Self-Taught Ambidextrous Athlete

This is the remarkable story of a kid who switched from right-handed to left-handed after an elbow injury and STILL went on to become the number one recruit of his class, play D1 college, and win the AVP San Francisco Open.
You subscribed yet?: goo.gl/rvxM5z
Super supporters enter here:
/ @themckibbinbrothers
McKibbin Merchandise: goo.gl/qDyacB
Join our newsletter? goo.gl/sZaccz
Hit us up on social media (we respond to every DM):
Instagram: @themckibbinbros goo.gl/U54Mmm
Riley's Instagram: @riley_mack4 goo.gl/91pyJx
Maddison's Instagram: @maddison.mckibbin goo.gl/H3dy8N
Twitter: @TheMckibbinBros goo.gl/J6grgM
Facebook Page: McKibbin Volleyball goo.gl/ai83oW
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
20% OFF DISCOUNT CODE for all Wilson Volleyball Equipment!
CODE: MCKBros-645
Wilson.com : goo.gl/DJVx1N
*Wilson Sporting Goods is a sponsor of ours and we do get a small kickback if you use our code, BUT you do save money on all beach volleyball equipment and we get paid a little. "Win-Win" Situations if you ask me!*
CREDITS:
Talent: Riley McKibbin, Maddison McKibbin
Produced/Edited by: The McKibbin Brothers
Video Captured by: The McKibbin Brothers

[@kabilansugumaran3818]

There was a large lack of volleyball role models growing up for most of us. You guys have given kids like me the chance to use someone as an inspiration past just volleyball and learn to push through so many failures throughout life. You guys are seriously the best

[@danielcoates933]

Kabi spotting in the wild. Facts tho

[@ebah_3313]

Your relationship is way more than brother to brother, it's also partner to partner, friend to friend and you're always pushing the other forward. Respect for Maddison to never give up and for Riley to always support him.

[@Jakobnattar]

The fact the he competes at such a high level in sports with his off-hand is great and speaks for him as a person. But the really touching part for me was you being proud of your younger brother who won't let himself get down and will always fight his way back up!

[@oisinlmac]

Just spent the last 20 minutes trying to switch from "left-right-left" to "right-left-right" for sh*ts and gigs. No matter how much I tried to exaggerate the motion, muscle memory kept bringing me back to my dominant (right-handed) approach. Big respect to both of you!

[@Thisgueyesguapo]

I first learned the leftie approach and it was such a challenge to get my body used to the right handed approach, since I’m right handed

[@nathanpuertollano1714]

I love how the last clip was completely unfiltered and unedited. The life lessons and emotions you feel from these clips makes these videos so enjoyable.

[@Loveeball]

The best beard volleyball players of all time

[@Loveeball]

@@themckibbinbrothers hello from Ukraine, come for a visit)

[@jameskendall6380]

This channel has some amazing storytelling, I’m really glad I found you guys. Keep up the great work 👍🏽

[@arkhatope]

It definitively does. If you just discovered the channel, don’t miss the tutorials (hitting footwork, batter’s box, blocking, etc...) too from our beloved bearded folks. They are just the best you can find on youtube.

[@diegobutbrando1877]

Lol same I just found this channel

[@mgacki1189]

I really love ending the video with the swim race video to emphasize just the type of dude Madison naturally is, thanks for sharing this story!

[@jakobnordin]

Narrated by the proudest big brother ever! Really heart warming story. ❤️

[@brooke2day]

This was so great. I assume that is Mom’s voice through out and at the end. What a supportive angel. So encouraging. Everyone needs a mom like that.

[@jeanlucknowles7644]

As a leftie I always tried to watch Madison’s game so this was pretty crazy that I did not know he wasn’t a natural leftie 🤯🤯

[@SANDCASTPodcast]

Man oh man what did beach volleyball do to deserve this kind of storytelling. Y'all are on absolute fire

[@cliffworsfold1994]

10:17 absolutely surreal seeing someone change hands like that in the middle of a rally. Interesting to think about how much his position affected his decision of which hand to continue playing with. Being left handed is a huge advantage for an opposite. If he was playing outside more, would he have switched back to his right hand?

