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