Learning How To Play Volleyball

Volleyball training as any sports training can be divided into four categories – technical, tactical, physical and mental training. When comparing volleyball to other ball games the importance of technical skills is evident – in volleyball technical skills are more important than in many other ball games.

Practicing volleyball skills is important specifically for the beginning volleyball players. Working on the skills requires countless repetitions, which can be boring at times.

It would be much more fun to jump into the game and start playing immediately – but unfortunately without the decent skills playing volleyball is impossible. If you mess up – the game stops immediately and playing is not enjoyable. Therefore beginning volleyball players should spend plenty of time to practice technical skills.

It is beneficial for coaches to divide particular skill into smaller pieces – not trying to practice the whole complex skill at once. As an example when practicing basics of passing, coach can divide the skill with the following way.

1. Using chair or box to assist, coach teaches players to use their legs when directing the ball - instead of swinging the ball with arms. Coach tosses the ball to the player and while contacting the ball the player pushes herself up from the chair. That will teach volleyball players using their legs when passing.
2. Coach teaches players to step to the left side or right side to pass. Coach tosses the ball a couple of feet to the side - and the player shuffles few steps to the side to pass the ball. This will teach players to shuffle sideways and stop the movement before passing.
3. Coach moves the drill to the net. Players work on the same principles but the ball is tossed over the net.
4. Coach adds serve to work on passing.
5. Etc

Breaking down the skills like that helps players to pick up correct techniques faster. It is very important when practicing complex skills like volleyball spike.

Repeating technical volleyball skills we mentioned above can be kind of dull at times. To make it more interesting it is a good practice to add volleyball drills which will teach you technical skills while keeping the practices fun.

One way to keep practices fun is to make players play mini volleyball games – for example 1 on 1 games with an extra small court. This is very effective because in addition to technical skills, player will learn to “read the game” and play against the opponent.

Those mini games can be added to the practices of beginning volleyball players. Kids usually love playing games therefore mini games are great for smaller kids’ volleyball practices. You divide the courts into several mini courts and have kids play against each other 1 on 1 (one player against one player). You can just use a little piece of tape to separate the courts – there is no need to tape full lines, these games are not that serious.

When we look around at outdoor courts in the summer time, we’ll often see recreational adult volleyball players trying to play volleyball with a standard court. Due to limited skills the rallies in those games are extremely short. For them mini games and smaller courts would be a great option. Mini games are helpful for the beginning volleyball players - no matter what age they are - to learn how to play volleyball and enjoy practices.