[@brendanjump109]

As a setter, if I was in that same position I would absolutely stay left handed, being able to swing with real power on 2 is a very valuable skill. I think if I was an outside I’d likely go back to being right handed with the left as an option for that hard angle or wide sets

[@mynames7664]

@@brendanjump109 I can’t even imagine how much sharper you could get your straights to be with being left handed

[@Haelynguyen]

I loved this story. I am naturally left-handed but learned volleyball right-handed since everyone else was! But it's so great hearing about players training themselves to use their non-dominant hand.

[@yihsinlu]

That's inspired me, because I had a similar story that switch from right hand to left. When I got a good ability to lead a department team, my teammate broke my right hand finger by digging the ball at the same time. I was trained my left hand before, so I decided to become left hand setter and keep leading our team to school competition.The story happened 3 years ago, and I am not stop train my left hand. Thank you for sharing this interesting story , it was really helpful to me.

[@mtziros2250]

Man the challenges you two had to face and all the stories you tell us are super inspiring and personally motivate me to reach as high as i can while also living my best life, i'm working my ass off in order to be able to play volleyball professionally later on and you make that journey even more fun! Thank you for entertaining us and motivating us to become better!

[@giroppa99]

This was perhaps your first story to truly make me emotional, thank you for sharing and keep up the amazing work.

[@ehan324]

This is always a highlight whenever I see a new video. Your guys' lives is literally that meme of the most interesting man in the world. Keep up these amazing videos please.

[@qlutch2998]

10:18 ok thats sick Lefty spike blocked Cool Boom right handed spike

[@nnotblue8319]

this story is amazing ! my first ever coach (Monika jovovic) is also right handed but plays with her left hand and this always amazed me since I've never heard a story similar to hers and it's really cool to find out that other people like this exist and how actually unique that is!

[@imbincibleboss]

That 10:17 block on the left into the right was insane! Switched approaches too! Absolute beast!

[@JoeCainvolleyball]

What a great story. If I didn't already like Madison as a player I definitely do now. While I'm not as ambidextrous as him I normally play lefty but can also swing pretty well right handed. Very often I get called cheater because I can switch up in the middle of a volley and throw the blocker and defender off. Keep up the great stories. Seeing the human side of the player is amazing. Also thank your mother for all of the great (embarrassing) videos so that we all can laugh a little bit more.

[@lukemelia654]

Way to go, Maddy! 😂❤️😂❤️ Heart-warming story that had Jemma and Chiara cracking up while we watched as a family. Thanks!

[@michaelmiller3247]

This is literally me right now, post shoulder surgery I have yet to get mobility back in my right arm. I have been able to swing lefty for a while but that dang left-right-left-right approach is still a major work in progress. Love these motivation videos!

[@louiszaffino4071]

this could not be more perfect for me rn. I’ve been out for a couple months cuz of my shoulder. i have literally be doing everything maddison was saying to get his left hand more dominant. Crazy inspirational for me thanks guys 🥰

[@mangonow6350]

Even though people are like being the youngest is the easiest, as I am older now, I'm so bored so much bc I have no one to hang out. I was happy to hear that you were grateful for your brother to be there.

[@ikevolley5137]

I aspire to have content like you guys. I am trying to create a more personal channel and watching this channel inspires me to improve my videos

[@yesyesyes-mz3pb]

What a beautiful story. As a 17 year old who has been playing volleyball for about 2 years i keep asking what my strengths in volleyball are. So then the idea of becoming an ambidextrous right side came to my mind. So i wanted to see if there are any professional players that do that and the first video that comes up is yours. Thank you so much.

[@fredyabb1]

A lot of these stories remind me my brothers and I. We are 3 as well (I'm the older one). I'm lefty and the second does everything with the right hand except writing 'cos maybe he copied from me (he doesn't play volleyball, even being a natural in sports). The younger one I enrolled him in the first Beach volleyball tournament when he was 11... We've got 10 years difference and was following me everywhere and we used to practice together... So I felt in that moment this is it... His partner was 12 and they did very well for the age playing against adults. He end up having a much better career than I did. Keep posting these, keep up the EXCELENT work and stay blessed, always!

