how you can make the purpose of each practice clear to your players so they know exactly what is expected.
Drill Variation
Warming up, serving, passing, transition, attacking, setting and team play are all topics covered by Coach Dunning. He explains how you can vary each drill to focus on different aspects of the game. You'll get tips on what to look for during the drills, as well as what players should focus on while they're on the court. Included are controlled drills that will allow you to explain the expectations to your team, control the tempo of the drill and give your players valuable repetitions.
Offensive Consistency
Striking quickly on offense is an effective strategy in today's game. Coach Dunning shares a set of Columbus drills that address the need to develop a consistent tempo (regardless of who sets the ball), hitter rhythm and offensive efficiency. The goal of the drill is a predetermined number of consecutive swings that considers everything from setting tempo, to approach and arm swing. The concepts in this drill can be applied to any skill requiring improvement.
"20-6"
Coach Dunning mentions the "20-6" concept many times during the video. The goal is to execute a skill correctly 20 times before making six errors. This concept can be used to train any skill that your players need to improve and can be used in practice with consequences and/or incentives. It's also a great way to track progress during games.
Holding Players Accountable
One of the most unique parts of the video is Coach Dunning's use of two scoreboards. He uses one scoreboard to score the drill and uses the other to track player or team performance. The second scoreboard can help you and your players focus on a certain aspect of the game during the drill. This encourages players to focus on the process instead of the result. This is a great way to hold players accountable for their performance in practice drills and can be used during matches as well.
The drills offered in this video can help you improve your players' skills by focusing on areas that need improvement. Coach Dunning's tips will help you run a more effective practice and get the most out of your players. This video is a great resource for any aspiring volleyball coach.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA Spring Clinic.
53 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04847: with Anna Howle, Oklahoma Baptist University Head Coach;
3x Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year; 4x SAC Champions (2010-13) winning 53 consecutive conference games;
featured as an AVCA "Thirty Under 30."Transitioning in volleyball is an important skill that causes problems for many players. Because many points are played out of system, scoring in transition is a must if you want to be successful on the court. Three-time AVCA "Thirty Under 30" award winner Anna Howle shares strategies, games and drills for improving your team's transition game and for getting more productive swings.
Through a series of progressive drills, Coach Howle works on each position individually before bringing it all together with game-like drills for all players.
Setting Out of System
Coach Howle discusses basic concepts that lead to success in transition offense. Because teams are out of system a high percentage of the time, Howle places an emphasis on training all players to set the ball at the "45." The drills shown will train your players for these scenarios and help ensure that everyone on the court can get the ball to the right spot.
Outside Hitter Transition
Coach Howle emphasizes the need to have outside hitters transition "behind the pass," so they can see all of their teammates on the court. This technique trains players to transition and make adjustments based on what is happening on the court, rather than just moving to a spot on the floor.
Middle Hitter Transition
In this segment, you'll see ideas for transitioning your middle blocker off the net and making her available to attack even in an "out of system" situation. Emphasis is put on being creative in your attack routes. Through a series of drills, Howle teaches middles that if they "locate the pass" and then "locate the setter" in transition, they can always put themselves in position to attack.
Team Drills
Using a variety of drills with creative scoring, you can put pressure on your team to score in transition.
A few examples of the drills used in this section include:
- Set at the 45 - This drill includes four variations that work on transition off the net and setting while out of system.
- Transition Hitting - Both sides of the net get involved in this fast-paced drill that has players going from block, to transition, to attack and back to block. The pace of the drill is even faster than game speed, which forces players to think quickly and allows for a high amount of touches on the ball.
Coach Howle's presentation is an effective and comprehensive tool for training one of the most critical parts of the game. Whether your players are beginners or have been playing for years, they will certainly benefit from the philosophies and drills presented in this video.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
49 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04848: with Walt Ker,
founder and coach of Legacy Volleyball Club;
started Cal State Northridge's men's volleyball program and is former head coach of the women's team that won three national championships;
former UCLA Assistant Coach (2006 National Champions);
former Coach of the Synergy Volleyball Club, 4x U.S. Junior Olympic Gold Medalists
Are your players struggling with serve receive passing? Learning how to track the ball with their eyes will help them improve their passing!
In this video, three-time national championship coach Walt Ker will teach you how to handle a ball that moves late in its flight path and share several "tools" that, when used at the proper time, will increase your players' ability to not only recognize the pace, trajectory and movement of the serve, but also how to play the ball successfully.
The Blind Spot
Coach Ker begins the video by demonstrating the basic visual technique that most players lack. He shows how many players have a blind spot that leads to inaccurate passes. Using Coach Ker's techniques, your players will increase their visual contact with the ball and learn to adjust their platform to any last second movements the ball might make.
Visual Identification
In this section, you will learn several visual cues for quickly identifying key pieces of information about the serve. He demonstrates how that information can immediately be used to make early movements to the ball. During the initial flight of the serve, players will learn to identify pace, trajectory, and movement of the ball.
Tools to Combat Movement on the Serve
To help your athletes adjust to the ball, Ker shows four different footwork patterns, one for each of the passing movements necessary for success. The benefit of each movement is discussed by Coach Ker, as well as the philosophy behind each concept. He also talks about the advantages and disadvantages of every move he trains.
Coach Ker identifies three of the most common cues he uses during matches to quickly communicate to his players: "press this ball to the net," "make me jump set," and "see the ball to the sweet spot." All of these cues are proactive, goal-driven messages that players can immediately apply during the speed and chaos of a match.
Various drills are demonstrated that will help you train the vision and footwork of your players. Each drill is explained in-depth and demonstrated several times, giving you a great idea of how to teach these techniques to your team.
