The Volleyball By Design Podcast
The Volleyball By Design podcast gives you simple, actionable, step by step strategies so you can get clarity in your training and apply what you learn right away.
How to Optimize Your Rotation (And Win More Close Sets)
Most coaches pick their starting rotation the same way every match: setter serves first, best hitter up front, and go. But your starting rotation quietly decides which rotations get extra turns in close sets, and that can be the difference between winning and losing.
In this episode, I break down how to analyze your rotation data and build a strategy to improve your sideout and breakpoint percentages. We dive into:
The three default rotation strategies most coaches use, and why they might be costing you points The surprising research on how often each server comes up...The Lego Method: The Secret To Faster Skill Acquisition (Passing Edition)
Every parent knows Lego instructions are so clear a five-year-old can build the set on the box without help. What if you taught your athletes the same way? In this episode, I break down the exact method I use to teach skills so clearly that any athlete on your team, at any level, can pick them up faster, using passing as the live example so you can apply it in your gym this week.
Why most coaches unintentionally slow down their own athletes' skill acquisition without realizing it The 3-part framework you can use to break any skill...The Invisible Curriculum: 5 Things Your Practice Plan Doesn't Show
Your practice plan has drills, reps, and systems on it. But there's a second curriculum running underneath your entire season that no one writes down and it might be shaping your team more than anything you actually drew up.
In this episode, I break down 5 unwritten lessons every coach is teaching whether they mean to or not, and the exact moments in practice where you're either building your culture or quietly letting it slip.
These aren't drills. They're moments. And how you respond to them is the real program you're building. In this episode we...
From Knowing Nothing About Volleyball to Building a Coaching Career — Lessons Every Coach Should Hear
In this episode, I share my journey from knowing very little about volleyball to building a career coaching at the high school, club, and college as well as eventually working alongside some of the best coaches and athletes in the game.
Along the way, I share some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about becoming a better coach and building a successful volleyball program.
In this episode, we discuss:
How I went from basketball player to volleyball coach The biggest mistakes I made early in my coaching career Why finding a mentor can ac...How Elite Volleyball Teams Build Culture, Systems & Winning Habits With National Team Player Daenan Gyimah
In this episode, I share part of a presentation from Canadian National Team and professional volleyball player Daenan Gyimah, as he gives coaches an inside look at what happens at the highest levels of the game.
We discuss:
Building strong team pillars and mental performance Helping athletes reset and “snap back” after mistakes Developing leadership and accountability within your team Creating stronger team culture and chemistry Why elite teams need clear systems and expectations How high-performance teams structure their practices What makes teams like Japan so effectiveClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www...
Team Canada: What I learned From A Week Inside The Senior Men's National Team
This past week I had the privilege spending a week training with the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team and came away with a ton of lessons that coaches at any level can apply to their own gym.
In this episode, I share:
How the head coach planned each practice around player availability, injuries, load management, and practice goals How they designed drills to maximize volume, efficiency, and game-like reps Specific training ideas for serve receive, middle attacks, blocking, and 6-on-6 How they used competition and scoring systems to increase intensity How technology and a serving ma...Two Simple Tools To Build More Resilient Athletes With Mental Skills Coach Paige Tonz
In this episode, you will hear from mental skills coach Paige Tonz as she shares two practical mental-performance tools from her presentation at DVA LIVE 2026.
First, Paige breaks down the pre-serve routine—a simple way to add a mental component to an athlete’s existing physical routine so they can manage pressure, reduce overthinking, and step into each serve with greater confidence.
Then, she introduces the Bounce Back Tracker, a simple way for coaches to stop focusing only on mistakes and start measuring resilience. Instead of asking how often an athlete makes an error, coaches can...
The Art of Drill Design with Canadian Senior Men's National Team Coach Dan Lewis
In this episode, I share a part of a live training that Dan did with our coaches about drill design. You can see what his thought process is and how efficient his drill designs are based on fundamental principles. He dives into:
RTG How to incorporate training the mechanics Phases of the game and how to train them The importance of inputing the ball And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to purchase DVA LIVE 2026 - http://volleyballworkshop.com/dvalive2026
Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Reach out...
Use these Volleyball Games At Your Next Practice
In this episode, I share some of my favourite volleyball games I've picked up while coaching with Nike Volleyball. These games keep players engaged, create healthy competition, and still reinforce important volleyball skills but more importantly, they're fun.Â
If you're looking for fresh ideas to bring energy into your gym, this episode is packed with games you can start using at your very next practice.
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Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com/dvalive
Reach out vi...
Introducing The Motion Offense In Volleyball: The Only Offense That Creates a 1 on 0 Without A Play Call
What if your offense could consistently create 1 on 0's without relying on predetermined play calls?
