Expert Volleyball Guides —
From Backyard Basics to Varsity-Level Tactics
I’m Ryan Walker — college-level outside hitter, volleyball coach, and the voice behind 50+ in-depth guides trusted by players, parents, and coaches. Whether you’re learning your first bump or mastering a 5-1 rotation, every guide on this site is built on real court experience and backed by official FIVB and NCAA standards.
Browse All GuidesDig deep, set high, spike hard – the volleyball player’s mantra.
Three Decades on the Court — Now I’m Coaching Yours
Here’s the experience behind every guide on this site.
Minnesota High School – Started as an outside hitter in zone 4. Backyard nets with my siblings.
State Championship Win – Won the finals in a five-set battle that went deep into the evening. I still remember that match for it taught me about stamina and momentum in one evening.
College Volleyball on Scholarship – Competed at the national level. Made quarterfinals at the National Collegiate Championship and won the Intercollegiate Tournament my senior year.
International Play in Europe – Played against FIVB-standard international teams. A crash course in international differences in court dimensions, rule variations and playing style differences.
Coaching & Content – Now I turn 30+ years of playing and coaching into guides that help you improve faster. Every article on PlayingVolley is written from the court, not from a cubicle.
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Get to know Me
Meet Coach Ryan
I’ve spent three decades in the volleyball trenches — from winning the Minnesota State Championship in a five-set final to competing against international teams across Europe. I played outside hitter through high school and college, earned a scholarship to a nationally competitive program, and coached youth teams after hanging up my jersey.
These days, I bring that court experience to PlayingVolley.com. Every guide I write is grounded in official FIVB, NCAA, and USAV standards — because I’ve seen what happens when players train on bad information. My IT background means I approach the game analytically, breaking down rotations, scoring systems, and technique into clear, actionable guides that coaches actually trust.
If you’re serious about understanding volleyball — not just playing it — you’re in the right place.
Minnesota