Head Coach Certification, Level 2

Go Beyond the Basics with Advanced Training and Match Strategy

Being a good volleyball coach means knowing more than the basic rules and skills of the game. You’ve got to organize practices that spur improvement, implement offensive and defensive systems that cater to your team’s strengths, and develop a program culture that breeds success year after year.  

Yet learning such advanced strategies is hard, and many coaches simply don’t know where to start.  

Introducing the Head Coach Certification, Level 2!  

In this next-level program, you’ll get 13 hours of advanced volleyball instruction that goes even further than our Head Coach, Level 1 Certification. Once inside, get ready for a deep dive into advanced systems, techniques and strategies for playing the game at a higher level, taught by five of North America’s most successful coaches: Jim Stone, Terry Liskevych, Karch Kiraly, Ben Josephson and Kelly Sheffield.  

After taking this certification course, you’ll be able to:  

  1. Effectively convey information to your athletes, so concepts stick with them 
  2. Demonstrate the stretch reflex for creating explosive lateral movement at the net 
  3. Develop a read block system for more effective net defense 
  4. Create an out-of-system offense that scores points 
  5. Teach players to hit harder for more kills 
  6. Encourage players to develop a go-to serve that prevents sideouts 
  7. Train back row players to dig around the block for better defense 
  8. And more!

Short on time? No worries! We know coaches are busy people, so we designed this certification course to be self-paced. Simply work through it as your schedule allows—watch one video at a time or work through an entire section—it’s all up to you.  

You also get transcriptions of each lesson and exclusive 24/7 access to the “members only” online forum to ask questions and discuss the course content with fellow coaches.

The sport of volleyball is getting more and more competitive. If you want your program to lead the pack instead of trail behind it, don’t wait for next season. Enhance your coaching knowledge now, so you can achieve the kind of success the other coaches will be talking about in the years to come. Ready to get started? 

Key Features

The Total Package

  • 13 hours of advanced volleyball instruction 
  • 11 core modules 
  • 92 video lessons + bonus extras
  • Transcriptions of each lesson 
  • “Test your knowledge” quizzes with each module
  • “Members only” access to the online forum
  • Status as a Certified Level Two Head Coach 
  • A digital badge for use on your website, social media platforms and other communication vehicles  
  • A digital certificate you can print, frame and display in your home, office or gym

Topics Covered

Practice Management

Skill Development

Strategies & Systems

Full Curriculum – 13 Hours of Advanced Instruction!

Learning

  • Mindset and learning 
  • Flipped classroom teaching 
  • The importance of deliberate practice 
  • Desirable difficulties 
  • Building habits 
  • Vision and learning 
  • Keys to effective feedback 
  • Using chunking as a teaching tool

Team Organization

  • Creating your gym culture 
  • Considerations for coaching females 
  • Developing team leaders 
  • Keys to effective problem resolution  

Practice Development

  • Season practice planning 
  • Daily practice planning 
  • Sample Youth National Team practice

Setter Development

  • Setting footwork 
  • Setting hand position and release

Blocker Development

  • Blocking fundamentals
  • Outside and opposite blocking: Shape blocking 
  • Middle blocking: Stretch reflex 
  • Analysis of the upper body movement 
  • Middle blocker breakdown 
  • Visual blocking breakdown

Attacker Development

  • Attacking mechanics 
  • Keys for developing middle attackers 
  • Keys for developing the back row attack

Serve Development

  • Tactics of serving 
  • Skill analysis of the serve

Serve Receive Development

  • Serve receive points of emphasis 
  • Serve receive techniques 
  • “Bend don’t break” in serve receive

Offensive System Development

  • Positional considerations for your offense 
  • Serve receive organization 
  • Organization of a 3-person pattern 
  • Hybrid serve receive patterns 
  • Platform angle based on position 
  • Protecting the best attacker 
  • Organizing your offense 
  • Attacking approach angles 
  • Overload vs. isolate

Defensive System Development

  • Keys to defensive system development
  • Defensive video analysis 
  • Defensive system organization  
  • Defensive base position 
  • Defensive blocking position 
  • Defensive systems 
  • Defensive adjustments

Game Coaching Strategies

  • In-game coaching tactics

Bonus Videos

Stats

  • The importance of variance in volleyball stats  
  • Stats to evaluate attacking 
  • Stats to evaluate serve and pass 
  • Stats to plan offensive rotations  
  • Using stats in practice 
  • Stat tools and best practices 
  • Using stats in competition  
  • Evaluative stats

Strength Training

  • Creating stability in joints & muscles 
  • Exercises to increase mobility 
  • Economical strength training 
  • Helping your athletes recover correctly

Coaching Keys

  • Learning keys in practice  
  • Setting footwork patterns

Pricing

AOC Premium Member Price

$75

Start my certification

Learn more about AOC membership here.

