Calling all volleyball coaches. If you have a question that you would like Preston Smith to answer, please submit them below.
When teaching correct passing form, should the right foot be slightly forward (for a right handed player) or is it okay for the left to be forward–as long as shoulders/platform are towards target/setter? What is correct teaching in regards to feet besides you should be still on contact vs. running through the ball?
SACS, To be honest I’m really not set on either foot forward, my main concern is the passer being balanced on contact. Most coaches I know use the right foot slightly forward. This is because it creates a more comfortable angle for the passers platform. This is true unless you are to the right of the target area then it is opposite. Regardless, my concern is the angle of the passers platform. What ever angle a passer shows with their platform is to where the ball is going. The ball only knows the angles we show it. I just want my passers to be still on contact (if possible) and to create a correct angle as early as possible to the setter/target area. This will also help the setter anticipate where the ball is going to go before the player actually touches it. The shoulders should stay down and square to where the ball is coming from, and the platform should angle to the target. As far as left or right handed, I don’t think that will make a difference on a passers feet. I hope this answers your question…good luck!
Preston
how do you play volleyball? new to the sport an need lots of help feel free to list how to play in my email..
When teaching correct passing form, should the right foot be slightly forward (for a right handed player) or is it okay for the left to be forward–as long as shoulders/platform are towards target/setter? What is correct teaching in regards to feet besides you should be still on contact vs. running through the ball?
Any advice for helping build team chemistry and encouragement. Our team has a few players that get frustrated with any mistake either that they make or someone else makes. We are our own worst enemy on the court because of that. Also we have a few strong personalities too that think they know best or want to play certain positions, but not respecting the coach. Thx.
Personally, I have played on a team with the exact problems. The way I fix this problem as a coach is I show the individuals that get upset with the mistakes at other players how easy it is to make a mistake themselves in the other persons shoes. I have no problem with slight embarrassment in the privacy of practice. If a hitter is upset because a passer cannot get the pass correct, swap the positions and show how hard it is to make a perfect pass when the ball is coming 90 to nothing at your face. Let these girls know that mistakes happen but the little ones can be avoided when they know to play as a team and not all be the chief of the pack with no indians to follow. On the other hand, the girls who believe they know more, show them the exact same thing. The girls who believe they only belong in one spot should get changed to something else the coach thinks they might be better at. Change is good and embarrassment is right along with it. A small girl with a vertical thinks she only belongs on backrow and that is all she will not complain about, put her right front and show her that pounding the ball into someone is fun. I am a strong believer in showing athletes that change is good and if they do not like it, they do not have to play like they would like to.
What are some drills I can do by myself improve my game?
hi i’m about to start as a volleyball coach and the only thing i know is the bal goes over the net. these are girls who are under 10 years old and i would like to not teach them the wrong thing please if you can help shoot me an email
I am in search of drills to help my setters keep the ball in the setting lane. We tend to over-compensate when coming off the net after a pass, and push the ball either extremely tight, or right on top of the net. We have used a slap and toss drill with a lot of repetition and tosses on or behind the ten foot line, is there any other suggestions you may have on how to be more aware of where you are on the court? Or any drills that may help break up the monotony for these athletes?
Also, I greatly appreciate this website. Just seeing some of the drills in the videos refreshes my memory of things we could incorporate into practice. This has become a great source for planning practices for me when I feel like I’m ‘getting stuck in a rut’ by running the same practice or drills over and over. Thanks!
i’m trying out for volleyball this year. I haven’t really played volleyball other then for in gym class or at home. do you have any tips on how to actually make the team? i’ve been praciticing at my local gym. any drills i can do to get better? especially serving and bumps? thank you.
I recently viewed a vball video and the coach had the girls doing a swinging arm block. I’ve always been taught to have hands in front of shoulders and shoot them straight up. Any thoughts? I see a lot of mens teams using the swinging block too…
What are some good drills to use that will teach different play sequences for an advanced team Also what are your best game like drills to use in practice. I have used Wash, Bing bango bongo and I have used knockout. Any others that you know of.
Thanks
is the sport about having fun or about winning
how do you make new individuals who want to learn how to play volley learn it fast