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 High School Invitational
Great Lakes Regional Championship
Twin Cities Volleyball Classic
Intercollegiate Volleyball Tournament
Step by Step
Guides for Every Level
Whether you’re learning to pass or perfecting your 5-1 rotation — find the guide that matches where you are right now.
Feedback and opinions
What Players and Coaches Say
From club parents to varsity coaches — here’s how PlayingVolley guides are making a difference on the court.
Jasper
Coach
I send my players to PlayingVolley before every new unit.
Ryan’s scoring and rules guides are the clearest breakdowns I’ve found anywhere — they match FIVB and NFHS standards, which saves me from correcting bad information the kids pick up from random YouTube videos.
Jenny
The Club Parent
My daughter made her first club team this year, and I had no idea what a libero was or why rotations mattered. Ryan’s position guides broke it all down without making me feel stupid. Now I actually understand what’s happening on the court — and my kid thinks I’m cool for knowing what a 5-1 rotation is.
Burly
Player
Ryan’s spiking guide explained the 3-step approach in a way that made this site as my go-to resource.
This site is top on my recommendations list of Volleyball resources.
Want Personalized Coaching?
Whether you’re a parent looking for guidance on your kid’s first club season, a player preparing for tryouts, or a coach who wants a second opinion on your rotation — I’m here to help.
I offer one-on-one volleyball coaching sessions focused on fundamentals, positioning, and game strategy.
Or start with our free guides — browse 50+ articles covering every aspect of the game. See All Guides →