[@alexflores100]

Honestly you guys inspire me to keep on training and showed to never stop trying. Much love!

[@KorkoshProductions]

I think a couple times I was on the verge of ugly crying.. you that face you make... but I was around my sisters so, that just shows you how good the story is. Wow thank you brothers

[@alyssaboone9515]

Love this video! 8 years ago I blew out my right shoulder and took three years off after surgery, thinking it was over. So depressing. I decided to not quit! I've played the last 4 years LEFT handed, and it has been a blast. True, not common, but I couldn't quit! I've been invited to play with the top players in our valley, despite the fact that I'm in my 40's, and playing left handed! Loved this video because I could really relate! Thank you for posting!

[@CamiloGarciaSpradan]

After two rotator cuff surgeries on my right I spent a year serving and spiking with my left, never to Maddison's level, but when my arm healed and got stronger I went back to right. But this is such an inspiring story, big fan of you two, keep up the amazing content.

[@shaidaniels5783]

You guys have such an amazing friendship, and not only are you guys some of the cutest little kids, but some amazing volleyball players that I look up too

[@Loccon]

This is making me so emotional, the feelings in your videos are mindblowing. Go Maddie!!!

[@mikeking2k6]

Funny timing on this story! I’ve been nursing a torn rotator and have been playing left handed since reopen after COVID. Now that I’ve had enough PT to play right handed, I struggle figuring out which arm to swing with... although people yelling “he’s a lefty!” does make it super sweet to bang one down the line right handed!

[@lewisnguyen3560]

This was a really amazing video giving me motivation to try and reach a physique that i had few years ago when playing volleyball to try and improve my skills and confidence both on and off the court. I loved the last clip of how he refused to give up and revert to freestyle rather he persevered regardless of others opinions, although it was giving me anxiety just watching him almost drown hahaha

[@taylorluna1608]

THIS IS LITERALLY ME!! I am left handed, learned indoor left handed and then sand left handed and now my right hand hits stronger and more consistently than my left! That’s so cool. It’s been a fun back pocket tool to pull out the left here and there

[@sebisebby7864]

I see this video as I’m working on improving my left handed coordination for this exact purpose

[@Lil_T_II]

Im always blown away at you and Maddison's story telling. Love these videos guys. Hope to hear some more!

[@brendana6760]

Such a good reminder of the value of family and perseverance. You and your brother's comradery, loyalty, and positive attitudes give hope to the rest of us, very inspiring to see that there still are good people out there.

[@yippiekayye6717]

Wow, another great video. I love hearing stories about athletes who are ambidextrous just like me. love to see it. another great vid mckibins, keep it up🤙🏻

[@st1lfly]

Just watched my 4th video in a row, man, not only are these guys awesome volleyball players, they’re super inspirational and amazing storytellers. Having always had dreams of playing pro beach volleyball, at 34 and hampered by injuries, I’m not sure it’s going to happen, but these stories keep me dreaming! Thanks guys.

[@dadutchguy69]

OMG the backstroke video at the end is *priceless*

[@Wirthless]

Fantastic video. This series of storytelling is amazing

[@custorio]

Just found your page and its fun and inspiring to hear your stories. First time hearing you guys since I lived in Central America and had very little to no exposure to US Volleyball. But its nice to get a players point of view on their life experience. Reminds me of when my team back in high school and how we went from underdogs to almost winning the Central American Championship for international school. Keep it up man, just love your content. Been a while since i started watching volleyball content.

[@1dudecrush]

The back stroke clip was a cool metaphor for the lefty vs righty conundrum. Was he stronger righty? Or a stronger front crawl swimmer? Yup. Was he quitting lefty to entertain that? No chance in hell. What a trooper.

[@MrJhara]

Huh....would you look at that! Pretty freaking amazing! Love all your content fellas. Keep up the great work.

[@joseurdaneta5757]

Awesome story! and as an older brother myself, coming from Riley makes it all more heartwarming! Thanks!

