The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball

10 Episodes
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By: Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox

The VolleyPod is all about coaching kids volleyball! Each episode we cover 3 segments that are each designed to help you become a better volleyball coach. First, we focus on a specific volleyball skill, talk about how to teach it, and provide drills and video links for further help with that skill. Then, we present a common coaching scenario and discuss tips for how to (and how not to) handle it. In the third segment we share a resource that has helped us to become a better coach, with the hopes that it can help you too! See you on The...

Metaphors for Teaching Skills, App Solutions for Coaches, and Talent and the Secret Life of Teams
Last Friday at 5:00 AM

In this episode ofThe Volley Pod, hosts Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox discuss various coaching techniques and metaphors to enhance volleyball skills.

They explore the importance of using external cues over internal cues for skill acquisition, share creative metaphors for teaching spiking and serving techniques, and emphasize the role of technology in coaching efficiency.

The conversation also highlights valuable resources for coaches and concludes with a reflection on the impact of integrated coaching.


The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's episode:

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/float-serve-fundamentals...


Mastering the Triangle, What To Say During Timeouts, and What Drives Winning
02/07/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts discuss the new rule eliminating doubles in high school volleyball and its implications for coaching.

They delve into the triangle concept in volleyball, emphasizing the importance of passing, setting, and hitting as interconnected skills.

The conversation highlights the benefits and challenges of this approach, including the need for game-like randomness and decision-making.

The hosts also share strategies for incentivizing player performance, error correction techniques, and effective timeout strategies for coaches.

They conclude with insights from the 'What Drives Winning' team, exploring themes...


Training in Pairs: Differential Learning Ideas, When Your Team is Losing, and Think Again
01/31/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on differential learning, effective passing and setting techniques, and strategies for serving.

They also address the challenges coaches face, the importance of building a positive team culture, and provide resources for further development in coaching.

The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability in training and the significance of mental resilience in competitive environments.


The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's episode:

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/youth-hand-contact-progressions/ 

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.c...


Teaching Blocking To Young Players, Keeping the Big Things Big, and TedTalks
01/24/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on team progress, decision-making, and the importance of teaching blocking to young players.

They explore the psychological impact of blocking, share effective drills and techniques, and emphasize the need to reinforce team values and systems.

The conversation concludes with valuable resources for coaches to enhance their training methods.


The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos from today's episode:

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/volleyball-blocking-fundamentals-positioning-and-posture/

Joe Sagula

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball...


In The Lab with Sean Thomas: Analogies for Passing
01/17/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, Tod and Davis are joined by Sean Thomas to discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of teaching philosophies, particularly the use of analogies to enhance understanding.


They share personal coaching experiences, explore passing techniques, and emphasize the significance of balance and movement in volleyball.


The conversation also touches on the role of biomechanics and data in coaching, as well as the need to engage young players with fun and relatable analogies.


The...


Ace Prevention for Young Teams, Train to Win or Train to Develop? and Mathew Houlihan
01/10/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts discuss essential strategies for coaching youth volleyball, focusing on ace prevention, communication, and movement.

They explore the balance between winning and development, emphasizing the importance of teaching foundational skills while also preparing players for competitive scenarios.

The conversation includes practical tips for coaches and highlights valuable resources for further learning.



The Art of Coaching Volleyball Videos of the Week

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/passing-movement-shuffling-instead-of-reaching/ Ron Kordes

https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/improve-your-passing-footwork-by-saying-1-2-3/ Tod...


Training Pursuit, Creative Subbing Plans for Bigger Teams, and Tod's New Book
01/03/2025

In this episode of The Volley Pod, the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, focusing on pursuit training, effective coaching strategies, and the importance of creating a positive team culture.

They emphasize the need for training methods that encourage players to pursue the ball without punitive measures, and they share a list of approaches to improve player engagement and performance.

The conversation also touches on the significance of utilizing video tools for player development and strategies for effective subbing to ensure all players contribute to the team.

Finally, they highlight the...


2024 Highlights
12/27/2024

In this episode of The Volley Pod, hosts Tod and Davis reflect on their favorite moments from the past year of coaching discussions.

They explore various themes such as the importance of creative practice initiations, the power of framing and reframing in coaching, and the significance of building resilience in teams.

The conversation also delves into innovative drills, the challenge-care matrix, and effective feedback techniques.

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the need for positive coaching frameworks and the importance of finding one's unique coaching style.


Find The...


Innovative Techniques from the AVCA Convention
12/20/2024

In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences at the Final Four and the AVCA National Coaching Convention, highlighting innovative coaching techniques, creative drills, and the importance of player development.

They share insights from various sessions, including blocking strategies, setter-middle connections, and the impact of technology in volleyball coaching.

The conversation also touches on Karch Kiraly's coaching philosophy and the significance of winning the middle in team dynamics.


Check out Balltime at www.balltime.com

Balltime is an AI-powered volleyball platform designed to provide professional-level game breakdowns, video...


Tod's New Book: The Volleyball Coach's Book of Lists
12/13/2024

In this conversation, The Volley Pod hosts, Tod and Davis, discuss the release of Tod's new book, The Volleyball Coaches Book of Lists, exploring its inspiration, the collaborative process of gathering insights from various coaches, and the key themes of coaching philosophy, leadership, player development, and effective practice design.


They highlight the importance of mindset, engaging young players, and utilizing resources for coaching improvement.


The discussion also touches on innovative practices and concludes with key takeaways and the book's availability.


You can find the...