Bring a mentally tough and technically sound blocking skill set into your program.

Joe Lynch's tough-minded defensive philosophy has been the catalyst for vaulting Iowa State Volleyball into the national limelight. In this instructional volleyball DVD, Lynch shares tactics and drills that you can use to train your athletes to be solid and disciplined in their blocking techniques.

Lynch begins this 3-part presentation with Footwork Drills offering a comprehensive sequence of 1-, 2- and 3-step footwork drills from basic to advanced. He also includes footwork for middles closing the block.

Part 2 consists of coach-controlled blocking drills hitting into the blockers hands, teaching blockers to close the seam more effectively. These intense competitive drills include movement and non-movement drills for outside hitters and middle blockers including solo blocking and double blocking.

In Part 3, Lynch moves into team drills with blockers vs. live hitters that bring game chaos and unpredictability into play. He demonstrates drills to defend three types of hits: Quick (middle attack), four (high outside set) and five (high back set).

Implementing Lynch's drills will help you bring a mentally tough and technically sound blocking skill set into your program.

49 minutes. 2009

The common denominator of all great athletes is that they are constantly finding ways to get better and in this DVD, Bond Shymansky shares with you 40 tips to help you improve your blocking and outside hitting. Shymansky begins this presentation with Transition. The "T" position on the floor is the point where the three meter line meets the sideline. This is where players will transition back to each time. Footwork into the attack is left, right, left, staying open to the setter. Arm swing mechanics are important to outside hitters. Being a great shot maker and good arm swing mechanics can make a player a valuable part of the team. Instruction on tip shots demands that players use an open hand and make contact with all five fingers. Good vision allows tippers to tip to the opponents open area of the floor. By executing the same technique, but slowing down the arm swing, players can hit roll shots. The sweep is a shot close to the net that bounces off the opponents block. Another skill is tooling the block which requires vision, swings with the high elbow, and uses the same exchange and good swing mechanics. The high swing, line shot, and extreme angle shots are tools that outside hitters must master. This position requires versatility as players must be able to Pass, Defend, and Block to hitting transition. A one foot takeoff is also demonstrated and enables a player to hit with power. Blocking is also a main technique in becoming the best player you can be. The vision sequence spells out each key for blocking preparation. The sequence is ball-setter-ball-hitter. The key is to read the hitter's tendencies, then apply them in your blocking skill. Hand and footwork mechanics, penetrating the net, keeping the eyes open, coiled position, and strong hands benefit the blocker. This information packed DVD is a must for any serious player looking to take their blocking and outside hitting to a new level,

85 minutes. 2006.

Take your middle hitting and blocking to a new level! In "Gettin' Better," Coach Bond Shymansky shares more than 40 tips to help you improve your middle hitting and blocking play. Intensity, footwork, getting open for a set and always communicating with your setter are keys for middle hitters. Teaching begins with the "ready hitting position." The key is a fast exchange in which the wrist and elbow work in unison. Because of active defenders, hitting the ball in different directions is imperative for middle hitters. Directional hits include the left and right back 3-meter shot. The cross body swing, a deceptive skill against blockers at the net, and the basic tip, which includes the shallow and deep tip, are other techniques demonstrated. Techniques for the one-foot take off include the left "tempo" step and the left-right-left running motion. A middle hitter must have good transition footwork. "Dropping the Hammer" is another aspect of hitting at the net and is addressed here. Shymansky begins the blocking segment by discussing the vision sequence, which spells out each key for blocking preparation. Hand and footwork mechanics, penetrating the net, keeping the eyes open, coiled position and strong hands benefit the blocker. This incredible DVD is packed with tips and teaching points, and is a valuable tool to your middle hitting success - a must for aspiring volleyball players!

71 minutes. 2006.

An excellent instructional videotape for the youth volleyball coach! Full of drills to run in practice and includes John Dunning's format for a practice session; he also gives you many factors to consider when designing a practice. Coach Dunning has provided a large amount of information so you'll have plenty of activities to choose from to make your practices effective and fun. Includes drills for teaching ball control, passing, attacking, digging, serving and more.

1999. 60 minutes.

Coach Shaw begins by teaching the ready position with proper posture, foot and hand positioning leading to a "drop, jump, and land on balance" sequence. To simulate proper blocking skill technique at the apex of the jump, Shaw places his demonstrator on a jumping box and teaches the nuances of "sealing the top of the net." With the stationary body position basics in place, Shaw adds footwork and takes you through a drill progression without the use of the ball progressing through Side Step, Shuffle Step and Crossover Step. Throughout the entire progression, Shaw demonstrates his preferred strategies sharing his philosophies and reasoning behind each of the skills. Shaw then incorporates live ball drills for each of the four blocking maneuvers. In Part 2, Individual Defensive Technique, Shaw replicates his instructional methodologies from Part I beginning with basic body position instruction for digging and then progresses to forward, backward, and lateral movement. He then shares his favorite implementation techniques: "Pepper," with 2, 3, and 4 person drills.

40 minutes. 2003.

Coach Shaw begins this two-part video with a review and demonstration of the basic fundamentals and techniques of setting. Finger and hand position specifics are first explained followed by hand position for ball contact with a single motion follow through. Shaw then teaches, demonstrates, and drills front sets, back sets, and jump sets and also offers strategies for deceptive setting. In Part 2:Spiking, Shaw begins with body position and upper body action emphasizing proper body rotation, "bow and arrow " ball striking position and contact with the entire hand, and a wrist snap follow through. He then teaches the 3 step approach and shares toss drills that combine footwork and spiking. Shaw utilizes a box to demonstrate teaching the spike from the peak of a jump in a high position and shares strategies for quick attack. Shaw concludes by sharing specific drills for target accuracy.

30 minutes. 2003.

In this information-packed video, Coach Shaw teaches, demonstrates, and drills the basic fundamental skill of serving and passing. Shaw teaches the specific skills in this video in an easy to understand sequence: technique explanation, technique demonstration, and creative and active drill demonstration. In Part 1: Serves, Shaw first teaches the Floater Serve. Shaw teaches positioning of the feet, ball placement (toss), contact, and follow through techniques for a solid on-target serve. Next, Shaw teaches the Jump/Spin Serve, again sequencing from the proper foot position, approach, contact, toss or ball placement, and follow-through to target, along with strategies to ensure striking the ball as close to the net as possible and at it's highest point. Part 1 is concluded with Shaw teaching the Jump/Floater Serve, combining the skills from the floater and the jump serve that offer players a different angle on their serve. In Part 2: Passing, Shaw begins with Forearm Passing beginning with proper setting of the base, followed by hand position for a passing platform, contact and follow through techniques. Shaw concludes Part 2 by teaching the Overhand Pass

37 minutes. 2003.