The Complete Handbook of Volleyball

Solid reference for coaches and facility managers. The first chapter does a good job explaining why specifications matter and how the sport is structured, and I found the decision framework in Chapter 3 actually useful when we were replacing our district's balls. My only complaint is that Chapter 2 could use more detail on synthetic versus leather construction—that's where a lot of buyers get confused. Overall, though, this is way better than asking around or trusting retailer websites.

I appreciated the no-nonsense approach and the focus on standards and specs rather than marketing. As someone new to managing a facility, Chapter 4 helped me understand net installation and maintenance better than anything I found online. That said, the business chapter felt a bit thin for someone actually trying to start a volleyball equipment company—I wanted more on supplier relationships and margins. Still worth having on the shelf.

This is exactly what I needed. I coach at three different schools and I was tired of making ball purchasing decisions based on guesses and what other coaches mentioned. This handbook walks you through the actual specifications and why they matter—court dimensions, ball construction, pressure ratings, all of it. The troubleshooting section saved me money by helping me diagnose inflation problems instead of just replacing balls. Clear, practical, no fluff. Highly recommend for anyone running a serious program.

As a facility director for a private club, I found this invaluable. The standards chapter alone justified the purchase—I now have a concrete reference for what equipment we should be buying and maintaining. The business opportunities section gave me ideas for revenue I hadn't considered, and the FAQ section covers questions I get asked all the time. This is the kind of book you keep at your desk and refer to constantly.

Refreshing to read something about sports equipment that isn't trying to sell you something. I've been coaching for eight years and I still learned concrete details about why ball specifications matter and how to properly evaluate them. The maintenance and troubleshooting chapter is gold—the inflation and seam-failure advice alone will save coaches time and money. If you're serious about volleyball, this is your reference book.

Useful handbook overall, especially the opening chapter which does a great job explaining how the sport is structured and why standards exist. The maintenance section is practical and the supplier information is current. My only wish is that there was more about youth modifications and how to scale programs for different age groups—that felt a bit glossed over. Otherwise, a solid addition to any coach's resource library.