This video provides an outstanding overview of the visual tools and applications of passing the ball in serve receive for coaches of all levels. Using the information taught by Coach Ker will increase your passers' ability to start each rally in-system.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
62 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04849: with Susie Johnson, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Head Women's Volleyball Coach;
5x League Coach of the Year; 10 NCAA Tournament Berths,
13 UWM Regular Season League Titles
How you develop mental toughness throughout your practices has a direct impact on your team's ability to perform under pressure during matches. But how can you coach your players so they develop mental toughness?
Coach Susie Johnson outlines several proven areas that can help your team make this transformation by adding urgency to drills and accountability to every situation. You will learn how to implement drills that will help build mental toughness.
Warm-Up Drills
Coach Johnson introduces a series of competitive warm-up drills that challenge players mentally and physically right from the start of practice. Many of these drills are common drills coaches have used for years, but Coach Johnson explains how to make the drills more competitive. Even drills as simple as shuttle drills are demonstrated with a twist!
Skill Drills
Learn how to take ordinary skill drills and turn them into competitive, mentally challenging drills. These fast-paced, timed drills instill urgency and focus and create pressure situations. This series focuses on a variety of skills, including passing, serving, blocking, setting and attacking. Your players will not only work on their volleyball fundamentals, but also learn how to compete.
Team Drills
Coach Johnson showcases team drills that will challenge players, put them in pressure situations, and encourage them to compete against each other. She shows you how to tweak these drills so your players will be more engaged, focused and competing at a higher level in practice. Every team drill has variations, so you can tailor them to your team's needs.
Every drill presented in this video puts pressure on players of all levels, gives them consequences for losing and allows them to earn points individually. These points of emphasis will help intensify your team's practices and help create mentally tough athletes.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
55 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04850: with David Kniffin, University of California-Irvine Head Men's Volleyball Coach;
2013 National Champions;
2015 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Champions (regular season and Tournament);
2015 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year; Volleyball Magazine Coach of the Year in 2013
Video technology has improved volleyball coaches' ability to analyze practice and match footage and to give both instant and future feedback to players.
National Championship coach David Kniffin believes that "every moment is a learning moment" and that giving your players video feedback enables them to make the greatest strides in improvement. He shares his ideas on using video technology to help improve skills and explains why and how it can help coaches.
Coach Kniffin goes into great detail of how coaches need to create a coaching philosophy, along with how their philosophy can be enhanced with the use of video technology during practice and game situations. Video provides objective feedback, making it an essential tool for both players and coaches.
You'll see examples of how to provide feedback using video and what to pay attention to when going through video with your athletes.
There are many different tools to choose from when it comes to video analysis. Coach Kniffin shares how to choose the best tool for your needs by discussing:
- how to invest in video technology
- what kind of software you may want to use
- what is available to achieve certain goals
Coach Kniffin explains the different styles and techniques for watching video that will enhance player understanding. He also discusses apps, websites and equipment that can be used and demonstrates how these tools help players take ownership in their development.
You will also learn how video technology can be used in pre-match, post-match and in-match situations. Sometimes coaches aren't in the right mind set or may not see everything that goes on as it is happening making video review a necessary component of a championship coach's program.
Video can be a great resource for coaches, especially in this day and age of visual learners. Information is empowering and inspiring when it can be immediately applied, and Coach Kniffin shows you how to maximize your potential with this how-to on coaching technology.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
40 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04851: with Abbey Sutherland, UW-Stevens Point Head Women's Coach;
Back-to-Back NCAA D-III Final Four appearances;
Back-to-Back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2013-14)
NCAA D-III Final Four coach Abbey Sutherland wants her teams to play with "guts." To reach that goal, she uses many drills that help her players learn how to play - and succeed - under pressure.
In this presentation, Coach Sutherland demonstrates her favorite drills for creating pressure situations in practice. You'll see drills that build mental toughness in passing, serving, digging, attacking and finishing games.
Warm-Up
Discover warm-up drills that put pressure on players while developing basic skills. Your players will work on correct form while staying focused mentally to finish the drill. During the demonstrations, Coach Sutherland gives tips on how to talk to and help players who are struggling in pressure situations.
Serving & Passing
Her serving drills will force your players to hit a zone. They'll also enable them to practice serves for ending a set or a match. The Serve to Finish Drill is a great example of how Coach Sutherland uses drills to get players to complete a task as a team. Players must work together to complete the drill with the added pressure of avoiding errors, otherwise they're forced to start over.
Conditioning
This segment showcases finishing drills with an emphasis on conditioning. These drills incorporate ball control, defense and attacking, and will reveal your players' level of conditioning and which players will work hard when tired.
Many of these drills will simulate all of the crazy emotions that players experience during matches. The "5 Kills to Freedom" drill is fast paced and will help you sort our the hard workers from the rest. Your players will work on skills such as passing, blocking, attacking and defense and earn the chance to get out of the drills quicker by working hard.
6-on-6 Drills
Competitive drills require great communication amongst your players, which will influence your team's on-court success. The last section of drills includes game action 6-on-6 drills. These drills put pressure on players to finish the game, creating game-like situations they face during real matches.
The "Cups" game is a fun, innovative drill that your players will love to play. It helps highlight which players see where the scoring opportunities are during games. The game stresses fast thinking, communication, and playing through chaos - everything important in pressure filled matches.
Even when tired, it's important for players to keep their minds under control and focus on completing the goal at hand. Using Coach Sutherland's drills in your practices will promote confidence in your players and help them develop a never quit attitude.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
53 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04852: with Karen Paxton, Katy (TX) High School Head Coach
If you need ideas on how to improve the athleticism and footwork of your players during preseason and in-season workouts, this is the video for you.
Karen Paxton shows a number of inventive ways to help your team's defense by increasing your players' foot speed. She demonstrates some of her favorite drills that improve:
- defensive posture
- reaction time
- speed and footwork
- movement to the ball
- comfort level when hitting the floor
Basic Posture
Basic posture is vital for an athlete to make a proper pass. Coach Paxton puts her players through a warm-up routine focused on posture, balance and increasing foot speed. These drills will help your players understand what good defensive posture looks and feels like, in a fun way.
