It would be great if every pass was perfect, but they are not. One foot setting is a way to help setters be more effective when they pass is not placed perfectly.

In the video clip below Craig Skinner,University of Kentucky Head Coach; 2x SEC Coach of the Year;2011 AVCA All-South Region Coach of the Year, discusses setting off one foot and also shares what he calls Umbrella Tossing to train the setter.

Coach Skinner begins by discussing how to handle the imperfect pass. He believes that is best for the setter to use a left, right footwork pattern as they jump off one foot. He feels that by jumping off one leg the setter will be more dynamic in the air, have more control in the air and cover more ground on passes that are not perfect.

He begins by executing close tosses with his setters so that they can get the footwork pattern down.

He progresses to a quick explanation of Umbrella Tossing. Here he moves around the setter in an umbrella shape pattern giving here passes from all angles. In this drill, he gives her one perfect pass a not perfect pass. The not perfect pass should be tosses such that she gets work moving in every direction.

This clip is just a portion of Coach Skinner’s instructional DVD. For more information about that DVD click the link Simplified Setter Training

The YouTube video below has sound, so please make sure that your speakers are turned on. Note that some schools block access to YouTube. Click the arrow to play the video

More and more overhand passing is becoming a bigger part of the game. Here are some things to consider when teaching this fundamental skill.

In the clip below John Kosty, Stanford University Men’s Volleyball Coach (2010 National Championship), discusses using your hands to pass.

He begins with discussion on positioning. Coach Kosty says that he has come to believe that when in serve receive it is best to position the body facing the target rather that the serve. In his opinion, this position allows the overhand passer to re-direct the serve and push it towards the target. It also allows to be in position where they can move to get in transition.

He states that hand strength is a key component to overhand passing. This is particularly important when the ball is outside of the perfect hand placement.Therefore it is critical that players are able to move an re-position themselves so that they are in better position to execute the overhand pass.

Key Coaching Points:

• No wrist action
• Use elbows
• Firm hands
• Ball never touches pads
• High Finish/Strong hands

He also stresses that he never follows overhand passing with setting drills as the fundamentals of these actions are different.

This clip is just a sample from Coach Kosty’s instructional DVD. For more information about that DVD click the link Developing Attacking and Passing Skills

The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are on and that you have access to the site. Note that some schools block access to YouTube.

 

Here is a simple yet effective tip that will increase hitting control when spiking the ball.

In the video below Andor Gyulai, Coach & Owner of Volleyball1on1 and former NCAA Champion at UCLA, discusses and demonstrates why the hand should strike the ball slightly left of center for maximum control.

Coach Gyulai points out that your players should be able to use this technique at all hitting positions.

This video clip is just a portion of an instructional course found on CoachTube. For more information about this free course, click the link:

Volleyball Spiking and Hitting Techniques

The video below has audio, so please make sure that your speakers are on and the volume is turned up. Please note that some schools block access to YouTube