Learn How to Play Volleyball: Mom's Guide To Tween Volleyball Success

Volleyball moms, here's the inside scoop on helping your tween excel when watching them learn how to play volleyball in order to support your player's journey

Whether you're in Utah, California, Texas, Colorado, or right here in Nevada, my "learn how to play volleyball" guide will help you support your 9-12 year old on their volleyball journey. (photo Dan Morgan)

Hey there, volleyball moms!

Coach April here, ready to help you and your tween dive into the exciting world of volleyball.

As an elite-level coach based in Vegas, I've been responsible for helping young athletes to blossom and build their volleyball their career in this fantastic sport.

As an elite-level coach based in Vegas, I've been responsible for helping young athletes to blossom and build their volleyball their career in this fantastic sport.

Whether you're in Utah, California, Texas, Colorado, or right here in Nevada, my guide will help you support your 9-12 year old on their volleyball journey.

Let me break down the basics so you can learn how to play volleyball alongside your budding star!

Before I jump into the nitty-gritty, let me cover the basics.

Volleyball is a team sport played by two teams of six players on a court divided by a net.

The objective is to send the ball over the net so it hits the ground on the opponent's side while preventing it from touching the ground on your side.

Ryanwils, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Each team is allowed three touches on their side with the third contact being the last chance to send the ball over the net in an effort to score a point or keep the ball in play. to return the ball over the net.

Now, let's dive into the six fundamental skills your tween needs to conquer to excel at volleyball.

As players get better at controlling their body parts which will help them control the ball, they'll want to learn how to do the overhand serve for more power and control. (photo Dan Morgan)

The serve is how each rally starts, making it a crucial skill to master.

Here's what your tween needs to know:
The server stands in Zone 1, the right back area of the court.

• For beginners, an underhand serve is a great starting point.
• As players get better at controlling their body parts which will help them control the ball, they'll want to learn how to do the overhand serve for more power and control.

The serve can be made underhand as a tween player but for high school, club, collegiate and International competition your player will need to know how to overhand serve the ball.

The overhand volleyball serve is made with contact of the ball by a player when they first toss the ball with one hand in the air and contact it with force with the other hand in an effort to get it over the net and possibly score a point

Next you'll need to learn how to pass or bump a volleyball. Passing in volleyball or bumping a ball are two ways to explain the same underhand technique of receiving the serve. (Dan Morgan)

Passing is a key skill that players have to do well if they expect to excel at playing  volleyball.

Passing, also known as "bumping the ball" is how players receive serves and keep rallies going.

Key points include:

• Create a platform with both arms by holding the wrists together so the inside of the forearms become a passing platform
• By creating a platform with both arms the player will contact the ball deflecting it from their angled platform to the person most responsible for making the second contact on the ball, the setter 
• Aim to deflect the ball to the setter, who's responsible for the second contact.
• Good passing requires a stable stance and quick footwork.

What is a set? Once the ball contacts the fingertips of your hands you push it back up into the air towards your target, setting the ball up for the next person to contact it. (photo Dan Morgan)

Setting is all about ball control and creating opportunities for one of your player's teammates, who can hit a chance to score.

Here's what your tween should focus on:

• Use fingertips to push the ball up into the air towards the target
• Good setters have soft hands and can place the ball accurately
• Setting requires practice to develop consistency and touch

An attack hit or a spike describes the technique commonly used for the third contact in a rally that sends the ball over the net with power.

Spiking is the most exciting part of volleyball for many players. It's how teams score most of their points.

Key aspects include:

• A spike starts with an approach, usually four steps: the first two slow, the last two faster and are used to launch the hitter in the air above the net before taking a swing at the ball
• The goal is to contact the ball at its highest point above the net.
• As players improve, they'll learn to control the direction of their spikes.

Blocking is a key defensive skill used by players in the front row of the team that's serving.

Here's what your tween should know:

• The middle blocker on a lot of teams is the tallest player and moves along the net, in synch with two other front row players, one on the left side of them and one on the right side of them to help stop attacks.
• Timing is crucial when blocking in order to effectively stop the opponent's spike.
• Blockers need to be able to read and anticipate where the setter is going to set the ball and then track the ball so they can be quick on their feet to move into position to attempt to block the hitter who has just been set

Learn Volleyball: Digging means to sink your hips low to the floor, below the ball before it gets to you and you use your extended arms in your platform to "dig" or deflect the ball up in the air.

Digging is a defensive skill that keeps rallies alive. It's all about reflexes and determination.

Key points include:

To "dig a ball" you are in a defensive position, most frequently in the back row, or if you aren't blocking in the front row and you are positioned outside of your front row blockers as they jump to block a hard driven ball

• Players need to get low, below the ball, with extended arms
• The goal is to dig the ball high enough for a teammate to make the next play
• If you are the 'digger" or defender your job is to dig the ball up high enough in the air and ideally to the middle of the court close to the ten foot line, so that the second contact in the rally can be made.
• Good diggers are often the most scrappy and determined players on the court

As your tween learns how to play volleyball, they'll discover different positions on the court. Here's a quick rundown:

1. Setter:

The playmaker who sets up attacks for the hitters.

2. Outside Hitter:

An all-around player who attacks from the left side.

Outside Hitter: An all-around player who attacks from the left side.(photo Al Case)

3. Middle Blocker:

Usually the tallest player, responsible for blocking and quick attacks.

4. Opposite Hitter: Attacks from the right side and is often a strong blocker.

5. Libero: A defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey and plays in the back row.

Libero: A defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey and plays in the back row. (photo Erik Drost)

Encourage your tween to try different positions as they're learning. They might surprise themselves with hidden talents!

As your tween starts to grasp how to play volleyball, here are some strategies to keep in mind:

1. Communication is key:

Encourage your tween to call for the ball and talk to their teammates.

2. Stay ready:

Teach them to keep their hands up and stay on their toes, ready to move.

3. Focus on ball control:

At the beginning stages, it's more important to keep the ball in play than to hit it hard.

4. Serve consistently:

A consistent, in-bounds serve is more valuable than a powerful but erratic one.

Common mistakes to watch out for:

• Not moving to the ball
• Hitting the ball with straight arms when passing
• Forgetting to jump when blocking

As a volleyball mom, your support is crucial. Here are some ways you can help your tween excel:

1. Encourage practice at home:

Set up a net in the backyard or use a wall for solo practice.

2. Watch volleyball together:

Professional matches can be great learning opportunities.

3. Focus on fun:

At this age, enjoying the game is more important than winning.

4. Praise effort over outcome:

Celebrate hard work and improvement, not just points scored.

Remember, every great volleyball player started as a beginner.

Your tween's journey is just beginning, and with your support, they'll be spiking and digging with the best of them in no time!

Learning how to play volleyball is an exciting journey for both you and your tween.

It's a sport that teaches teamwork, perseverance, and the joy of athletic achievement.

As you watch your young athlete grow in skill and confidence, remember that every small step is a victory.

Whether they're serving their first ace or making their first successful dig, these moments are building blocks for a lifetime love of the sport.

So, volleyball moms, are you ready to hit the court with your tween?

With my guide, you're well-equipped to support their volleyball adventure.

Who knows? You might find yourself falling in love with the sport too!

See you on the court!

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