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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.
Many younger players might not know of the myriad ways to get even better at volleyball while also helping grow the game.
So the glow of your child being chosen to play for a club, perhaps even the experience of having to choose between multiple clubs and not cut, has faded. In the heart of the season, coaches begin making decisions on playing time based on what they have seen in practices and tournaments.
Good hydration meals paying attention to how much water you drink off the court too
One of the topics in my clinics is working on getting our sport families to think divergently – where it is not just “this OR that” but “this AND that.
Vitamin D, learn more about the vitamin that helps calcium absorption and bone health
A look at 10 super foods that are good for volleyball athletes
Brooke Sweat and Lauren Fendrick give fans beach tips
If you come to visit us at USA Volleyball’s offices in Colorado Springs (please do!), and I am in town I will take you on a tour. One of the first stops, after the “Gold Room” where all staff meetings are held surrounded by pictures of all the US Olympic gold medal teams to date, beach and indoor, is this corner by CEO Doug Beal’s office. It is one of several statues commissioned in honor of 1984 Olympic silver medalist Flo Hyman.
Evaluating your diet based on your current performance stage
Originally published in VolleyballUSA, Winter 2010-11 issue. I can’t tell you how often I hear athletes say they’re going to cut carbs in their diet because they want to drop a few pounds. The strategy goes something like this: Scrambled eggs for breakfast without toast, water during practice, grilled chicked and veggies for dinner –...
Skill performance will ebb and flow, with 50 percent of the time being spent in below average performance for each player. Practice is for RAISING each player’s personal average.
As my last child winds her way through that last year of high school, somehow juggling five AP classes, two varsity sports with captains practices and road trips, peer counseling, friendships that have endured 3/4th her life on this remarkable planet….I keep thinking on how much I am going to miss watching her play. That has always been my line to the kids after their competitions. I love to watch you play, for it is true, and because it stops the coach in me from coaching, and gives them the chance to talk about what they might want to discuss about that contest, and even practice, if anything.
I oft speak of the impact a Discover magazine article long ago had on me, on how we are fooled by randomness, in helping me be a better parent and coach.
The concept of 7-speeds is based on the work of soccer researcher and author Jurgen Weineck.
A personal list of movies, in no particular order, that might be great for team bonding and inspiration.
Over 20 years ago I was working with the University of Colorado program, working with several club teams to merge them into a single varsity program.
Tryouts can bring out our deep fears, as the talent pyramid begins its inexorable narrowing. From six elementary schools teams, to a couple or so junior high 7th grade teams.
Aaron Brock MS, ATC, PESDirector of Sports Medicine and Performance to the U.S. National TeamsUSA Men’s Olympic Volleyball TeamE-Mail: aaron.brock@usav.org If you haven’t given nutrition much thought, you may want to start… now! Research clearly demonstrates the beneficial effects of optimal nutrition on athletic performance. While many factors need to be considered when discussing an...
This is one of my favorite "words" ever, and given the economic situation impacting us all, leads us into the reason for this grow the game set of options - for I see things as now here, never nowhere.
