Ever wondered why some beach courts feel like quicksand while others play almost like hardwood? In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner break down how sand depth and quality directly impact beach volleyball attack and performance. They share practical tips on recognizing the type of sand and adapting your gameplay.

From the deep, challenging sand of Hermosa Beach to the shallow, springy surfaces found in Florida, learn how to recognize different sand types, and to adapt your attack and defensive strategies. You’ll also get Mark and Brandon’s insights from coaching at recent volleyball tournaments, sand court maintenance, training approaches, and how future tournaments might evolve with varying surfaces. 

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Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Sand on Volleyball Performance
09:57 Building and Maintaining Sand Courts
19:58 Adapting Gameplay to Different Sand Conditions
27:23 Transitioning from Indoor to Beach Volleyball
29:34 Training Techniques for Explosiveness on Sand
32:20 Adapting Offensive Strategies for Different Sand Types
35:58 Timing and Approach Adjustments in Beach Volleyball
39:34 The Impact of Sand Quality on Performance
42:33 Exploring Variability in Beach Volleyball Tournaments
46:06 The Future of Beach Volleyball Tournaments

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Manhattan Beach Open Recap
02:25 Coaching Insights and Group Rates Experiment
04:49 Mark's Return to Competitive Play
08:59 Game Strategy and Stat Tracking
16:08 Finding Offense and Trusting the Game Plan
20:34 The Importance of Coaching and Player Development
23:31 Setting Goals and Expectations in Beach Volleyball
24:54 The Importance of Professionalism in Sports
27:55 Understanding the Definition of a Professional
29:51 The Challenges of Qualifiers and Tournament Structures
33:08 Celebrating Careers and Professionalism in Beach Volleyball
38:29 The Dynamics of Team Partnerships
41:49 Reflections on Recent Tournaments and Player Performances

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Better at Beach Volleyball Podcast
02:02 Celebrating Birthdays and Reflecting on Friendship
04:07 The Importance of Attacking in Volleyball
06:02 Mistake #1: Not Aiming Your Attacks
14:57 Mistake #2: Poor Approach Spacing
24:40 Mistake #3: Not Utilizing Your Hitting Fan
32:40 Mistake #4: Weak Contact and Arm Swing Mechanics
39:05 Mistake #5: Lack of Vision in Attacking

Mark and Brandon dive deep into serving strategy and why most players are missing the biggest opportunity in beach volleyball. Learn the difference between power and location serving, how to identify signs of discomfort in passers, and Brandon's game-changing "glass breaking" technique for consistent serves. Plus, discover main serve types in beach volleyball, what are the differences and how to choose the right one,  why jump serving makes you a better attacker, common serving mistakes to avoid, and how to stat your serving performance. If you're ready to stop being predictable and start serving smarter, this episode is for you.

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 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL 🔥

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Heading to a tournament? Feeling the mix of doubt and excitement? Or maybe you're thinking about how to keep the momentum high with your partner? Start winning by strategic changes. Brandon breaks down 3 game-ready tips that will help you show up and perform at your highest level from the first point. No fluff - just practical tips you can implement immediately to find your feet, nail your structure, and communicate like a pro. Plus a bonus strategy for staying positive and keeping your score up under pressure.. Whether you’re warming up or driving to the courts, this episode is the perfect listen to set you up for success.

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In this episode, Mark  digs into one of the most common pain points for beach volleyball athletes: shoulder injuries. Whether you’re spiking every weekend or just getting back from a strain, this episode gives you real talk and practical workout tips on how to prevent shoulder injuries, rehab methods, and build strength for a more powerful attack. Building on the previous discussion about attack workouts, Mark reveals the specific exercises, movement patterns, and training modifications that bulletproof your shoulders while maximizing your attacking. You’ll learn the key workouts for shoulder mobility and stability, how to prevent shoulder injuries, get the best workouts and tips for recovery. Perfect for attackers who want to stay strong, pain-free, and explosive.

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🏐 For Better Shoulder Heath Fix Your Arm Swing in 21 Days or join the 21 Day Mobility For Volleyball Program

Join Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner as they dive deep into beach volleyball attack strategy and shot selection. Fresh off Brandon's coaching success at the AVP League, the duo breaks down how to choose the right attacks, diversify your offensive arsenal, maximize your hitting percentage, and how to avoid being too predictable on the court. They also recap their experiences at the AVP League, sharing behind-the-scenes coaching insights. They break down key plays, mental strategies, and in-game adjustments that led to two huge wins.

