The Spark That Started It All
In the middle of the 2020 lockdown, Olympic gold medalist April Ross posted an Instagram video doing something simple but powerful: bouncing a volleyball off a wooden plank in her backyard. No court. No teammates. Just a wall, a board, and a ball. Watch it here.
For most viewers, it was just another glimpse into how pros stay sharp during uncertain times.
But for Jonathan, it was a lightbulb moment.
“I remember watching that video and thinking, ‘There has to be a better way for athletes to train reaction and ball control when they’re on their own.’ That’s when the idea for the VolleyBoard hit me.”
The Need for a Real Training Tool
As a lifelong volleyball player and coach, Jonathan knew that reaction time, angles, and unpredictability were critical to game performance—especially for defenders and passers. But no one had created a volleyball rebounder specifically designed to train those skills in a real, dynamic way.
From Garage Prototype to the First VolleyBoard
Armed with April’s video and a garage full of tools, Jonathan started experimenting with angles, materials, and bounce patterns to mimic the chaotic nature of a real rally. After months of prototyping, testing, and feedback from local players, the VolleyBoard was born—a volleyball reaction training device that’s lightweight, durable, and portable for both beach and indoor use.
Training the Next Generation
Now shipping in Summer 2025, the VolleyBoard has already become a go-to tool for players looking to elevate their training—whether they’re warming up on the sand or grinding reps solo in the driveway.
What started as a simple Instagram post has turned into a movement: empowering athletes with smarter, more accessible training.
Ready to Train Like April?
Pre-orders for the VolleyBoard are now live.
Reserve yours today and be part of the new wave in volleyball training.