The Volleyball By Design Podcast
The Volleyball By Design Podcast
Brian Singh
The Volleyball By Design podcast gives coaches simple, actionable, step by step strategies so you can get clarity in your coaching and apply what you learn right away.
How 5x National Championship Coach Aaron Schulha Led a Championship Run With Trust, Freedom & Preparation
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
Mar 30
1 hr 7 min
The System Behind 4 Straight National Championships With 5x National Champion Coach Austin Dyer
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
Mar 23
1 hr 29 min
The Mental Game: Building Confident, Resilient Volleyball Players With Paige Tonz
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
Mar 16
41 min
Volleyball Is Changing: New 2026 Rules & the Next Evolution of Out-of-System Play
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
Mar 9
26 min
The Reverse Sweep Framework: The 3-Set Comeback System
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
Mar 2
26 min
Best Of The Podcast: Championship Blocking & Offensive Systems with 6x National Championship Coach Jessy Satti
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
Feb 23
1 hr 16 min
The Playoff Preparation Checklist for Coaches: How Coaches Prepare to Win
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
Feb 16
27 min
The Standard Is the System: Building Excellence That Wins (You Can't Learn This Anywhere Else)
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
Feb 9
33 min
The Mechanics of Great Setting: A Masterclass with Brock Daviduk
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
Feb 2
1 hr 7 min
Beyond Skills & Systems: The Intangibles That Win Matches
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
Jan 12
25 min
Load more