Improve Your Volleyball Skills: Essential Coaching Tips and Training Insights

Matt NikishinMatt Nikishin
4 min read

This guide explores essential coaching strategies, training principles backed by research, and the athlete mindset that separates great players from the rest.

1. Coaching Tips to Improve Your Volleyball Performance

Great coaching goes beyond technique. It’s about developing well-rounded athletes who excel under pressure and make quick decisions on the court.

Master the Fundamentals
The best players have one thing in common: they’ve perfected the basics. Strong fundamentals ensure consistency, even in high-pressure situations.

Passing: Keep your arms straight, platform steady, and angle controlled.


Serving: Focus on toss accuracy, consistent motion, and a strong follow-through.

Hitting: Time your approach with the setter’s hands to maximize power and accuracy.
Blocking: Keep hands wide, fingers spread, and eyes locked on the hitter.

Use Game-Like Drills for Faster Development
Traditional drills build skills, but game-like situations improve reaction time and tactical awareness. Small-sided games (3v3 or 4v4) force players to make quick decisions while ensuring more ball touches per player.

Why It Works: The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) found that players training with game-like drills improve their tactical awareness 25% faster than those using isolated skill drills.

Leverage Video Analysis to Identify Weaknesses
Top coaches and athletes use video analysis to break down technique, identify patterns, and make data-driven adjustments.

How to Use Video for Improvement:
Record practice sessions or matches.
Analyze successful plays and errors.
Adjust training based on findings.

Tip: Platforms like tryrewind.co allow players to receive personalized feedback from expert coaches.

💡 Pro Tip: Coaches recommend dedicating 10–15 minutes per day to fundamental drills to reinforce muscle memory

2. Science-Backed Training Facts for Volleyball Players

Understanding how training affects performance can elevate your game. Here are key insights based on sports science research.

Jump Training Increases Vertical by 6–10%
Jump training improves explosive power and overall athleticism. A study from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that plyometric exercises like box jumps, squat jumps, and depth jumps can increase vertical jump height by 6–10% in just 6–8 weeks.
Tip: Include three jump training sessions per week, focusing on explosive movements with proper recovery.

Core Strength Enhances Stability and Power
A strong core is crucial for balance, agility, and injury prevention. Exercises like planks, Russian twists, and bird dogs improve body control and power transfer.

Conditioning Builds Endurance Without Slowing You Down
Volleyball requires repeated short bursts of speed, followed by quick recoveries. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) mimics this pattern, increasing stamina while maintaining explosive power.

Example HIIT Routine:
30 seconds sprint → 1-minute rest → Repeat x10
Jump rope for 1 minute → Rest for 30 seconds → Repeat x8

💡 Pro Tip: Dedicating 10–15 minutes to core workouts after practice significantly improves performance.

3. Developing the Mindset of a Champion

Elite athletes know that mental strength is just as important as physical skill. Here’s how to develop a winning mentality.

Adopt a Growth Mindset
The best players believe that improvement comes from effort and learning. They don’t fear mistakes; they see them as opportunities to grow.

Train Mental Toughness for Pressure Situations
Volleyball is fast-paced and unpredictable. Staying calm under pressure separates great players from average ones. Mindfulness and controlled breathing improve focus and composure.
Quick Mental Training Exercise: Try box breathing before a match:
Inhale for 4 counts → Hold for 4 counts → Exhale for 4 counts → Hold for 4 counts.

Set SMART Goals for Continuous Improvement
Successful athletes set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Instead of vague objectives, they define clear, trackable targets.
Example: Instead of saying, “I want to serve better,” set a goal like, “I will improve my serve accuracy to 80% within 4 weeks.”

💡 Pro Tip: After every practice, reflect on one thing you did well and one thing to improve.

Why Personalized Coaching Speeds Up Progress ?

While self-training is essential, working with a coach provides tailored feedback that accelerates improvement. Personalized coaching helps players:

  • Identify technical flaws using video analysis.

  • Develop skill-specific training plans based on strengths and weaknesses.

  • Build confidence and mental resilience for competitive matches.

Conclusion: Train Smarter, Play Harder, Win More

Success in volleyball isn’t just about talent—it’s about smart training, expert coaching, and a winning mindset. By mastering the fundamentals, using game-like drills, strengthening your body, and developing mental resilience, you can take your performance to the next level.
Ready to reach your full potential? Start training with expert guidance today.

Becoming a top volleyball athlete isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about smart training, consistency, and mental toughness.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I training with intent and purpose?

  • Am I staying focused and composed under pressure?

  • Am I constantly analyzing and refining my skills to improve?


If you're looking for personalized coaching to sharpen your skills—whether it’s improving your passing accuracy, increasing your vertical jump, or developing a stronger hitter’s mindset—visit tryrewind.co. Expert coaches can provide tailored feedback and training strategies to help you reach the next level. Take control of your progress and start dominating the court today.

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Written by

Matt Nikishin
Matt Nikishin