Several weeks ago Jill Gerber wrote the following: “In working with
the Venice Volleyball team what kinds of things are you doing to connect the
whole body movements of throwing to the body movement of the attack arm swing?
I am finding that most volleyball players rely heavily on a shoulder/arm
movement rather than a more hip, trunk, shoulder, elbow, wrist chain of
movement.” Jill, first of all let me
apologize for not answering sooner, just kind of fell between the cracks. I believe
in using a variety of medicine ball throwing movements to reinforce the concept
of total chain involvement. At least two days a weeks we do an upper body wall
throw module with a 3 kg ball using two arms and then the same series one arm
with either a 1kg or 2 kg ball depending on the individual players needs. Two
other days a week we do Total Body Power throws for distance and the other day a different total body throw series designed to reinforce arm lag and hip lead. With
specific individuals whom the coach feels need to improve arm speed with do a
program of manual resistance, stretch cord fast eccentric work and throwing
with various weight and size balls. I really think the root of the problem with the girls
volleyball players is that they do not have a good foundation in throwing
mechanics. That is something I am going to emphasize more in the 09 off season.
I am going to just have them play catch with a football or a softball.
Jurij Kozjek
Hello, Vern
When I was in Primary school (I’ m from Slovenia) we used to play a game “between two fires” (that is a direct translation) which is very good for learning throwing or catching and above all it’ s fun.
If you’ re not familiar with it here are the instructions how to play it:
You can use volleyball court (without a net) or basketball court – depends on how many people are playing the game or how fast you want it to be played.
Than make two equal numbered teams and each team steps into one field of the court and the members of that team can only move in that field but they can move freely. If somebody steps over the line the ball goes to the other team.
Each team selects one person that stands and moves behind the out line of the opposite field – so you have one team “between two fires”.
Take the ball (football or soccer) size and choose the team which starts the game.
The goal is that each team hits all the members of the opposite team that are in the field. A HIT is when a person gets hit with a ball (for example in a leg) and the ball falls to the floor before it is caught. If the person in the field that is supposed to be hit catches the ball or someone else in the team saves him/her before the ball drops to the ground they can start their attack on the opposite team.
When someone gets hit he goes out and helps his teammate behind out line – so there will be more and more people behind the out line and less in the field.
There will be a lot of running from one part of the field and back; there will be a lot of easy passing and a lot of throwing and catching.
I hope this all makes sense. Have fun.
Jurij
Health & Fitness blog
We used to simulate running on the spot, with dumbells in each hands. Keeps up your endurance for the length of a game.
oubo
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