Raise body temperature in preparation for more strenuous activity and increase the athletes awareness of how current conditions affect the ball. Additionally this drill develops hand eye coordination and encourages good athletic body position.
Set up
# of players : 1 – 12 players
Ideal : 1 player
Equipment : 1+
Average duration : 5-10 minutes
Description
- Athletes start with two balls. The challenge is to juggle both balls by throwing each ball up on either side of the body.
- Athletes start with one ball in both hands and the other ball either between the legs or under an arm.
- While one ball is up in the air the athlete reaches to the other ball in order to throw it up before the initial ball has come down.
Ideally athletes should be catching and throwing one ball up to the left side of the body and the other to the right.
A two handed contact should be made on each ball.
In order to make this drill even more beneficial the athletes should try to keep the arms straight as they catch and throw the volleyballs.
Evaluation : # of repetitions in a row (ex. 5)
Variations
Progression
- Have athletes focus on something while completing the drill.
- Have athletes moving from sideline to sideline during drill.
Key points
- Arms should move from below the ball straight up after catching, that way the ball goes straight up and down, and not away from the body.
- Athletes need to be reminded that an athletic position enables them move more effectively and reach for balls that are away from the body.