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 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Attack Strategies
03:01 Maximizing Attack Potential
06:05 Insights from the AVP League
09:09 Coaching and Player Development
12:02 Offensive Strategies and Shot Selection
14:59 Understanding Game Dynamics
17:52 The Importance of Stats in Performance
21:02 Developing Effective Practice Routines
24:00 Consulting for Volleyball Clubs
27:05 Final Thoughts and Player Success Stories

Great attackers don't just hit hard! They see everything and communicate constantly. In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner dive into two underrated superpowers in beach volleyball: court vision and communication. They break down practical volleyball drills and volleyball training habits that help you pass, set, and hit more effectively, even without perfect sets. 

They share personal stories about their own struggles and breakthrough moments when they learned to read the entire court. You’ll also learn how to develop smarter movement patterns, the importance of having a reliable setter, and what volleyball fitness routines keep you in peak shape without long workouts. 

Discover how improving your volleyball IQ and using peripheral vision can elevate your game, the "ingredients" approach to volleyball drills that prioritizes fundamentals, and master the art of reading defenses without losing focus on ball control.  

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https://betteratbeach.short.gy/EAiUDE

OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & WORKOUS AND GET:

 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

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Chapters

00:00 Underrated Superpowers in Beach Volleyball
03:05 Getting in Shape for Volleyball
05:57 The Importance of Court Vision
09:00 Attacking Strategies and Techniques
11:50 Communication on the Court
15:03 Developing Volleyball IQ
17:54 The Role of Setters and Attacking
21:00 Mistakes in Communication
24:09 Ending Points Effectively

Join Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner as they sit down with Marine Kinna, Better at Beach's marketing coordinator and newest AVP champion, for a deep dive into her incredible journey from France to AVP gold. Marine shares her transition from indoor to beach volleyball, navigating the NCAA system as an international student, becoming a dual-sport All-American, and now thriving on the AVP and international stage.

You'll discover the mental strategies that transformed Marine from a player stuck at 5th place finishes to a World Tour medalist and AVP champion. She reveals how she overcame self-doubt, managed expectations, and developed the "I've already won" mindset that led to her breakthrough performances. The conversation dives deep into technical aspects including the left vs. right side debate and the eye dominance theory in volleyball. Marine also discusses the importance of partner chemistry, communication strategies during tough moments, and how embracing discomfort in practice leads to tournament success. A must-listen for aspiring pros and recreational players alike, seeking inspiration and insight into the high-performance mindset.

🥇Start Training to Win More Tournaments. Sign up to MASTERING THE VOLLEYBALL MIND COURSE today! https://betteratbeach.short.gy/0GSiI3 

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💪 GET YOUR FREE DRILLBOOK to level up your game

https://betteratbeach.short.gy/dVFrkg

 OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & WORKOUS AND GET:

 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

 https://betteratbeach.short.gy/Y5ZfLH 

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Marine Kinna's Journey
03:40 Transitioning from Tennis to Volleyball
07:02 Comparing Tournament Levels in Volleyball
11:01 The Impact of Playing in Threes on Performance
15:36 The Importance of Positioning in Beach Volleyball
19:16 Exploring Eye Dominance in Volleyball
26:04 Concluding Thoughts on Performance and Dominance
26:43 The Evolution of a Volleyball Player
28:43 Transitioning from College to Professional Tournaments
30:58 Overcoming Expectations and Mental Challenges
32:47 Building Confidence Through Communication and Teamwork
35:05 Managing Pressure and Self-Doubt
38:27 The Importance of Partner Dynamics
41:33 Finding Small Wins and Embracing Discomfort
46:26 Trusting the Process and Continuous Improvement

Mark Burik shares the proven training formula behind lasting improvements in arm swing and vertical jump mechanics. In this episode, he breaks down the coaching approach that helps athletes make permanent corrections and walks you through a step-by-step video analysis you can apply directly to your own training. It’s an insightful deep dive into the techniques that help players overcome common flaws and unlock their full jumping potential. Whether you’re a coach or athlete, this episode delivers actionable strategies to elevate your game.

Are you a coach looking to take your skills to the next level? Join us and save 10% on our Yearly Pro Membership! Use code COACH2025 at checkout 👉  https://betteratbeach.short.gy/JW5Li6

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https://betteratbeach.short.gy/iUBZyK

OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & GET:

 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Arm Swing Mechanics
04:20 The Importance of Learning Arm Swing Mechanics
10:51 Analyzing the Four-Step Approach
21:34 Key Positions in the Jump Mechanics
31:16 Elite Arm Swing Mechanics Review
34:45 Coaching Opportunities and Conclusion