What Is Smarter Volley?
Smarter Volley is the collection and organization of the way I think about volleyball. To some degree it is technical and tactical. I have thoughts on the best way to move your arms to pass a ball or how many steps outside hitters should take in transition. I think some systems are more effective than others. But there’s lots of opinions on that stuff already out there. I want to go a little more meta than that.
What is our thought process as volleyball coaches and players? What’s informing our decisions? How do we know if they are the right one? The game evolves. Techniques and tactics change, fall out of favor, reshape, and come back in different forms. The game is going to be different in 5 years. Do we stay ahead of that curve, for fall behind? Maybe we could even be the ones that shape that evolution?
Who Is Joe Trinsey?
I’m a husband, father, and nomadic volleyball coach. That means I’m sort-of-homeless, but in a fun kind of way.
I’m on an accidental journey to tick every coaching box. I’ve coached 4th-graders. I’ve walked in an Olympic Opening Ceremonies. I’ve coached boys and girls and men and women. I’ve coached indoor and beach. (Mostly indoor, but I’m almost more excited by the evolution in beach volleyball that’s about to explode.) I’ve coached in the NCAA and overseas. I’ve been yellow-carded in front of a few thousand chain-smoking Vietnamese fans.
Basically, I’m sort of like the Forrest Gump of volleyball. I’m just a random guy from Delaware who has stumbled into meeting some of the coolest volleyball people from all around the world.
Unlike Forrest Gump, I also spend hours and hours creating detailed statistical studies that let me publish insights like: “Don’t get aced,” and, “Stand where the other team will hit the ball.” But that stuff seems to help people.
Where Do I Start?
If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out these posts:
SmarterVolley Turns 1
SmarterVolley Turns 1 (Part 2)
A Year Of SmarterVolley Beach
A Year Of SmarterVolley Beach (Part 2)
Those are organized lists of most of the posts from the first year on this newsletter.
You also might want to read my origin story and learn a little more about who I am.
Do I Need A Paid Subscription?
No. And I’ll always publish at least half of my content for free.
But… the other half of that content is pretty cool! I post at least one premium-only post per week and every now and then I do things like, “this entire month is premium-only.” I also host live small-group workshops and Q&A sessions. People seem to like them!
