Get Better at Beach Volleyball

Join Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner as they dive deep into beach volleyball attack strategy and shot selection. Fresh off Brandon's coaching success at the AVP League, the duo breaks down how to choose the right attacks, diversify your offensive arsenal, maximize your hitting percentage, and how to avoid being too predictable on the court. They also recap their experiences at the AVP League, sharin...

Great attackers don't just hit hard! They see everything and communicate constantly. In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner dive into two underrated superpowers in beach volleyball: court vision and communication. They break down practical volleyball drills and volleyball training habits that help you pass, set, and hit more effectively, even without perfect...

Join Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner as they sit down with Marine Kinna, Better at Beach's marketing coordinator and newest AVP champion, for a deep dive into her incredible journey from France to AVP gold. Marine shares her transition from indoor to beach volleyball, navigating the NCAA system as an international student, becoming a dual-sport All-American, and now thriving on the AVP and internati...

Mark Burik shares the proven training formula behind lasting improvements in arm swing and vertical jump mechanics. In this episode, he breaks down the coaching approach that helps athletes make permanent corrections and walks you through a step-by-step video analysis you can apply directly to your own training. It’s an insightful deep dive into the techniques that help players overcome common fla...

A workout routine for beach volleyball is just as important as training your technique as an athlete. Have you ever felt like you could dominate at the net, but something is just missing? It’s because your body needs a consistent workout regimen. Mark and Brandon break down how to build real athleticism that translates to the court without wasting time. They share the foundational principles behin...

Being in the right place at the right time isn't just about luck - it's about mastering your approach. In this episode, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner give a masterclass on the four-step approach and tackle the timing issues that trip up players at every level. They settle the debate on whether three-step or five-step approaches actually make a difference, and reveal the secrets that transform chao...

What separates powerful hitters from the rest? It's not just raw strength - it's efficiency. In this episode, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner break down the integrated mechanics that create explosive hitting power. They reveal the critical connections between your approach, jump, and arm swing that transform average hits into weapons. Drawing from their extensive coaching experience, they share the...

Every setter's been there - that moment when a pass is heading straight for disaster and all eyes turn to you. In this episode, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner dive into the chaotic world of emergency setting, where split-second decisions make the difference between a highlight play and a blooper reel moment. We're breaking down the art of turning volleyball lemons into lemonade. Whether you're a se...

What do coaches see that players miss? In this episode, Brandon Joyner shares insights from his coaching sessions and reveals the setting mistakes he immediately spots from the sidelines and explains the fixes that transform players. Drawing from thousands of coaching hours across all levels, he breaks down the three most common errors, and the technical flaws, decision-making errors, and partner...

Summary In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss the recent AVP tournament in Huntington Beach, focusing on the new single elimination format and its implications for teams. They analyze the performance of top teams, the stakes involved in qualification for the league, and the dynamics of key matches. The conversation also highlights emerging talents in...

The FIVB just dropped a major update to the setting rules — and it’s already shaking up the beach volleyball world. In this episode, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner break down exactly what’s changing, why it matters, and how it might impact players, coaches, and the game itself. Whether you're a setter, a coach, or just trying to keep up, we’ve got you covered with clear explanations, real examples,...

Summary In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, hosts Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss the best tournaments for amateur and open players, share insights on upcoming training camps, and delve into recent developments in the AVP. They also provide strategies for blockers and defenders, and highlight their favorite tournaments, including FUDS and SmackFest, while comparing them to the ic...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss strategies for succeeding in beach volleyball tournaments, particularly focusing on B and A level competitions. They share insights on the importance of serving, controlling the game, and limiting errors. The hosts also provide details about upcoming training camps and emphasize the significance of mindset and pr...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joiner discuss the importance of making mistakes the right way in beach volleyball. They emphasize the significance of focusing on the process rather than just results, celebrating recent successes in the sport, and the necessity of technique and feedback in improving performance. The conversation also touches on the discomfort...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, hosts Mark Burik, Logan Webber, and Brandon Joyner delve into the world of Norseca beach volleyball tournaments. They discuss the structure and significance of Norceca qualifiers, the role of USA Volleyball, and the challenges faced by athletes in the beach volleyball system. The conversation also highlights the unique experiences and camaraderie fou...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss Brandon's transition from beach volleyball to triathlons, the mental challenges of stepping away from competitive sports, and the joys of solo training. They delve into the differences in coaching beginners versus pros, the importance of goal setting in drills, and the complexities of tournament formats. The conv...

In this conversation, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss the intricacies of playing four on four volleyball, emphasizing the importance of proper positioning and strategy. They introduce the Kings and Queens league, a new initiative aimed at providing consistent play opportunities for volleyball enthusiasts. The discussion also covers the Complete Training Blueprint, a structured program design...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, hosts Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner welcome Tania Moreno, an Olympic beach volleyball player representing Spain and a senior at TCU. They discuss Tania's journey to the Olympics, the challenges of balancing college and elite sports, and the differences in coaching styles between her experiences in Spain and at TCU. The conversation also delves into t...

Summary In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik discusses essential statistics for improving beach volleyball performance. He emphasizes the importance of tracking passing, serving, setting, and attacking percentages to identify areas for improvement. Mark also shares success stories from his coaching sessions and provides details about upcoming camps and coaching opportunities...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss various aspects of volleyball training, focusing on passing techniques, building strength and stability, and the importance of simplicity in performance. They share insights from their coaching experiences and emphasize the significance of trusting the process in athlete development. In this conversation, Brandon...

In this conversation, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss the importance of vision in beach volleyball, focusing on how players can improve their ability to read the defense and make quick decisions while attacking. They also touch on team development at Better at Beach, sharing insights on hiring and coaching strategies. The discussion includes practical tips for enhancing players' offensive sk...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner discuss the top mistakes they made during their beach volleyball careers. They emphasize the importance of consistent coaching, health and nutrition, and the dynamics of teamwork. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of chasing cheap sponsorships and the need for players to focus on their own development rather...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, host Mark Burik interviews professional volleyball player Corinne Quiggle. They discuss Corinne's preseason training regimen, her recovery from hip surgery, and the importance of nutrition in her performance. Corinne shares her experience with genome testing to optimize her diet and how she manages her nutrition during training and competition. The c...

In this conversation, Mark Burik outlines a structured approach to fitness and performance improvement for volleyball players. He introduces a yearly challenge that includes setting personal records (PRs) and emphasizes the importance of tracking progress. Mark discusses common mistakes athletes make in their training, such as not testing their abilities, focusing too much on workouts rather than...

In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik discusses the top 10 workout mistakes that volleyball players should avoid. Drawing from his extensive experience as a professional beach volleyball player and a certified strength and conditioning specialist, he emphasizes the importance of proper warmups, mobility, recovery, technique, and nutrition. Mark provides actionable tips to enha...