1 – Teaching Proper Volleyball Technique and Movement

Importance of Proper Technique

It is critical for volleyball coaches to teach proper technique from the very beginning. Players who learn ineffective or improper techniques will struggle as they advance to higher levels of play. Research shows that flaws in early technique become evident when players are put in pressure situations, often causing critical mistakes.

By adopting proven best practices for teaching fundamental volleyball skills, coaches can ensure their players build a strong technical foundation. All players across a region or country should learn the same effective techniques, allowing seamless development as athletes transition across different coaches and teams.

With a shared understanding of proper volleyball movements, coaches can avoid conflicting instructions that may confuse developing players. Athletes who master correct technique will gain the tools necessary for success on the court. Their muscle memory and instincts will aid their performance instead of hindering it.

Teaching Footwork

Footwork is a fundamental skill for volleyball that directly impacts a player’s balance, readiness, and ability to transition smoothly on the court. Coaches must emphasize proper footwork from the very first practices.

2 – Stance and Ready Position

The ready stance forms the foundation for all volleyball movements. Players should stand with feet about hip-width apart, one foot slightly ahead of the other. Knees and arms are bent, with body weight centered evenly over the balls of the feet. The player’s eyes stay focused forward.

Approach and Transition Steps

On balls hit towards them, players must turn and transition quickly into the ready position. The approach consists of a sharp step towards the ball, stopping with the body squared and ready to pass or play the ball.

Knee bend deepens on the final step before contact. The body extends upward fully to meet the ball. All preparatory steps must finish before the player makes contact.

Defensive Movement

In defensive positions, players move laterally in a low athletic stance. On balls hit behind them, a drop step turns the body while pushing off the outside foot.

Quick shuffle steps allow defenders to cover the court while facing forward towards the play. Communication guidesplayers to rotate positions seamlessly as the ball moves around the court.

Teaching the Overhead Volley

The volleyball volley is a key skill for accurate passing. Mastery of proper volley technique gives players excellent control on soft balls coming over the net. Coaches should break down the volley methodically, ensuring athletes develop correct form.

Hand Position and Contact

Players hold hands rounded, thumbs angled back with the pads of the fingers pointed forward. Fingers spread about a ball’s width apart, ready to cushion the ball softly.

The ball should contact the finger pads around the second knuckle. The platform remains parallel to the direction of the pass, absorbing the ball evenly.

Arm Swing and Body Extension

On the volley, the player extends the entire body explosively upward to meet the ball. The arms swing fast from the shoulder, straight and angled slightly forward.

Knees bend to generate power. The body remains upright, core engaged to transfer force to the ball. Follow-through snaps back down to ready position.

Common Errors and Corrections

Coaches must watch for errors like elbows flaring out, platform tilt, and improper hand shape. Targeted drills and revision of the step-by-step technique can correct flaws. Partners give feedback, with hands-on position checks.

To build body extension, increase the tempo of volley practice, using lighter balls. Heavier balls help strengthen contact. Games focusing only on volleys cement proper habits.

3 – Communication and Teamwork

Clear communication between teammates is a vital skill in volleyball that directly impacts performance. Players who talk more win more. By teaching strong communication habits early, coaches set their athletes up for success on the court.

Benefits of Communication in Volleyball

Communication allows complexity – as players improve their volleyball IQ, they can execute more advanced strategies through calling audibles and making adjustments. Without communication, a team cannot run intricate offensive combinations or make changes on the fly.

Communication prevents errors – calling the ball eliminates collisions and misplays. Players should call “mine” on every ball they intend to play. Communication also ensures proper timing on group actions like blocking.

Communication builds confidence – requests for a set or calling your attack gives teammates assurance. Loud callouts fire up your team, while silence can breed uncertainty.

Communication compensates for weaknesses – a less experienced player can excel by following vocal leaders who “see the game.” Communication helps the team adapt if a passer or defender is struggling.

Teaching Communication Skills

Coaches must teach communication skills right from a beginner’s first practices. Start simple, with basic cues for each game situation. Get players in the habit of talking constantly during drills.

Cues for Common Game Situations

On serve receive, call the server’s tendencies then call “mine” for your pass.

Setters call the play or combination before each rally begins.

Attackers call shots – “line”, “angle”, “high hands”.

On free balls, everyone rotates into position while calling “mine” if playing the ball.

On defense, call “mine” and direct teammates to open spots on the court.

Getting all Players Involved

Bench players must communicate too – call “swing”, “play it”, etc. to support teammates.

Designate vocal players as captains to model and encourage communication.

Pull quiet players aside and explain how communication helps the team – give them specific positive feedback when they speak up.

Drills to Improve Communication

Plus/minus points for talking forces focus on callouts.

First ban all talking, then allow one vocal player, then the whole team – this highlights how quiet teams struggle.

Take the setter out of drills so players must direct each other.

Add a second ball to increase the challenge.

Scrimmage with rules that stop play for lack of talking.

Fostering Positive Team Culture

The team environment shapes how comfortably players communicate. Coaches can take certain steps to facilitate an open, respectful culture.

Respect between Players and Coaches

Volleyball demands quick reactions to instruction during live games and drills. Coaches should discuss with players how they want to receive feedback. Athletes can be trained to respond with “Yes coach” and “Thank you coach” as they process guidance.

Promoting a Positive Team Environment

Praise players openly for good communication, don’t just criticize.

Huddles and time-outs are opportunities to set expectations and reflect team values. Enforce active listening and unified focus.

Facilitate “pods” – informal player meetings between games to share feedback.

Building Communication Habits

Drills should integrate communication skills from Day 1, not treat it as an add-on.

Use repetitive mantras – “Talk constantly” or “Call every ball.” Refer back to these.

Run silent drills to prove how much communication helps – teams will beg to talk again!