In this episode, I break down the Motion Offense, an advanced offensive system that has been used successfully for over 15 years at the collegiate level. Rather than relying on called plays, this system teaches players to read, react, and create offensive advantages based on pass location, spacing, and timing.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How the Motion Offense creates 1 on 0's opportunities without a play call. The three base positions that form the foundation of the offense. How middles...The Coaching Mistake That's Holding Your Team Back - A Conversation with Myself & Jessy Satti
I recently joined another volleyball podcast called the Win By Two podcast for one of my favorite coaching conversations I've had in a long time. We dive into building championship culture, developing players, creating standards of excellence, why mentorship matters, and the biggest mistakes youth coaches make. If you're serious about becoming a better coach, this episode is for you.Â
We dive into:Â
Building championship culture The biggest coaching mistakes to avoid Why mentorship changes everything Developing players the right way Planning practices with purpose Creating standards that drive success Coaching beyond drills and systems Lessons fr...Modern Passing & Defense: Lessons From Former Ukrainian National Team Libero Pylyp Harmash
On this episode, we have former Ukrainian National Team libero Pylyp Harmash joins the podcast to break down what separates great passers and defenders from everyone else.
In this conversation, we dive into the modern techniques being taught at the highest levels of volleyball, why passing should be coached differently than serving, and how movement—not platform—is often the missing piece for most athletes.
We also discuss the differences between European and North American training environments and what coaches can do to better prepare their players.
In this episode we cover:
•...
8 Keys to Building a Successful Volleyball Program With US Men's National Team Libero Erik Shoji
In this episode, US Men's National Team libero Erik Shoji did a presentation for our coaches where he shares the 8 key characteristics of successful volleyball programs from a player's perspective. We dive into:Â
Practice Match Prep Communication Standards Relationships Competition Passing Fundamentals Reading Culture And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Join my workshop at www.volleyballworkshop.com
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
No Wasted Reps: Lessons From A Professional Team Practice
In this episode, I share my experience attending a professional team practice and the coaching lessons that stood out most.
From maximizing athlete reps and minimizing downtime to creative drill design and skill development, you'll get an inside look at how elite teams structure training for efficiency and impact.
Whether you're coaching youth, club, high school, or college volleyball, you'll come away with practical ideas you can apply to your own practices right away.
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Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join m...
Footwork, Hands & Decision Making with Canadian Olympian Setter Brett Walsh
In this episode, I sit down with former Canadian National Team setter and Olympian Brett Walsh (@Brettjwalsh) to break down the key skills that separate good setters from great ones.
We dive into setter footwork, hand positioning, jump setting, and the importance of transferring energy efficiently through the body. Brett also shares his thoughts on developing decision-making, reading the game, creating offensive advantages, and helping setters become more than just ball distributors.
Topics in this episode include:Â
One-foot vs. two-foot setter footwork Hand positioning and ball contact Jump setting mechanics Setter decision-making Training the se...What Volleyball Athletes Should Do in the Offseason (Besides Play Volleyball)
As coaches, we often focus on what athletes should be doing in the gym during the offseason. In this episode, we discuss practical ways athletes can continue developing their skills without touching the court. Â
In this episode we dive into:Â
Break Film Shadow Volley Strength Training Mental Other sportsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - volleyballworkshop.com
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
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How To Build A Roadmap To A Championship Using The phases Of The Game And System Design
In this episode, I walk coaches through how to plan their season from a macro perspective using the phases of the game and system design to guide your roadmap. You'll see how some of the best coaches map out their plan. We dive into:Â
Side out Systems Rotations Block-Defense Transition Organization & Mechanics And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
The Blueprint for Building a Youth Volleyball Program
In this episode, I break down a blueprint for building a successful volleyball program for young athletes ages 3–10. We cover:
How to introduce volleyball in a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate way Teaching key motor patterns, depth perception, movement skills, and ball control through games and play. Practice structure ideas and progressions for skill development  Creating a community that keeps kids excited to come back each week. And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - volleyballworkshop.com
Reac...
The Serve Receive Triangle: A Simple System To Improve Passing
I learnt about this triangle a few years ago and it changed the way I set up my serve receive. This will optimize your reception and help increase your sideout. In this episode, I dive into:Â
What the serve receive triangle is? How to set it up? The different angles that's relevant to serve receive Reception when serve comes from all 3 positions And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - volleyballworkshop.com
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB...
