This is an example of first volleyball camp training. The training sessions at volleyball camps are different, but I will give you an insight into how training session could look like.

Training 1 (6pm – 7pm)

1. Warming up and stretching (15 minutes)

2. Jogging (7 minutes)

3. Football 2×12 (25 minutes)

4. Stretching (15 minutes)

Why should you attend volleyball camp?

Volleyball Camps give you intensive training sessions  that will improve your skills – no matter what your ability level. Volleyball Camps attract many of the most respected volleyball coaches in the country. This program is open to all players that like to play volleyball.  At camps players master the fundamentals, develop strength, technique, agility and gain game play experience.  Every single aspect of the game is explained and demonstrated, giving players a solid skill foundation to build upon in their clubs of high school level.

Advanced Camps

Advanced Camps are recommended for high school and club players with a commitment to the sport and the ability and motivation to play in college or become a professionals. Intense, and challenging programs improve position play, master team techniques and physical conditioning. Player’s in these camps are also encouraged to submit a coach’s letter of recommendation.

Even as a kid Andrea showed exceptional physical features. His father, Dario, was a rower who had taken part in the 1964 Summer Olympics for Italy. After having trained with the father, Andrea tried his luck as a football player.But, in 1985 the 14 year old Giani began his career as a volleyball player in the local team of Sabaudia, in the Southern Latium, where he lived. His exceptional qualities attracted attention from the two main volleyball club of Italy of the period: Panini Modena and Santal (later Maxicono) Parma.

Giani was chosen to play for the latter, initially with the junior team under Gian Paolo Montali as coach. Giani’s first final for scudetto in the Parma’s major team was in 1987.  Giani won in 1990 his first scudetto.The same success he will repeat four time in his playing career. In 1998 Giani played his first cap for the Italian national team. His career with the Azzurri colours ended in 2005 after a total of 474 caps (record), becoming one of the most renowned players in Italy and in the world for his excellent technical and jumping capabilities. With Italy Giani won three world titles in a row (1990, 1994 and 1998) and four European (1993, 1995, 1999, 2003), and many others. He won three medals at the Olympic Games but his team never won the gold medal, even though Italy was generally considered the top favourites.

During his career Giani became renowned for his polyvalence: starting as a middle blocker, he turned into an equally effective power attacker and passer. Giani is considered one of the best blocker of 1990s for his capability to stay in the air far longer than the other players.

After having quit the national team, Giani played for Cimone Modena until 2008, taking the reins of the team as manager starting from season 2007-2008.

Defensive players need a lot of concentration because they will be attacked twice.

Players pass the ball to setter and setter sets the ball to zones 4 and 2.

Players should aim the attack to zones 1 and 5 where defensive players are waiting to defend the field.

After the spike, defensive players have to pass the ball successfully to coach and he performs one more attack while defense has to do their job once more.

Goals: Improving defensive play and concentration.

This drills requires good concentration, skill and movement. I suggest doing this drill with advanced team and not with beginners.

Coach throws the short ball and the player performs dig to stop ball touching the floor.

After the dig player stands up the fastest he can and moves back to position himself for good a defence.

At the same time, on the other side of net, player passes the ball to setter.

Setter sets the ball to zone 4 and the player that have passed the ball performs the attack. He should aim to hit the ball to zone where defensive player is positioned.

Defensive player must have good concentration and perform defense the best way possible.

Goals: Improving concentration, dig and movement.

This drill can be performed by all players. It’s easy and interesting but if only a few players anticipate it can be even difficult.

It can be performed during the training session or during warm ups.

Players are sorted in two columns and perform overhead pass to opposite column.

When player pass the ball, he has to run to zone 3 and perform block. After blocking in zone 3, he moves fast and performs block in zone 4 and than runs at the back of his column and wait his turn to pass.

These types of drills are fun for players in warm ups which allow coaches to repeat some volleyball skills throughout and warm up players.

Goals: Improving blocking, passing and movement skills.

Coach is positioned in zone 2 and has a lot of balls.

Player is on the base line in zone 1.

When coach throw the ball in the air, player moves forward and should perform the forearm pass after coach spikes the ball.

Right after that, player moves back to zone 6 and performs the same action.

Player should move in the same way as shown on the picture. This way player will develop movement ability and anticipation which will help him later in the game.

Of course, forearm pass should be precise, and every ball should be aimed between zones 2 and 3.

Goals: Improving forearm pass and players movement.

This drill is made to improve players passing which will be very important in serve receiving.

One player stands six meter from net.

Coach is in zone 2 and has a lot of balls.

Coach throws the ball to player and player passes it back to coach.

Player should move left and right, from line to line, and pass the ball the best he can.

Later on, the coach should throw the ball a lot faster, while player performs the same action as long as coach has balls to throw..

Goal: Improving passing while player doesn’t have a lot time to think and position himself.

This drill should improve your block.

One player is positioned in zone 2 and one in zone 4.

Players perform block and than move near zone 3 to perform another block.

After that they move back to zone 2 and 4 to perform block once more.

When the blocking is finished they sprint back and next players take their places.

Goals: Improving blocking technique.

Using leg drive

When receiv­ing a hard-driven serve, your passing platform should remain stable.

The natural rebound of the ball from your arms will provide plenty of force.

For a softer serve, you need to use some leg drive when the forearms contact the ball (take a look at the picture). Imagine you are sitting on the edge of a chair as you get into proper passing position.

As you contact the ball use just enough power in your legs to stand up.

Receiving serve with the hands

With the rules change more and more players receive serve with their hands. The cur­rent rule allows a double contact on any first team contact, including the use of the hands. The previous rule allowed double contact of any first team con­tact with the exception of hand contact. This change caused that more and more players receive serve with their hands.

To receive serve with your hands, position your arms above your shoul­ders. Move to the ball just prior to con­tact with a serve to avoid a held ball. Contact with the ball should be only accomplished only with the finger pads.

Keep in mind that the rules of vol­leyball allow a double contact, not a lifted or held ball.

The most common errors

A common error in­experienced players commit is referred to as praying. Prior to contact, the player brings the joined hands up near the fore­head (praying position), then  drops the arms near waist level to contact the ball. Players are often unaware that they make this mistake and find it hard to correct. To correct this ask from your players to keep their arms extended and if they can’t bend, they won’t develop the habit of praying before the pass.