by Jiri Popelka | Nov 20, 2025
I’ve played at three World Championships, and one thing is always the same: some players have a powerful jump serve that completely disappears under pressure, while others with imperfect technique score ace after ace because they understand the hidden side of serving....
by Jiri Popelka | Nov 15, 2025
Most players love to spike — but the reality is simple: you can’t spike every ball. Bad sets, low balls, off-balance situations… they happen all the time. And that’s exactly where smart players use one of the most underrated offensive skills in volleyball: the...
by Jiri Popelka | Nov 7, 2025
In volleyball, we always aim to play with both hands — that’s the foundation of control, precision, and consistency.But sometimes, that’s simply not possible. The ball is too far, you’re under pressure, or there’s no time to move your feet and set your platform....
by Jiri Popelka | Oct 29, 2025
The bump, or forearm pass, might look simple — but it’s one of the most important skills in volleyball. And yet, I still see so many players making the same mistakes. Even experienced ones! If your bump isn’t reliable in every situation, your whole game suffers. In...
by Jiri Popelka | Oct 20, 2025
In volleyball, we pass, hit, block, and serve… but almost nobody trains shadow drills.Yet if you look at top tennis players like Alcaraz or Sinner, shadow drills are a must in their training. They build perfect movement, timing, and confidence — all without the ball....
by Jiri Popelka | Oct 8, 2025
A volleyball hitter can be an outside spiker, opposite, or middle blocker — all players whose main goal is to attack the ball and score points for their team. These are the athletes who bring energy to the court, who rise above the net, and who can turn a perfect set...
by Jiri Popelka | Oct 7, 2025
Every volleyball player knows — your vertical jump changes everything. It’s the difference between smashing the ball through the block or getting stuffed, between winning or losing the rally. But here’s the truth: if you keep doing the same jump exercises over and...
by Jiri Popelka | Oct 2, 2025
Do you want to attack like the best players in the world? Then you need a professional-level approach. Most players make small but costly mistakes that stop them from jumping higher and hitting harder. I played at 3 World Championships, and I have never seen a pro...
by Jiri Popelka | Sep 24, 2025
The Wave Momentum Elite is Mizuno’s follow-up to the Wave Momentum 3 – but is it still one of the best volleyball shoes today? After testing them myself and digging into what players are saying, here’s the breakdown 👇 ✅ What’s Great Super comfortable right out of the...
by Jiri Popelka | Sep 19, 2025
Have you ever lost confidence in a match because your passing broke down? One bad reception… then another… and suddenly you’re fighting just to stay on the court. 😬 I’ve been there many times in my pro career, and that’s why I put together 5 simple but powerful drills...
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