Welcome to VOLLEYBALLOGY UNcensored - the volleyball podcast by former pro players, coaches - and volleyball parents - aimed at bridging gaps between players, coaches, and parents (by calling out what we're all thinking but too afraid to say), and to provide FREE content and high-quality instruction
It’s all rather exhausting and has evolved into a bit of a crazy ‘game’ over the past decade; and one that parents, players, and even coaches seemingly HAVE to play in order to get their young athletes into post-secondary college and university programs. But, is it the best way for coaches to find the REAL talent among the high school and club volleyball ranks, or are they only seeing the videos and carefully selected highlights of the players and parents who are just better at marketing (or have deep-enough pockets to hire the best marketers)? Listen in as Zuby & Erik go deep on the…
We tend to coach the way we were coached or accept it when we see coaches instructing the way we’ve seen them on tv or while we were growing up, but is coaching today different than it was ‘back in the day’ - or should it involve yelling at all? More to the point, is there a difference between coaching & yelling & can great coaches be ‘yellers?’ Listen in as the guys share a few laughs and draw upon their pro playing & coaching experience to discuss the somewhat controversial topic of ‘coaching vs yelling’ and whether or not yelling (or even screaming) has its time & place in the…
We’ve all likely experienced some form of physical punishment (running laps, touching lines, push-ups, etc.) at a practice - as a parent spectator, an athlete, or even as a coach who’s organizing the team consequence. Much like parenting, the debate has raged in sport over whether or not these kinds of punishments are actually effective in having young people learn lessons or perform better…or are they simply teaching children to be more afraid and nervous? Is there a time and place for these kinds of consequences for teams and players or are they merely tactics designed to intimidate and…
Episode 57 - The Decline of High School Volleyball What in the world is happening to high school volleyball? Of course, most high schools will struggle to court a team as good as one of the local club squads, but it seems that high school volleyball TODAY has really dropped off even when compared to high school programs from 10-20 years ago. So, what are the reasons why school volleyball is so far behind the club game and - more importantly - why does it seem worse than ever before? Listen in as the guys share a few laughs and discuss the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons behind the decline…
Episode 56 - Afraid To Talk To/About Your Volleyball Coach? Fear of retribution. That’s why so many parents & players are afraid to - even politely - voice concerns with coaches who hold all the power. While a lot of coaches would say that kids should learn to advocate for themselves (and this is absolutely true) - it’s also true that there is an imbalance of power and so many coaches use this power to punish those who question their decisions. Of course, the BEST and most knowledgeable coaches have an open atmosphere around their teams because they know the WHYS behind their philosophies…
The problem with complaints is that we instantly get our ‘backs up’ when we hear them - but what if the complainers have a valid point that we’re simply not seeing? Or - what if they have a superficial understanding of the game and ‘don’t know what they don’t know?’ In other words, how do we know when complaints are valid and coming from qualified sources or if they’re frivolous and rooted in insecurities or something entirely different from the subject being discussed? Also, what happens when coaches abandon personal philosophies or previously stated standards by placating or listening to…
We’ve all been there as parents, players, and even coaches: the whistle blows and everyone stands in a cloud of confusion and partial outrage…looking from the ref, to the players, to other coaches, and back to the ref again. What the heck was THAT and why did the whistle blow? Of course, a number of courtside voices offer answers and explanations - bolstered by an air of confidence and assertiveness - but, as we all know, those answers tend to be false and are sometimes even horribly inaccurate. So, rather than looking around for guessed answers and continue to exist in this seemingly…
We all want it but it seems so gosh darn elusive! But what if cultivating positive team culture is actually much easier than we think and what if it's something that all parents, coaches, and players can actually build together, using an almost formulaic or step by step approach? No matter what your role in the volleyball world, you’ll want to listen in as the guys celebrate their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY (of Volleybalogy UNcensored) and discuss how coaches, parents, and players can not only create positive team culture - but just as importantly - not KILL it with some common and unintentional…
In gyms around the world, parents - and even coaches - often struggle to watch their children & athletes play the game. We get it…it’s tough to see your kids in pressure situations and tougher to see them struggle, or even fail in key moments. Some parents have resorted to leaving the sidelines or deciding not to attend their kids’ games or tourneys. But what message are we sending our kids about sports when we ‘live & die’ with every point and each rally or when we tell them that we can’t even bear to watch them play? It’s easy to say that parents & coaches need to ‘gain perspective,’ but…
It’s that time of year; when gyms are filling up and battles are being (or have been) fought for the precious few spots on school & club volleyball teams around the country - and around the world. Inevitably, 12-18 players will be celebrating and selected while countless other athletes (and their families) will be told that they simply didn’t make the cut. It’s one of the hardest things in sport to accept and - with increasingly problematic trends like guaranteed pre-signings and political games - it might not even feel fair or be justified. But can being cut - unfairly or not - actually be…
