FIVB Volleyball at School Symposium

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA June 23 27, 2007

Presenter: Prof. Hiroshi Toyoda

Professor, Chiba University

President, Technical Commission, International Volleyball Federation

Standing Director, Japan Volleyball Association

page 1 of 5

Topic: Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners

Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners

1) Basic Teaching Process for Beginners

When we teach volleyball to Beginners, we should not teach and introduce them directly to fundamental skills such
as pass, spike, service. This is because these actions and movement are the first experience for beginners. Catch, throw,
dribble and kick actions are common basic skills in other sports such as basketball, handball, baseball and football. But
in volleyball we cannot catch, throw and drop the ball on the floor. We hit and return the ball to opponents on the court
passing the balls above the net. Many teachers and coaches face the first obstacle at the first step when we teach
overhand pass to children.
As the results of long experimentation and practical experience, the next procedures shown in Table 1 are essential
steps when we teach volleyball to beginners , not only to children but also to adults.:
STEPS
Step 1:

MAIN TEACHING CONTENTS

How to familiarize with the ball

Step 2:

How to teach basic ball handling and body movement

Step 3:

How to introduce primary game situation using underhand pass and service

Step 4:

How to introduce more advanced game situations using overhand pass, set-up, spike

Step 5:

How to introduce more exciting game situations using spike reception, blocking, and advanced service

Step 6:

How to introduce more perfect game situations considering team formations, combination play, and
tactics

Based on the ability of motor learning, physical performance, teaching hours, and the progression of the
beginners, teachers and coaches go ahead step by step considering the contents and materials carefully. I want to show
you the very interesting results of our research on ball games and mini soft volleyball.
QUESTIONS

RESULTS

Do you like ball games?

Very Much 72%, Sometimes 23%, No 5%

What kind of ball games do you like best?

Dodgeball 23%, Baseball 19%, Basketball 20%, Football 10%,

Volleyball 19%, Others 9%

Do you like soft volleyball? (The students who

answered yes)

20% (before lessons), 85% (after lessons)

Video Presentation:
1. How to teach volleyball lessons to elementary school children.
2. How to teach volleyball lessons to high school children.

FIVB Volleyball at School Symposium

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA June 23 27, 2007
Presenter: Prof. Hiroshi Toyoda

Professor, Chiba University

President, Technical Commission, International Volleyball Federation

Standing Director, Japan Volleyball Association

Topic: Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners

2) Basic Teaching Process in Lessons

When we teach volleyball in childrens lessons, the next processes are very important for teachers and coaches to
have effective and successful motor learning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Explanation: Key point. Clearly. Shortly. Aim of trial.

Show the target: More concrete. Number of trial (target).
Show the patterns: Good or bad example by children.
Trial (Practice): Positioning, Concentration, Voice.
Evaluation: Viewpoint, place and position, advice.
Modification: Checking problems.
Re-Trial (Repetition of practice): Modified or not. Confirmation.
Applied Advanced Target: More difficult and complex target.
Adjustment: Return the basic and easy target to fix skills.
Final evaluation and reflection: Next tasks for tomorrow.

In addition to these processes, the teacher and coach must always pay attention to the next items:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Easy to Difficult, Simple to Complicated, Light to Heavy, Short to Long.

Utilize many balls and facility for more effective motor learning.
Introduce many variations in practice to keep the childrens concentration.
Introduce the game situations as much as possible.
To teach correct actions and movement to avoid bad form and movement for children.
Consider the physical performance of children, introducing adequate time for repetitions.
Give applause and admiration as much as possible if children do well.