Hitting the Floor
Many athletes aren't properly trained to hit the floor when going for a ball, and this is where fear creeps in.
Coach Paxton shares innovative drills that will ease the fear of hitting the floor and help develop the confidence needed to make tough plays. Coach Paxton also includes drills that help reinforce the importance of bouncing up quickly.
Tennis Ball Drops Series
The Tennis Ball Drops Series is a creative way to use tennis balls to work on defense. In this drill series, you will learn how to put players into defensive positions and teach them to react quickly, change direction, sprawl and eliminate wasted motion as they attempt to get to the ball as quickly as possible. This type of training improves movement to a tipped or roll shot from a defensive position.
Footwork Workout
Utilizing a court and cones, Coach Paxton shares a footwork workout that will improve your team's quickness and leg strength. She calls this, "weight training without a weight room."
Throughout these drills, she explains and demonstrates the progressions as they get harder for the players. She explains how the drills can be tweaked so different types of defensive skills can be added to the conditioning drills. Every drill presented stresses the importance of good defensive body posture.
Included is a quick conditioning series you can use instead of running lines. Everything involved in these movement drills replicates necessary volleyball skills needed to develop great defensive players.
Coach Paxton goes beyond your typical defensive drills and focuses on what makes an elite player great: fast footwork. This video is packed with a season's worth of drills that are guaranteed to help teams of all levels improve on defense.
Produced at the 2014 AVCA Annual Convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
55 minutes. 2015.
VVD-04978: with Suzie Fritz,
Kansas State University Head Coach; 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year
In the game of volleyball, no two rallies are the same. Transition is messy and there are always different situations that require swift, decisive reactions. You'll learn how to train your players to get comfortable with being uncomfortable when it comes to transitioning from defense to offense.
Suzie Fritz demonstrates drills that help athletes dig balls that are usable by the setter to run an offense. She also touches upon hitter transition and how to get players to be efficient in all types of situations.
Run Offense Off of Defense
Coach Fritz stresses throughout the video that players need to be trained to get comfortable getting a productive touch and digging the ball to the heart of the floor, which allows the setter to have all options available and gives them time to get to the ball. She demonstrates a drill progression that gives players reps digging balls and running the offense out of the left, right and middle. This controlled drill series gives blockers the opportunity to get touches and then transition as they prepare to attack.
Coach Fritz enters balls from all hitting areas of the net and explains the percentages that teams attack from each area. This helps give coaches an idea of how much training they should spend doing from each area.
Breaking to the Dig
Many coaches spend little time training, or even paying attention to, how their setter releases and gets ready to set. Coach Fritz shows how it should be done with a back row and front row setter. She bases her philosophy on "don't go until you know" - which gives setters and their team a much better chance to get an attack in most situations.
Transitional Footwork
Coach Fritz's philosophy is a little different than the norm. She teaches transitional footwork that doesn't rely on counting steps, but getting back and turned quickly so players can immediately go and attack. Coach Fritz has players demonstrate how to hop turn and be open to the court, no matter where the pass is coming from. While demonstrating efficient footwork, she teaches you drills to give players reps defending attacks from the left, right and middle.
6v6 Drills
Coach Fritz shows six 6-on-6 drills/games that put everything together. These drills create various types of situations where teams must play the ball and get it to the heart of the court to run an offense. These drills will help teams to be comfortable and confident in getting a swing, no matter how the ball was given to them. The game Winning in Transition is a great team drill that creates as many transition opportunities as possible. The drills involve putting in a variety of balls to one side, where players must try to win the rally to score. Coaches can enter the ball in any fashion they feel is necessary for their team.
These drills and philosophies on transition from Coach Fritz will soon have your team dominating in situations they were once uncomfortable in.
"In my opinion this is the best training session I have ever viewed for working on running an offense off of defense. ... Her insights and teaching cues make it really easy for viewers to understand her philosophies and incorporate them into their team's trainings." - Customer Review
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
56 minutes. 2016.
VVD-04979: with Gwen Egbert,
Doane University Head Coach;
former Papillion-LaVista (NE) and Papillion-LaVista South (NE) High Schools;
Egbert won 700 games at the high school level along with six Class A State Championships and seven runner-up honors her teams reached the championship game of the Class A Tournament in 13 of their 17 state tournament appearances
In a fast-paced volleyball match, middles encounter many scenarios that force them to quickly get off the net and into hitting position. In this presentation, six-time Nebraska state champion, Gwen Egbert, shares tips and drills that will help you prepare your middles for the rigors of competition.
Training the Core
You'll learn to get your athletes to engage their core muscles and improve their technique in hitting and blocking. Coach Egbert shows a series of stations that work on using the core for blocking and attacking. The stations use medicine balls and weighted gloves to train middles how to feel when the core is being engaged.
Coach Egbert also demonstrates a live action drill that works on middles engaging their core when blocking. This drill utilizes progressions that have middles working on blocking footwork while engaging the core on the block. The drill moves on to adding transition and eventually attacking with a setter.
Hitting Like a Middle
The arm swing for a middle is much faster than outside hitters, which means the arm swing needs to be mechanically different. Coach Egbert shows a progression of drills that focus on the quickness of the middle arm swing. The elbow needs to be back and players must lead with their fingers. Learning proper hitting mechanics means that the hitter will be able to hit hard, and for a long time, without injury.
Blocking and Transition Movements
This segment works on blocking and transitioning off the net to get ready to hit. Many times, middles are at different areas of the net and have varied time to transition. Coach Egbert works on full transition, the step hop and the step off. These drills will help your middles get off the floor quicker, face the ball and know where it is in transition.