Whether it’s youth volleyball or even at the highest levels of the game, players have always had to deal with ‘politics’ in one form or another and there’s no denying the reality that it absolutely sucks. But what are the obvious & not so obvious forms that politics can take on & what can parents, players, & coaches to do better cope or frame this inevitability? Can politics ever be a good thing for a player or family to experience? Listen in as Zuby & Erik talk about the dreaded ‘P’ word, have a few laughs, & help listeners of all ages navigate & deal with the crappy hand that can sometimes…
A lot of what we talk about on this show can be boiled down to one key problem: too many parents & coaches are simply confusing youth sports with the pro sports they watch on tv. The deterioration of youth sports has actually coincided with the growth of our pro sports culture because the more we watch and idolize the coaches and athletes who play sports for a LIVING, the more we apply those ideals and expectations to our youth athletes who should be seeking to gain life skills and an entirely different set of values and qualities. In other words, while the adults are lured further and…
Over the past few years now, parents, players, and even coaches have been growing more & more frustrated by the governing bodies of volleyball, as well as the politics in their club, or the lack of fairness on their team. The bottom line is that - while we have more players in youth programs than ever before - the rate of athletes quitting the sport at a young age is also through the roof. The question many people have, however - or the common misconception - is that once a child leaves the club or ‘rep’ world, ‘are they finished as a volleyball player?’ Listen in as the pros at…
Young players are always being told to COMPETE more, to be more aggressive on the court, and - well - to just stop tolerating losing or having the ball hit the floor so often. But can a coach, parent, or even the player themselves actually work to raise the level of ‘COMPETE’ or drive a player will feel? IS it something hardwired into the athlete (i.e. genetic) or is it something that can be learned through training, coaching, and repetition? Listen in as the guys discuss the qualities of a truly competitive player (i.e. how ‘competing’ actually looks on the court) and how coaches and…
Tryouts can be a stressful time for players, parents, and even coaches - but the irony about stress is that it often impedes everyone’s ability to perform well at the very thing they’re trying to conquer. In this extremely practical episode, the guys draw on their own experiences at the club, post-secondary, and pro levels to help young players, parents, and coaches navigate hectic tryout windows and provide helpful tips and insights for players to maintain a better perspective and - of course - STANDOUT in a sea of volleyball prospects. As usual, the guys share a few laughs and some…
Parents, players, and coaches have all heard it and maybe even believe it. “BE LOUDER if you want to win.” “You’re too quiet!” Or, even, “If you don’t make more noise out there, you won’t be starting - or playing.” But is playing LOUDER really what makes an athlete better or are we simply using the wrong word when trying to encourage more ‘AGGRESSIVE’ or ‘CONFIDENT’ play from our young athletes? In other words, is being loud really a key ingredient to volleyball success, or is it merely a byproduct of excellence for some players and teams? Listen in to laugh and learn as the former pros from…
When stepping back and looking at the game, there’s some very noticeable differences between how we coach - & even parent - boys & girls. While there may be justifiable & pedagogically rational reasons for some of these differences, there are also some glaring & less understandable dissimilarities which can only be rooted in one thing: sexism. In this episode, the guys tackle this tricky issue head-on (as usual) and explore why sexism is becoming more prevalent today than in the past and how these obvious or subtle problems are pushing more & more young females to quit the sport they once…
Pick up your copy of Hugh McCutcheon’s Championship Behaviors: A Model for Competitive Excellence RIGHT HERE - it really is a must read for every player, coach, & parent! In this episode we are pleased and proud to have Olympic gold & silver medalist, Hugh McCutcheon join us for an important discussion about the state of youth coaching & youth volleyball, in general. Hugh is among the giants of the volleyball world, both as a player and as a coach. Inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2018, this native of New Zealand (and former nation team player there) had previously…
If you haven’t seen or joined the ‘Volleyball Moms’ group on Facebook, it’s quickly becoming THE place for volleyball parents (including dads) to find answers to basic questions and seek advice on more complicated issues from parents & coaches who may have experienced something similar. In this special episode of Volleyballogy UNcensored, Zuby answers some recent questions posted to the group in an effort to help other parents who may be experiencing the same (all too common) problems and concerns. We hope you enjoy this abbreviated episode and - as usual - gain some practical takeaways and…
We hear them everywhere; the questions about our future and our goals. ‘What’s your life plan?’ - or - ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years?’ While it’s true that BIG goals are always good to keep tucked away in the back of our minds, has there been a shift in how we view these goals and ourselves in relation to them since the advent of social media? Listen in as the guys discuss the merits of big goals for young volleyball players (and coaches) today and whether or not they might be hurting more than helping. We hope you enjoy this podcast & all the FREE content created by the former pro…
