players wont quit swinging when passing

Question
Please help, I am at my wit's end. The 7th and 8th grade girls I am helping this summer are doing very well, except several who continue to swing at the ball when passing. I've tried reteaching and standing beside them when someone tosses the ball to them. Have even held one of their arms at proper angle till ball gets to them and they continue to drop their arms between their knees and swing at the ball. Any suggestions? Please help.

Answer
Hello Anita and welcome to www.AllExperts.com

My name is Coach Tovar

To make sure that all my readers young and old can understand some of my comments, I have chosen to use simple vocabulary words and interpret the rule for this sole purpose.

There are many reasons why players choose not to perform a skill taught by their coach. Here are some to think about when teaching players who are new to any sport.

These suggestions are for a coach to keep in mind while coaching.

1. Trust - The student does not feel that this new uncomfortable position as in a bump will work.

What you can do: Have two students practice the bump. Have them see a student bump that needs help and talk about the results with all the team. Also have a great player that can bump and let the players see that by doing the bump the proper way that they will be successful.

2. Consistency of skill development - Some coaches teach the bump and then move on to a different type of skill bump such as in receiving a serve bump without properly having at least 80 - 85% of the students learning the proper way to learn a basic bump. "Learning volleyball skills is not a race but a journey" Tovar

What you can do: Use many practice games where they can finally feel comfortable with that skill. Speak to the ones doing it correctly while the ones who do not are near by to hear.

3. Lack of key word reminders - Some coaches forget to tell players to say key words either out loud or in their head as they are performing the bump.

What you can do: Have student repeat "hands on knees", "Arms", and "follow through" leaving out the "swing" part or other key words related to the mistakes they are doing.

4. Threatened by coach - Some players perform badly because they feel threatened by how much a coach expects from them from so little time.

What you can do: Always partner a great player that can bump with one that needs helps. The players will feel more at ease at learning from a peer. Most coaches let players partner with same skill players which is great once everyone is close to the same level.

5. Different learning styles - Coaching is also teaching. The biggest mistakes coaches do is to believe that saying the same thing in different tones will make a difference in the delivery of the message.

What you can do: Students need to understand the purpose of the bump, see a video of players bumping and visually see themselves bumping in order to get the greatest advantage in learning a skill. "Volleyball is 90% mental and 10% physical"

6. Confidence - Coaches need to know the type of players they are getting, how they speak to them, weather they are being encouraged or put down. "The number of weapons on your team depend on how well you get to know your players." Tovar

What you can do: Make your team talks on the goals you wish to reach and show them that they can do it by playing a game where the goal can be seen by everyone once it's been reached. "Talk to the team not to the player" Tovar

7. A team weapon - Most coaches want players to get the same drive and excitment they had when they played volleyball. Players get intimidated in learning when they know that the coaches expectations of them, which are set too high are not being reached.

What you can do: Let players know or feel that as long as they improve that that alone will help them play in a game. I usually let a real good player out in a time out and let that good player  talk to the new player coming in on the side. This does miracles for them.

8. Mental preparation - Players need to see what the coaches expect of them before they teach a skill.

What you can do: I usually bump the ball with my helper and point out the key words as I am  
performing the bump. I then break down the bump as they are looking at me. I would then let
them close their eyes and see themselves in each part of the bump and especially while they are receiving a serve as I talk them through the whole process.

Remember: It's you against the team. They will learn more with their peers then with you.

Good luck! You will do great. "A coach who asks for help will always get better and so will their team" Tovar

I hope this answers your question. Please take the time to rate me. Any feedback you can provide for me will be great.

PS. visit my website and become a free member plus:
See - Over 31 different serves  See ?Videos of over 22 serves
See - The Volleyball Gods
See - How to create your own volleyball offensive systems and plays
Get - a 28 play playbook Free just for being a free member
See - Alien Attitude Balls
See - Over 145 volleyball 揃all?designs

Please visit me at www.volleyballplaystorun.com

Thank you for visiting www.AllExperts.com

Coach Tovar