Week 4 – Volley Basics & Net Reactions (Sept 29–Oct 3, 2025)
This week, our players focused on volley fundamentals—learning how to control the paddle, react quickly at the net, and build confidence through fun, active drills. Both age groups practiced partner volleys, balloon challenges, and mini rally games that encouraged teamwork, coordination, and focus.
This Week’s Focus: Volley Basics & Net Reactions
Future Aces (Kindergarten–2nd Grade)
Chunk 1 (20 min) – Volley Basics
Main (12 min): Partner Toss & Volley
Partner tosses the ball underhand; the hitter tries to tap it back in the air (volley).
Focus on a “high-five motion” with paddle instead of swinging.
Sideline – “Paddle Balloon Keep-Up”: kids on side tap a balloon in the air with their paddle, count taps.
Fun (6 min): Volley Freeze – Rally going, coach yells “freeze,” everyone holds goofy paddle pose before restarting.
Chunk 2 (20 min) – Net Reactions
Main (12 min): Rapid Toss Drill
Coach feeds 3–5 gentle balls quickly; player tries to volley each back.
Emphasis: paddle ready, soft block.
Sideline – “Target Wall Taps”: kids volley against wall/fence, aim for taped square.
Fun (6 min): Balloon Volley Battle – Two kids vs two kids, balloon only; try to keep balloon from hitting ground on your side.
Chunk 3 (20 min) – Volley Games
Main (12 min): Mini Net Rally
Pairs stand close to net, try to sustain a volley rally of 3–5 hits.
Allow bounce for younger kids if needed.
Sideline – “Serve & Chase”: practice drop-serve to a partner who rolls it back; repeat.
Fun (6 min): Coach Monster Game – Coach stands as “net monster.” Kids take turns volleying balls past the monster to score a point. Lots of cheering.
Future Aces (Grades 3–8)
Chunk 1 (20 min) – Volley Technique
Main (12 min): Partner Volley Exchange
Partners stand at kitchen line and volley back and forth, focusing on short, controlled paddle blocks.
Sideline – Wall volley challenge: see how many in-air taps they can keep against the wall before a drop.
Fun (6 min): Quickfire Volleys – Partners compete: who can do the longest volley rally streak.
Chunk 2 (20 min) – Net Readiness
Main (12 min): Rapid Fire Drill
Coach feeds a quick sequence of balls; player reacts to volley each.
Goal: paddle up, quick reflexes.
Sideline – “Serve & Aim”: practice serves into service box targets while waiting.
Fun (6 min): Kitchen Crashers – Short bursts where players are “allowed” to stand in kitchen and volley for laughs, then reset to correct rule.
Chunk 3 (20 min) – Volley Games
Main (12 min): 2v2 Net Rallies
Short half-court games, focus only on volleys and dinks, not scoring.
Sideline – “Challenge Rally”: kids on side bounce-hit forehand/backhand alternates, counting their best run.
Fun (6 min): Knockout Volleys – 2 pairs at a time volley rally; losing pair rotates out, new pair jumps in.
Our players showed great improvement in reaction time and control this week. Next week, we’ll start combining volleys with movement—introducing positioning, teamwork, and quick transitions at the net.