[@kristinecongram8234]

Kudos to your parents....supporting you boys to move forward. Your attitudes and brotherly love are a wonderful legacy created by you mom and dad. Well done McKibbon parents, you did an amazing job. Love these posts!!!

[@peffk9]

Been watching you guys for years and these kind of stories are why!! Truly good people! Can't wait to see you guys on the sand this summer!!

[@maxroi7852]

The only way to tell how strong a person is is by how often he gets up and persevere after falling. Hard work pays off! Congrats and great video

[@FreedomFinanceFun]

You guys might need to turn his right hand into weapon. Love how you guys have so much family footage. 8:20 the younger brother setting 😭 Thanks for the great stories

[@aschmi-mu9110]

Wow, looks like you had an awesome community around you, growing up. So many people who cheered Maddison on while he was swimming. That alone made me tear up a bit. Such a great story.

[@emmat3880]

Thank you for sharing this story! I love volleyball with all my heart but I’m sadly really small, therefore I am in the process of learning how to use my left arm, to have at least a tiny advantage at times. I always doubted that I could actually do it, I know a lot of people who tried and failed, but this amazing story has given me so much hope. Like yeah, I’ll never be remotely close to your success, but that’s ok, I don’t want that. I just enjoy what I’m doing. So yeah, sorry for the rant, I just needed to get this off my chest.

[@francisparilla9722]

That last clip was to die for!!

[@paulmclarke123]

The end of this video turned out to be my favorite part. It was literally "sink or swim" for Madison in that pool. You guys (and me) are fortunate to have grown up in a time where helicopter parents weren't so prevalent. I can imagine your parents getting lots of criticism if Madison were struggling to swim the backstroke in 2021. People would want want to call Child Protective Services on them.

[@jay7tennis]

Love how you said what we perceive as set backs can actually just be forks in the road to get us further in where we want to go. Perspective is key! Another great vid!

[@EddieDBama]

Maddy! Dude!! I was proud of myself at age 28 teaching myself to shoot free throws left-handed because of surgery. (Now I did get to 60%- better than some of my teammates right handed), but that is incredible. King of Swing... with either hand competition.

[@Bellbuscus]

Came for the volleyball originally. Feel like I made life friends. Really appreciate you guys and what you bring to the community!! Great story.

[@johnkuna4459]

This video gave me chills, because it very closely mirrors my experience. All of my fine motor skills are strongest in my right hand. And for most of my life, I never questioned the notion that it meant my right hand would be dominant for basic motors skills as well. It was around my senior year in high school when I--for no good reason at all--started teaching myself how to do things lefty. And oddly, it came very quickly for me. I could throw lefty and righty just as well. I could box southpaw just as well as I could normally. And, unfortunately, I didn't find competitive volleyball until I decided to walk onto my club team in college. I literally thought, I was pretty good in gym class and I like playing volleyball. How hard could it be? So with no coaching, I basically learned by suffering kill after kill in my direction. I had no real coach. I basically just learned by trying to replicate what my teammates were doing. And since none of them were lefty, I learned how to play righty. I was never good enough to start as an OH, because I was trying to compete against kids who were like your brother--playing from the age of 9. One day, a buddy on my team saw me swing lefty after having to adjust to an off-set, and was surprised that I looked very smooth. He took me to the side and taught me how to approach for the first time, but this time as an Oppo. I swung left after having one good approach, and that was that. Here's the thing though, I still served righty, and my team encouraged me to switch hit as needed. My right was always actually stronger than my left, but couldn't outshine the others on my team, so lefty I remained. Anytime I didn't play with them, though, I was hitting righty. Fast forward 6 years, I'm playing 4-5 times a week as an A-level player aspiring to go AA and I find out that I tore my labrum in my right shoulder. Now I *have* to swing left. And everyone who saw me only swinging righty now sees me playing lefty, teaching myself how to serve lefty, and they're all shocked. Fast forward another year, and my right shoulder healed through a lot of rehab and rest. I brought my righty back out and it's feeling great. Now I have to decide though. Righty or lefty? Or do I just stay in a happy medium of "porque no los dos?" Madison is a badass, and I wish I could have grown up with the sport like you two did. Gonna be following you guys now that I know about this awesome journey.

