Although most volleyball players can't really hone their skills until around age 12, according to Bob Miller, a former volleyball coach and author of "The Volleyball Handbook," you can still run an effective and enjoyable camp for kindergarten-aged kids by conducting drills that emphasize the fundamentals and rules of the game. Focus on participation over results, offering encouragement and praise for any effort the kids display, and change activities often to keep them engaged.
Bumping And Setting
You won't get young children to master the intricacies of bumping and setting in a few short camp sessions, but you can explain the difference and teach them the basic movements of each skill. Have the campers form a line and stand about 5 yards in front of them with a soft, spongy ball, about the same size as a volleyball. Toss the ball to the first player in line, having him bump the ball with his hands clasped in front of his chest or set the ball with his hands above his head. Repeat the drill with each player in line, cycling through multiple times. Divide the kids into groups if you have multiple coaches available.
Follow the Leader
This drill teaches your campers several movements they will need to make regularly when they are old enough to play on a volleyball team. Have each camper find a spot on the floor, facing the same direction. Stand in front of them with a volleyball. Point the ball to the left, having the kids shuffle their feet in the same direction, then to the right. Next, raise the ball above your head, prompting the kids to lift their arms overhead and jump as high as they can. Finally, drop the ball to the floor, indicating that the kids should fall to their knees and pretend to bump a ball close to the floor. Repeat this process multiple times.
Shadow Shots
Kindergarten-aged kids are probably not ready to hit kills shots over a net, but they can learn the proper arm motion by performing shadow shots, a drill recommended by the National Alliance for Youth Sports. Give each camper a ball small enough to hold with one hand. Have them stand about 5 yards away from a wall, raise the ball overhead, then throw it at the floor near the base of the wall, simulating a kill shot. Let them practice this drill repeatedly for three to five minutes.
Target Serving
This drill teaches young volleyball players the underhand serving motion. Mark a large target on a wall with tape. Demonstrate how to perform an underhand serve, then have the campers line up about 5 yards away from the target and have one at a time perform a serve, trying to hit the target with the ball. Cycle through the line multiple times. Keep track of how many times the ball hits the target, setting a goal for the campers to reach within five minutes.
References
- "The Volleyball Handbook"; Bob Miller; 2005
- "Coaching Volleyball for Dummies"; The National Alliance for Youth Sports; 2009
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