LMYA VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM

 

We are in the process of restructuring our program to better develop players and allow the players who want to improve their skills have a better opportunity based on skill level.

 

Fall Volleyball:

 

 

 

Program Goals

 

·       Lower Mac Athletics sponsors a comprehensive Volleyball program that provides a positive learning experience and recognizes the diverse interests of the participants.  The program is designed to teach the game in a progressive manner while highlighting the benefits of physical activity.

 

·       Skill development is the primary focus at an early age.  This focus continues as players progress up through the various levels.  There are 3 different levels based on scholastic grade and player ability to accommodate the various development stages of the individual player.  Please read for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

Beginner Program:

 

·       This program is for the NEW players and focuses foremost on solid volleyball skills and learning to properly play.  This program is primarily for grades three and above.

 

·       Players have a game and/or practice two nights a week that takes place Monday through Thursday. (See below for other notes on schedules.)

 

·       Beginners play from 6:30pm until 7:45pm.

 

·       Beginners have routinely played at Lower Macungie Middle School and Eyer Middle School.

 

·       Beginners start the full week after Labor Day and end in the beginning of November.

 

·       We try to accommodate requests as much as possible to avoid conflicts of other activities for players.  We CANNOT guarantee that we can meet all requests made.  All schedule requests must be communicated through email to the Volleyball coordinator by August 1st.  (We try to have a Monday/Wednesday team and a Tuesday/Thursday team. There will be a time when they have to play on an off night.)

 

·       Teams and schedules are communicated to parents by the middle/end of August.

 

·       Beginner players should try to attend practice/games as often as possible.  All coaches understand when conflicts exist and no player is ever penalized if they are unable to attend.

 

Intermediate Program:

 

·       This program is for the novice player.  Everyone should have some understanding of how to play the game.  We do focus some on skills but majority of the time is playing games.  This program is primarily for grades five through twelve.

 

·       Players have a game and/or practice two nights a week.  Intermediate players have routinely played on Monday and Wednesday.  (This is NOT a guarantee.)

 

·       Intermediate play from 7:45pm until 9:00pm.

 

·       Intermediate have routinely played at Lower Macungie Middle School and Eyer Middle School.

 

·       Intermediate start the full week after Labor Day and end in the beginning of November.

 

·       Teams and schedules are communicated to parents by the middle/end of August.

 

·       Intermediate players should try to attend practice/games as often as possible.  All coaches understand when conflicts exist and no player is ever penalized if they are unable to attend.

 

Advanced Program:

 

·       This program is for the advanced player.  Everyone should have extended understanding of how to play the game.  Typically an advanced player is categorized as one who plays for school volleyball team or club team however this is not always the case and will be determined on an individual basis.  We do focus on skills but majority of the time is playing games.  This program is primarily for grades seven through twelve.

 

·       Players have a game and/or practice two nights a week.  Intermediate players have routinely played on Monday and Wednesday.  (This is NOT a guarantee.)

 

·       Advanced play from 7:45pm until 9:00pm.

 

·       Advanced will routinely play at Lower Macungie Middle School and Eyer Middle School.

 

·       Advanced start the full week after Labor Day and end in the beginning of November.

 

·       Teams and schedules are communicated to parents by the middle/end of August.

 

·         Advanced players should try to attend practice/games as often as possible.  All coaches understand when conflicts exist and no player is ever penalized if they are unable to attend.

 

Rules of Play

 

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RULES

 

1.   A coin toss will be used to determine serve and side.  The team, which wins the coin toss will choose to serve or a side of the court.  If the first 2 games are split, then another coin toss will be used for game 3.

 

2.   In all divisions, the games will be scored using rally points.  This is when a team can score a point on a side-out as well as a serve.

 

3.   A team may not contact the ball more than 3 times without returning it over the net.  Failure to do so results in a point or side-out.  Please note that a block does not count as a touch, so 3 contacts are still allowed after a block.

 

4.   A player is not allowed to contact the net at any time while the ball is in play, incidental contact is up to the discretion of the referee.  Touching the net results in a point or side-out.

 

5.   A player is not allowed to step fully onto the opponent's side of the court while the ball is in play.  A player may step onto the opponent's side of the court after the play is over.  Violation results in a point or side-out.

 

6.   A player may not contact the ball twice in a row unless the first touch is a block.

 

7.   The ball may be played off of the net as long as the player does not contact the net.

 

8.   Play ends when the ball touches the floor.

 

9.   CARRYING:  In volleyball, the ball is not allowed to come to rest on a players hands, however, recognizing that individual skills may not be proficient at this level, the carry rules will be enforced as follows:

 

1.   The ball may not be struck underhand with the hands open, referees will provide some discretion during play.  Please make sure that all players, coaches and parents understand this rule.

 

10.  OBSTRUCTION:  The ball may be played off of the ceilings but a REDO is called for all hanging obstructions.  This rule is strictly under the discretion of the referee as to what is the ceiling, and it is impossible to cover every situation, however, the intent is to neither aid nor penalize a team affected by hanging objects.  If the ball contacts the ceiling on your side and remains on your side it is still playable but if the ball contacts the ceiling and lands on the other side the play is over and it's a side-out.  If the ball contacts the ceiling on a serve it is a side-out.

 

Training and Development

 

·       Coaching Clinic/Instruction

 

o   Those interested in enhanced coaching/training can participate in a course offered by NYSCA (National Youth Scholastic Coaches Assoc.)

 

 

 

     COACHING TIPS

 

 

 

·       Prepare a practice schedule.  The players will know when you are prepared and you will gain more respect from them (and keep their attention) when you are organized.

 

 

 

·       Sample practice schedule:

 

Warm-Ups and Stretching                 10 minutes

 

Passing Drills/Practice                       10 minutes

 

Agility Drill                                            5 minutes

 

Serving/Receiving Practices               10 minutes

 

Break                                                    5 minutes

 

Scrimmage                                          40 minutes

 

Wrap-Up                                             10 minutes

 

 

 

·       Teach the correct technique.  Passing the volleyball is probably the most important technique to teach.  Use some of the drills provided in the handouts.  Work on passing at each practice.

 

 

 

·       Teach players the importance of using 3 hits.  Players should be rewarded for using all three hits and corrected when they just hit the ball over the net.

 

 

 

·       Continually provide encouragement to all players.

 

 

 

·       Have confidence in yourself as a coach.  If you do not feel confident demonstrating a skill yourself and have players who perform the skill properly, use the player as a model and talk to the team having the player demonstrate the skill.  Remember that you know more about volleyball than most of the parents and players and you should use your knowledge to make yourself more effective as a coach.

 

 

 

·       Be prepared in case of injuries.  Hopefully most of you will not experience any injuries during the season.  The most likely serious injury will be a sprained ankle due to landing on someones foot.  In the case of a sprained ankle, immobilize the ankle and apply ice.  If in doubt as to the extent of the injury, have the parents take the child for x-rays.  You may have an odd assortment of jammed fingers, balls to the face, etc.  Use your best judgment in these cases.  Normally a few minutes on the side is all that is needed.

 

 

 

 

 

Volleyball Administration and Coordinators

 

Position	Official	Date Elected	Contact
Volleyball Coordinator	Jeffrey Elsea	Jul-2018	[email protected]