Meet Dave Panah: The Coach Bringing World-Class Experience (and Energy) to Valencia
- Deep Dish
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
When we talk about the Deep Dish coaching team, we’re not just talking about drills and techniques. We’re talking about people who genuinely love the game, love teaching, and love helping others grow — no matter their level.
That’s why we’re excited to confirm that David Panah will be joining us at Deep Dish Valencia.
David isn’t just an experienced coach. He’s someone who’s lived volleyball, breathed it, questioned it, and reshaped how he teaches it over more than two decades in the sport.
Here’s why training with David in Valencia is something special.
A Lifetime in Volleyball — On and Off the Court
David started playing volleyball at the age of 12. That means he’s spent over 26 years immersed in the game.
For the past 11 years, he’s been coaching across:
Indoor and beach volleyball
Youth, adults, beginners, and high-performance athletes
Different countries, cultures, and volleyball systems
He’s played and coached national-level teams, including:
Playing for Team Wales, competing internationally
Northern Ireland National Team, helping develop young players and raise the standard of beach volleyball
Some of the athletes David began coaching years ago are now:
British Champions
Competing at the highest domestic and international levels
Others haven’t gone pro — and that matters just as much to him.
Because for David, success isn’t only about medals.
It’s about getting people involved, helping them enjoy the sport, and giving them the tools to keep playing for life.
A Coaching Style Built on Learning — Not Ego
One of the things David is most proud of is how much his coaching has evolved.
Early in his career, he admits he was more rigid:
Prescribing exact movements
Giving “the right answer”
Expecting everyone to fit the same model
Over time, that changed.
Today, David’s approach is about:
Asking the right questions
Encouraging self-exploration
Meeting players where they are
Helping each athlete find their solution — not a one-size-fits-all answer
His goal isn’t to create players who memorise instructions. It’s to create problem-solvers who understand the game and can adapt on their own.
Why David Uses Stories, Analogies & Metaphors
David is a huge believer in teaching through stories.
Why?
Because research — and experience — shows that people remember images and emotions far better than technical commands.
Instead of: “Put your arm here. Angle this. Step like that.”
You might hear:
“Defend like you’re catching a chicken.”
“Move like a lizard on the sand.”
“Your approach shouldn’t be Usain Bolt from step one — more like a zombie turning into a sprinter.”
These moments stick.
Players might forget the exact drill — but they remember the image, the feeling, and the lesson behind it.
And that’s what makes the learning last.
Relationships First. Everything Else Second.
Ask David what matters most in a session, and he won’t say:
The perfect drill
The best session plan
The most advanced tactic
He’ll say this:
The relationship between the coach and the player.
If players trust that:
You’re there to help them
You care about their progress
You’re invested in their journey
Then learning accelerates — at any level.
Without that trust, even the best-designed session falls flat.
This philosophy fits perfectly with Deep Dish.
The Deep Dish Difference: Community Without Ego
According to David, the Deep Dish environment is unlike anywhere else he’s coached.
Across all levels, he consistently sees:
Almost no ego
Players helping each other
Genuine positivity
A shared desire to learn and improve
Whether you’re new to beach volleyball or highly experienced, everyone shows up with the same mindset: Train hard. Have fun. Lift each other up.
David describes it as: “The best vibe and community I’ve ever been around — and it’s an honour to be part of it.”
Why Valencia Is the Perfect Place to Train
On top of the coaching, David is a huge fan of Valencia itself.
The city. The beach. The courts. The atmosphere.
Valencia offers:
Incredible facilities
A stunning urban-beach setting
Space to train hard and enjoy life outside the court
It’s the perfect backdrop for a camp that blends performance, play, culture and connection.
A Message for First-Timers (and Nervous Campers)
If you’ve only been playing volleyball for a short time… If you don’t feel confident yet… If the idea of a camp feels intimidating…
David has a clear message:
Deep Dish is the best possible place to start.
You’ll find:
Players at your level
Coaches who meet you where you are
Zero judgement
A culture built on learning and support
And if you’re coming solo?
David says that across years of coaching Deep Dish camps, every single solo traveller leaves with friends.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
How Training Sessions Build Connection (Not Just Skill)
In David’s sessions:
Drills are cooperative
Players talk, challenge each other, and work together
Names are learned quickly
Feedback is shared openly
This creates:
Strong bonds
Healthy competition
Better communication
Faster learning
The result? Players improve and feel part of something bigger.
What Campers Really Take Away
At the end of the week, David believes the biggest takeaway isn’t just improved technique.
It’s understanding.
Campers leave with:
A clearer grasp of why they do what they do
Better decision-making on court
More confidence in their choices
A deeper relationship with the game
That understanding stays with you long after the sand is washed off your shoes.
Train With David at Deep Dish Valencia
If you want to:
Learn from a coach with real international experience
Train in an ego-free, supportive environment
Improve your game and your understanding
Be part of a genuinely special community
Then Deep Dish Valencia is where you’ll want to be.
We can’t wait to welcome David — and we can’t wait for you to train with him.
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