Raise body temperature in preparation for more intense activity and increase awareness of how current conditions affect the ball. It will also increase the athlete’s awareness of how current environmental conditions affect the ball.
Set up
# of players : 1 player
Ideal : 4 players
Equipment : 5+
Average duration : 10-15 minutes
Description
- Athlete serves and them jogs to the other side of the net to serve again.
Evaluation : # of reps (ex. 10) or first athlete to 10 good reps.
Variations
- You can get the athlete to do any sort of movement pattern you would like after each serve. For example, if an athlete does not like to dive you could force the athlete to serve and then run to a certain corner of the court and dive on the sand or if they block they could run to the net to perform a certain block after each serve.
Progression
- Jump serve rather than standing serve.
- Mark out spots on the court that need to be served into.
- Have the athlete serve 3 in a row before they jog to the other side.
Key points
- Athletes need to be reminded to take their time during serving as after jogging to the serving spot they will often rush their serve.
- Encourage athletes to develop a routine, as this will encourage consistency of serve.
- The focus will change depending on the level of the athlete. Beginners should focus on contact rather that where the serve goes. More advanced athletes should be focusing on a particular service area.