Mike Lingenfelter: Compete Every Day - Developing Tougher Volleyball Players Through Game Based Drills

with Mike Lingenfelter;
Co-Director of the Asics Munciana Volleyball Club and Munciana Samurai Head Coach;
2024 Triple Crown Volleyball "Heart of Sport" Award;
2021 AVCA Club Coach of the Year;
2023 AAU Open Champions (18s);
2022 AAU Open Champions (18s);
2021 AAU Open Champions (18s);
2017 AAU Open Champions (18s);
2011 AAU Open Champions (18s);
2009 AAU Open and JVA National Champions (18s);
Former Wapahani HS (IN) Head Coach;
3x Indiana State High School Champions;
3x Indiana State Coach of the Year;
Former Cincinnati Head Coach;
Former Memphis Head Coach;
Played collegiately at Ball State University

Award-winning coach Mike Lingenfelter shares an innovative and highly practical approach to developing complete volleyball players through competitive drills, communication-based training, and purposeful practice design.

In this detailed on-court instructional video, Coach Lingenfelter demonstrates how to create engaging training environments that help athletes develop skills, confidence, communication, and decision making through competition and game-based learning. Drawing from decades of championship-level coaching experience, he presents a wide variety of drills and teaching concepts designed to create practices that are energetic, purposeful, and centered around athlete development.

Coach Lingenfelter begins by discussing how to build stronger volleyball communities and establish practice habits that immediately engage athletes from the opening minutes of training. He explains the importance of creating structure, energy, and focus early in practice while building an environment where athletes feel connected, challenged, and motivated to improve.

Using younger demonstrators throughout the on-court session, Coach Lingenfelter shows how to teach concepts progressively while keeping athletes engaged, confident, and competitive throughout the learning process. He demonstrates how to simplify teaching cues, scaffold skill development, and create success through competitive, game-based drills.

Throughout the video, Coach Lingenfelter demonstrates creative drill progressions that help players transfer fundamental movement skills into volleyball-specific actions. He shares how to scaffold learning from catching and throwing movements into passing, attacking, and live game-play situations that build both confidence and execution.

You will learn how to design drills that encourage communication, adaptability, and problem solving while keeping athletes actively engaged. Coach Lingenfelter emphasizes concise teaching, effective cueing, and creating opportunities for athletes to learn through action rather than lengthy explanations.

Featured drills and concepts include:

• Speed Ball and small-sided competitive games for decision making and ball control
• Tennis One Contact and Two Man Chase drills for movement, communication, and reaction training
• Kyushu Drill and Milan Entry concepts that challenge players to think and compete under pressure
• Dodgeball Plus and Flow Drill variations that increase energy, movement, and competitive intensity
• Belly and Back Passing along with Quiet Platform training to improve body control and ball handling awareness
• Defensive concepts such as Mountain D, Campfire D, and Turn and Burn for improving defensive reactions and out-of-system play

Coach Lingenfelter also dives into the human side of coaching by discussing leadership, vulnerability, communication, and what he calls the connection gap between coaches and athletes. He shares thoughtful insights on meeting athletes where they are, helping players stay engaged in the learning process, and creating practices that balance challenge with achievable success.

A major focus throughout the video is preparing athletes for the unpredictable nature of volleyball. Coach Lingenfelter explains why practices must include chaos, problem solving, and out-of-system situations so players learn how to adapt during matches rather than relying on perfect conditions.

You will also see how to create competitive scoring systems, build conditioning naturally into drills, establish meaningful practice goals, and teach athletes how to communicate effectively during play.

Packed with creative drills, practical teaching methods, and powerful coaching insight, this video provides a complete framework for developing connected, competitive volleyball players who can think, communicate, and compete in any situation on the court.

108 minutes. 2026.