The VBSC Podcast

In this episode, host Greg Herceg is joined by coaches Sarah, Dion, and Gerry to dive deep into the mental struggles that adult volleyball players face — from recreational players to those still competing at a high level. The coaches discuss: The "defeated mindset" — how adult athletes often compare their current abilities to their younger selves, and how to reshape that perspective around present-day goals Non-linear progress — why getting worse before getting better is a natural and necessary part of skill development (using footwork changes as a real-world example) Limiting beliefs — how the mental ceiling athletes place on themselves holds them back, and why fighting for your limitations means keeping them "I'm not a pro, so I don't deserve this" — breaking down the barrier that prevents recreational players from investing in their own development The Rule of Thirds — a framework for accepting that bad training days are normal and expected The 80/20 rule for adult athletes — why perfection isn't the goal, and how to balance volleyball, lifting, nutrition, work, and family without burning out The episode wraps with a real client story about how playing less volleyball actually led to playing the best volleyball of her life.

In this special joint episode of the VBSC Podcast, host and Volleyball Strength Coach Greg Herceg teams up with professional beach volleyball player and 2024 Paris Olympian Miles Partain for an in-depth conversation about the science and strategy behind training for volleyball performance. Greg and Miles dive into one of the most underexplored topics in volleyball: the difference between muscular and elastic athletes — and why training one type like the other can actually hurt performance. Miles shares his own journey of discovering he's a highly elastic jumper with a remarkable 25-inch gap between his standing and approach jumps, and how understanding that has completely reshaped how he trains. The conversation covers the real cost of heavy sand jumping on tendon elasticity, how to think about weekly jump volume the same way baseball tracks pitch counts, and why Miles believes reducing his practice load — not increasing it — is the key to qualifying for the next Olympics. Greg breaks down his triphasic training philosophy, explaining how athletes should move from general to specific training across an off-season, and how to keep progressing when there essentially is no off-season. They also tackle the nuances of squat depth and progression, the surprisingly limited role of arm isolation work for volleyball athletes, and the importance of eliminating weak links — from ankles to wrists — before they become the thing that holds you back. Whether you're a recreational player, a club athlete, or a professional looking to stay competitive deep into a long season, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply to your own training immediately.

In this solo episode, host Greg Herceg — the Volleyball Strength Coach — gets personal, sharing three of his own injury stories and the hard-won lessons he took from each one. Greg walks through his first calf tear in 2019, how he underestimated it, rushed back too soon, and paid the price. He then recounts a second, more serious calf tear in 2021 that hit him like an existential crisis — after two years of doing "everything right," he tore his other calf while sprinting. Finally, he shares a recent back injury that started small but snowballed because he didn't respect the warning signs. Along the way, Greg breaks down his core injury philosophy: Don't do anything that hurts — but do everything you can that doesn't hurt Take injuries seriously and confirm you're truly ready before returning to play Watch for spikes in volume and intensity — that's where most injuries happen Greg also addresses the mental side of injury recovery: the frustration, the self-doubt, and the importance of staying focused on what you can learn and control. Whether you're currently sidelined or just trying to stay healthy, this episode is packed with practical perspective from a coach who's been through it himself.

Greg Herceg (the Volleyball Strength Coach) is joined by coaches Dion, Cece, and Sarah for a deep dive into what makes training adult volleyball players (25+) fundamentally different from training high school and college athletes. The crew covers five key areas: Scheduling & Programming — Adult players can't rely on a built-in gym schedule the way college athletes can. That's why the VBSC team favors upper/lower splits over traditional full-body programs, giving clients the flexibility to train around work, kids, and life. Exercise Selection — Younger athletes need to master bodyweight movement first; adults generally come in with more training experience but need programs tailored to their individual history and starting point. Compliance & Motivation — High schoolers struggle with access and drive; college athletes are required to lift. Adult clients are self-motivated and invested — but removing barriers (gym fit, scheduling, the "why") is critical to keeping them consistent. Recovery — Recovery capacity declines with age, so volume and workout duration need to be managed carefully. Less is often more — a one-hour session that gets done beats a 90-minute session that burns clients out. Seasonality — Most adult players don't have a true off-season, so the team helps clients identify their peak performance window and builds a periodization plan around it — even if that means having a tough conversation about playing a little less volleyball. The VBSC Podcast is dedicated to volleyball strength & conditioning for adult players. New episodes weekly.

