News

Tip by Steve Stapay in Gilberts, IL. Sometimes you need to give the players their "soap box" moment. While this is not a physical attribute, the mental side of volleyball is just as or even more important. Give the players a chance to get things off their chest--tell their teammates what they are thinking both positively and critically. If it is criticism, the players have to know it is constructive criticism for the entire team. Do not call out teammates individually (unless it is positive comment), or there will be reciprocating effects. Use a block, a sturdy chair, the bleachers,...

Tip by Scott Reslow, Wheaton College.  This drill/tip is about working on out of system play. Coaches often are so focused on passing well (rightfully so) and in system offense, that they neglect out of system play. Considering that most teams will likely be out of system 50% of the time, it's crucial that it gets worked on almost every day in the practice gym.A nice 6 v 6 drill that utilizes this is a game we call STP Scrim. Here, you have a ball cart and a coach off the court but right behind pos. 6, with the team...

Tip by Brogan Johnson, Salt Lake Academy in Herriman, UT.Nine Man Pepper - This is a good drill to work on ball control, back row defense, and communication while getting a lot of reps and conditioning for setters and hitters.Start with three players fixed in the back row on each side of the net. Have a setter front row in the middle as well as two pin hitters hitting on the left and right on one side of the net. The front row, setter and hitters, will go under the net and switch sides after each attack and will continually...

Tip by Aurora Salas, Horizon Prep in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.  My tip is to make the butterfly drill a competition. It helps you see who is earnings points offensively and defensively. I start out with the standard butterfly drill and have them progress through the drill to warm up. 10 free ball passes (to the tosser) over the net as a group, 10 sets over the net as a group, and finally 10 down balls over the net as a group. Then you move into competition phase. Attackers can earn a point if they can hit the ball without...

Tip by Cristina Williams, Cascade HS in Tuner, OR Coaching tip... Really get to know your players as individuals. Understand their upbringing, understand their family dynamics, get to know what makes them work their hardest, what their insecure about, what makes them happy. When you sit down and really get to know who your players are, not only do they feel valued and heard, but they feel the genuine love you have for them, and they start to trust you and the program. Sit down with each of your players and develop that bond and trust.