Blocking and Transition Drills
Many controlled drills do not replicate the scenarios that middles encounter in a real match. Coach Egbert provides drills that create game-like chaotic situations for middles.
- The Hit the Pass drill makes middles react and figure out how to transition depending on the pass. It forces players to find the ball and get off the net fast. This helps middles to be involved in the offense all the time, no matter if it's a great pass or not.
- Every coach has had those bad moments where their middle gets lost in the pace and end up just staring at the ball. Coach Egbert's 6v6 drills help train middles to be better at reacting in these situations and prepares them for the unexpected.
Other drills in this section put middles through rigorous repetitions where they must be up in the air every time on offense whether they are set or not. This helps train them to be fast all the time and keeps them from being in the way and clogging up the offense, which limits attacking options.
Coach Egbert includes everything you need to make your middles into offensive and defensive powerhouses in this video.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
54 minutes. 2016.
VVD-04985: with Dega Da Gama,
Boston College Assistant Coach;
former assistant coach for the Rexona Volleyball Club, a professional women's team in Brazil; also worked with the Brazilian National Team (1998-2000)
There are few countries that have had as much success on the international volleyball stage as Brazil. The Brazilian men's and women's national teams have combined for nine Olympic medals (four gold) and have also captured nine World Championship medals (three gold) since 1982. As of October 2015, the Brazilian men are ranked #1 and the women are ranked #3 in the FIVB senior world rankings.
It's not often coaches run across drills that combine multiple skills into one drill. Dega Da Gama, former member of the Brazilian National Team coaching staff, demonstrates six drills that require players to utilize multiple skills in each drill.
The drills are more game-like and run at a faster pace than conventional drills.
The philosophy for running these drills came from Da Gama's experience working with Bernardo Rezende, who is the current coach of the Brazilian Men's National Team and former coach of the Women's National Team. The main idea of the combo drills is to create game-like situations for your team while giving your players multiple contacts on the ball, which helps them get ready for their next action.
Coach Da Gama's drills will help your players focus on the task at hand and block out the distractions of other things going on around them. You'll also learn to create a more efficient practice where multiple skills can be practiced during each individual drill.
- Out of System Setting Drill: Working on serve receive and setting out of system balls to the pins, this drill forces players to have good hands and set out of system balls. The drill gives players multiple reps passing serves and working on their footwork to move to different types of balls.
- Serve Receive: This drill helps players work on passing posture and footwork. Many times, players lose their posture when they move the body to pass. Players pass a serve and then move the body to receive a second ball while maintaining good posture. The drill can be adapted to work on footwork - side to side or front and back.
- Three Passes in a Row: Work on various types of touches while players focus on keeping good posture from pass to pass. Players must focus on staying low while passing three different types of balls. Coach Da Gama explains how to give feedback as the players are engaged in the drill.
- Ball Control: This complex drill gives athletes reps in passing, digging, out of system setting and footwork. The drill puts a lot of work into playing out of system, starting with digging a ball to the middle of the court. Passes and digs need to be controlled so that another player can use proper footwork to get the ball and set it to the outside. Players get to work on their hands and setting posture.
- Serve, Pass, Set: On one side of the net, players work on serve receive. Athletes also work on serving on the other side as well as digging and setting. The drill incorporates serve receive as well as out of system play. Coach Da Gama shows different variations and how coaches can adapt the drill to service their needs.
- 6-on-6: A full game situation that focuses on setters covering the attack. Many setters remember to cover the attack in drills, but they seem to forget it in games. This drill will help them remember to cover in the flow of a game. The drill starts out as a controlled drill and then, with the setter covering a blocked ball, plays out as a regular rally to the end. Middles and setters also get a lot of reps running the slide.
These drills cover all types of contacts and situations for players and will keep them thinking about what they need to do next on the volleyball court. This video will aid any coach who wants to create an efficient practice where players get multiple reps in many skills.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
57 minutes. 2016.
VVD-04986: with Marcelo Melado De Mesquita,
Brazil Minas Tenis Club of Belo Horizonte coaching both boys and girls in youth and juniors through professional men's and women's teams:
- Eight times State champion and six times runner-up;
- Coached the state team for Minas Gerais in the Brazilian National Championships - Girls and Boys 16-20 years: 8-time Brazilian National Championship finalist - 3 times Brazilian champion and 5 times runner-up;
- 2011-2015 Asst. Coach for men's professional team of the Minas Tenis Clube in the Men's National Championship - Superliga Nacional de Voleibol;
- Second and third place in the South American Men's Club Championship - 2012 and 1013;
- 3rd Place in the Brazilian Cup - Men's clubs - 2014
There are few countries that have had as much success on the international volleyball stage as Brazil. The Brazilian men's and women's national teams have combined for nine Olympic medals (four gold) and have also captured nine World Championship medals (three gold) since 1982. As of October 2015, the Brazilian men were ranked #1 and the women are ranked #3 in the FIVB senior world rankings.
Teams need to communicate continually on the court in regards to their own movement and the movement patterns or strategies of the opponent. To communicate, your players must be able to perceive and read the game effectively.
By demonstrating Brazilian drills that mimic game situations, Marcelo Melado De Mesquita shows you how to create and train defensive systems based on game factors such as contact height, speed and direction of the ball.
Brazilian Defense Drills
Coach Mesquita shows numerous ways to involve all of your players in practice while enhancing their skill sets. A progressive group of drills, the series starts with a basic half court drill that builds to 6-on-6. Teams, small groups or individual players are constantly switching roles within each drill. The drills progress in difficulty by adding more players or more diverse objectives.
- Blocking Drill Using No Net - A great pepper drill that works many different volleyball skills and forces players to work separately and together. This series works on skills such as ball control, tipping, blocking hands, reading, covering hitters and communication. It also doubles as a great warm-up drill.