Non-Member Price

$150

Start my certification

About Your Instructors

Jim Stone

When it comes to coaching volleyball, few knew more about the game than the late Jim Stone. For more than 30 years, the Ohio State Hall of Fame Coach trained some of the best players at the collegiate and national levels. He has been recognized as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable coaches of all time.  

Collegiate Career
   – Head Coach Ohio State University 1982-2007
   – 531-294 overall record
   – Appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments
   – Won 3 Big Ten Titles 

National Career
   – Coached USA Girls’ Youth National Team 2008-2013
   – 3 gold medals at the NORCECA Youth Championships
   – Silver medal at the Youth World Championships 

World Championships Awards
   – Four-time AVCA Regional Coach of the Year
   – Four-time Big Ten Coach of the Year
   – USAV All-Time Great Coach in Ohio State Hall of Fame 

Karch Kiraly

During a record-setting playing career spanning four decades, the legendary Karch Kiraly won three Olympic gold medals, 180+ AVP tournaments, and three NCAA Championships. Equally talented as a coach, he has spent the past 10 years guiding the U.S. Women’s National Team to new heights, including their first-ever FIVB World Championship gold medal. With a resume like this, it’s no wonder the FIVB named him the “greatest volleyball player of the 20th century.”

Terry Liskevych

With a knack for turning struggling programs into winning ones, Terry has built a reputation as a world-class coach at the club, collegiate and national levels. His crowning achievement was taking the fledging U.S. Women’s National Program and transforming it into a globally ranked powerhouse, culminating in an Olympic bronze medal in 1992. Today, Terry continues to share his vast coaching expertise with others, so they too can improve the strength of their programs.

Kelly Sheffield

Known as one of the sport’s most accomplished coaches, Kelly has repeatedly taken underperforming teams and molded them into elite contenders by always searching for ways to improve. No team has reaped the benefits more than his University of Wisconsin Badgers who’ve earned a Big 10 title, six-straight NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, and an NCAA Runner-up finish under his guidance. Due to his rich resume of success, Kelly has been named Coach of the Year 11 times.

Ben Josephson

As a former standout athlete turned standout coach, Ben Josephson has become one of the hottest coaches in North America over the last two decades. His ability to recruit talented personnel and train successful sides has allowed him to develop one of the best college programs in the country. It has also earned him multiple Coach of the Year honors and recognition as an expert in the men’s and women’s games.

FAQ

Who should get certified?

The Head Coach, Level 2 Certification is for anyone who wants to establish credibility as a coach—specifically at the intermediate to advanced levels—or anyone who wants to enhance their knowledge and go beyond the fundamentals. This includes head coaches, players making the transition to coaching, assistant coaches advancing to head coaching roles, athletic directors who want to educate their coaches, and avid enthusiasts who want in-depth insight about the game from some of the most respected coaches in volleyball.

Why should I get certified?

While there are currently no certification requirements for volleyball coaches, having this badge will set you apart from other coaches. You’ll discover proven coaching techniques that allow you to develop your players’ skills quicker and more effectively. You’ll learn the latest tactics for winning matches along with systems and strategies other coaches simply don’t know. You’ll also get invaluable insights about team organization and practice development, positional instruction and in-game coaching strategies, and bonus material covering stats, strength training and coaching. All taught by some of the most experienced and knowledgeable coaches on the planet. Plus, you’ll get a badge and certificate when you complete the program as proof of your coaching prowess. It all adds up to making you a better and more successful volleyball coach.

I’m pretty busy. How long will it take me to get through the certification?

That’s entirely up to you. We designed the Head Coach, Level 2 Certification Course to be self-paced, so you can decide when, where and how quickly to work through it. It’s possible to complete the program in a few days if you’re working at it full-time. Or it might take a week, a month or longer, depending on how much time you’re able to devote to it.

How do I get the premium price?

Get 50% off the certification course fee when you enroll as a premium member of The Art of Coaching Volleyball. Click here to learn how.

Do I have lifetime access to the content?

Absolutely! You’ll be able to view the course as many times as you would like for as long as you like.

Where can I use my certification?

Upon course completion, you’ll receive a badge to use in your marketing. This includes your website, LinkedIn profile, email signature, and any other communication vehicles you use to display your credentials. You’ll also get a digital certificate that you can print, frame and display in your gym, home or office.

Will I be able to view the videos in any order?

With the certificatin, each lesson builds upon the previous one. As such, it’s important to follow the course in the order it’s presented. Once you complete it, however, you’ll be able to jump around to any section or lesson you choose.

I don’t do well on tests. What happens if I fail one?

Don’t worry! You’ll be able to take each test as many times as you need to. They’re simply meant to reinforce what you’ve learned, not prevent you from earning your certification.

Ready to up your coaching game?