Sam Erger: Building Confident Teams with Preparation Strategies & Competitive Drills

with Sam Erger
SMU Volleyball Head Coach;
2024 AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year;
2023 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Regular Season Champions;
Baylor University Associate Head Coach (2019-2022);
Baylor University Assistant Coach (2014-2019);
2018 AVCA '30 Under 30' Award;
Hill College Head Coach (2013);
2013 North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Champions;
2013 NJCAA District F Coach of the Year;
Played college volleyball for Bowling Green

Building Confident Teams with Preparation Strategies & Competitive Drills

This video delivers a perfect blend of mental training, mindset, and structure behind SMU Volleyball's success plus practical, competitive team development drills from one of volleyball's rising coaching stars, Sam Erger.

In this two-part presentation, Coach Erger outlines exactly how to prepare your team before the season begins so you can be more "in the moment" once matches start. From defining team identity and writing mission statements to managing adversity and setting challenging-yet-fun goals, this session gives coaches a roadmap to build confident, resilient athletes.

You'll learn about Coach Erger's Confidence Code, a framework of 10 principles designed to help players own their mindset and believe in their abilities. Coach Erger also covers how to work with parents, define player roles, and run purposeful planning meetings that foster buy-in and clarity across your program.

In the second half, she transitions to the court with detailed explanations and demonstrations of competitive team drills including the popular Matrix Drill and Dig-Leave Drill that simulate match pressure, build communication, and demand intensity. Each drill progresses from cooperative play to competitive execution, preparing your team to perform when it matters most.

Whether you're a new coach seeking a season blueprint or a veteran looking to sharpen your team's mindset and match-readiness, this video offers actionable strategies to elevate your coaching.

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars!
"Coach Erger provides great information on how to prepare your team for the season and equip them to play with confidence! Also, I loved the on-court drills!"

104 minutes. 2025.