[@JM3-675]

Amazing story! I never knew that about Madison. My wife also had to learn how to play with her left after getting a rare bone disease in her right wrist. She now hits completely left handed even after the wrist healed.

[@bekah8158]

I've been waiting for this video ever since I noticed he was right handed in another video! This was so much cooler of a story than i could have imagined!!

[@apmech46166]

I absolutely love this guys. I love the old video you always mix in. It's amazing to see you guys play all sports together as youngsters. This is so cool to honor your brother's talents by pointing out what many of us may not have known or noticed. Keep sharing the good stuff. Thanks

[@magixsports]

Amazing story about what is possible with confidence and endurance. Very moving and personal video. Love it! 🙌🏐💪🙌

[@DennisRajden]

This is just ridiculous 😮 Had no idea about this, but I'm sooo impressed! 🔥🔥 And again, KEEP UP making your great videos! Super impressive! ⭐

[@kirabuza]

Such a well spoken and inspiring story. I love that you talked about reframing set backs- such a good reminder that a mental or physical obstacle can launch you even further :)

[@nickd901]

Can we all just appreciate the McKibbin parents for foreseeing their KZbin Stardom! All the archived videos! "One day my boys will need these to tell epic stories about their lives and love for the sport of volleyball"

[@cameronszatala659]

What an awesome story! The format reminds me so much of the 30for30 films and it would be awesome to see more stories like this across the professional volleyball circuit!

[@LJBunit_94]

This video is amazing and the love you have for him . I literally searched for this I’m like this happened to someone else I can’t be the only one . Thank you and respect

[@JeroenvanOmme]

You guys really know how to tell a story. Personal, inspirational, fun.

[@JeroenvanOmme]

@@themckibbinbrothers So, did you ever master the backstroke? 🤣

[@javijasso8006]

What an amazing story, thank you for sharing 🙏🏽 Learning from since he was little until now and your beautiful relationship as brothers 👏🏽 Amazing video thank you so much for sharing with us all ❤️

[@larrylawrence2008]

Thank you for sharing yet another inspirational story . You are truly the heart and soul of what Volleyball is all about. !!! Thanks for the continued inspiration!!!

[@Bigmoney703]

Awesome story! Rafael Nadal is also a righty who learned to play lefty for the advantage it gives you in most sports

[@dborger12]

Well Madison just became my favorite player! Showing this to my boys as they start/continue to play ball. Thanks for the lesson!

[@livbishop3750]

Thanks for this guys ❤️

[@k_jrin28]

I know a similar story to this one, a Filipino volleyball player named Michelle Gumabao is left-handed, but she had to learn how to play volleyball using her right hand because during her time, there was a lack of left-handed spikers to look up to or learn from, so she had to use her right hand instead.

[@mosesdebraska9268]

I’m not crying. Your crying. 😂 Yeah, I’m definitely crying. 🙏🏽❤️ Thanks for sharing some of your alls life and story. Man, this to me back to my childhood in many ways. Growing up with my brothers and all the moments I have experienced with them encouraging and pushing one another to be better and not quit and all the moments that were missed out on. Regardless. I aspire to raise kids to have a close and nurturing relationship with one another and are there with and for one another.

[@Simply_saikyo]

I met a guy last semester who was an ambi hitter. I asked him about it and he said before he approaches, he flex’s the hand he wants to hit with then his body automatically adjusts his approach. His swing with both arms was really good too

[@Recondo1967]

Great story! The first ambidextrous volleyball player I ever watched was the outstanding Randy Shaw at OCC in the ‘70s. Mahalo Nui Loa.

[@tobiasgoller2780]

Man i love watching these storytelling videos.. Through those videos, i realized that me and my brother are pretty much the same as you and maddison! We also play competitive (beach-)volleyball together which makes it even more accurate.. Keep on doing what you do guys

[@braymess6024]

I’m a righty and the prospect of playing with my left hand was laughable and a pipe-dream for me......until I tore up my shoulder in an accident and the doctor told me I can probably never play with my right hand again. For weeks and weeks and weeks, ever since I could pick up a ball post surgery, I’ve been serving and hitting and doing anything I possibly can with my left hand. It’s frustrating and somewhat discouraging at times however this video gives me hope that one day I can be just as effective with my left as I was with my right. Thank you!

