Page 18 - Jim Stone Book Beginner

Tracking and Catching

Throwing and catching are not volleyball specific skills. However, both are motor skills used in the
game of volleyball. Many coaches believe that by playing volleyball, the athlete will develop these
skills by default. I don't think athletes learn correct motor skills without instruction. For proof of this,
go into any gym and watch young players throw, catch and run. There is not a gene for correct
form when executing motor skills. There is an instructional component. The challenge is to
incorporate activities that promote the development of motor skills. On the volleyball court, I start
with activities that include catching while also working on the foundations of volleyball skills. Below
are some examples:

Sample Activity

 Catch an object with both one and two hands

 Vary the size of the objects caught, along with the distance necessary to track the object
 Use items that are easy to catch such as beanbags, nerf balls, beach balls, etc.

 Can catch a volleyball with two hands
 Catch above head

 Catch at waist
 Catch at knees
 Catch outside the body

 Catch a ball is a manner of overhead set and forearm pass

 Play games that require catching such as Wiffle Ball that requires tracking a ball with an irregular
flight pattern (great warmup activity) http://www.wiffle.com/ Games such as soccer, ultimate

frisbee, and touch football are also great.
 Of course, getting on the volleyball court and work on reception skills, locating under the ball to
set, and tracking the ball to attack is specific to the task at hand.