- Two Ball Exchange Drill - A challenging drill that will help players learn to play through chaos. This drill forces players to pay attention to what is going on on the other side of the net. It creates the sense of multitasking during a rally where players play the ball while preparing for their next play or responsibility.
- 4-on-4 Shift - A pepper drill that works on defensive positioning and movement. You'll learn to train your players to shift to proper defensive positions depending on where the attack comes from. This is the first step in getting players to understand how and where to position themselves in transition.
- 4-on-4 Covered Net Drill - A unique way to teach players to read hitters and put themselves into great defensive position. Your players will learn to read cues that will help them anticipate the angle of the hitter's approach and how hard they intend to hit the ball.
The last two drills in the video involve the same concept as the 4-on-4 covered net drill, but are run 5-on-5 and 6-on-6. The drills progress to game-like situations, and by the time your players get to 6-on-6, they'll be able to get into correct defensive position more easily.
Throughout all the drills, Coach De Mesquita emphasizes communication, movement and reading, all while keeping the ball in play. Players must communicate when to switch or rotate and all drills incorporate a certain goal or element that enhances your team's ability to read an opponent.
"As a 14-year coach I think I just found a new way to teach defense. The drills presented here in the video are perfect to help kids realize how to read, react and move to proper defensive positioning." - Customer Review
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
52 minutes. 2016.
VVD-04987: with Craig Skinner,
University of Kentucky Head Coach;
2005 SEC Coach of the Year, 2006 USA Junior National Team Head Coach
and Kyle Walton,
Transylvania University Head Coach; former Assistant Coach at Kentucky
To be successful, volleyball teams need a strong offensive system, and the most effective way to improve your offense is to improve your setter. Craig Skinner and Kyle Walton take you through a training program they've used in their own programs to improve setter performance. The coaches demonstrate drills and provide tips you can use to improve your setter's range while developing consistency and increasing your setter's volleyball IQ.
The speakers demonstrate the various drills they use that relate to the different progressions of training. Along with this progression, they discuss different location drills and how they impact the trajectory of the ball.
Wrist Strength and Balance
Coaches Skinner and Walton provide an alternative method to building wrist strength and speed that has a lower risk of injury than using a weighted ball. Adapted from strategies used with baseball pitchers, the concept consists of getting reps using two different types of light-weighted volleyballs and then using a regular volleyball. The setter actually increases wrist speed because the ball is lighter, and after those repetitions, the speed carries over into match play.
This series of drills works the setter from lying down, to seated and finally standing. The drills work on increasing the speed of the setter's hands, range of the wrists, and flexibility of the wrists and will help your setter be more effective, especially in out of system situations.
You'll learn how to teach your setters to arrive balanced to the ball to deliver a good, consistent set each time. The Five Star drill works setters from different areas of the court where they focus on being balanced on every set, no matter where the pass takes them. Your setters will get multiple reps while taking the ball from different areas, focusing on having great posture every time.
As the focus moves on to setting tempo, coaches Skinner and Walton share drills and tips using a stopwatch to help setters become consistent with their timing. They show a drill where setters set with their eyes closed from all different areas of the court. The main goal is to get players to stop worrying about mechanics and create a consistent set. Your setters will get feedback about their set before they open their eyes. This is a great way for them to focus more on the outcome of their sets.
Mental Training for Setters
Is over-analyzing a problem for your setter? Coaches Skinner and Walton take you through a progression that will help your setter get "out of her own head" and not over-think their sets. They also offer tips for mixing up your training while working on skills to make your setter a more complete player.
Volleyball IQ for the Setter
The final part of the video focuses on developing volleyball IQ. Combination drills with the middle blocker will help your setter's vision to fool the opposing middles and set in the opposite direction the middle goes to block.
Coaches Skinner and Walton demonstrate some fun and competitive drills that will help your setter's decision-making skills. They wrap it all up with a rapid fire 5 ball, 7 ball, 8 ball drill that puts it all together and adds a conditioning element to the training.
Training setters is all about repetition and commitment. This video shows a quick, but powerful series of drills that will give your setters all the tools necessary to take their abilities to the next level. You'll be able to go through the drills and give your setters the amount of reps necessary to improve their abilities.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
50 minutes. 2016.
VVD-05006: with Deane Webb,
Ohio University Head Coach;
Led Ohio University to an undefeated conference championship in his first year at the school (2014); former Belmont University Head Coach; 3x conference champions; winningest volleyball coach in Belmont history
One of the most important things a coach can do to increase a team's ability to score is to develop a strong tactical serving team. This process begins with establishing a serving philosophy and then teaching your players the skill and technique to implement that philosophy most effectively.
Deane Webb explains why teams needs to serve aggressively to be successful. He examines different server types and shares drills to help your players find their aggressive serve. He makes a strong case for why you need to get your team to understand how serving aggressively can help them win more matches.
Serving Philosophy
Coach Webb goes through a good amount of stats from his teams to prove how effective aggressive serving can be, pointing out what coaches need to pay attention to in order to verify their team is serving successfully. He goes into detail about what to look for, including functional speed, movement on the ball and locations.
Coach Webb gives examples of how to grade serves and track team serving success. He explains the different types of serves, what level they're useful for and how to figure out what serve is best for a team's level of play.
How to Get Your Team to Buy In
Coach Webb has a great philosophy on how to get players to understand that they must be more aggressive for their team to be competitive, and provides advice on how to get your players comfortable taking risks with their serves by being more aggressive. He explains what needs to be done in practices and matches to train the serve, especially early in the season.
Drills
Coach Webb uses players to demonstrate drills that will help you train your players to be more aggressive with their serve. These drills work on aggressiveness, consistency, pressure serving, spot serving and serving with velocity. Many of the drills use a radar gun to help players understand the importance of speed within their comfort zone.
Any coach who views this video will walk away with a full bag of tools needed to train their team to be more aggressive with their serves.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
50 minutes. 2016.
