Find the Resources you need to succeed.

Girls celebrating winUSA 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.


USA Volleyball Development Model

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.

USA Volleyball Development Model

Know Better, Do Better

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.

  • Craft: Mastering the skills and strategies of our game
  • Heart: Becoming your best self through connection, gratitude and emotional well-being
  • Mind: Training our minds to maximize performance
  • Body: Developing the physical capacity to train and compete at the highest level
  • Team: Building a culture of excellence that honors ourselves, our team, our game and our country

Role-Based Education

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.

Coach Education

Athlete Education

Parent Education

Officials Education

Club Director Education

Drills for Sports Imports Volleyball Trainer+ and The Vertec

USA Volleyball partner Sports Imports has provided USA Volleyball coaches with drills for use with their Trainer+ and The Vertec.

Read More
Sports Imports

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December 15, 2015

Summer Volleyball Camp Selection

Many players would benefit from attending a summer volleyball camp. These are generally fun and a chance to learn a great deal in an intense, brief time.

December 12, 2015

My Favorite Player

After 30-plus years of coaching in this great sport, I think it is time to tell you who my favorite player is. Every coach has one, you see, and I am no different.

December 12, 2015

Volleyball Fun for Youth

Great ideas to make volleyball fun for kids.

July 12, 2015

Volleyball After High School

Many younger players might not know of the myriad ways to get even better at volleyball while also helping grow the game.

June 12, 2015

Suggested Volleyball Reading

A list of books to help you improve

March 30, 2015

You are Paying for Practice, Not Playing

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.

March 10, 2015

Beyond the Water Break

Good hydration meals paying attention to how much water you drink off the court too

January 14, 2015

Divergent and Juxtaposition Thinking

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.

January 4, 2015

Five Recruiting Tips

Recruiting tips from former athletes and NCAA coaches

December 27, 2014

The Underrated Vitamin

Vitamin D, learn more about the vitamin that helps calcium absorption and bone health

December 18, 2014

Do super foods make you super?

A look at 10 super foods that are good for volleyball athletes

September 19, 2014

Ten Tips for Fans at a Beach Volleyball Event

Brooke Sweat and Lauren Fendrick give fans beach tips

June 23, 2014

Please Know What Marfan Syndrome Is…

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.

March 5, 2014

Serving the Ideal Diet for Training, Competition and Recovery

Evaluating your diet based on your current performance stage

January 13, 2014

The case for carbs

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 –...

May 7, 2013

Stats for Players and Parents

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.

November 19, 2011

I Love to Watch You Play

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.

February 23, 2011

Stats for Parents and Players

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.

February 9, 2011

The 7 Speeds of Volleyball

The concept of 7-speeds is based on the work of soccer researcher and author Jurgen Weineck.

December 9, 2010

Kessel’s Best Movies for Team Viewing

A personal list of movies, in no particular order, that might be great for team bonding and inspiration.

November 20, 2009

May We Please Leave a Court Up?

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.