Volleyball training for kids: Teaching the fundamentals of passing
By Ruth N. Nelson
FINAL BLOG and released March 13
Passing is super important in volleyball, especially for kids aged 4-10! It’s one of the most critical skills needed to play the game.
Let’s break this skill down and go over some key teaching points!
First off, passing is all about getting the ball to your teammates accurately and consistently. This might be a little difficult at first, but kids will get the hang of it with practice.
In every training session, make sure you focus on individual passing. Have players move around while passing and try to improve their consistency so they can get the ball to their teammate the same way every time.
Passing is essential for keeping the ball in play, especially when your opponent is serving. You want to pass the ball high enough for your team to make awesome attacks!
To improve at passing, kids need to work on:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Footwork
- Body position
When passing, a player’s arms should be flat, and their wrists, thumbs, and hands must all be together. Emphasize these three points:
- Hold your arms slightly away from your chest
- Bend your knees
- Keep your shoulders over your front foot
After passing the ball, players should follow through by extending their arms forward and toward the target. Remind them to hold their position for a picture-perfect finish!
As kids practice, they’ll learn to use different passing techniques – like passing from the front court or the backcourt or receiving a serve or a free ball.
Parents, you can help too! Practice these passing drills at home with your kids to help them improve and become more consistent in their training sessions and competitions.
For a short overview on what to emphasize when teaching young players to pass, watch the video above.
For comprehensive courses on teaching volleyball to kids aged 4-11, check out Ruth Nelson’s BYOP® 101 Home Training Program Series™ Online Courses and Bring Your Own Parent 101 (BYOP®) for the four fundamental skills, available on the Art of Coaching Volleyball website.
Ruth Nelson is a former USA Team player, teacher, and coach at the collegiate, national, and professional levels. For the past 23 years, she has focused on and created innovative programs for ages 10 and under that engage parents alongside their children in training (Bring Your Own Parent Program – BYOP®) as well as the GoKids Youth Sports™ Certification program and the 24/7 Virtual RNN Sports Gym™.
March 13, 2024 - Passing Drills, Position Training, Passing Technique, Small group drills, Ball Control Drills
Title: Mastering Passing: Key Tips for Kids Playing Volleyball
Passing is super important in volleyball, especially for kids aged 4-11! It's one of the most critical skills you'll need to learn to play the game like a role models. Let's break it down and learn some keywords to help you become a passing master!
First off, passing is all about getting the ball to your teammates accurately and consistently. This might be a little difficult at first, but you'll get the hang of it with practice!
In every training session, make sure you focus on individual passing. Practice moving around while passing and try to improve your consistency. This means getting the ball to your teammate the same way every time.
Passing is essential for keeping the ball in play, especially when your opponent is serving. You want to pass the ball high enough for your team to make awesome attacks!
Work on your hand-eye coordination, footwork, and body position to get good at passing. Start with easy drills using a tennis ball or a small pink ball, and then progress to a regulation volleyball or a Baden Softlight that was explicitly designed for kids.
When you pass, ensure your arms are flat, and your wrists, thumbs, and hands are all together. Keep your arms slightly away from your chest and bend your knees. Imagine straddling the attack line, facing the net, and keeping your shoulders over your front foot.
After you pass the ball, follow through by extending your arms forward and toward your target. And remember to hold your position for a picture-perfect finish!
As you practice, you'll learn when to use different passing techniques, like passing from the front court or the backcourt or receiving a serve or a free ball.
Parents, you can help too! Practice these passing drills at home with your kids to help them improve and become more consistent in their training sessions and competitions.
By focusing on these keywords and reinforcing them during your training sessions, you'll become a passing pro in no time! Keep practicing, have fun, and enjoy learning all the positions with your team!
Passing is super important in volleyball, especially for kids aged 4-11! It's one of the most critical skills you'll need to learn to play the game like a role models. Let's break it down and learn some keywords to help you become a passing master!
First off, passing is all about getting the ball to your teammates accurately and consistently. This might be a little difficult at first, but you'll get the hang of it with practice!
