The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod and guest Dan Meske discuss the transition to head coach, the importance of setter training, and the dynamics of coaching staff. Coach Meske shares insights on effective feedback for setters, the significance of tempo and location in setting, and the role of technology in training. They also explore the hiring process, the importance of creat...

In this episode of The Volley Pod, Tod and Davis discuss their recent success at USAV Nationals, sharing insights on coaching strategies, skill development, and team culture. They explore effective drills, game strategies, and the importance of building a supportive team environment. The conversation also highlights lessons learned from the championship experience and future goals for continuous i...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod are joined by Amanda Jones to discuss Mastering Mental Performance. Join us on The Volley Pod as we dive into the world of mental sports performance with Amanda Jones, a certified mental performance consultant. Discover the tools and techniques that can help athletes and coaches enhance their mental game, from visualization to creating a supp...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the conclusion of the club volleyball season and the transition into high school volleyball. They delve into the importance of language in coaching, presenting a glossary of terms that can enhance player learning and team dynamics. The conversation shifts to the challenges of managing talented players who may disrupt team culture, off...

This conversation explores various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on mental performance strategies, parental guidance, effective communication between players and coaches, and the importance of reading the game. The discussion also highlights creative ways to engage young players, the benefits of beach volleyball, and the significance of scouting opponents. Additionally, it emphasizes th...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on enhancing private lessons, effective techniques, and strategies for player improvement. They emphasize the importance of adapting lessons to be more game-like, the value of group lessons, and the significance of setting clear goals for the end of the season. Additionally, they explor...

In this episode of The Volley Pod we get our first look at some content from Tod's upcoming book and cover lessons that coach Mark Massey observed during his time at Club Nationals. Then we cover important lessons from experience about how to avoid coach burnout, which is rampant at this time of the season. Finally, we share a cool coaching resource that challenges a lot of your typical concep...

In this conversation, we explore the dynamics of being an undersized outside hitter in volleyball. Juliette D'Eliseo, 2025 18 Open National Finalist, shares her experiences and insights on how to effectively utilize the block, the importance of smart hitting strategies, and the transition from being a libero to an outside hitter. The discussion also delves into the mental aspects of playing in big...

In this episode of The Volley Pod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball , hosts Davis and Tod discuss various aspects of volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of statistics in junior volleyball, effective leadership for team captains, and the nuances of player development. They explore which statistics are most relevant for assessing team performance and how to use them to improve...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod engage with Ken Murczek, head coach at Emporia State University, in a deep discussion about leadership in sports. They explore the dynamics of team captains, the importance of communication over accountability, and the role of leadership configurations in fostering a positive team environment. The conversation emphasizes the need for coaches...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Head Coach of Emporia State University Ken Murczek about leadership in coaching. They explore various aspects of leadership, including whether leaders are born or made, the importance of allowing leadership to evolve naturally within teams, and the significance of prioritizing leadership developme...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss the importance of defensive skills in volleyball, the challenges of managing injuries during tournaments, and strategies for effective communication and player replacement. They emphasize the need for coaches to prepare their teams for unexpected challenges and to recognize the value of every player, regardless of their role on the team. The Ar...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , the hosts discuss recent tournament performances, emphasizing the importance of consistency and skill development. They explore various drills and game strategies that can enhance team performance, particularly focusing on innovative drills like '21 Savage' and 'Shakespeare Serving'. The conversation also covers late-season practice planning, highlighting the ne...

In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of youth volleyball coaching, including team performance, strategies for players to earn more playing time, and how to handle trash talk during games. They emphasize the importance of communication, skill development, and maintaining a positive mindset in competitive environments. Additionally, they recommend a valuable coaching resource to enhanc...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , coaches Davis and Tod discuss their recent tournament experiences, emphasizing the importance of team management, preparation, and mindset. They share insights on how to handle expectations, performance, and end-game strategies, while also exploring innovative coaching practices from college programs. The conversation highlights the significance of focusing on g...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the intricacies of volleyball coaching, focusing on the importance of understanding rotations and the dynamics of player roles. They emphasize the need for coaches to adapt their strategies based on the players' skill levels and the significance of fostering a supportive community among coaches and players. The conversation also t...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Coach Davis and Coach Tod discuss the often overlooked challenges of coaching volleyball. They delve into the emotional and psychological aspects of coaching, including the difficulties of giving constructive criticism, maintaining energy and positivity, and managing team dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, self-care, and...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , Coach Davis and Coach Tod welcome David Durand, a sports performance and psychology leader, to discuss his book ' Bet on It: A Psychological Approach to Coaching Gen Z and Beyond' The conversation explores the importance of mental performance, nervous system regulation, and the impact of social stress on adolescent athletes. David shares insights on how...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , Coach Davis and Coach Tod discuss the essential qualities and skills needed for liberos in volleyball, emphasizing the importance of bravery, communication, and mental toughness. They explore the 'Libero Manifesto' which outlines ten steps to becoming a superhero libero, including being aggressive in serve receive and honing all skills, and much more. Th...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the intricacies of passing float serves, emphasizing the importance of mastering this skill for volleyball success. They explore various techniques, emergency moves, and practice strategies to enhance team performance. The conversation also touches on the emotional challenges of coaching and the significance of effective communication...

In this episode, Davis and Tod engage with Loren Anderson, a volleyball coach and expert in ecological dynamics. They discuss the principles of ecological dynamics in coaching, emphasizing the importance of creating game-like environments for player development. The conversation covers the coupling of perception and action, the differences between traditional and ecological coaching methods, and p...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the intricacies of volleyball coaching, focusing on serving techniques and strategies. They emphasize the importance of float serves, the need for players to track their serving stats, and the mental and physical preparation required for effective serving. The conversation also touches on the social-emotional aspects of serving, linking practice to game scenarios...

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis and Tod discuss the Triple Crown tournament, emphasizing the emotional investment coaches have in their teams. They delve into skill development, focusing on attacking choices, shot access, and situational awareness. The conversation also addresses team culture issues, offering actionable strategies for coaches to improve their team's dynamics an...

In this episode of The 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 high...

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 randomn...