Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox

The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball

Sports EN ↓ 211 episodes

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 VolleyPod!

Author

Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox

Category

Sports

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Training in Pairs: Differential Learning Ideas, When Your Team is Losing, and Think Again 31.01.2025

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 ad...

Teaching Blocking To Young Players, Keeping the Big Things Big, and TedTalks 24.01.2025

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 resour...

In The Lab with Sean Thomas: Analogies for Passing 17.01.2025

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 conversati...

Ace Prevention for Young Teams, Train to Win or Train to Develop? and Mathew Houlihan 10.01.2025

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 highlig...

Training Pursuit, Creative Subbing Plans for Bigger Teams, and Tod's New Book 03.01.2025

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...

Innovative Techniques from the AVCA Convention 20.12.2024

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 touche...

Tod's New Book: The Volleyball Coach's Book of Lists 13.12.2024

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 pla...

Framing and Reframing, When Your Team Just Isn't Getting It, and Zdenek Hanik 06.12.2024

In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis discuss the essential elements of coaching, focusing on the importance of framing experiences for players, building a strong team culture, and utilizing technology to enhance coaching effectiveness. They explore various strategies for improving player development and understanding the challenges young athletes face. The conversation also highlights...

Yo-Yo Serving Games, Coaches' Self Evaluation, and The Founders' Book 30.11.2024

In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis reflect on their recent volleyball seasons, discussing the importance of continuous improvement in coaching and player development. They delve into innovative serving strategies, including the 'yo-yo' effect and the 'two bouncer' serve, emphasizing the need for variety in serving techniques. The conversation also highlights engaging games for servi...

Russ Rose, John Dunning, and Terry Liskevych and Their New Book, Learn From the Legends 22.11.2024

In this episode of The Volley Pod , hosts Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox engage with legendary volleyball coaches: Russ Rose, John Dunning, and Terry Liskevych. They discuss the coaches' new book, Learn From the Legends , which outlines 53 keys to better volleyball coaching. The conversation covers the origins of the book, the importance of diverse coaching perspectives, effective practice planning,...

At Home Playlist, 7 Mistakes Coaches Make in the Playoffs, and TorqVB 15.11.2024

In this episode of The VolleyPod we discuss innovative coaching strategies for youth volleyball, emphasizing the importance of play over work. We introduce the concept of 'home play' as a way to encourage skill development outside of practice. The conversation covers various movement techniques, practice strategies, and common coaching mistakes during playoffs, highlighting the need for adaptabili...

Setting for beginners with just a ball and a wall, Preparing to play a team a second time, and Rob Gray's new book 01.11.2024

Setting for beginners with just a ball and a wall, Preparing to play a team a second time, and Rob Gray's new book Our spookiest episode yet! Coming out October 31st! In this episode of The VolleyPod , hosts Tod and Davis discuss the excitement surrounding the high school volleyball season as it approaches playoffs, and the upcoming club season. They delve into coaching techniques, particularly fo...

Hall of Fame Coach Peter Ogle on How and Why To Work Hard 25.10.2024

In this episode of The VolleyPod, hosts Todd and David engage with legendary coach Peter Ogle, discussing the intricacies of volleyball coaching. They explore the importance of hard work, mindfulness in practice, overcoming personal roadblocks, and the mental aspects of performance. Ogle shares insights from his 41 years of coaching experience, emphasizing the joy of improvement and the significan...

Improving hitting efficiency for hitters who don't have heat, Recover like a champion, and The MarcPro 18.10.2024

In this episode of The VolleyPod , the hosts discuss various strategies for improving attacking efficiency in volleyball, particularly for hitters who may not have a powerful arm. They emphasize the importance of understanding one's identity as a player, making good decisions, and adjusting techniques to enhance performance. The conversation also covers the significance of recovery in sports, intr...

The Parent Pod 11.10.2024

The Parent Pod In this episode of The VolleyPod , the hosts discuss essential topics for parents involved in youth volleyball. They cover: communication strategies, the importance of schedules, coaching philosophies, and the dynamics between parents, coaches, and players. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear expectations regarding playing time, skill development, and the overall role of...

