Smarter Practice, Better Results: Volleyball Tips from a Pro

So, you're looking for easy ways to level up your volleyball game, right? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’m going to share three major tips that will help you take your volleyball skills to the next level without breaking a sweat.

Before we dive in, let me introduce myself. I’m a professional volleyball player with three years of experience and two national championships under my belt. And trust me, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to improve, and these tips are things I personally swear by.

1. Watch Better Players

One of the easiest ways to improve is by watching volleyball at a higher level than what you’re currently playing at. Whether you're just starting out or you're gearing up to play in college, there’s always room to learn by observing others.

• If you're a beginner, find the best player on your team or in your league and focus on what they’re doing. Instead of following the ball, watch them for the entire rally. Pay attention to their positioning, timing, and movement, and see if you can figure out what makes them better than you.

  
  

• If you’ve been playing for a few years, take it a step further by focusing on your specific position.

Here are some of the best players to watch, depending on your role:

For Men:

• Outside Hitters:  Garrett Muagututia and Tomasz Fornal

• Middles: Taylor Averill and Lucas Saatkamp

• Right-Side Hitters: Matt Anderson 

• Liberos: Erik Shoji and Jenia Grebennikov

• Setters: Micah Christenson, Luciano De Ceccoi and Simone Gianelli

But don’t just watch for entertainment—watch with a purpose! I always have a notebook and pen ready when I’m watching film. I try to answer questions like, “why are they doing that?” and “how are they doing that?” Analyzing their techniques will give you valuable insights into improving your own game.

2. Record Your Own Practices

If you're not recording your practices, you’re missing out on a key tool for improvement. The way you think you look on the court may not be how you actually look, and film never lies. By recording yourself, you get to see what you're really doing right (and wrong) during practice.

All you need is a phone and a cheap tripod to get started. One thing I do that I don't think enough younger players are doing is reviewing the footage and asking questions about what I see. If you're confused about a technique—like why a player is split-stepping during serve receive—clip that moment and send it to your coach for guidance.

Also, when reviewing your own footage, make sure to take notes on the things you’re doing well and the things that need improvement. Watching your own game will give you a clearer understanding of where you need to focus your energy.

3. Set Daily Goals & Weekly Focuses

Every player—whether you’re young, old, a beginner, or a seasoned pro—should be setting both daily goals and weekly focuses to keep improving.

• Daily Goals are meant to focus on one skill you want to improve during that practice. For example, in one practice, your goal could be to work on hitting the ball down the line or scoring with tips. It should be something small and achievable that you can work on during the day. Never set goals like "kill every ball" or "make every serve" because those are too broad and won’t help you

  improve.

  
  

• Weekly Focuses are what you want to work on outside of your normal practice hours. If you practice at a club and arrive early, you can spend 10 extra minutes working on serving. Choose one skill each week to really focus on improving during your extra time.

By setting these small, attainable goals each day and week, you’ll be able to improve continuously without overwhelming yourself.

Final Thoughts

Improving at volleyball doesn’t have to be complicated or exhausting. By watching higher-level players, recording your own practices, and setting daily and weekly goals, you can make serious progress with minimal effort. If you stay consistent and focus on these three tips, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your skills will improve.

So, get out there and start practicing—your next level awaits!