I won a Mikasa A Trainer from the guys at TheNetLive radio show right before the fall boys volleyball season in Wisconsin started. I answered a few trivia questions and a few days later, it arrived. I was really excited to get this product, not only to have yet another volleyball coaching product to review on this site, but to see how my players liked using it.

The purpose of this training aid is to build strength in a hitter’s shoulder and core muscles. After using it for a short time, I can see that it does deliver. The ball weighs 1 kg (2.2 pounds) and filled with, what seems to be, sand or small beads. It is a perfect size for any player above 12 years old to palm in their hand.

The A Trainer is sturdy and well put together. I’ve seen the ball hit a concrete floor and wall several times and the ball still looks new. I was worried that a few weeks of use would destroy it and would leave little beads everywhere. This is not the case through a full season of use.

My players have used it in several ways:

• In the weight room, using the techniques described by Reid Priddy in his Mikasa A Trainer video.
• Learning the proper arm swing technique while using the trainer as resistance. Using it in this way really helped the younger players realize that leading with the elbow and performing the hitting action correctly, really helps ease the stress on their shoulders, it also gives them more power.
• As a warm-up for their arms before practice and matches.

Club season practices are beginning next week already and I will be bringing the trainer ball with me. I’m interested to see how girls respond to this training aid. Will it be different? Who knows… Anyone who has coached both boys and girls knows why that is even a question.

I wish I had more of the A Trainer balls and will be on the lookout for a cheap retailer where I can buy a few more in bulk. I’m also looking for more exercises to use this training aid. If you have one and would like to add to this review, please leave a comment.