VVD-05007: with Eric Schulze,
Club Fusion Recruiting/Program Director Marengo (IL)
Break away from many of the conventional methods of teaching skills or systems by teaching them within game-like situations.
Eric Schulze demonstrates the importance of using different numbers of players on each side of the court rather than the standard 6v6 wash drills or scrimmages that many coaches use. He feels that putting players in random situations during practice will better transfer the skills learned into games. Coach Schulze introduces 10 drills with multiple variations that give players game-like reps instead of simply using the "old school" method of tossing balls at players.
Warm-up Drills
The first few drills introduced are great warm-up drills that can be done with a smaller group of players. The drills include many variations to work on different aspects of every skill. Not only will your players work on skill development, but they will also do so in a way that will help transfer the skills to games.
Passing is the number one priority in the drills in this section, but serving and out of system play are also touched upon. These drills take up a small portion of time, but guarantee players a ton of quality touches on the ball.
Pepper Drills
Coach Schulze goes into detail on how pepper drills can be tailored to focus on different skills for players. These drills focus on all skills, especially ball control and transition. The purpose of these drills is to work on skills while playing the ball over the net. He explains that any time drills can be done over the net, your players will have a better chance of transferring their habits to games.
Training Defense
When coaches hit from the top of a box, defenders don't need to use their reading abilities to defend. Instead of coaches hitting at players from a box, Coach Schulze explains that system defense needs to be trained in a game-like drill. This allows players to defend against situations that commonly happen on the court.
These drills can be used to defend any type of attack and allow players to read attackers and move to defend as they would in a game. Not only do these drills work on defense, but they also allow setters and hitters to work on their offensive connections.
Out of System Training
With volleyball involving such fast-paced and intense rallies, the majority of the time is spent hitting out of system. These drills will help you get your team comfortable hitting out of system. Non-setters will get numerous reps setting hitters and running an offense in game-like drills.
There are two main drills in this section. The first one uses any player besides the setter to set out of system. Many times when a setter cannot take the second ball and the libero isn't in position to do so either, it causes a free ball to be sent over the net. When other players get repetitions setting the outside hitters, teams will be more likely to attack out of system in games.
In the 6-on-6 setter out drill, the libero gets work taking the majority of balls out of system. The drill puts the main focus on getting a quality swing when the libero becomes the setter.
Ball Entry
One of the most overlooked parts of practice by coaches is ball entries. Coach Schulze uses situational entries for his drills. He can take a drill and change the type of ball entry and it changes the whole outlook of the drill. Depending on what your team needs to improve on, you can utilize specific entries to drill your situations that need work.
Coach Schulze's methods will allow your team to be better prepared to play the game and win the big points!
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
51 minutes. 2016.
VVD-05008: with Tara Cross-Battle,
2x NCAA Division I Player of the Year at Long Beach StatePlayed for team USA in the 1992 Olympic games (bronze medal);
Played on four USA Olympic teams (1992-2004); 2014 inductee in the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, and Olympic Bronze Medalist and the first United States 4x Volleyball Olympian
Ball control is a prominent issue for younger players who may not have grown into a dedicated position on your volleyball team. With limited practice time, is it any wonder that the "practice-centric" skills of ball control, reading and shot selection are underdeveloped and seem to disappear when the third match in pool play comes around?
In this presentation, Tara Cross-Battle helps you train players on how to reach the next level of play by improving ball control, reading opponents' play and choosing better shot selection.
By developing ball control and reading skills, this video is great for teaching younger, developing players how to implement awareness of play and communicate that awareness so they are equipped to handle whatever their opponents throw at them.
Ball control
Lack of ball control is a huge issue with middle school and high school aged players. By using several variations of ball control drills, your players will work on movement control, ball control and communication. The drills get players to work on contacting the ball in a variety of ways while working with a partner to keep the ball from hitting the floor.
The large group ball control drills work on communication and reading the situation. These drills also allow all players to get reps setting and playing defense, no matter what position they usually play. The drills in this section are great for both warming up and improving ball control skills
Reading
One big issue younger players often have is they do not react or see what's going on with the ball until it's on their side of the court. Coach Cross-Battle explains and demonstrates how to train anticipation and reading of what's going on while the ball is on the other side of the court. This will help your players get into better position on the court to make a play on the ball.
Coach Cross-Battle introduces a series of drills that will help your players learn to track the peak of the serve, allowing them to read it before it gets on their side of the net. She also explains how it's best for players to read the pass on the other side of the net. This helps blockers understand where they'll be going, depending on the pass.
The drills shown here will help defenses stop guessing where the attack will come from and teach them to hold and react to the pass and set.
Hitting shots
Hitters need to be able to do more than one thing with the ball. Coach Cross-Battle gives you drills to help your hitters craft different shots and add more to their offensive repertoire. She demonstrates drills that help train attackers on the proper mechanics of rolls shots, deep corner shots and attacks off of the blockers hands. Players will work on their different shots while also focusing on reading and calling out what they see.
This video is perfect for coaches who have always scratched their head trying to figure out how to get their players to see what's happening on the court and get them in better position defensively. Your players will have a better understanding of reading serves and analyzing what the other team is doing offensively.
Produced at the 2015 AVCA National Convention.
50 minutes. 2016.
VVD-05183:
with Kirsten Bernthal Booth,
Creighton University Head Coach;
2016 VolleyballMag.com National Coach of the Year - 3x National Coach of the Year;
Back-to-Back-to-Back Big East Regular Season and Tournament Champions (2014-16);
all-time wins leader at Creighton
Fundamental skill development is important to develop players at all levels. By breaking down skills of the fundamental elements of volleyball, you're able to train your players to be more efficient on the court. With the trend in our sport leaning toward "whole game" training, Creighton's Kirsten Bernthal Booth explores why she still spends time breaking down skill development into phases.
