Jiri Popelka
Welcome to the VolleyCoachShow podcast, where the world's most renowned coaches and volleyball stars come together to share a wealth of practical advice, personal experiences, and captivating stories that transcend the boundaries of volleyball.
Nov 20
In this episode, I break down eight advanced ways to make your jump serve more dangerous — without changing your technique. After playing at three World Championships, I’ve learned that great serving isn’t only about mechanics. It’s about identity, intention, psychology, vision, landing control, and how you handle pressure. I’ll tell you how to build your serving identity, reset your mind with a quick routine, attack passers with purpose, read their body language, and train under real match stress. If you want a jump serve that holds up when it matters, this one is for you.
Nov 17
Today we’re talking about a skill almost nobody trains — but every smart player needs. The aggressive bump. You can’t spike every ball, and real match situations are messy: bad sets, low balls, off-balance contacts… they happen constantly. The best players don’t panic. They adapt. In this episode, I’ll show you how the aggressive bump can turn a “lost” situation into real pressure on the opponent. You’ll learn when to use it, which mistakes you must avoid, where to place it to make defenders suffer, and how to execute it with confidence. This one skill can completely change how dangerous you are on the court — especially when things aren’t perfect. If you want to stop giving free balls and start controlling the rally even from tough situations, this episode is for you. Let’s jump in.
Nov 7
In volleyball, we always want to play with both hands — that’s how you keep control and consistency. But sometimes, you just don’t have time. The ball is off, you’re under pressure, or you’re diving to save it. In this episode, I’ll tell you when it actually makes sense to play one-handed, what mistakes to avoid, and how to use your open palm to control the ball instead of just swinging your fist. These are real match situations — and if you learn to handle them the right way, you’ll start saving points that most players lose. Let’s talk about how to make that one-handed play your secret weapon.
Oct 29
Today we’re talking about one of the most important volleyball skills — the forearm pass, or bump. It looks simple, but even experienced players get it wrong. I’ll share how to fix the six most common mistakes — from lifting your body too early to losing control of your platform — and show you how to pass forward, stay low, and keep your technique stable in every situation. Let’s jump in and perfect your bump — right here on the VolleyCoach Show.
Oct 20
In this episode, I’m talking about one of the most underrated ways to improve your volleyball skills — shadow drills. You don’t need a ball, a court, or even a partner. Just you, your body, and the right movements. I’ll explain why the best athletes in the world — like tennis pros Alcaraz and Sinner — swear by this type of training, and how volleyball players can use it to build better footwork, timing, and reactions. You’ll also hear my favorite shadow drills for every position: receivers, setters, outside hitters, and middles. Each one will help you move faster, stay balanced, and play with more confidence when the real game begins. If you want to get smoother, more consistent, and game-ready — this episode is for you.
Oct 7
In this episode, we explore 3 unconventional drills to jump higher in volleyball 🏐💥. You’ll learn why doing the same exercises over and over stops your progress — and how to challenge your muscles in new ways to unlock real vertical gains. These safe but powerful drills focus on eccentric strength, teaching your body to absorb and reapply force explosively. From squat jumps holding a volleyball to pre-fatigue box jumps and advanced depth-to-hurdle combos, you’ll discover how to train smarter, not just harder. Plus, find out how the Next Gen Hitter program can take your jump — and your entire game — to the next level.
Oct 2
In this podcast I am focusing on how volleyball players can improve their hitting approach to achieve professional-level power and height. I speak about three major footwork mistakes, such as stomping the right foot or letting it point toward the sideline, offering corrections like using a heel-to-toe step with the toes angled into the court.
Sep 24
In this podcast you find an extensive review of the Mizuno Wave Momentum Elite volleyball shoe, presenting it as a successor to the Wave Momentum 3 and Mizuno's latest high-end model. Ultimately, the review concludes that the Elite is a top-tier shoe best suited for players, especially hitters and blockers, who prioritize stability and joint protection over maximum vertical jump performance.