In this episode, Greg Herceg and his coaching team reveal the behind-the-scenes of their first six-week client transformation, exploring what worked, what didn’t, and how they plan to take these lessons forward. From harnessing competitive spirit to enhancing accountability, learn the strategies that helped clients lose pounds, build discipline, and stay engaged—often handing them a newfound confidence that lasts beyond the challenge. You'll discover: The power of community and friendly competition in driving results How consistency in nutrition leads to game-changing fat loss, even without extreme calorie cuts Practical ways to keep motivation high mid-challenge—pointers you can use today The importance of aligning coaching protocols with goals for sustainable success Insights on transitioning clients from short-term wins to long-term habits Whether you're a coach looking to run your own challenges or someone seeking a proven blueprint to ignite your progress, this episode is packed with actionable tactics to accelerate results. If you’ve ever wondered how a focused, community-driven approach could unlock your or your clients’ potential, this is your blueprint. Plus, get a sneak peek into the upcoming paid challenge, designed to motivate, energize, and deliver results for anyone serious about transformation. Perfect for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and coaches alike. Tap into the secret ingredients that made this experiment a success and learn how to foster real change that sticks. Ready to level up your coaching game or kickstart your personal transformation? Hit play now—this episode is your shortcut to sustainable progress and motivation that keeps going long after the challenge ends. [Note: The episode features insights from Greg Herceg and his coaching team, who share real client results and actionable strategies for running effective, engaging challenges that produce lasting change.]

Unlock the secret to jumping higher and hitting harder — without complicated science or endless reps. Whether you're an aspiring volleyball player or a coach looking to elevate your training game, this episode reveals simple, proven strategies to boost power and speed fast. Greg Hersig, aka the Volleyball Strength Coach, shares his 23-year journey from playing ball at 12 to coaching athletes at the collegiate level. He breaks down the biggest lessons he's learned — like the importance of force production and power-to-weight ratio — in a way that's easy to grasp and apply. Discover how foundational exercises, proper technique, and a focus on strength and speed can turn you into a more explosive athlete in record time. You'll discover: The key elements that make up power in volleyball — force, speed, and technique — and how to train them effectively The truth about body weight, muscle strength, and how to optimize your power-to-weight ratio for maximum jump height Why pulling bits from different training styles can create a more versatile and effective approach Practical, science-backed tips for applying this knowledge to your own training, whether you want to dunk higher or smash harder The critical mindset shifts that help players and coaches avoid common pitfalls and see real progress Don’t risk stagnation by sticking to outdated methods. This episode equips you with the core principles needed to level up your explosive power — all in an accessible, straightforward way. Perfect for athletes, trainers, and coaches committed to making real gains fast. Plus, Greg dives into his personal story of making it from a late recruit to an all-conference college player, emphasizing that understanding and applying these fundamentals is a game-changer at any level. Tune in if you're ready to ditch guesswork and unlock your true jumping potential. Whether you're hitting the gym or on the court, these insights will revolutionize your approach to training and performance. Hit play now and start jumping higher today.

Unlock the training secrets that took a volleyball coach from plateau to peak performance — and how you can apply them today. Whether you're a competitive athlete or just love the game, discover the innovative strategies that are driving real results for volleyball players over 25. In this episode, Greg and his coaching team peel back the curtain on the game-changing system they've refined for adult volleyball athletes. They reveal how extending training phases, leveraging triphasic principles, and mastering tempo training can accelerate strength gains and reduce injury risk. Coach Dion shares how triphasic training helped him overcome tendinopathy and shatter his previous strength limits, while Coach Cece emphasizes the importance of customizing progressions for faster results. Coach Sarah dives into the fun and measurable elements of this approach—making gains exciting again. You'll discover: The core principles behind triphasic training and why the timing of each phase matters How tempo training creates new pathways for strength and injury prevention Why longer training phases lead to better, more consistent gains Practical tweaks, like overload eccentric exercises and fast eccentrics, that transfer directly onto the court How to adapt high-level athlete training strategies for everyday volleyball players Without these insights, you're risking stagnation, plateaus, and missed opportunities to elevate your game. This is your chance to unlock breakthrough results with proven methods that elevate both performance and longevity. Perfect for adult volleyball players, coaches, or fitness enthusiasts eager to push past limits—this episode provides no-nonsense tactics you can implement today. Whether you're stuck in a plateau or hungry for new gains, these ideas will reshape your training mindset—and your results. Join us for insider tips that bring high-level training down to earth, making the impossible possible for volleyball players of all levels. Hit play now and start your transformation.