6th Grade Girls - Need Passing Help, +

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

I coached 5th grade girls' vb last year, and am coaching some of the same kids this year for 6th grade. We have 22 kids, so we had to split into 2 teams, and I am coaching 11, and we practice simultaneously in the gym.

We have done lots of passing drills, scrimages to simulate game conditions and more. If I graded us, I'd say we are a C passing team. We have a 14 match season, have played and are 1-2. Our passing to the setter is inconsistent, across all players. 2 are very bad at passing always, serveral tend to pass it over the net on the first hit (on purpose) and the rest just irradic. We lost yesterday and today to teams I believe we could have beaten.

So, I am looking for some insight We also let about 5+ serves from the opponents (per game) drop to the floor without even a touch - confusion (tho we stress MINE and even used the Finding Nemo seagull MINE suggestion - which they liked. We use a 4-2 (we have 2 very good setters)

How can we get they to pass better? How do we cross the chasm of them not going for the ball sometimes on server receive? I've read a couple of books, incorporate some drills etc. but we still have problems - when we get three hits in a game it has been successful, and they see this! So, if your have some ideas, please send them our way! We have 11 more games to play, but have only about 5 practices slots left!

[fmfjohn 0]

Daniel,

So how have your teams done. Twenty two sixth grade girls really promises to give the 7th grade one heck of a team. (or even two teams) I am interested to hear what you did with the few practices that you had, and what kind of results you got.

I did expect that you would get a few suggestions, but if you still have practices or games left, or are reviewing the season, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on what went well, and what didn't.

Either way, I hope you and your team had a great time.

john

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

Daniel,

So how have your teams done. Twenty two sixth grade girls really promises to give the 7th grade one heck of a team. (or even two teams) I am interested to hear what you did with the few practices that you had, and what kind of results you got.

I did expect that you would get a few suggestions, but if you still have practices or games left, or are reviewing the season, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on what went well, and what didn't.

Either way, I hope you and your team had a great time.

john

John - thanks for the email - we have had our first practice, since your suggestions, last night. . In the meantime, one team (the one I am coaching) played our 4th match on Sunday. d so far - We lost the match, but the girls played the best that they played so far, and even the winning coach came over afterwards to comment on how well they played. They went after the ball, tried 3 hits etc. while the other team pretty much just hit the ball over the net on the first hit. I was very pleased. But our biggest hurdle was still passing to the setter - whenever we did, it was poetry in motion!

For our practice last nite, I borught the T-Bars that I made of the pvc pipe a you suggested and had both teams practice for about 40 minutes receiving serves and passes and attempting to visualise and bump them over the t-bar to our setter. I have to say, that on my team, about 3 of them really latched on to the idea and improved. In our scrimmage, they slipped back into some errant passes, but some (more than before) were very nice. I'm going to use the T-Bars again for our Saturday practice. Then we have a game Sunday, Monday and Tuesday! then another before any more practices. We still need to work on MOVING to the ball better, setting our feet and then passing. But improvement for sure - THANKS for the suggestions - any more, send them along please!!

Dan

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

Daniel,

So how have your teams done.  Twenty two sixth grade girls really promises to give the 7th grade one heck of a team.  (or even two teams)  I am interested to hear what you did with the few practices that you had, and what kind of results you got.

I did expect that you would get a few suggestions, but if you still have practices or games left, or are reviewing the season, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on what went well, and what didn't.

Either way, I hope you and your team had a great time.

john

John - thanks for the email - we have had our first practice, since your suggestions, last night. . In the meantime, one team (the one I am coaching) played our 4th match on Sunday. d so far - We lost the match, but the girls played the best that they played so far, and even the winning coach came over afterwards to comment on how well they played. They went after the ball, tried 3 hits etc. while the other team pretty much just hit the ball over the net on the first hit. I was very pleased. But our biggest hurdle was still passing to the setter - whenever we did, it was poetry in motion!

For our practice last nite, I borught the T-Bars that I made of the pvc pipe a you suggested and had both teams practice for about 40 minutes receiving serves and passes and attempting to visualise and bump them over the t-bar to our setter. I have to say, that on my team, about 3 of them really latched on to the idea and improved. In our scrimmage, they slipped back into some errant passes, but some (more than before) were very nice. I'm going to use the T-Bars again for our Saturday practice. Then we have a game Sunday, Monday and Tuesday! then another before any more practices. We still need to work on MOVING to the ball better, setting our feet and then passing. But improvement for sure - THANKS for the suggestions - any more, send them along please!!

Dan

JOHN -I wanted also to ask you about a 4 receiver set up as an option. We are using a 4-2 now with a W set-up with setters playing opposite each other. Maybe we can alleviate some of the receiving problems (not moving to ball) if we use a 4 receiver formation. I'm not that familiar with it. We have tried moving the front row players ahead of the 10 foot line and letting the 3 backrow players receiver - worked ok but not great. Any insight is apprecaited - thanks again!

Dan

[fmfjohn 0]

Dan,

Glad to hear that your girls are making progress.