Coaching in reality, When my team gets down they stay down, and Anti-Fragile 03.10.2024

In this episode of The VolleyPod, the hosts discuss various aspects of coaching volleyball, focusing on common mistakes coaches make, the importance of resilience in teams, and how to create a fun and competitive practice environment. They emphasize the need for flexibility in coaching rules, the significance of competition in practice, and the necessity of connecting resilience to team values. Th...

The 46 Challenge Drill, The Tether Method for out of system play, and The Captain Class 26.09.2024

In this episode of The Volley Pod , Tod and Davis start with briefly discussing their experiences in the Coastal Conference, focusing on the competitive nature of the league. They introduce the '46 Challenge' drill aimed at improving both offensive and defensive skills in volleyball. The conversation then shifts to the 'Tether Method,' a technique for enhancing out-of-system play,...

Training responding in your athletes, My team doesn't move their feet and balls are dropping, and The Out of Rotation Podcast 20.09.2024

In this conversation, the hosts, Davis Ransom and Tod Mattox, discuss the importance of training athletes to respond effectively in various situations. They emphasize the need for coaches' words to extend beyond the present moment and for athletes to take action based on the feedback they receive. The hosts provide strategies for teaching athletes to choose their behaviors consciously and to m...

Feedback 101: Finding Your Coaching Voice, Before club tryouts, and How To Change 13.09.2024

In this conversation, Todd and David discuss the importance of giving meaningful feedback to players and establishing a coaching voice. They provide specific tips for individual coaching and catching players doing things right. They also discuss the process of selecting players for a club team, considering factors such as goals, playing time, parents, and team style. They emphasize the importance...

Beth Van Fleet on blocking, How Georgia State Beach selects partners, and Jeff Jansen's workbooks 30.08.2024

Beth Van Fleet, a beach volleyball coach at Georgia State, joins The VolleyPod and shares her insights on teaching blocking techniques. She emphasizes creating hesitation in the attacker's mind through route, depth, timing, and hands. She uses visual cues, such as focusing on the attacker's hips and getting hands above the net, to improve timing. Feedback for blockers includes using video...

Itsy-bitsy Ideas for improvement, A no-nonsense way of standing out at tryouts, and Jordan Larson shows her character in Volleyball Magazine 23.08.2024

In this conversation, Davis and Todd discuss various skills and drills that can be incorporated into volleyball practices. They cover topics such as drop kicks, spin setting, defensive pairs, long distance thumb flicks, Karch's slow pepper, threes juggle, HOCs (hold and cover), offensive shots, serving third tempo pairs, and more. They also provide tips on the scenario: how to stand out during...

Early Season Priorities, The Olympics part 3, and Finding Mastery 16.08.2024

Summary In this conversation, Davis and Tod discuss the priorities for the beginning of the volleyball season. They emphasize the importance of serving tough and preventing aces, as well as finding reliable passers. They also highlight the need for strong hitters who can hit the ball with topspin and a right front blocker who can stop or touch the ball. They then shift their focus to the Olympics,...

Talking less, The Olympics part 2, and Dan Meske on Instagram 09.08.2024

In this conversation, Davis, Sean, and Todd discuss various topics related to coaching volleyball. They focus on the skill of talking less and letting players play more, providing tips for planning ahead, using visual aids, and using the environment to provide feedback. They also discuss the use of keywords, giving feedback on the fly, and creating activities and games that allow for individual fe...

Sean Thomas on malleability in passing, what to check out from The Olympics, and HowStuffWorks.com 02.08.2024

Sean Thomas on malleability in passing, what to check out from The Olympics, and HowStuffWorks.com https://store.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/middle-school-prep-clinic-24/ Skill: Malleability in passing Scenario: What to check out from The Olympics Resource: HowStuffWorks.com https://www.howstuffworks.com/

Making Camp Great, Evaluating Your Practice Plan, and John Kessel USA Volleyball 6 on 6 Games 26.07.2024

Making Camp Great, Evaluating Your Practice Plan, and John Kessel USA Volleyball 6 on 6 Games Skill: Making camps fun and effective Scenario: How to evaluate your practice The Art of Coaching Volleyball videos we focused on this week: https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/camp-warm-up-ship-to-shore/ https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/serving-games-for-youth-camp/ https://www.theartofc...

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