3) Samples of Training Methods for Beginners (Practical Session): How to

familiarize with balls.
The following methods will be demonstrated during the practical session, and they may be difficult to
visualize:

A) Play with Ball on own (7-9 year olds)

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)

Dribble a ball moving forward with both hands

Dribble a ball moving back and forth with one hand
Dribble a ball moving to the side and using a crossover step
Roll a ball on the court moving back and forth
Roll a ball on the court moving to the side
Throw and catch a ball moving back and forth
Throw and catch a ball with both hands on the court
Throw and jump to catch the ball
Throw and catch the ball in a crouching position after one bounce
Hold the ball and move it quickly around the body (from low to high and back)
Hold the ball and move it around and between the legs in a figure eight
Throw the ball and catch it behind the back
Bend forward and hold the ball between the legs. Reach backwards between the legs and throw the ball
over your back to the front and catch it
n) Hold the ball between your knees or ankles and jump up and catch it.
B) Play with the ball including some physical training (8-11 year olds)

page 2 of 5

FIVB Volleyball at School Symposium

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA June 23 27, 2007
Presenter: Prof. Hiroshi Toyoda

Professor, Chiba University

President, Technical Commission, International Volleyball Federation

Standing Director, Japan Volleyball Association

Topic: Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Hold the ball with both hands out to the side and bend side to side
Hold the ball and bend the body forwards and backwards.
Hold the ball and bend the body forward diagonally to your opposite foot
Hold the ball between knees or ankles and jump to catch the ball
Roll back bending body and touch ball on floor
Lying on your back hold the ball between the ankles. Raise your feet off the ground and keep the ball
moving side to side.
g) Roll on the floor moving side keeping a ball
h) Seal walk with a ball between ankles
i) Successive jumping dribbling a ball
j) Throw a ball up and forward roll on the court, then catch it
C) Play with a ball with someone else (8-11 year olds)
a) Throw and catch ball with a chest pass
b) Lying on your back in the sit-up position with legs bent, raise your body and overhead throw
c) Throw and catch with one hand
d) From a crouching position jump and catch the ball
e) Jump catch and throw before landing
f) Facing side to side bend touch the ball on court and straighten and exchange ball
g) Facing back to back exchange the ball between the legs and then up above the head (over and under)
h) Facing back to back twist body to the side and exchange the ball
i) Facing back to back throw the ball backwards and partner catches the ball over their shoulder
j) Facing back to back bend down and throw the ball backwards to a partner who tries to catch the ball
backwards between their legs
k) Lying on chest throw and catch the ball
D) Catch, Throw, and Pass game using softballs (9-11 year olds)
a) Ball on the forearms after one bounce
b) Successive volley after one bounce
c) Successive volley with forearms bending knees
d) Successive volley with each arm
e) One bounce tennis by two
f) One bounce tennis by two using one arm
g) Successive volley moving to the side and around
h) Throw and catch in overhand position after crouching position
i) Catch and throw moving under the net
j) Catch and throw moving under net with another person
k) In lines facing each other on each side of the net catch and throw. After catching the ball run under the
net to the other side
l) Catch and throw while moving from one side of the court to the other

page 3 of 5

FIVB Volleyball at School Symposium

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA June 23 27, 2007
Presenter: Prof. Hiroshi Toyoda

Professor, Chiba University

President, Technical Commission, International Volleyball Federation

Standing Director, Japan Volleyball Association

Topic: Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners

E) Introduction to Under and Overhand Pass (9-12 year olds)

a) Successive under hand pass with both arms
b) Successive under hand pass with one arm
c) Crouching underhand pass moving forward with two people
d) Crouching underhand pass moving 45 degree side with two people
e) Successive catch and pass by overhand alone
f) Crouching overhand pass moving forward with two people
g) Crouching overhand pass moving 45 degree side with two people
h) Underhand and overhand successive pass with two people
i) Running catch and pass moving under the net
j) Running catch and pass with two people
k) Single underhand hit above head

page 4 of 5

FIVB Volleyball at School Symposium

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, CANADA June 23 27, 2007
Presenter: Prof. Hiroshi Toyoda