I have tried in the past to "diagram" positions using X's and O's, etc., but it just doesn't work here. I will email you some of the pages out of my player folder.

I have debated with myself dozens of times over the years about the merits of receiving with 4 or 5 players. It really comes down to your personel. If you have 4 players who can (and do) move well to the ball, then it probably is worth doing. But, if you don't, then I would stick with the W and just work on each player knowing their area of coverage, and getting them to cover it. (I know how easy that SOUNDS [ there is also the "learning" value of giving as many players as possible the chance to receive the ball as beginners. At this level I think I'd rather give more chances, even at the risk of losing a game.]

john

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

Dan,

Glad to hear that your girls are making progress.

I have tried in the past to "diagram" positions using X's and O's, etc., but it just doesn't work here. I will email you some of the pages out of my player folder.

I have debated with myself dozens of times over the years about the merits of receiving with 4 or 5 players. It really comes down to your personel. If you have 4 players who can (and do) move well to the ball, then it probably is worth doing. But, if you don't, then I would stick with the W and just work on each player knowing their area of coverage, and getting them to cover it. (I know how easy that SOUNDS [ there is also the "learning" value of giving as many players as possible the chance to receive the ball as beginners. At this level I think I'd rather give more chances, even at the risk of losing a game.]

john

Hi John - I'll look for the email. We always have at least 2 on the floor who don't move well to the ball and one who hopes the ball never comes her way! I'm not worried about our win record even tho there is a chance for playoffs etc. We are trying to teach them 3 hit vb and many of the teams we play smash it over the net on the first hit and celebrate.

But I know that if we can consistently get it to our setters, we will be hard to stop - we have 2 good setters and when we get them the balle, we get the 3 hits and the other team is never ready for it. I'm hoping we can get more consistent getting our setters the ball one way (W) or another (4 receivers?). I really appreciate your help here

Dan

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

Dan,

Glad to hear that your girls are making progress.

I have tried in the past to "diagram" positions using X's and O's, etc., but it just doesn't work here. I will email you some of the pages out of my player folder.

I have debated with myself dozens of times over the years about the merits of receiving with 4 or 5 players. It really comes down to your personel. If you have 4 players who can (and do) move well to the ball, then it probably is worth doing. But, if you don't, then I would stick with the W and just work on each player knowing their area of coverage, and getting them to cover it. (I know how easy that SOUNDS [ there is also the "learning" value of giving as many players as possible the chance to receive the ball as beginners. At this level I think I'd rather give more chances, even at the risk of losing a game.]

john

Ugh - moved we played a so-so team tonight and lost the first game 25-7. It was frustrating for all - nobody to the ball, called the ball, responded to subs, served well etc etc - it was as if it was the very first time they saw a volleyball!

We shaped up a bit in the 2nd game but lost 25-21, and play a 3rd for fun and lost 25-21

We stress in practices, before the games, in scrimmages - CALL the ball, move to the ball, etc etc. I just think we should be doing better because the teams we have lost to (1-4 we are), have not been that good - we were just worse. I'm working hard on this, but feel a let-down here for the kids and the parents watching - we should be doing better. We play again Monday the 28th and the nit eof Mrch 1st too - no practices in between. Any ideas welcomed

[fmfjohn 0]

Dan,

Hope your match tonight went well. Or at least I hope that your players moved to the ball a little better.

With so few practices you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself or the girls to make big improvements. It just takes time, touches and patience. If you have a few more games and not many practices, just make sure that the girls have as much fun as they can.

One other thought.... sometimes the girls have more pressure on them than the coach really knows about. But whatever the source, the best thing you can do to help relieve some of it is to let them know that it's ok to make mistakes, as long as they are making them while they are trying to DO something. I don't know how many times I've told players that the only BAD mistake is "standing there". ( you might also gently tell them how much it lets their teammates down when that happens. little guilt trips sometimes work wonders. but gently. )

Check your email for the diagrams - I hope

john

[Daniel Silvestri 0]

Dan,

Hope your match tonight went well. Or at least I hope that your players moved to the ball a little better.

With so few practices you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself or the girls to make big improvements. It just takes time, touches and patience. If you have a few more games and not many practices, just make sure that the girls have as much fun as they can.

One other thought.... sometimes the girls have more pressure on them than the coach really knows about. But whatever the source, the best thing you can do to help relieve some of it is to let them know that it's ok to make mistakes, as long as they are making them while they are trying to DO something. I don't know how many times I've told players that the only BAD mistake is "standing there". ( you might also gently tell them how much it lets their teammates down when that happens. little guilt trips sometimes work wonders. but gently. )

Check your email for the diagrams - I hope

john

John - thanks again. Appreciate your help. We have lost all but our first match, but the kids played great a couple of games ago. Tho we lost they were excellent and had over 20 3-hitters the match - it ws nice.

I have emphasized the fun part, and that we are not afraid of making mistakes - but don't let the ball drop to the floor with no play on it. We have another match monday evening.

We may have an opportunity to consolidate our 22 girls into one team for another leage in april. Have to see.

Thanks again - MUCH appreciated!

Dan