When you solely have one follow to set the tone to your season, that is it. Your first follow shouldn’t be about excellent approach or operating a system. It ought to get gamers touching the ball rapidly, set up how follow works, and finish with one thing that really seems like volleyball.
This plan provides you a clear, repeatable construction you’ll be able to run in 60 or 90 minutes, even with giant teams or true newcomers.
New to teaching? Begin right here: Newbie Volleyball Teaching hub
Want extra planning construction? Observe Planning & Heat-ups hub
Subsequent step: Run the First 2 Weeks plan.
The objectives of Observe 1
Maintain these priorities in thoughts, and also you’ll keep away from most Day 1 errors.
- Get numerous contacts rapidly
Standing in traces kills engagement and studying. - Set up fitness center group
The place gamers go, how rotations work, and the way you transition between actions. - Serve and first contact fundamentals
Balls going in and up matter greater than kind. - Finish with a recreation that seems like volleyball
Gamers ought to depart considering, “I performed right this moment.”
60-minute first follow plan
Use this when fitness center time is tight or consideration spans are quick.
| Time | Focus | What issues |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–10 | Heat-up with ball | Fast engagement, no laps |
| 10–25 | Precedence development (serving or passing) | Ball management + confidence |
| 25–40 | Second talent (passing or bump-setting) | Playable contacts |
| 40–60 | Easy recreation | Power, enjoyable, competitors |
Notes
- Begin with underhand serving if wanted. Success first.
- Permit catch-and-throw briefly if it helps group.
- Maintain explanations beneath 30 seconds.
90-minute first follow plan
Best choice if you would like respiration room with out overloading newcomers.
| Time | Focus | What issues |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–10 | Heat-up with ball | Touches + motion |
| 10–30 | Precedence development | Serving or passing |
| 30–50 | Second talent | Passing ↔ bump-setting |
| 50–70 | Free-ball construction | Group over energy |
| 70–90 | Sport-based end | Rally really feel |
Notes
- That is nonetheless a easy follow, not a full system set up.
- You’re instructing how follow works as a lot as volleyball expertise.
You probably have too many gamers (station map)
When numbers are excessive, don’t shrink reps—break up the fitness center.
Widespread Day 1 stations:
- Serve-in station
- Passing pairs or trios
- Toss–go–catch or bump-set station
- Small-sided recreation court docket (3v3 or 4v4)
Rotate each 8–12 minutes.
(Hyperlink: Utilizing stations in your follow)
If half the crew has by no means performed (constraints scaling)
You don’t want separate plans—simply scale the duty.
Methods to scale down:
- Permit underhand serve
- Shorten distances
- Use catch → toss → contact progressions
- Require solely 2 contacts earlier than sending ball over
Methods to scale up:
- Serve from farther again
- Require go to focus on
- Bonus factors for 3 contacts
Identical drill. Totally different constraints.
3 video games that at all times work on Day 1
These video games hold newcomers enjoying as an alternative of freezing.
- Serve-to-score
Solely the serving crew can rating. Forces serves in. - 2-pass rally
Rally solely counts after two playable passes. - Free-ball bonus
Free-ball level counts double. Teaches group quick.
Use quick video games to five–7 factors so vitality stays excessive.
Widespread errors
- An excessive amount of speaking
Inexperienced persons be taught by doing, not listening. - Overcorrecting approach
“Up and playable” beats “excellent kind.” - No actual recreation on the finish
This kills pleasure and buy-in. - Letting traces develop
If gamers wait, redesign instantly.
FAQs
What’s a very powerful talent on Day 1?
Serving in. Get correct rallies initiated.
Ought to newcomers hand-set straight away?
No. Bump-setting is okay early if it retains rallies alive.
How lengthy ought to explanations be?
30 seconds or much less. Present, begin, modify.
What if we solely have 60 minutes?
One development + one recreation. Skip the extras.
Do I would like 6v6 on Day 1?
No. Small-sided video games usually work higher.
What ought to gamers depart feeling?
Profitable, energetic, and excited to return again.
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