[@mohamedyosef1452]

I'm soooo lucky to have found this channel. I started playing indoor volleyball not too long ago, one-word Haikyuu!

[@notayoutuber4447]

I have a friend just like this but for soccer. He was originally right footed but he injured it during a game, so instead of giving up, he just got good with his left foot. And kind of like your brother, once his right foot healed he decided to just stick with his left foot but he was just as good, if not better than before.

[@iacopopoli2614]

I just found your channel. I do not follow volleyball or beach volley regularly but man you can tell a story. Really great content 👏👏👏

[@GodwinIsaac]

I messed up my shoulder breakdancing a few years back so when I picked up volleyball I couldn’t use my dominant hand to hit so I practiced with my left. Since then I’m now ambidextrous in volleyball. I can relate to this story so much 🥺

[@finn3883]

LETS GOOO i always look forward to these videos

[@danyboy4]

Once again amazing me with a almost unbelievable story. Thanks for sharing all these inspiring stories with us.

[@loucatibog]

Man I love you guys. Great life lessons right here

[@agentjesmith]

Damn! Another amazing video guys! If I’m being honest, this brought tears to my eyes. Love all the content you guys put out and wish you both tremendous success with volleyball, your channel or whatever other else you guys put your hearts into.

[@jadelynleanio5177]

Such a great story to be told. All of your stories have been.

[@Zacbd]

im a lefty but play volleyball with my right, so i decided to try volleyball with my left hand and it worked surprisingly well, so im starting to use both hands because it definitely helps, but watching this video really helps, like simply listening to this story is helping me become a double edge sword in volleyball, i definitely have it easy then him since i am a lefty to start out with but its still weird to hit with my left hand instead of my right. anyways great story and thanks for the help

[@walkerpatterson3622]

Heck yes! Always a good day when you guys upload.

[@senerio2124]

Dang I can see the final boss fight between your brother and the anime protagonist right now. "You are the first opponent who has forced me to use my dominant hand" lmao

[@robertomagana8375]

I thought that it wasn't posible. I myself have been training on my own my left arm and a lot of people have told me it will be imposible being the fact that i am a right hander. Seeing this video has confirmed me that I can! Thanks for proving me imposible things are achievable.

[@dustinberes6401]

Watching the last clip is grueling and inspiring at the same time.

[@that1hmongboi]

Another banger!!! ❤️

[@elainhall4860]

I have a friend who the exact same thing happened. She got in a bad ATV crash that left her with a compound fracture in her right arm. Her dominant arm. She had to get so many surgeries, and skin graphs that she as told she could downright never play volleyball again. Her arm is permanently bent at an angle which makes passing really hard because she cant have both arms straight. She spent the summer training to regain movement and mobility in her right arm, doing physical therapy, and many long doctors appointments. She lived down the road from me so we would go play volleyball everyday with each other at one of our houses during the summer. So I assumed that those usual plans were cancelled this year. One day she called me and asked me to come over. We spent the day doing exercises for her left arm. We spent everyday of summer doing these. It got to the point were she was ambidextrous. Tryouts came for our club season and we made the same team! It was obvious that her left arm was not as strong as her right arm once was. Oh also she's a middle so hitting is very important. :) The main difference was her serve. It used to be a killer topspin but now she was struggling to get it over the net. Throughout the season I have seen her hits and serves improve greatly. She is nearly to the point of being able to use both arms perfectly. She is currently having appointments every Friday so that her arm will straighten out again.

[@pleasebitt]

Watching this video as someone who can relate. Many people would discourage me using my lefty, they would say practice more on your right and you will be better. What is crazy is that they would get mad even if they aren't on my team. Now I realize that they are jealous of me becoming better than them and they'd rather see me live their life than my own.

[@ATP980]

Lmao love how there’s snippets from other people that back up with Riley’s saying. Kinda crazy how it feels like a fictional story but is completely true.