With a structured approach to teaching communication, coaches can transform the team’s culture and unlock higher levels of play. Players learn to trust their voices on the court. The team bonds tightly through constant interaction. This vocal confidence provides the platform for executing advanced strategies and adapting fluidly during competition.

4 – Coaching Young and Beginning Players

Coaching athletes new to volleyball requires patience, energy, and a tailored approach. Beginners are blank slates – they have no instincts for the game yet. Coaches must build their technical skills from the ground up using proven teaching progressions. Making volleyball fun and engaging is also key at this introductory stage.

Adapting Your Coaching Style

Younger players need more animated, hands-on instruction. Simplify your language, demonstrate often, and break each skill down step-by-step.

Use Simple Cues and Be Animated

Early on, avoid complex strategy and positioning discussions. Stick to basic situational cues like “Go!”, “Mine!”, “Swing!” delivered with enthusiasm. Players will naturally absorb tactics over time.

Demonstrate Skills and Techniques Frequently

Many beginners have no experience yet seeing volleyball played at a high level. Frequently demonstrate proper form and movements yourself. Keep explanations simple, then let them try.

Break Skills Down Step-by-Step

Stay away from just having new players repetitively “volley” or “dig” balls. Slowly teach the footwork, body position, arm swing, and contact technique piece by piece.

Drills and Games for Young Players

Keep beginners engaged with variations of competitive 1 vs 1 or small group drills. Add fun challenges and constraints to sharpen skills. Avoid lines – continuous action is best.

1 vs 1 and Small Group Volley Games

1 vs 1 over a net or against a wall rallies back and forth with volleys only.

3 players arranged across from each other volleying in a triangle. Add rules like front players rotate after contact.

Target practice volleying balls at a wall or coach’s hands.

Adding Challenges and Constraints

After volleying, players must sprint and touch a line before returning to ready position.

Do not allow double contacts.

Call specific line or crosscourt targets for volleys.

Volley with beach balls or balloons to improve precision.

Keeping All Players Engaged

Teach beginners how to quickly chase down balls and keep the action moving

Encourage rapid self-officiating – players call their own net touches, double hits etc.

Change partners/groups often so abilities are mixed.

Managing Limited Resources

School coaches may face tight equipment budgets, small practice spaces, and inconsistent player attendance. This requires creativity and efficiency.

Creative Use of Space and Equipment

Set up mini-courts for 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 games.

Channel limited balls towards focused individual skill building, not just scrimmaging.

Use lower nets, basketballs, or balloons to adapt available equipment.

Efficient Drill Organization and Setups

Have players line up close behind the drill participants to keep the action rapid.

Teach discipline moving quickly between reps – no wasted time!

Eliminate retrieving – have players hand balls directly off the court back to the servers so play resumes immediately.

By focusing on fundamental technique, using constraints creatively, and optimizing practice time, coaches can develop passionate, skilled players even with limited resources. Volleyball success stems from a “every ball counts” mentality – no reps are wasted, and players constantly improve through purposeful play.

Coaching Strategy and Planning

Expert coaches take a holistic, long-term approach to developing teams. They plan productive seasons, match strategies, and daily practices that connect to a broader program vision. Reflection and analysis also strengthen decision-making. Maintaining perspective is key – the team’s long-term growth takes priority over any single game outcome.

Season and Practice Planning

Treat each season as a step in the program’s continual improvement. Build skills systematically based on athletes’ maturity and experience levels.

Developing Skills Over Time

Structure practice plans to focus on a specific skill, tactic, or weakness during each session.

Revisit fundamentals regularly – don’t assume mastery. Proper technique requires ongoing reinforcement.

Introduce new material incrementally when players demonstrate command of previous concepts.

Challenge athletes with complex drills as their volleyball IQ and abilities grow.

Creating a Pathway Program

Define your program’s specific mission, values, and long-term objectives.

Design a vertical progression that smoothly transitions athletes from youth to high school and beyond with aligned coaching.

Schedule matches against ideal competition levels that encourage growth.

Track data like player retention and college placements to monitor pipeline effectiveness.

Coaching During Matches

Adapt your in-game coaching based on match flow and momentum. Set the team up for optimal execution during timeouts and substitutions.

Effective Use of Timeouts

Positively reinforce execution of your game plan, don’t just criticize errors.

Isolate adjustments to 1 or 2 key areas – overload players mentally and verbally.

Script your timeout message beforehand when possible to maximize focus.

Address body language and energy level – demand engaged, unified listening.

Adjusting Lineups and Strategy

Change lineups/rotations to find workable on-court combinations if initial plan falters.

Switch setters or assign hitters if opponents take away certain attacks.

Alter serving strategy – move servers to target specific opponents or protect your own passers.

Analyzing and Improving Performance

Reflect on matches and practices to gain perspective. Statistics, video analysis, and honest self-evaluation keep coaches and athletes progressing.

Statistics to Track Performance Trends

Use stats like service errors, hitting efficiency, and passing accuracy to make data-driven teaching decisions, not just intuition.

Have players log their own performance numbers – it builds accountability.

Set statistical improvement goals individually and as a team. Post heatmaps showing change over time.

Video Analysis

Use video to reveal technical flaws and gather opponent scouting data.

Have players self-analyze their own clips – verbalize their observations.

Praise great examples of skills/sequences that players execute on tape – build their visualization library.

Self-Evaluation for Coaches

Solicit anonymous player feedback on practices and coaching via surveys.

Record yourself during matches to evaluate your timeouts, substitutions, body language etc.

Reflect on your own development – take new coaching clinics, study other great coaches. Be a lifelong learner.

Avoid judging success only on match outcomes. Development takes time, effort, and perspective. By valuing growth, coaches inspire athletes for the long haul.