Preventing burn-out is not easy on the juniors volleyball circuit. There are a lot of underlying pressures to keep a girl playing. To prevent burn-out, your child’s volleyball goal must be identified (and this needs to be your child’s goal, not a parent’s wish for a child). Continue Reading

At the AVCA Convention in Tampa, the WNVA was announced.  A professional volleyball league in the United States based around a  reality show.  Ron Deshay, Executive Producer of American Idol is passionate about volleyball and about this opportunity.  His passion gives this league a legitimate shot at working out!

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I am amazed at the reach of my blog and the people I have met while writing about my passion.  It’s great to be surrounded by and learn about others with the same passion.

I received a call from Lynn Ray Boren, Head Coach of the USA  Deaf Women’s Volleyball Team, to offer a compliment of my blog.  For this small bit of attention, I am grateful.  Of course we started talking about volleyball (via a “relay operator”) and realized how small the world of volleyball is.  When I played at Arizona State University, our arch rival, the Continue Reading

TV Schedule of the USA Volleyball Gold Medal team (not all the same players from that team) in World League competition on ESPN. Continue Reading

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This article also covers college volleyball programs and upper level club volleyball programs.

What are we in the High Performance Program looking for in
National-Level Volleyball Athletes?

-    Collin Powers, USA Volleyball Manager of High Performance Program

Listed below is a general discussion of the characteristics we in the High Performance Program are looking for (and hope to develop) in National Level Volleyball Athletes.
These characterizations are not an exact science and their application may mean different
things to different age groups, types of players and positions. Continue Reading

Doug Beal at the USAV Annual Meeting

USA Volleyball held its annual meeting just prior to the USAV Open Nationals.  In the meeting Reid Priddy presented on the importance of a professional league in the United States, “We began to lay the foundation to discuss the creation of a U.S.-based indoor professional league for Continue Reading

The original purpose of the volleyball libero was to provide a more exciting game overall through better passing and defense. The thought was that tall players have more difficulty with ball control and smaller players are quicker, more agile, and can play better court defense. The irony is that I have overheard coaches say Continue Reading

Last night, at the USAV Open Nationals here in Minneapolis, Team Paul Mitchell defeated Team BC 3 – 0 in the finals to win the Men’s Championship.  This is a three-peat for Team Paul Mitchell.  On the women’s side, the University of Washington defeated USA’s A2 Blue Team, 3 – 0.  Proving that a good team with chemistry, a team system, and a Continue Reading

It just so happens that my new pad is about 4 blocks from the Minneapolis Convention Center.  And it just so happens that USAV Open Nationals, Adult Volleyball Tournament are at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  As most of America spent their Memorial Day Weekend soaking up some sun on a lake, at the beach, or at a park, I spent a good portion of mine, willingly, in a convention center.  As I’ve posted before in my becoming a volleyball coach blog, being a part of volleyball is my lifestyle Continue Reading

Another highlight of my time at the University of Minnesota was the opportunity to not only meet Lindsey Berg, but get to know her. She was able to work with the coaching staff and provide us a different perspective about the team. As with any outside point of view, it is always invaluable, but coming from a two-time Olympian, her Continue Reading

One of my best moments coaching at the University of Minnesota was a pre-season match against, at the time, #4 ranked Cal. Yes, the U of MN swept Cal 3 sets to 0, of which is a highlight in itself, but looking back, it isn't what made that moment great. During the second Cal timeout in set 1, Mike pulled me aside and he said, “Just look at this clipboard as I pretend to write something…” I was a bit bewildered. He then said, “Can you feel it?” I was still confused. “Listen to that crowd. Look at the fans going crazy. Awesome isn't it? This is what its all about.”

It was an awesome moment, in many respects…

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