Resources for
Follow USAVolleyball
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.
While there is nothing wrong with an athlete embracing their identity as a player on the volleyball court, the inevitability of sport is that their competitive career may have “intermissions” (i.e., injury, illness) and will eventually end. How can you, as a guardian to your young athlete, help them ease this transition? You can start NOW, in their youth playing career, by encouraging the development of a multidimensional identity.
College recruiting preparation can be a daunting task, but don’t fret! Here are five college recruiting tips that can help both boys and girls volleyball athletes.
Busy lives for caregivers and volleyball athletes can make healthy meal prep seem impossible. But it's possible to add more whole foods to breakfast, lunch and dinner—and skip the fast-food stops after practice—with a bit of meal prep and some simple changes to avoid a fridge full of rotted veggies every week.
If your athlete has a bad competition, game or practice, it can lead to a tense car ride home. Often, caregivers are well-meaning in their efforts to soothe grumpy athletes with advice and reassurances. Unfortunately, we often end up creating a more stressful, angst-filled situation in our attempts to help our athletes.
In youth sports, parents and caregivers are often tasked with providing team snacks for everyone at least once during the season. Deciding what to bring can be stressful—and it can be expensive, depending on what you choose!
If you often find yourself having arguments with your athlete about things like getting to practice on time, an unfair coach or referee, or what your athlete could have done better after a bad game, there are some simple ways to improve your style when it comes to dealing with conflict.
Appetite can be a tricky thing: Sometimes, after the hardest efforts or longest practices, your athlete may simply not feel hungry. This is normal—but if it becomes a regular occurrence, it can be a cause for concern. While hunger cues are generally important and should be respected, in situations like these, it’s important to help your athlete find a way to replenish their body after a hard volleyball practice or competition.
Dealing with a resistant athlete can be frustrating for any caregiver. But often, the reason for an athlete’s resistance may be more nuanced or valid than we realize.
TrueSport Expert Kristen Ziesmer, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, shares a few simple ways to drop your grocery budget this week without sacrificing nutrition for you volleyball athletes.
Concussion research is a rapidly evolving field, and over the past several years, there have been a lot of changes in recommendations regarding concussions and their treatment. Newer research shows that some prior recommendations, including prolonged periods of rest, were not helpful for recovery.
TrueSport Expert Kristen Ziesmer, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, shares a few surprising tips and tricks to speed up meal time by meal prepping and making smart menus that provide variety and flavor without hours in the oven.
TrueSport Expert and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Melissa Streno shares some of the most common ‘red’ and ‘yellow’ flag behaviors when it comes to young athletes and body image. Keep in mind that yellow flag behaviors should be taken as seriously as red flag ones.
How can a volleyball player position oneself for meaningful NIL opportunities? Spending time making a plan before becoming a time-strapped college athlete is a great place to start! Ready to jump in? Let’s go.
If you’re a busy parent, dump and go meals should be your best friend when it comes to getting nutritious, filling and even budget-friendly meals ready in minutes. The concept is simple: You dump your ingredients together, hit a few buttons, and come home to a just-about-ready-to-serve gourmet meal. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and a pressure cooker or a slow cooker.
For most, participating in NIL is not a handout but rather a part-time job. It requires dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of research, strategic planning and outreach to be successful. Thus far, the most successful non high-profile athletes have taken the initiative in creating NIL deals for themselves.
Talking about nutrition, especially to young athletes, can feel difficult. Your word choice can make a big difference, and even the most casual conversations can have lasting impacts on your athletes.
TrueSport Experts Kevin Chapman, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of The Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, and Nadia Kyba, MSW, the president of Now What Facilitation, share a few important ways that you can help athletes navigate traumatic times and become better prepared for moments like these.
What does NIL really mean and why does it matter? In legal language, name, image, and likeness make up the three pieces of one’s “right to publicity." Michelle Meyer of the NIL Network shares the basics to understanding what NIL means for athletes.
Noodle bowls are one of the most versatile options that busy parents can make to keep athletes well-fed and properly fueled—and most noodle bowls can be repurposed into leftovers for lunch or tweaked into entirely new meals for the next night!
TrueSport Expert Amanda Stanec, PhD, the founder and owner of MOVE + LIVE + LEARN, explains how you can observe behavior in the stands and help move it in a more positive direction when it comes to these three common sideline performances.
USA Volleyball nutritionists Shawn Hueglin, Emily Barnhart and Brooke Wyatt share four holiday recipes that are tasty and healthy!
