Purdue University Head Coach;
2021 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
2021 AVCA Northeast Region Coach of the Year;
3x Elite Eight appearances (2010, 2013, 2020);
15x NCAA Tournament appearances;
2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
over 400 career wins;
Muncie Central High School (IN) Head Coach from 1990 to 2002;
4x State Champions;
600+ wins;
.850 winning percentage;
2002 PrepVolleyball.com National Coach of the YearIt’s said that solid team defense often wins matches; with this in mind, designing the most productive defensive approach is critical to your team’s sustained success. Purdue’s Dave Shondell provides a systematic approach for how you can create an effective defensive scheme that works at any level you are coaching!.
Coach Shondell outlines a series of key considerations that will guide how you choose your defensive approach. These include:
- Evaluating your program and opponents,
- Knowing the abilities of the coaching staff,
- Having a deep understanding of your athletes, and
- Deciding your collective strengths and understanding your areas needing improvement.
Shondell walks through each of these components in detail along the types of defensive schemes and adjustments that coaches at different levels make to give your team the best chance. He also discusses some of the pros and cons of blocking strategies at various levels of competition and the importance of coordinating blockers and back row defenders based on the opponent’s best attackers.
You will also learn specific training tips so every one of your athletes can improve their defensive effectiveness, along with examples of different defensive schemes and ways that you can help instill a culture of commitment to defense on your team.
This video guides you through how to think about creating a culture and approach to defense that best fits your team and athletes.
55 minutes. 2023.