Professor, Chiba University

President, Technical Commission, International Volleyball Federation

Standing Director, Japan Volleyball Association

page 5 of 5

Topic: Basic Teaching Process and Materials for 7 to 12 year old Children and Beginners
Main Teaching Program of Volleyball in Elementary School - Regular Physical Education
** Total Time 45 minutes/one lesson (include 10 min warm up and 5 min c-down)
SUBJECTS
1st and 2nd Step (7-10yrs)
3rd and 4th Step (9-11yrs)
5th and 6th Step (10-12 yrs)
1) Play with a ball by one and two
1) Dig Pass and Overhand Pass
1) Spike Reception
2) Move and Catch Games
2) Underhand Service and Advanced Service
2) Blocking
3) Ball Handling for Dig and Overhand Pass
3) Spike and Set ups
3) Defensive Team Formations (Spike Reception and Service
AIMS
Reception)
4) Balloon Volley Games by one and two
4) Service Reception
4) Game Administration by Pupils
5) Basic Rules and Refereeing Methods
1) Play with a ball (Dribbling a ball moving many directions)
1) Play with a ball by one and two
1) Dig Pass moving many directions
2) Catch and Throw Games
2) Dig and Single hand ball handling
2) Basic Techniques of Spike Reception moving forward and side
1st Lesson
3) Dig and Throw Volley Games
3) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
4) Dig and Overhand Pass Volley Games
1) Play with a ball (same as 1st lesson)
1) Dig Pass moving many directions
1) Spike receptions moving many directions
2) Dodge Ball Games by two groups
2) Dig Pass controlling the ball into the circle
2) Reception and Set up by two
2nd Lesson
3) Dig and Overhand Pass Volley Games
3) Explanation of Game Administration
4) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) Play with a ball (Ball handling and Ball Control with many 1) Single hand Volley
1) Basic Techniques of Blocking
movements)
2) Underhand Service near the net
2) Blocking against Jump Throw and Spike
3rd Lesson 2) Dodge Ball Games by two groups
3) Service Reception and Overhand Volley
3) Reception, Set up and Spike combination
4) Dig and Overhand Pass Volley by two
4) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) Play with a ball (Same as 3rd lesson)
1) Overhand Pass moving many directions
1) Spike Reception and Set up
2) Interfering Ball Games (Catch and Throw)
2) Underhand service behind End Line
2) Blocking and Spike
4th Lesson
3) Dig and Overhand Pass Games by two
3) Service (Service control, course hitting)
4) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) Play with a ball by two (Throw and Catch control body)
1) Underhand service and Service Reception in two lines
1) Service Reception and Set up by two
2) Volley Games introducing Underhand Service by two
2) Block, Set up and Spike by two
5th Lesson 2) Interfering Ball Games (Catch and Throw)
3) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) Catch and Throw Volley Games in the Court returning the ball 1) Dig Pass anticipating the course
1) Spike Reception, Set up and Spike by two
over the net
2) Basic Spike Technique (approach and jump)
2) Explanation of Defensive Team Formation (Service Reception)
6th Lesson 2) Hockey Volley under the net
and Game 4:4
3) Explanations on the Rules and Refereeing Methods
1) Catch and Throw Volley Games
1) Basic Spike Techniques (Arm Swing)
1) Spike Reception, Spike and Service
2) Set ups near the net
2) Confirmation of Spike Reception Formation
7th Lesson 2) Overhand Catch moving in many directions
3) Balloon Volley Games by one
3) Games by four introducing set up and spike with Refereeing
3) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) One Bound Dig Pass moving many directions (by both arms and 1) Spike changing the course
1) Spike Reception, Spike and Service
single hand)
8th Lesson 2) Balloon Volley Games by one
2) Dig and Set up near the back court
2) Confirmation of Spike Reception Formation
3)Game by four with Refereeing
3) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) One Bound Volley Games using low height net
1) Advanced service (Overhand or Tennis Style)
1) Spike Reception and Set up
2) Service Reception against Advanced Service
2) Team Formation without Blocking
9th Lesson 2) Balloon Volley Games by two
3) Game by four with Refereeing
3) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
1) Dig and Catch Games
1) Advanced service
1) Spike Reception, Set up and Service
2) Set ups and Spikes by two
2) Game 4:4 with Refereeing
10th Lesson 2) Dig and Overhand Pass Games
3) Balloon Volley Games by two
3) Game by four with Refereeing
3) Exclusive discussions before final lesson