Why Your Players Can't Pass To Target (It's Not What You Think)
In this episode, I dive into one concept of serve reception and passing that could be the reason your players are struggling with their pass. I see it a lot at the youth level. We talk about:Â
3 principles of serve receive Giving up too much space Reading Taking the ball on the side 360 degree plane And a few other conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
How To Use Multi-Skill Drills To Maximize Player Development
In this episode, we talk about what multi-skill drills are, why they accelerate development, and how to implement them into your practices to get more game-like reps and better results. Topics include:Â
6 skills of volleyball How to implement multi-skill drills Examples of multi skill drills Understanding the power of player development And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
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They Lost Last Year… Then Won a National Championship with Carolyn O'Dwyer
In this episode, I sit down with national championship-winning coach Carolyn O’Dwyer to break down the standards, systems, and training environment behind her team’s title run after falling short the year before.
In this episode:
How to build practices that are harder than matches The standards that drive consistency and performance Developing multiple offensive weapons The key stats that actually matter (and how to use them) Training athletes to problem-solve in game situations Structuring preseason for success Developing outsides (serve receive, attacking tools, decisions) Why repetition and quality reps matter Balancing competition vs experimentation in p...Inside A National Championship System (Earn 17, Lose 8) with 2026 USPORTS National Championship Coach Adam Schriemer
In this episode, I sit down with USPORTS National Champion head coach Adam Schriemer to break down the systems, standards, and mindset behind building a championship team. From practice design to match-day decision making, Adam shares exactly what it takes to consistently win at the highest level.
In this episode we dive into:
Why championship teams focus on “earning 17 and losing no more than 8” The key stats that actually decide matches (first ball kills, transition, aces, blocks) How to build a team culture that thrives through conflict and adversity A 4-week training progression to prepare your team...How 5x National Championship Coach Aaron Schulha Led a Championship Run With Trust, Freedom & Preparation
In this episode, I sit down with CCAA National Championship coach Aaron Schulha to break down the full blueprintbehind his team’s title run. From building a selfless, high-trust culture to executing detailed game plans under pressure, this conversation goes far beyond talent and into what actually separates championship teams. We dive into:
How to help your team play free and confident in high-pressure moments The role of sports psychology and mental preparation in a championship run Why trusting the game plan is a non-negotiable at the highest level How to design and implement effective weekly film sessions Wh...The System Behind 4 Straight National Championships With 5x National Champion Coach Austin Dyer
In this episode, I sit down with 5-time national team coach Austin Dyer, who has led his program to 4 straight national championships. We break down the real reasons behind their success and also take a deep dive into the setter position. Topics in this episode include:Â
Roster Building & Retainment Athlete Development Adapting coaching style based on team Culture Recruiting Athletes vs Volleyball Players Setting Position: Decision making, leadership, technical Post Match Analysis Building Systems And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my worksho...
The Mental Game: Building Confident, Resilient Volleyball Players With Paige Tonz
In this episode, we go back into the vault with Mindset Coach Paige Tonz, who works specifically with female athletes helping them improve their mindset, confidence and so much more. In this episode we discuss:
How to prepare mentally for serve receive How to bounce back after committing an error How to not dwell on the mistake you just made How to deal with a player with low confidence How to get players to believe in themselves How to prepare mentally for a game and practice How to maintain a positive mindset when things aren't going well in a game...Volleyball Is Changing: New 2026 Rules & the Next Evolution of Out-of-System Play
In this episode, I dive into two important trends shaping the game right now. First, I break down the new rules being introduced by FIVB in 2026 and what they could mean for the future of volleyball.
I also share some interesting out-of-system trends I’ve been seeing during the 2026 playoffs. Teams are becoming much more efficient when they’re out of system, and we’re seeing new setting solutions from both liberos and left sides that are creating more stable and effective offensive options.
Key topics discussed:
2026 FIVB rule changes and their potential impact...
The Reverse Sweep Framework: The 3-Set Comeback System
Down 0–2 in a best-of-five match is where most teams panic — and where great coaches separate themselves. In this episode, I break down the exact emotional resets, tactical simplifications, and momentum strategies needed to engineer a reverse sweep. If you want to lead with clarity when the pressure is highest, this one’s for you. We dive into:
Tactical Changes Preparation during the season Coaches Toolbox Emotional Regulation And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out...
Best Of The Podcast: Championship Blocking & Offensive Systems with 6x National Championship Coach Jessy Satti
In this episode, we head back into the vault and listen to an episode I did with 6x national champion coach Jessy Satti where he not only shares some insight into wining all those championships but he breaks down concepts and strategies that all coaches can get a ton of value from. In this episode, we dive into:
5 phases of blocking Trap Blocking 2 vs 3 step blocking Fire up blocking 60/40 Offensive Strategies Overload vs Separation And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to register for...
