I AM Volleyball Podcast

Welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re diving into some of the details that separate good coaches from great ones. We talk about training your eyes off the ball and why the best coaches see so much more than just the contact. We get into the power of communication — how you say something can matter even more than what you say — and why delivery changes how athletes receive feedback.

We also break down building purposeful drills that actually transfer to the game, not just drills that look good in practice. And at the heart of it all, we reflect on why we coach in the first place — the impact, the relationships, and the responsibility that comes with leading athletes.

As always, we’ve got shoutouts, stories, and a Quote of the Day to wrap things up. Let’s get into it!

This episode is a special one.

We take a moment to honor and give a heartfelt shoutout to original I AM Volleyball Director, Todd Lyon—someone who helped lay the foundation for what this club is today.

From there, we dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) parts of a successful season: team bonding. How do you build it? More importantly, how do you keep it strong when things get tough?

Poddy Training is back, featuring three players from our 15 Red team as they share their real experiences transitioning from 8th grade to high school volleyball—what changed, what challenged them, and what helped them grow.

We also break down key serve receive strategies and mental tips to give you that extra edge when it matters most.

It’s a longer episode—but packed with value, perspective, and real conversation.

Buckle up. 

Long break but we are back! Sorry ahead of time for the audio. New mics and we had some technical difficulties. We have #Shoutouts, Future Predicting, and Favorite Quotes! Join us for a packed episode!

Energy shapes everything. Communication changes outcomes.
This podcast breaks down the difference between Energy Givers and Energy Takers — and how teams, families, and athletes can build stronger cultures through the three key communication channels: Coach/Parents, Coach/Players, and Players/Players. 

Welcome back everyone to Season 3 of the I AM Volleyball Podcast! We are excited to be back on the mic for another year of volleyball talk, stories from the court, and everything in between.

We’re kicking off this season with a big one — we’re talking all about the summer tryout madness and what we learned heading into the year. We’ll take a look at the incredible high school state championship run — the highs, the challenges, and the moments that made it unforgettable. And since so many of you are jumping into the new season right now, we’re breaking down how to dominate that first week of practice — setting the tone, building culture, and creating momentum from day one.

It’s a brand new season, and we’re ready to serve up some great conversations. Let’s get into it — Season 3 starts now!”

What’s up, everyone — and yes, we’re coming in hot off a championship win at Waupaca Boatride, taking home the title in the BBB Coed Division! 🏆 In this episode, we’re recapping all the action from the largest grass volleyball tournament in the world — the matches, the madness, and what makes Waupaca such a legendary event.

Then we dive into something every player and parent needs to hear: tryouts for the 2026 season. We’re breaking down how to prepare, what coaches are really looking for, and how to stand out in the crowd.

Let’s go!

In this episode, we’re talking off-season training — what options are best for the training you need.

We’re also making a strong case for bringing back the middle attack as a primary option. Why it’s underused, how it can change the game, and what teams can do to run it more effectively.

As always, we’ve got our player shoutout and Poddy Training is BACK!

In this episode, we’re digging into one of the most important — and sometimes most stressful — parts of the game: serve receive. We’ll share tips, strategies, and why mastering serve receive can completely change your team’s performance.

We also chat about the excitement building for Nationals — what it means for the kids, how to prepare, and why it’s such a special experience.

Of course, we’ll have our player shoutout and wrap it all up with some fun mystery questions for each other.

Let’s get started!

Welcome!In this episode, we’re diving into two big questions: What do players really love about practice? We asked, and the answers might surprise you!

Then we’re tackling a topic on everyone’s mind — why is club volleyball so expensive? We break down where the costs come from and what families are actually paying for.

As always, we’ll shine the spotlight with a player shoutout, and wrap things up with our favorite part — some wild and unpredictable Get to Know the Coaches segment.

Let’s get into it!

Welcome back! In this episode, we’re getting into a hot topic: sandbagging in tournaments. What is it, why does it happen, and how does it impact the competition?

We’re also breaking down the technique debate: open hand vs closed hand one-handed digging — when to use each, what the rules say, and how to train it effectively.

As always, we’ll hit you with shoutouts and a new segment about the secret lives of coaches.