One of the most common questions I get from young players when we put everything together and start letting them approach a tossed ball is “When do I leave?”
Until I have watched them for awhile, the simplest answer is “I don’t know. I can tell you when I would leave, but I can’t tell you when you should leave.”
What I can tell them is most players are late. Very rarely do you run across a young kid that has a problem with being early. The majority of young players try to time the ball while they are approaching. Not a good Idea. Where’s Barney Fife?
We work on so many techniques with which there is no subjectivity – arm swing, body position, approach foot and arm work – the players think there must be a right time to leave. There is a right time to leave, but each kid must figure it out for herself. Everyone is different.
The usual answer is to leave when the toss or set is at its peak. I’ve even said it. Unfortunately, "Harrison Bergeron" is not reality ... at least not yet. Everyone is not the same. Some kids are faster. Some kids do not jump as high or as quickly. Some don’t approach from the same spot every time. So telling them to leave when the set or toss is at its peak may be right for a few, but only a few.
By the way, "Harrison Bergeron" is a great short story by Indiana’s own Kurt Vonnegut. It's something you may want to read considering the current political and social climate.
Because everyone is not the same, working on approaches over and over and over is essential. But just going through the motions while working on approaches is a monumental waste of time. The coach must have players approach at game speed with each and every approach. This is the only way for them to gain a complete understanding of their own speed, jumping ability and timing.
When adding a ball in the mix, the most important thing for the coach to emphasize is once the players commit to their approaches, they must continue without hesitation regardless of timing. Don‘t allow them to slow down and try to time the ball. Hitting the ball is not as important right now as learning their individual timing.
If we concentrate on training technique to the young kids, when they are older we can turn to team and game concepts.
Game-speed approaches without hesitation with a toss over and over is essential. It not only teaches them their timing, it also prepares them to strike the ball successfully as they get older. High school players striking the ball successfully at the height of their jumps is rarer than you think. Very few do it with consistency.
Just a reminder ... When the girls make their approaches and they are not on time, be sure the ball is passing slightly in front of them. Many times with young players, they tend to fly past the ball. They should be working on ball placement for the attack as well.
Please begin this without the net. Have them just strike the ball regardless of where it goes. The goal is to strike the ball with the hitting arm extending through the ball at the peak of their jump. Ideally, they will drive the ball into the ground.
When you introduce the net, tell the girls to swing at the ball as if the net isn’t there – regardless of where it goes. They have to learn the relationship between ball position, the swing and the result. This assumes that they are approaching aggressively every time. Again, don’t allow them to modify their approach to time the ball.
Drive home the idea of swinging aggressively every time regardless of timing and ball position. When running the drill, if they don’t take a full swing at the ball, they are out of the drill for a period of time. They must be unafraid to swing. They must learn the timing. They must learn how to put themselves in a position to be successful. They must become confident. Yes, the net is lower now, but the confidence and fearlessness gained now will stay with them as they grow and as the net gets higher.
As a coach, and as a parent, you must encourage this. The players need to know you are not going to lose it every time the ball they attack does not make it between the lines on the other side of the net. Your definition of success at this or any level cannot be just getting the ball into the court.
If they play with fear of your reaction to an unsuccessful attack, they will never reach their potential.
Success for young players is not on the scoreboard.
Celebrate a great swing regardless of the outcome. Demand an aggressive approach. Demand proper footwork. Demand a proper, powerful, fast swing. Do not demand that the ball land in the court!
While you demand the above from players, you have to help them with the ultimate goal – attacking the ball aggressively and getting it into the court.
Is the player too early? Is she late? Is she approaching aggressively, planting properly, and jumping as high as she can? Is the ball too far behind her head? Is it past her hitting plane? Is she leaning too much? Is she too close to the net to take a full swing? They need to trust that you can help. You must become the volleyball attack doctor.
Once they know that your focus is on making them better attackers they will focus more on becoming a better attacker. This demands attention to detail on your part and the ability to see what they are doing well and what needs improvement.
It’s tough for some coaches and parents, but the definition of success must change. Success for young players is not on the scoreboard. It is about proper technique rather than points.
Developing players who play confidently and perform the basic skills properly is the foundation of a great program.
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