In this episode, Mark digs into one of the most common pain points for beach volleyball athletes: shoulder injuries. Whether you’re spiking every weekend or just getting back from a strain, this episode gives you real talk and practical workout tips on how to prevent shoulder injuries, rehab methods, and build strength for a more powerful attack. Building on the previous discussion about attack workouts, Mark reveals the specific exercises, movement patterns, and training modifications that

Sean plays in a hockey league with multiple divisions based on talent level, yet he had to encounter one team who signed up for a league far below their skill level. Is there really any enjoyment out of demolishing someone THAT badly in a sporting event?Plus, we're sharing some of our favorite school projects from high school, discussing the tire on fire flight debacle, and Sean wonders what if Nelson Cruz had caught that fly ball during Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.Links from this

In this episode we welcome back Paris Beach Olympians and U.S. Beach National Team athletes Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss (00:40 - 36:50) to the show! They talk about their success this season on the Beach Pro Tour including bringing their trophy from Gstaad through the airport. They share about starting a new quad, their motivation to keep going strong, and their renewed partnership with Zenni Optical. They also talk about the upcoming Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 stop here in the U.S. and what ...

This is the episode that explains it all. Why volleyball. Why mindset. Why Susan. In this heartfelt solo episode, Susan opens up about the real journey behind the NXTVB Podcast and coaching platform. From resigning from a top club director role to almost starting an interior design business—and how a trip to Magnolia, a mindset breakthrough, and a $21K life coaching investment led her right back to volleyball. You’ll hear how Susan’s own experiences as a D1 athlete, coach, mom, and entrepren...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Devin Busam, a young volleyball enthusiast who transitioned from being cut from his high school team to becoming a team manager and eventually securing a position at Orange Coast College. Devin shares his experiences, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and community in sports, while also expressing his excitement for the future and his aspirations in t...

In this episode of Volley Talk, we discuss what went on during Week 3 of the Men's VNL competition. Brazil finished at the top of the rankings at 11-1, with Italy in second at 10-2. Serbia saved themselves from relegation by going 2-2 this week, and the bubble teams kept things exciting until the very last moment.Netherlands will not be returning to VNL in 2026, and there were several entertaining matches this week- a lot of them involving Cuba.If you have questions for us or topics you would like

This conversation explores the intertwining themes of travel, family responsibilities, and the impact of volleyball on friendships and life lessons. The speakers share personal stories about planning a trip to Africa, navigating family dynamics, and the importance of youth sports in building lifelong connections. They emphasize that the journey in sports and life is just as significant as the destination, highlighting the joy and memories created along the way. In this conversation, the speak...

I talk with Louisville Associate HC Todd Chamberlain about many topics in his career at Louisville from: Talent evaluating, to building their culture, treating people the right way, locking down hometown recruits from Day 1, all coaches having valuable say and knowing who they could get and who they couldn't. He talks about the early years of building to get a step better and how they struggled to fill their 1000 seat arena in the first year, but they invited anyone who wanted to be a Louisvi...

Joey is thriving, but Sean is barely hanging on thanks to a bug that has conquered him. Nevertheless, we're powering through.Joey recaps his visit to Frisco, Texas, known as Sports City USA—and wouldn't you know it, it has a bunch of fun video game stuff, too! We're waxing nostalgic about The Oregon Trail and Pokemon Stadium. Plus, the introduction of a new Sean segment! What a time. And here's that Adrian Beltre and the Texas Rangers dressed as cowboys:

Join Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner as they dive deep into beach volleyball attack strategy and shot selection. Fresh off Brandon's coaching success at the AVP League, the duo breaks down how to choose the right attacks, diversify your offensive arsenal, maximize your hitting percentage, and how to avoid being too predictable on the court. They also recap their experiences at the AVP League, sharing behind-the-scenes coaching insights. They break down key plays, mental strategies, and

Send us a text In this episode of Triple Blockheads, Makani, Frank, and Marc discuss the complexities of sports specialization versus being a multi-sport athlete, with a focus on volleyball. They delve into how the debate often begins in the club space, the importance of supporting multi-sport athletes in smaller communities, and how recruiting processes can be influenced by a player's multi-sport background. Frank shares insights from his experience as a club director, emphasizing the commun...

Curious who is presenting at this year's clinic? Wondering what they are going to talk about? Join Greg Ueland (Roseville) and Darin Swenson (Litchfield) as they preview this year's schedule!

You can have the skills, the highlight film, and the emails — but if your mindset isn’t right, none of it sticks. In this powerful conversation, Susan brings on Desi, a certified mindset and performance coach and former college middle blocker, to break down what most athletes miss about confidence, handling disappointment, and navigating the mental side of recruiting. They talk about why burying your emotions backfires, how to actually process disappointment (instead of pretending it’s fine),...

In this episode, Victoria sit's down with Mike Griffin, founder of Bad Boys Open Volleyball Events, to talk all things grass volleyball. Mike dives into the details behind the OC Crown, a premier grass tournament in Huntington Beach, and shares what it takes to direct massive events like the Seaside Open, featuring over 200 courts. From logistics to community building, Mike explains what makes his tournaments stand out—and how he's helping bring the grass volleyball movement to the West Coast...

In this episode of Volley Talk, we discuss what went on during Week 3 of the Women's VNL competition. Italy finished the preliminary round with a perfect 12-0 record, followed closely by Brazil at 11-1. Serbia pulled themselves out of the relegation spot by winning 3 of 4 matches in Apeldoorn, but the battle for relegation lasted until the very end.A couple teams really elevated their performance in Week 3, and others struggled to get anything going. We make some predictions for how the Final 8 will

In this episode we discuss the difference between your ego and your confidence, the unmatched competition for spots in USA volleyball, how to be a good teammate while aiming to perform your best. We chat about the many emotions that come with getting cut from the olympic roster and how she responded in the next 4 years. She shares what it was like committing to university at 14 years old, and we brainstorm the science of momentum and how to quantify it. Check out our website: https://pit2pro....

When Sean and Joey were kids, there seemed to be no shortage of funky batting stances. Tony Batista. Jeff Bagwell. Craig Counsell. Chuck Knoblauch. Kevin Youkilis. Those seem to largely be a relic of the past. Are we just getting older? Do we simply not care as much? Am I so out of touch? Probably yes to all three. Shout out to Sports R Dumb listener Chris for the topic suggestion!Sean also tries to accurately predict World Series participants from the past decade or so, with only modest success

Great attackers don't just hit hard! They see everything and communicate constantly. In this episode of the Better at Beach podcast, Mark Burik and Brandon Joyner dive into two underrated superpowers in beach volleyball: court vision and communication. They break down practical volleyball drills and volleyball training habits that help you pass, set, and hit more effectively, even without perfect sets.They share personal stories about their own struggles and breakthrough moments when they

In this episode we welcome U.S. Women's National Team outside hitter Sarah Franklin (00:27 - 39:55) to the show! Sarah shares how this year's VNL has been going for her. She talks about her favorite travel destinations volleyball has brought her and playing in front of a home crowd in Arlington, Texas. She also mentions how she was introduced to the game, the relationships she has with her teammates and so much more! Text us!