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USA Volleyball Education is focused on improving developmental and educational opportunities across the sport of volleyball from grassroots to the national team level. Our goal is to provide the opportunity to access, complete and apply high-quality information and methods in the technical, tactical, physical and emotional aspects of the game for athletes and coaches while providing training, support and resources for other key stakeholders including officials, parents and clubs.
For years, the focus of volleyball in many areas and across various levels shifted to a mindset of winning at all costs.
What we now know is that the most successful teams in the world have developed a model of training and a culture that supports a holistic approach to athlete development which not only sets them up for competitive success on the court, but values and emphasizes the important of athlete health, well-being and long-term involvement in the sport.
The USA Volleyball Development Model was created based on the idea that volleyball in the U.S. could be taught differently, resulting in long-lasting positive outcomes across all measures of performance while keeping kids involved and loving the game longer.
The five pillars of the USA Volleyball Development model provide the basis for a holistic approach to the core elements that are vital to supporting development at every level and across age groups.
USA Volleyball Education is committed to providing support for the volleyball community with a role-based approach to education and training. Whether you’re planning practices, cheering from the stands or making the right call, we provide the tools and resources to help you succeed.
USA Volleyball partner Sports Imports has provided USA Volleyball coaches with drills for use with their Trainer+ and The Vertec.
Having a tried-and-true nutrition plan ensures that the energy needed to achieve peak performance is there.
Understand the powerful importance of creating a healthy culture in a program.
Beach volleyball competitions can be held on a natural beach so long as the beach is level and the sand is at least nine inches deep and free from rocks, gravel and other hazardous objects.
Ownership of the program by the players makes them responsible for the expectations and standards and therefore has the potential to make the program stronger
Playing to gain experiences and opportunities to excel
Keep parents and players coming back for more with these important tips.
The coach you choose can determine whether a child will continue to play or can have a negative impact on their skill development
Lost a friend last month, who impacted so many, without being a coach – just by being damn good at what he did, officiate. Players around the world held a moment of silence. We had set up skiing plans for this season, and enjoyed a great Rio Paralympics together – after he was done being a great Rio Beach Olympic referee.
Sometimes, a little reminder is the push you need to keep trying.
For more than 40 years, one of the first things I say to new teams and summer camp players is just that: “I want to see mistakes out here on the court.”
Consequences and punishment are so prevalent in our sport and this blog explores why. It also talks about how outcome, winning and losing, is "punishment" enough to continue to drive the desire to get better.
Learning about volleyball in school does not have to involve waiting in line to get one chance to pass the ball. Find out about the news STEM kit created by USAV and the Huddle Group.
Years ago, having played some myself, it was easy to say “yes” to coaching my daughter’s 7th grade recreational volleyball team. My twisted logic told me, “I’ve played for years. These are young kids. How hard can this be?” So began my coaching career.
USAV Director of Development John Kessel looks at the use of physical punishment in volleyball.
In today's Youth sports world parents are starting to fear free things are not as good or adequate and are opting to continue to spend more and more rather than just letting kids play.
IMPACT training provides a long list scrimmage scoring options. Some coaches mistakenly read this as “all you do is play games” with supposedly no focus on technical skills. The assumption is, since it is not a coach controlled training environment, it must not be technical.
After nearly 40 years of spending time coaching 12U, I though it might be of value to share some of the best ways to grow the game, which should start at this 6-12 year-old age group level.
This year marks my 40th year of coaching youth volleyball, which I define as 12 and under. The last few years I have seen growth in this area, but far too much of it simply is adults coaching the adult 6 vs 6 game to little kids.
