The VolleyPod presented by The Art of Coaching Volleyball

Initiations This or That, Fascinating Ball Control Games for Every Team, and Cameron Performance

Jan 30, 2026
Hosts reflect on their journey and new community options. They unpack deliberate initiations to train decision-making and pressure passers with targeted tosses. They share inventive ball-control games that keep players engaged. They spotlight drills for digs, one-arm defenses, block-coverage work, and serving strategies that challenge vision. A volleyball performance resource is also highlighted.
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ANECDOTE

Practice Visit Sparked 'Initiations' Topic

  • Tod Mattox visited Davis's practice and praised the team's vibe, over-the-net work, and big hitting arms.
  • He used that visit to craft the 'initiations' skill segment from observed needs.
ADVICE

Use 'Virus' Plays To Train Net-Recovery

  • Introduce 'virus' initiations: intentional bad digs (high into net or low) to force front‑row and back‑row setters and blockers to practice joust, one‑hand options, or low recoveries.
  • Enforce rules like 'take it high or low, not medium' and require low recoveries on one knee to prevent lazy net plays.
ADVICE

Use Serving To Target The Stack

  • Serve into or over a stack to disrupt passers' vision and force servers to target pressure zones near the stack.
  • Alternate these starts so passers and vision-dependent defenders practice handling occlusion and heavy serves.
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