Sideline Strategy: A Volleyball Podcast - Presented by JVA

What does it really take to inspire young athletes and keep them growing beyond the game?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anitra Brockman, coach, educator, and former head coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, to talk about mentorship, leadership, and building athletes from the inside out.With more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience, Dr. Brockman shares why coaching is bigger than wins and losses. From creating trust with athletes to developing leadership skills and navigating adversity, this conversation is packed with real insight for coaches, parents, and anyone invested in youth sports.In this episode, we cover:🏐 Why mentorship matters in athlete development🏐 How to build trust and open communication with players🏐 The importance of individualized coaching over one-size-fits-all methods🏐 Teaching leadership, resilience, and conflict management🏐 How passion for the game can shape the next generationWhether you’re coaching your first team or leading at the highest level, this episode is a reminder that the best coaches don’t just build athletes—they build people.#Volleyball #Coaching #YouthSports #Leadership #Mentorship #AthleteDevelopment

In this episode, Alivia Orvieto shares her inspiring journey from college volleyball star to founder of Sandblazers Beach Volleyball and her efforts to grow the sport in Pennsylvania. Discover her insights on coaching, building a community, and balancing business and sport.00:00 Alivia's College Volleyball and Entrepreneurship00:30 Joining JVA and Resources for Coaches04:21 Alivia's Volleyball Journey and Love for Beach Volleyball07:02 Transition from Indoor to Beach Volleyball10:11 Starting Sandblazers Beach Volleyball13:50 Favorite Aspects of Coaching and Community Impact16:56 Challenges and Strategies in Youth Volleyball Programs18:47 Future Plans and Growth of SandblazersFor more junior volleyball education visit www.jvavolleyball.org

Professional volleyball player Ifenna Cos-Okpalla shares her journey from high school to pro, her training, leadership, and insights into the sport. Discover her tips for aspiring athletes, her experiences in college and professional volleyball, and her advice on staying true to oneself.

In this episode, Taye Im, Owner and Director of Team One Volleyball, shares insights on hybrid volleyball training, recruiting strategies, and fostering a positive club culture. Discover how to balance indoor and beach volleyball development, avoid common recruiting mistakes, and create a supportive environment for young athletes.

Join us as Taylor McColskey, a seasoned volleyball coach with 14 years of Division I experience, shares insights on coaching, recruiting, and balancing life and career. Discover practical advice on athlete development, the college recruiting process, and the evolving landscape of volleyball coaching.

Casey Jennings, former professional volleyball player and coach, shares his path from growing up in a large family in Las Vegas to building a career at the highest levels of the sport. He discusses his early exposure to sports, his transition to volleyball, and his collegiate career at BYU. Casey reflects on his professional playing experience and the lessons that shaped his approach to leadership and development.He also discusses founding Lake Tahoe Volleyball Academy and J5 Beach Volleyball Club, with a clear focus on long-term athlete development. Casey emphasizes the value of multi-sport participation, strong fundamentals, and the mental side of coaching. Throughout the conversation, he offers practical insight for coaches and club owners, reinforcing the importance of developing young athletes, creating positive environments, and keeping the joy of the game at the center of the experience.

Hear from Head Coach & Vice President of Volleyball Operations at Major League Volleyball's Orlando Valkyries. Amy Pauly discusses her leadership role, as well as relives her memories as a young volleyball athlete.

Rodrigo Gomes isn’t just a coach. He’s a builder. The founder of The Volleyball Academy, Rodrigo turned his vision for youth volleyball into one of the most forward-thinking programs in the game, introducing kids as young as three to the sport we all love.A former pro and collegiate athlete, Rodrigo brings decades of experience, energy, and purpose to everything he does. His mission? To make volleyball more accessible, more inspiring, and more fun for every athlete who walks through the door.For over 20 years, he’s been driving the growth of the game, here in the U.S. and around the world, proving that the future of volleyball starts with opportunity, passion, and a whole lot of heart.Listen to this week's episode of Sideline Strategy to hear about his new program!

In this episode of Sideline Strategy, we dive into the critical role of strength training in volleyball with Peter Christofferson, head of athletic performance at T3 Performance. Discover how tailored strength and conditioning programs can prevent overuse injuries, enhance performance, and support athletes through the demanding transitions between club and high school seasons. Peter shares insights on building a strong foundation for volleyball athletes, emphasizing the importance of communication between coaches and players to maintain health and performance. Tune in to learn how to maximize training benefits while keeping the game fun and engaging.

In this week's episode, David Morris (Educator and Author of the book: Student Athletes Control Your Own Destiny) speaks about helping coaches and parents navigate the world of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) to best guide their volleyball athletes.

This week's episode of Sideline Strategy features three Division I beach volleyball coaches as they discuss five ways clubs and coaches can prepare and train the junior beach athlete for an elite or college level.

In this week's episode, Tod Mattox (Author, Educator, and Head Coach at The Bishop's School) speaks about his new educational resource for volleyball coaches and the coaching philosophies he learned while writing it. Reach out to Tod Mattox at vbBookOfLists@gmail.com to get your copy or find it on Amazon!

Hear from Team Pineapple High Performance Co-Founders Lloy Ball and Will Robbins as they discuss the decision behind creating a High Performance team, the benefits of youth volleyball, and some of their philosophies.