Leading up to this series, I attended a few of my niece’s matches and could do nothing but shake my head at the lack of basic skills on both sides of the net. The biggest weakness seemed to be the approach and arm swing. They are the foundation a player needs to be a contributing team member. If she does not understand the correlation between body position and power, between body position and ball control, between foot position and body position, between footwork and body position, she is committing volleyball suicide.
The player I recently mentioned who was getting snap-your-wrist advice from her father will struggle to compete for playing time on her high school team unless she changes her technique. And if she doesn‘t change soon, it won’t happen.
Coaches, it is critical that you understand the above correlations, recognize the technique issues your players have and know how to correct the issues.
I think my process with the arm swing is pretty solid. But I have always thought there had to be a simple, more efficient way to teach the younger players the footwork involved when attacking a ball. Then, while I was out walking, it came to me.
The one thing young kids struggle with is combining the correct step sequence with the proper arm movement with the correct body position. As you know, I like kids to learn how to do something without realizing they’re learning how to do something else. It’s the old wax on, wax off theory from The Karate Kid. I want to be known as the Mr. Miyagi of volleyball.
I had an idea, and I am implementing it with the players in my new training series.
Young kids have a tough time with the approach in its totality. Coordinating the footwork with the movement of the arms all culminating in a jump and a successful attack or serve is a long, arduous process. No one gets It over night. It must be repeated correctly over and over. Wax on, wax off.
I have tried several avenues, but nothing has hit on all cylinders for me. I needed a different process, a different approach. I had to find a process that is easy, understandable, and universal. Simplification was the key.
Here’s what I came up with while I was out walking.
The most important aspect of any approach is the last two steps. Those two steps must become innate for a player. If they don't, it’s like wanting to drive a car and not understanding that you can't focus on the car's front end while driving. Sure, you may be able to drive a car, but it’s going to be a scary ride for your passengers. And you are going to be a nervous wreck.
So those two steps must be first. Everything else is built on them.
I start with the players at the end line.
1. Have them walk to the net using this method
Begin with stepping with the right foot (lefties step with their left foot)
Instead of stepping through normally with the left foot, have them just bring it to the right
Have them repeat this step sequence all the way to the net. For every step lead with the right, bring the left to the right. Stress that they do not look at the floor while doing this. You may be shocked at the number who struggle with this.
Have them repeat this to the net and back until they get comfortable with it.
2. Next, as they are walking to and from the net using that step pattern, have them swing both arms back each time they step out with their right foot. Again, be sure they are not looking at the floor while they do this.
This needs to be done over and over until they can do it without thinking.
3. Now, talk to them about how far apart their feet need to be in order to jump. Chances are most of them will need their feet father apart than they were when moving back and forth from the net.
From this point on, as they bring their left foot up to meet the right, they should place their left foot as far apart as they need to jump.
4. After getting comfortable with this step pattern and arm movement, have them take a longer right step. Emphasize that there is no reason to hurry. As they lengthen the right step, leg strength begins to play a roll. Remember arm movement back.
5. Next, hsve them step aggressively with their right foot. Instead of just taking a longer step, have them push off aggressively with their left foot, taking a slight leap onto their right.
Be sure that they do not watch the floor and be sure they are moving their arms back as they leap forward. Keep in mind that some of the younger players may struggle because of their lack of leg strength.
As they leap forward, have them reach out and land on their right heal. Also have them plant their left heal on the ground at the proper spot. This requires that they keep their right knee bent until the left foot gets there .
6. After they become comfortable with that aggressive step patteren, have them jump after the aggressive step sequence. It is very important their arms go back as their right foot goes out. Also, be sure that their left leg is completely planted before they jump. This will be difficult for many of them. Many will get in a hurry and begin the jumping motion befor their left foot is down. Another hard habit to break as the players get older.
Each of these steps should be repeated until most of them get it. It may take a few sessions for them to feel comfortable. Don’t rush it. Have them go as fast as they can – but as slowly need.
7. Up to this point, players are square to the net. Jumping or turning square to the net before you swing is a huge no-no. So move them to the left, back corner of the court. Have them continue the sequence toward the opposite net post. There is no reason you can’t have them do this with the previous steps. It may be difficult with a bunch of kids and 1 net.
Explain that angling toward this post puts them in the position they need to be brefore jumping and attacking a set, hitting an out-of-system ball, or serving. Take them back to throwing.
Make sure no one is turning toward the net when they jump. Remind them about the throwing motion and body position with regard to their target. The objective is to put themselves into that position in the air.
As I mentioned above, I am using this process with the young girls in my fall training sessions. I will report back in a few weeks.
I am also introducing the one-foot takeoff much the same way.
Instead of moving to the net using the right left sequence, I have them go from the left sideline to the right leading with a left step. When their left foot hits the ground, they raise their right knee up as high as they can as they step with their right foot.
Once they are comfortable with that, have them raise their right arm to a high throwing position and their left arm to its throwing position as they raise their right right knee.
Basically, rinse and repeat. Wax on. Wax off.
After most of the players have this down, have them jump off their left foot. Be sure the right knee is driving up and their arms go up into position.
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