Booth demonstrates several of her "out of the box" training concepts she uses in her program. You'll see multiple drills and in-depth ideas including passing, blocking, and setting that will enhance the development of your players. She provides numerous ideas for player/coach drills, partner drills, and conditioning drills. This training regimen to develop individual skill sets is part of what has helped lead Creighton University to national prominence.
Each drill comes with insight from Booth regarding how athletes should perform at a basic level as well as how to progress the drills to more advanced performance. She also demonstrates how simple and inexpensive props can be implemented to develop skill mastery.
Breakdown Drills to Become a Better Passer
Booth emphasizes that platform and feet movement are equally important to become a confident passer. She presents a progression of passing drills that:
- Train quick feet movement with the use of resistance
- Train drop-step passing and angle passing to target
- Emphasize the isolation of skills while performing drills involving a variety of game-like tempos
Breakdown of Defensive and Offensive Skills
Booth emphasizes drills that not only break down the elements of the skill, but also emphasize the conditioning element to increase muscle memory. Multiple drills are introduced through a progression, from the footwork needed to the complete element. You'll see how to:
- Train blockers to use hands as a powerful tool for defense
- Train hitters to "fly" the ball off of the hands of blockers in order to increase their offensive threat on the court
- Train setters to be more peripheral in order to make quick decisions that will enable the team to use multiple offensive options
Booth suggests that coaches introduce different scenarios using different tempos in practice as much as possible to encourage players to have confidence and strong decision making skills on the court.
The drills in this video will provide you with the knowledge and tools to implement them immediately!
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
47 minutes. 2017.
VVD-05184:
with Geoff Carlston,
Ohio State University Head Coach; 2012 Sweet 16;
former Ohio University Head Volleyball Coach,
4x Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year; 5x MAC Champions
Ohio State's Geoff Carlston details the kind of feedback reinforced in his program to encourage behaviors that create positive team culture. By implementing some of Carlston's techniques, you will be able to develop the expectations necessary to form the kind of culture in your program that leads to increased success.
Every play in volleyball has its own life. Learning to recognize the process within the point, and each other's role within that process, is paramount to creating a positive team culture. Learn how to identify the little things that each player does to help ensure the success of each play, and, learn why it's important to recognize them.
Identify Culture "Ninjas" On Your Team to Build Accountability
Carlston shares a drill that he has implemented with great results to 'score' positive behaviors. He chooses "culture ninjas", prior to each point, and evaluates the 'ninjas' based on certain criteria:
- Was there eye contact?
- Was there physical contact?
- Were they aggressive?
- Was there a "we" mentality?
Feedback is given to the 'ninja' at the play's conclusion, and points are awarded based on whether the player demonstrated positive culture-building behaviors. This helps quantify some of the mental and emotional parts of the game through identifiable actions. Carlston also describes ways the drill can be modified based on your team's unique needs.
Develop a "Next Play" Mentality
Getting rid of the negative attention brought on by a "my bad" approach to mistakes is critical to developing a positive team culture. Carlston explains how becoming consumed by your own shortcomings only brings unwanted attention to the mistake, rather than focusing your attention on making a successful next play. He gives cues and positive verbiage that is designed to instill confidence in yourself and your teammates, rather than focusing on the fact that a mistake just occurred. By shifting paradigms away from "my bad," and towards "we will be successful," the success becomes the focus, as does the team.
Coach Carlston delivers a powerful presentation on the importance of the mental and emotional parts of the game. Technique and X's and O's are critical, but, the culture of a program ultimately plays a vital role in its success or failure. This video captures the standards, expectations and affirmations used daily by one of the most successful coaches in the country, and can be valuable for programs of any size.
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
58 minutes. 2017.
VVD-05185:
with Giovanni Guidetti,
Head Coach of VakifBank Istanbul;
as the former Netherlands Women's National Team Head Coach, won the silver medal at the 2015 European Championships, the bronze at the 2016 World Grand Prix and a 4th-place finish at the 2016 Olympics (Rio) - the program's highest-ever Olympic finish; 2013 FIVB Club World Champions; 2x 'Coach of the Year' award recipient
Blocking is a training element that sometimes becomes monotonous to players. Giovanni Guidetti gives you an inside look into some of the blocking drills he used to train middle blockers on the Netherlands Women's Olympic volleyball team. He emphasizes repetition - the high reps will prove how tough your blocker's endurance is against a faster attacker - while also giving them better focus on the "read" part of the block.
Blocking Drills
Using a progression of defensive block drills, Guidetti shows you how to utilize your players better during block drills, provide more reps, understand the sequencing of the block-read defense, and provide another way to make them more explosive off the ground.
The drills demonstrated focus on a number of different areas:
- Reading the setter and closing on the most common sets to the pins, middle and the 31 zone.
- The footwork that the Netherlands used for quick attacks to out-of-system.
- How to press over the net using the shoulders.
- Closing to an attacker quickly and making last-minute adjustments.
- How to use the interior hand to take away cross court while leaving the exterior hand to take away line and tool shots.
- Training the blockers not to leave before they have read where the ball is going.
Throughout the presentation, you'll also learn how to incorporate a variety of training tools (medicine balls, elastics, boxes and bands) to emphasize blocking, reaching over the net and conditioning for foot work while blocking.
This video from Coach Guidetti will provide you with some great ideas to help bolster your team's blocking abilities!
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
46 minutes. 2017.
VVD-05204: with Dega Da Gama,
Boston College Assistant Coach;
former assistant coach for the Rexona Volleyball Club, a professional women's team in Brazil; also worked with the Brazilian National Team ('98-'00)
Transition play is an element that should be trained at an early stage in the game and with many, many repetitions.
