Coach Deborah Newkirk – bringing coaching and teaching together

Author and developer of youth volleyball and basketball curriculums, drill books, training journals, and more.

Speaker and presenter at conferences and coach clinics.

Creator of products designed to make training more effective and fun.

Deborah's Message

"Connecting with young minds and bringing the tools and techniques of the field of education to the world of sports has been my lifelong passion. I am so grateful to be able to share my ideas, experience, and products to make sports more fun for young athletes and their coaches. Let’s keep putting fun in fundamentals, knowing the essential foundation they provide, building confidence early, and passing on the beautiful lifetime gift of sport."

Coach Newkirk designs skill-driven products for everyone, from school districts to school kids, to make learning sports more fun. Find more in the Coach 'Em Up Shop.

Skill Ball:

colored and numbered panels teach passing, setting, underhand serving, overhand serving and hitting.

Complete, seamless K-5 lesson plans with videos, posters, and worksheets. Coming Summer 2019!

Twelve weeks of age-appropriate drills and skill building for Grades K-6.

Hot Shot

Basketball and Volleyball training programs to make practice fun!

Basketball and Volleyball 10,000

Improve your game with these fun programs!

Training Journal

for every sport and level, filled with prompts for reflection and goal setting, space to draw, and inspiration.

Co-Authored by Coach Newkirk, 120 creative drills for youth coaches.

Pat Werner

K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum Specialist, Austin ISD

"As a district level curriculum person, working with Deborah was amazing. She ‘gets it’! She understands the idea of creating curriculum that is effective for all children, not an easy task in the public school setting. Deborah was easy to work with and took the time to listen to our needs and helped solve problems unique to Austin ISD. Her volleyball curriculum is engaging and developmentally spot on! I look forward to working with her on other projects in the future."

Otis Thorpe

NBA, Retired

"Her knowledge of the game of basketball is amazing, and communication with the kids and the kids with her is something to see."

Jennifer Winkler

Coach ‘Em Up Certified Coach

"I love working with kids and watching them build upon their skills. I have experienced how Coach Newkirk’s methodology and terminology simplifies the delivery of information, so the kids understand without an over complicated explanation and can take the skill to the drill and the drill to the game."

Want More?

Latest news

Apr, 24

Art of Coaching Volleyball Clinics

April 24, 2019 by admin

Catch Deborah and see her one-of-a-kind Skill Ball in person at The Art of Coaching Volleyball’s upcoming clinics in Atlanta and Las Vegas!
Read more Art of Coaching Volleyball Clinics

Nov, 28

Hello, TAHPERD!

November 28, 2017 by admin

I am thrilled to be back at TAHPERD, sharing my Youth Volleyball Curriculum and unveiling my all new Wilson Skill Ball – the official youth volleyball of The Art of Coaching Volleyball! If you are at the conference, come stop by my booth, or sign up here for a pre-sale discount code for the Skill Ball!
Read more Hello, TAHPERD!