Ryan Shaw
I'm Ryan Shaw, and I'm deeply passionate about beach volleyball — not just the game itself, but the science behind it. My coaching approach is rooted in data and sport science: studying film, analyzing performance from multiple perspectives, and translating insights into smarter, more effective training. I draw from a range of disciplines to continuously sharpen the game and push what's possible.
What I love most about coaching is building environments where players can genuinely explore, experiment, and develop the adaptive skills needed to handle everything the game throws at them. My goal is to give players the right cues and guidance, then create the space for them to work through failure and emerge stronger. Beyond individual growth, I work hard to foster a club culture grounded in high standards, mutual support, and real enjoyment — one where players hold each other accountable and push one another toward their full potential.
Coaching, like any discipline, is a continuous learning process. I value connecting with professionals at the highest level, because those exchanges spark ideas that make me a better coach and create richer experiences for my players.
My Story
Ryan Shaw is a Bay Area native with volleyball in his roots. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he competed on the varsity volleyball team and helped lead them to a CCS and NorCal championship. As a club player with Bay to Bay Volleyball Club, Ryan was part of a 17-1 National Open Championship-winning team as a setter. He returned to Bay to Bay as a head coach, working across the 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s age groups and earning multiple podium finishes along the way.
Ryan went on to attend the University of Southern California (USC), earning both his undergraduate degree and a Master's in Computer Science. During his time there, he served as a Graduate Assistant for the USC Beach Volleyball D1 program — where the team captured a national championship — and the USC Women's Indoor Volleyball program. Throughout his playing and coaching career, Ryan has had the privilege of training and learning under elite Olympic-level players and coaches, giving him a firsthand understanding of what excellence looks like at the highest levels of the sport.
Outside of volleyball, Ryan is an avid skier and chess player, always sharpening the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills that carry into everything he does.