As more and more athletes, parents, and coaches pursue the elusive dream of ‘making it’ (whatever that means to them), there has been a proportionate rise in the number of mental training guides and programs for sale online. IS mental training something that can be LEARNED or improved upon from a book/program, or does it matter what the genetic make-up of the reader or watcher is? Listen in or watch as the guys discuss: What people hope to get from mental training? Why it’s especially popular with this generation & in this day & age Whether teaching mental training or mental toughness is…
As more and more coaches and players - and their parents - flock to the beaches and sand courts across the world (often to escape the restrictions, limitations, and politics of the indoor game), we thought it might be wise to help those who are new to the sand understand the key differences between the two versions of the sport and to help alleviate those ‘fears of the unknown.’ So, whether you’re new to the beach, considering adding it to your volleyball repertoire, or have been playing/coaching on the sand for years, sit back, relax, and listen in as the Volleyballogists break down the…
Parents are often placed in an awkward spot and may not know how to respond when their child starts speaking about teammates or a coach in a negative manner. Is it ever okay for parents to engage in such discussions with their children or is it best to avoid these topics so as to not magnify or intensify the problem? Is there a difference between gossip and genuine or valid concerns and - if so - how can parents spot the difference themselves & help steer their child back towards constructive or more productive thoughts? Listen in as Zuby & Erik help parents & coaches navigate the slippery…
More than ever, club teams and players/parents are seeking to ‘lock each other up’ earlier and earlier each season - and often before tryouts have even started. Why do clubs offer players early re-signings in youth volleyball? Why do parents/players agree to sign so quickly? And are these early re-signings causing more problems than they’re solving? Listen in as Zuby & Erik chat in-depth about this recent phenomenon, its likely roots, and whether or not it makes sense in a competitive sporting landscape, where athletes have historically benefited from uncertainty or those good forms of…
We see it in gymnasiums and on sand courts across North America and even the rest of the world. Parents, players, and coaches are working, traveling, training, and practicing more than ever before, and all in an attempt to make it to the next level - or even to the highest level. But as our world has changed, so too have our motives and goals for youth sports participation. While there’s nothing overtly wrong with setting lofty (and quietly held) goals, there is something ‘off’ about wanting the athlete or the team to win at all costs or be miserable. Coaches are benching young players or…
To brace or not to brace - that is the question! The debate has raged on for YEARS in volleyball circles and among coaches and trainers alike. Well, as usual, the Volleyballogists are going to use logic, reason, philosophy, and EVIDENCE to settle this age-old volleyball debate once and for all. Listen in as the guys go over all the arguments for and against ankle braces and come up with the definitive conclusion for players, parents, and coaches! ------------- We hope you enjoy this podcast & all the FREE content created by the former pro players, coaches - and current volleyball parents -…
What do all coaches and parents, who think beach volleyball teaches bad habits, have in common? That’s right - they’ve almost certainly never played the game! For those who have played both, it’s a ‘no-brainer.’ Beach volleyball gives indoor players a real edge when they come back in the gyms and off the sand. The mental and physical benefits of the game are quite obvious, and - aside from making players better, tougher, stronger, and faster - battling in the sand with no real coach (and having nowhere to hide) means that humility and independence are also valuable gains garnered from…
We finally did it! The volleyballogists have put together the ultimate 10 ingredients that each volleyball club needs to set themselves apart from any and all competitors. Parents, players, club directors, and coaches all have opinions regarding what constitutes the perfect or ideal club volleyball program, so Zuby & Erik have organized & condensed all of these into a convenient & digestible 10 COMMANDMENTS of Club Building - or the 10 most important elements any existing/new club could implement to become a top notch and respected volleyball organization. Club directors and coaches will…
It’s fascinating how universal it is that the highest achievers - in ANY walk of life - tend to successfully straddle the very fine line between confidence and arrogance. How do they do it and what’s the key difference? Well - it’s humility, but it, too, has to be tempered or balanced with a genuine belief in oneself. Humility is the secret and elusive ingredient for so many in our culture today and it impedes progress or growth - and manifests its absence in so many ways. Listen in as the guys talk about HOW parents, players, and coaches can actually learn to be more humble and thus open up…
In this episode, the guys sit down to chat about the difficulties in determining if it’s you or your kid’s coach that is, in fact, a bit crazy (because no one thinks that THEY might be the problem). So, after defining what constitutes a ‘crazy coach,’ the topic shifts towards logical steps players and parents can take on their own and in conjunction with others - because organization and documentation are important keys in helping future kids and parents. So often, parents and players are afraid to act because they fear repercussions with regard to playing time, etc. - but if we never speak…
About VOLLEYBALLOGY UNcensored
Welcome to VOLLEYBALLOGY UNcensored - the volleyball podcast by former pro players, coaches - and volleyball parents - aimed at bridging gaps between players, coaches, and parents (by calling out what we're all thinking but too afraid to say), and to provide FREE content and high-quality instruction
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