Ok, let’s leave the feet where they are for now. We will be back to them shortly.
Every time I talk to parents about what they can do for their young girls before school ball or club ball become options, my response is always the same, “Teach her to throw a ball properly.”
In my 40+ years of coaching, I have yet to see a good player unable to throw a ball. Additionally, I have seen very few girls who could throw a ball properly unable to make themselves useful in a program regardless of height. There seems to always be a need for athletes who can throw, and absolutely no need for those who can’t … unless she is 6’ 2”.
Earlier today I was walking down the beach in Fort Morgan, AL. As many beach-visiting families will do, several parents were playing with their kids. One mom and son playing catch caught my eye. I first took a longer look because it was a mom, not a dad, playing catch with her teenage son. That was odd. Oh, please!
A mom playing catch was indeed attention grabbing enough. But as I walked closer , I noticed she was taller than me. My first thought was “basketball or volleyball?” Hey, it’s the coach in me. Every time I see a tall girl, that's where my mind goes.
As soon as I saw her throw the ball back to her son, I suspected volleyball. Her form was perfect.
Elbow high
Hips turned a bit.
Hand turned out.
Back toe down.
My suspicion turned out to be on the mark. As I walked past, I noticed a tattoo on her calf. Yep, it was a volleyball. I knew it! Ok, like she's going to have a tattoo of a random ball on her leg.
After my walk down the beach, I was sitting in the sand enjoying nature’s fan coming off the gulf ... a beautiful breeze. After a short time of eyelid reading, I looked down the beach and saw a dad throwing a football with his teenage daughter.
From the time I saw her throw the ball back to her dad the first time, I knew she did not or would not play volleyball … unless she changed her throwing form.
She looked to be about 15. Changing a throwing motion at that age takes determination. Everything was off. I will give her this, she stepped forward with the correct foot.
She was right handed with her right elbow was down by her waist. She didn't turn her hips away from her father before she threw. She picked up her right foot as she threw. Her follow through was across her body. Simply put, she did not throw like an athlete.
Ironically, dad threw the ball very well both right and left-handed. Unfortunately, he hadn’t spent much time teaching his daughter how to throw with either hand.
Why is learning to throw so important?
Well, the basic motion for hitting a volleyball is very similar to that of the throwing motion. Whether a serve, an attack, or a down ball, the basic process is the same as throwing a ball over the net. If a young player learns the process and motion, as she gains strength she will be able to adapt to the different attack swings, the different types of serves, and the different opportunities when hitting a down ball.
Let’s go through the basic body position just prior to throwing a ball. While reading through these, keep in mind, I am gearing this to young kids who are just learning. Although, if an older player needs help this is a good place to start.
FEET
You know where they are. Slightly less than perpendicular to the target.
LEAD FOOT
It is turned slightly toward the target.
HIPS and SHOULDERS
They are slightly less than perpendicular to the target
LEAD ARM
It is raised, but relaxed toward the target with the elbow above the shoulders. When actually striking a ball, the target will be the ball.
THROWING ARM
It's raised and relaxed with the elbow above the ears reaching away from the target
THROWING HAND
It is relaxed, turned back and down – as if ready to grab something. In this position, a ball would be in the player’s throwing hand if she was actually going to throw.
One way to help a player remember to reach back is to hold a tennis ball behind the player in a position where she grabs it as she moves into the throwing position. She will reach back with her hand in the correct position. This engages her core. This reach when striking a ball is part of the swing and the transition to strike the ball.
EYES
They should be focused on the target. Again, when hitting a volleyball, the target will be the ball.
This is a good starting position for young players. They will discover how the entire body works in concert to throw or hit a ball with speed and power.
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