Applying Sport Psychology To Take Your Game to the Next Level
Have you ever wondered if there’s a way to increase your level of performance unique to what others in your field or sport are doing? Have you ever wanted to develop new skills and techniques that allow you to achieve greater potential? Or are you someone who wants to continually improve and grow beyond what […]
5 Tips for Success in Tryouts & Preseason
AUGUST is here which means it is volleyball season again! The tryout dates are set, the schedules are finalized, and you have been working hard all summer. You are now ready for the challenge of tryouts and preseason. Whether you are competing to make the team, eyeing a starting spot for the first match of […]
Relaxing Arms With Joe Sagula
Relaxing Arms Working with two of his passers, North Carolina coach Joe Sagula talks in this video about why it’s so important in volleyball to keep the arms wide when readying for a dig or a pass. As he points out, it takes patience and relaxing arms. But the payoff is that you’re less likely […]
Individual Ball Control: Part 1 With Beth Launiere
Beth Launiere, head coach of the Utah women’s team, runs this warm-up drill to help players work on passing technique, arm-swing and serving mechanics. This drill can also be scored to add a competitive element. Players divide into 3 groups of 3: one group uses the left third of the court, one group uses the […]
21 Down Serve and Receive Drill
21 Down 21 Down is a competitive serving and serve and receive drill. First team to zero points loses the drill. Teams are divided in equal number and capability. The drill follows a pass-and-replace pattern that goes like this: Passers receive a ball, and no matter the outcome, they get off the court and a […]
Blocking: Stay Low and Go by Tod Mattox
Blocking Drill During one Bishop’s High School practice, coach Tod Mattox works with the younger middle blockers on closing more efficiently to the outside blocker. His senior middle, Gretchen Cash, is very good at blocking, but the younger middles are still bending their knees and going down before their jump. That wastes time and often […]
Keys to Playing Great Individual Defense
Playing solid, fundamental individual defense in volleyball, as Oregon State coach Terry Liskevych and OSU assistant Emily Hiza tell you here, is mostly about 3 things: Stay on your feet, even if you’re bending your knees and moving toward the floor to contact a low ball. Keep your arms between the floor and the ball. […]
The Two Touch Defensive Pursuit Drill
If you’re sick of answering, “Was that ball mine?”, consider running this defensive pursuit drill that works on communication, anticipation and teamwork. Jen Dejarld, coach at Mother McAuley High School, uses this drill weekly with her team and provides tips for implementation in this video. To set up this drill, 2 players split the court […]
Volleyball Performance: Other Skillz
Improving Your Volleyball Performance Last post, I wrote about jump progressions to teach the vertical jump in volleyball players (but really, let’s be honest, all of this can apply to most sports), and I thought it would be beneficial to highlight a few other athletic skills/movements that are woefully under-trained in volleyball players. It’s all about […]