The main idea within this video from Dega Da Gama is to design a full progression of a transition drill. You'll learn basic drill design to develop transition skills and quality offense. Coach Da Gama combines high volume and high intensity drills that can be used at intermediate and advanced levels of competition. He takes the time to explain the purpose of each drill and gives tips to improve transitional offense. You'll also get a great guide for setter decisions and an easy way to teach your own transition attacking style.
Transition Play
Da Gama starts with a back row transition play, then moves towards a coach controlled progression where you can modify to a faster temp build up with a live ball, and adjust to various two-middle systems or second tempo combinations with the OH and MB. The block transition can be from OH block transition to middle block transition and then you can run your tempo variations from there.
You'll see how to make transition play "coach controlled" to help your athletes be successful before you go live to help establish a rapport with the hitters and improve communication. A featured drill includes libero setting for hitters to transition to attack, an important element that's not often considered in the training aspect.
Transition Drills
Da Gama provides drills that apply transition techniques to both the offensive and defensive sides of the net. The high reps help to assess most situations that need to be addressed as often as possible. The volume and intensity of these drills will help create better chemistry between setters and hitters.
The 3-on-3 coach controlled drill gives you opportunities to train better set choices for your setter, better connection with your hitters, and improve communication overall.
Use Coach Da Gama's drills to take your team's transition abilities to the next level!
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
51 minutes. 2017.
VVD-05205:
with Jodi Schramm,
founder of Premier Volleyball Academy; 18-Onituka Head Coach;
2016 PrepVolleyballl.com Club Coach of the Year nominee;
has led her teams to four AAU/USA Indoor and Beach National Championships and 36 AAU/USA Indoor and Beach top 5 National Championship finishes.
The more your team can practice game-like conditions and making decisions under pressure, the better prepared they will be to cope with the stresses of real competition. Successful teams have the ability to anticipate offensive and defensive transitions while under game conditions to make the best decisions available.
Adding a time clock to your training can add a level of pressure and accountability to replicate the feelings teams have in match situations. In this video, Jodi Schramm shows you how using time as a tool in practice can help give your team the ability to execute technical skills and demonstrate tactical thinking under pressure, even while fatigued, and ultimately perform in a consistent manner.
While it's important to work on skills and drills to develop players in practice, it's hard to recreate the feeling of being in an actual game. Coach Schramm has come up with great suggestions to help create a game-like feel in the gym by adding time clocks into practice and incorporating them into every drill. She explains a drill, tells each player their goal, then gives them a certain time frame to get it done. All drills are five minutes or less and allow your team to repeat them to try to beat previous scores.
Schramm shows five drills and explains how she times and scores them. She highlights the Free Ball Frenzy drill as her team's favorite drill. It's a 6-on-6 drill focusing on first ball side out. The receiving team must side out on the first ball by killing it anywhere on the court except zone 6. They must earn six kills before the time runs out.
Adding time clocks and scoring to each drill has saved Schramm's teams between 15 and 20 minutes per practice. She's found players get more done and waste less time in between drills using this method. Schramm even goes into the gym an hour before practice to start the countdown to practice and times every water break for 1 minute. This way, every player knows when everything will start and how long each segment will go. This focus on efficiency can lead to more intense practices.
Coach Schramm gives you some great ideas to use with your current drills to create a game-like atmosphere in your practice. She knows coaches are "taxed with the task of having to come up with game-like competitive drills" and she shares her expertise of how she has gotten that done with her own team.
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
52 minutes. 2017.
VVD-05206:
with Shelton Collier,
Wingate University Head Coach; over 900 career wins;
2013 AVCA National Coach of the Year;
9x South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year;
2016 AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year (6x AVCA Region Coach of the Year);
Wingate has claimed the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship for 11 consecutive years (2006-16) and won 10 of the Tournament crowns during that time span; qualified for 12 straight NCAA Tournaments (2005-16)
Good intentions can get in the way of accomplishing what you want with your team.
Shelton Collier has tremendous knowledge about the sport of volleyball as a player, youth coach, assistant coach and head coach. In this video, he discusses his observations, analysis and evaluation of effective and ineffective coaching behaviors in a practice session as well as in a match environment. Key points include effective coach-player communication in training drills, influential coaching behaviors in matches, methods to improve coach-player interaction, and more.
Effective Coaching Skills
Coach Collier spends a great deal of time talking about effective coaching skills. He demonstrates how "not" to be a good coach and what some of those characteristics are. He then goes into detail about what traits a good coach has. Collier shares methods for:
- Staying out of the way to help your team progress faster.
- Connecting with players.
- Encouraging players to give maximum effort.
- Calling out individual players in practice to gain a better team effort.
- Letting players run drills so the coach can coach.
- Getting your players comfortable running plays out of system.
- Not chasing errors, but reaffirming the positives.
- Complimenting players on effort or intent.
- Not over-coaching, but creating a comfortable training environment. vBuilding a learning environment.
- Building trust with your team.
Build a Bridge between Training and Competition
It should be your goal to create an environment where you reward players for growing their talent and skills. You'll learn to use drills that simulate game-like situations. Collier discusses how to bridge, or morph, the drills towards your team-oriented drills.
- Work on libero passes being out of system - force the setter to set the ball from off the net.
- "Around the World" hitting drills that require all positions to put up a good set with the setter being the passer.
- Learn fun practice drills that create opportunities for your players to learn, such as the net drill and dog pile.
This session will help you teach your players to raise their level of confidence. It also teaches the coach to not have to address everything - in return, the athletes naturally performs better, faster, and become more comfortable together in the drills.
Collier also includes some team building ideas for situational play that give opportunities to players that have been working hard, but not getting on the court as much. This creates a culture where you can naturally create the support needed for everyone on the team.
A great self-evaluation tool for any coach, this video will make you take a look at your coaching style and think about the verbal feedback you give your players.
Produced at the 2016 AVCA Annual Convention in Columbus, OH.
56 minutes. 2017.