In every training session, make sure you focus on individual passing. Practice moving around while passing and try to improve your consistency. This means getting the ball to your teammate the same way every time.
Passing is essential for keeping the ball in play, especially when your opponent is serving. You want to pass the ball high enough for your team to make awesome attacks!
Work on your hand-eye coordination, footwork, and body position to get good at passing. Start with easy drills using a tennis ball or a small pink ball, and then progress to a regulation volleyball or a Baden Softlight that was explicitly designed for kids.
When you pass, ensure your arms are flat, and your wrists, thumbs, and hands are all together. Keep your arms slightly away from your chest and bend your knees. Imagine straddling the attack line, facing the net, and keeping your shoulders over your front foot.
After you pass the ball, follow through by extending your arms forward and toward your target. And remember to hold your position for a picture-perfect finish!
As you practice, you'll learn when to use different passing techniques, like passing from the front court or the backcourt or receiving a serve or a free ball.
Parents, you can help too! Practice these passing drills at home with your kids to help them improve and become more consistent in their training sessions and competitions.
By focusing on these keywords and reinforcing them during your training sessions, you'll become a passing pro in no time! Keep practicing, have fun, and enjoy learning all the positions with your team!
For an entire program, parents, teachers, coaches, and directors can enlist the help of Ruth N. Nelson, Founder of BYOP® and GoKids Youth Sports, who has amassed over 50 years of volleyball experience and expertise at all levels.
Youth Program Directors, Coaches, and Parents are encouraged to take Ruth Nelson’s BYOP® 101 and Home Training Program Series™ Online Courses, available on the Art of Coaching Volleyball website. Click this LINK BYOP® 101 for the four fundamental skills. And click this LINK for the Home Training Program Series™.
Also, Register to Become a GoKids Youth Sports™ Skills Trainer online or in person. Click HERE for more information and to register.
About the Author
Ruth is a former USA Team player, teacher, and coach at the collegiate, national, and professional levels. For the past 23 years, Ruth has focused on and created the most innovative program for ages 10 and under that engages parents alongside their children in training (Bring Your Own Parent Program – BYOP®) as well as the GoKids Youth Sports™ Certification program and the 24/7 Virtual RNN Sports Gym™.
Youth Program Directors, Coaches, and Parents are encouraged to take Ruth Nelson’s BYOP® 101 and Home Training Program Series™ Online Courses, available on the Art of Coaching Volleyball website. Click this LINK BYOP® 101 for the four fundamental skills. And click this LINK for the Home Training Program Series™.
Also, Register to Become a GoKids Youth Sports™ Skills Trainer online or in person. Click HERE for more information and to register.
About the Author
Ruth is a former USA Team player, teacher, and coach at the collegiate, national, and professional levels. For the past 23 years, Ruth has focused on and created the most innovative program for ages 10 and under that engages parents alongside their children in training (Bring Your Own Parent Program – BYOP®) as well as the GoKids Youth Sports™ Certification program and the 24/7 Virtual RNN Sports Gym™.
Check your understanding:
I. Introduction
Importance of passing in volleyball for youth (ages 4-11)
B. Challenges faced by this age group in executing overhand sets
II. Basic Concepts
A. Definition and significance of passing
B. Importance of individual passing drills
C. Objective: improving consistency and movement
III. Fundamental Skills Development
A. Focus areas:
1. Hand-eye coordination
2. Footwork
3. Body position
B. Progression from lighter to regulation balls
C. Emphasis on arm positioning and leg coordination
IV. Technique Enhancement
A. Components of effective passing:
1. Flat platform
2. Proper wrist, thumb, and hand placement
3. Coordinated arm and leg movements
B. Importance of movement efficiency and technique
V. Skill Progression and Drills
A. Progressions in skill development
B. Reinforcement drills for technique improvement
VI. Game-Like Scenarios and Analysis
A. Introducing challenges like passing from across the net
B. Analyzing skills and making necessary adjustments
VII. Parental Involvement
A. Encouraging parents to support skill development at home
B. Providing resources for fundamental drills
VIII. Conclusion
A. Summary of key points
B. Encouragement for coaches and teachers to implement outlined strategies.
