The Volleyball By Design Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with CCAA National Championship coach Aaron Schulha to break down the full blueprintbehind his team’s title run. From building a selfless, high-trust culture to executing detailed game plans under pressure, this conversation goes far beyond talent and into what actually separates championship teams. We dive into: How to help your team play free and confident in high-pressure moments The role of sports psychology and mental preparation in a championship run Why trusting the game plan is a non-negotiable at the highest level How to design and implement effective weekly film sessions What to track (and what actually matters) when it comes to team stats and performance The importance of reception quality and its direct impact on offensive success How to evaluate players using +/– and quality vs. negative touches Building a selfless team culture led by a strong leadership group How to structure your offense and defense based on personnel strengths Key principles behind their defensive system and positioning How to develop attackers who can see and manipulate the block effectively Why summer training and preseason planning set the foundation for success The importance of surrounding yourself with assistant coaches who complement your strengths How to avoid players getting stuck in the past and keep them focused on the present moment Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, I sit down with 5-time national team coach Austin Dyer, who has led his program to 4 straight national championships. We break down the real reasons behind their success and also take a deep dive into the setter position. Topics in this episode include: Roster Building & Retainment Athlete Development Adapting coaching style based on team Culture Recruiting Athletes vs Volleyball Players Setting Position: Decision making, leadership, technical Post Match Analysis Building Systems And a few more key concepts Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, we go back into the vault with Mindset Coach Paige Tonz, who works specifically with female athletes helping them improve their mindset, confidence and so much more. In this episode we discuss: How to prepare mentally for serve receive How to bounce back after committing an error How to not dwell on the mistake you just made How to deal with a player with low confidence How to get players to believe in themselves How to prepare mentally for a game and practice How to maintain a positive mindset when things aren't going well in a game If you're interested in getting in touch with Paige, you can find her on Instagram @PaigeTonz Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, I dive into two important trends shaping the game right now. First, I break down the new rules being introduced by FIVB in 2026 and what they could mean for the future of volleyball. I also share some interesting out-of-system trends I’ve been seeing during the 2026 playoffs. Teams are becoming much more efficient when they’re out of system, and we’re seeing new setting solutions from both liberos and left sides that are creating more stable and effective offensive options. Key topics discussed: 2026 FIVB rule changes and their potential impact How out-of-system offense continues to evolve New setting strategies from liberos The growing role of left sides in out-of-system setting Tactical trends emerging in the 2026 playoffs How coaches can adapt to these changes in their own programs 🏐 Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

Down 0–2 in a best-of-five match is where most teams panic — and where great coaches separate themselves. In this episode, I break down the exact emotional resets, tactical simplifications, and momentum strategies needed to engineer a reverse sweep. If you want to lead with clarity when the pressure is highest, this one’s for you. We dive into: Tactical Changes Preparation during the season Coaches Toolbox Emotional Regulation And a few more key concepts Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, we head back into the vault and listen to an episode I did with 6x national champion coach Jessy Satti where he not only shares some insight into wining all those championships but he breaks down concepts and strategies that all coaches can get a ton of value from. In this episode, we dive into: 5 phases of blocking Trap Blocking 2 vs 3 step blocking Fire up blocking 60/40 Offensive Strategies Overload vs Separation And a few more key concepts Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to register for my free workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, I dive into strategies you can use in your gym leading up to the playoffs. This is an important time to make sure you're doing the right things to maximize your opportunity to win in the playoffs. We talk about: Film Team Chemistry Refinement vs Acquisition Check ins Mental Skills Team Building Activities Tactical Strategies And a few more key concepts Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Join my workshop at www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

This is a topic that is hard to articulate, you can't learn it anywhere on the web but it's extremely important and every high level coach has this in their gym. And that is creating a system and standard of excellence and maintaining that during practices and over the course of a season. In this episode, we dive into: What does it look like to create a high standard of excellence What I see in the best gyms in the world Strategies to implement this in your gym Finding the balance Creating pressure What it involves from the coach The little things that coaches miss in practice but are important Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, we go back into the fault with an interview I did with the Head Coach of the University of Alberta, Brock Davidiuk, as he is an expert setting coach. In this episode, he shares so much technical aspects of setting and provides amazing insights to the position. He talks about: The technical principles - Feet, Hands, Body & Eyes Principle of a live environment Stages of setting Youth setting to college setting College setting to Pro setting Setter hitter relationship And so much more Click here to find out more about his setting academy Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Reach out to me via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

This episode dives into the intangibles of volleyball — the non-skill, non-system factors that directly impact game play, lineup decisions, and winning. We break down the habits, awareness, and behaviours that coaches need to be aware of but don’t always explicitly coach, and why they matter so much on match day. Some things we cover are: Being surprised on the court Coming down from the block Switching Setter Coverage Screening Communication Engaging with the Ref Attention to detail from athletes And a few more key concepts Click here to join Digital Volleyball Acacdemy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

In this episode, I break down the exact technology I use in my volleyball program — including apps, software, and equipment that help with practice planning, film, communication, and player development. If you’re looking to save time and coach more efficiently, this episode is for you. The Tech I mention are: IstatVball 3 CoachBoard Solo Stats Touch OVR Jump Tester Bam Video Delay Bushnell Radar Gun Pocket Radar Gun QwikCut - https://bit.ly/QwikCut-Volleyball-Platform HUDL (Balltime AI), Volleymetrics Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB

Great seasons don’t just happen on the court — they’re shaped by the conversations you have with your players. In this episode, I share how I approach preseason and postseason interviews, what questions truly matter, and how these conversations can transform player development, accountability, and team culture. We dive into: Why preseason and postseason interviews matter more than most coaches realize The key questions that set expectations and drive real player growth How interviews improve trust, communication, and team culture Common interview mistakes coaches should avoid Turning player feedback into actionable changes for next season Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSngh_CoachB

In today's episode, we go back into the vault where Erik Shoji shares some tangible advice that coaches can take and apply in their gym right away with their players. Topics include Passing Technique & Strategies Reading and Cues Mental side of passing Defensive movement & cues And so much more. Click here to view Erik's youtube channel Click here to register for my free workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Click here to sign up to the waitlist for Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com

In this episode, I went back to past interviews with great coaches and compiled all their advice on building team culture and put it into this episode. There are a ton of takeaways and notes you can get from this episode. We dive into: Documents & Pillars Communication Standards Relationships Special culture items per team Amazing quotes on culture And so much more Click here to join my workshop - www.volleyballworkshop.com Click here to join Digital Volleyball Academy - www.digitalvolleyballacademy.com Reach out via Instagram @BrianSingh_CoachB