The Playoff Preparation Checklist for Coaches: How Coaches Prepare to Win
In this episode, I dive into strategies you can use in your gym leading up to the playoffs. This is an important time to make sure you're doing the right things to maximize your opportunity to win in the playoffs. We talk about:Â
Film Team Chemistry Refinement vs Acquisition Check ins Mental Skills Team Building Activities Tactical Strategies And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Join my workshop at www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
The Standard Is the System: Building Excellence That Wins (You Can't Learn This Anywhere Else)
This is a topic that is hard to articulate, you can't learn it anywhere on the web but it's extremely important and every high level coach has this in their gym. And that is creating a system and standard of excellence and maintaining that during practices and over the course of a season. In this episode, we dive into:
What does it look like to create a high standard of excellence What I see in the best gyms in the world Strategies to implement this in your gym Finding the balance Creating pressure What it involves from the coach...The Mechanics of Great Setting: A Masterclass with Brock Daviduk
In this episode, we go back into the fault with an interview I did with the Head Coach of the University of Alberta, Brock Davidiuk, as he is an expert setting coach. In this episode, he shares so much technical aspects of setting and provides amazing insights to the position. He talks about:
The technical principles - Feet, Hands, Body & Eyes Principle of a live environment Stages of setting Youth setting to college setting College setting to Pro setting Setter hitter relationship And so much moreÂClick here to find out more about his setting academy
Click...
Beyond Skills & Systems: The Intangibles That Win Matches
This episode dives into the intangibles of volleyball — the non-skill, non-system factors that directly impact game play, lineup decisions, and winning. We break down the habits, awareness, and behaviours that coaches need to be aware of but don’t always explicitly coach, and why they matter so much on match day. Some things we cover are:Â
Being surprised on the court Coming down from the block Switching Setter Coverage Screening Communication Engaging with the Ref Attention to detail from athletes And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Acacdemy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click her...
Must-Have Technology for Modern Volleyball Coaches That Is Affordable
In this episode, I break down the exact technology I use in my volleyball program — including apps, software, and equipment that help with practice planning, film, communication, and player development. If you’re looking to save time and coach more efficiently, this episode is for you. The Tech I mention are:Â
IstatVball 3 CoachBoard Solo Stats Touch OVR Jump Tester Bam Video Delay Bushnell Radar Gun Pocket Radar Gun QwikCut - https://bit.ly/QwikCut-Volleyball-Platform HUDL (Balltime AI), VolleymetricsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - www.volley...
The Preseason & Postseason Conversations That Change Teams
Great seasons don’t just happen on the court — they’re shaped by the conversations you have with your players. In this episode, I share how I approach preseason and postseason interviews, what questions truly matter, and how these conversations can transform player development, accountability, and team culture. We dive into:Â
Why preseason and postseason interviews matter more than most coaches realize
The key questions that set expectations and drive real player growth
How interviews improve trust, communication, and team culture
Common interview mistakes coaches should avoid
Turning player feedbac...
A Masterclass In Libero Play With Erik Shoji
In today's episode, we go back into the vault where Erik Shoji shares some tangible advice that coaches can take and apply in their gym right away with their players. Topics includeÂ
Passing Technique & Strategies Reading and Cues Mental side of passing Defensive movement & cues And so much more.ÂClick here to view Erik's youtube channelÂ
Click here to register for my free workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com
Click here to sign up to the waitlist for Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
How The Best Volleyball Coaches Build Culture
In this episode, I went back to past interviews with great coaches and compiled all their advice on building team culture and put it into this episode. There are a ton of takeaways and notes you can get from this episode. We dive into:
Documents & Pillars Communication Standards Relationships Special culture items per team Amazing quotes on culture And so much moreÂClick here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com
Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
How To Build A Custom Blocking System That Shuts Down Any Offense
This custom blocking system taught in the episode has helped many high level teams create chaos on the fly and shut down some of the strongest offenses. If you're a coach looking to improve their blocking toolbox, this episode will change the way you think about blocking. We dive into:Â
Blocking terminology The custom blocking system How to implement it Different Variations And a few more key conceptsÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSin...
Say Less, Coach More: Mastering In Game Hand Signals & Verbal Cues
In this episode, we dive into hand signals from not only the setter but the coach and other players as well. Then we transition to verbal cues and how you can use verbal cues to communicate effectively with your players and avoid having to burn unnecessary timeouts. In this episode we cover:
10 different hand signals Different positions that have different purposes Play calling Verbal cues and how to create them And much moreClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com
Re...
The Exact Blueprint That Took Us To Multiple Championships and Top 4 In The Province In 3 Years
In this episode I walk you through the exact blueprint that took a local high school with zero competitive volleyball experience to 2 regional championships, 1 city championship and a top 4 finish in the province (equivalent to State championships) in just 3 years. We dive into:
The 3 year plan Culture Planning Player Development What moved the needle the most Core ideas to elevate programs And a few more key ideasÂClick here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.comÂ
Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.comÂ
Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB
