FIVB Youth Symposium Mini-Volley Presented by: Lee Taylor Volleyball Canada

What is Mini-Volley? An initiation approach A series of game formats Play centered

Educate teachers on the contributions mini-volleyball can make to a child ’ s physical development Recognize that delivered correctly, volleyball is appropriate, fun and enjoyable for child participants Acknowledge that volleyball is easy and accessible for both the participants and teachers

Challenges What are the difficulties you have seen when introducing volleyball to young kids?

Current Initiation Problems Technical focus Repetitive drills Difficult for non-athletes Novice players can’t create rallies Teachers are trained to “coach” Traditional initiation activities are static in nature

A Child’s Needs Play is a natural state Children need to move Social focus changes from the individual to the group as they develop Kids like to experience success

Objectives of School Curriculums Locomotion/Mobility Manipulation Cooperation Cooperation/Opposition

Mini-Volley Solutions Use a tactical approach Allow participants to play right away (the game is not a reward) Make sure participants experience success immediately Encourage rallies – remove rally breakers Movement, movement, movement! Match the activities and equipment to the children

Program Progressions Stage 1 InitiationGrades 1-2 Individuals Small Groups Stage 2 DevelopmentGrades 3-4 Small Groups 1 vs 1 2 vs 2 (facing) Stage 3 Proficiency Atomic Volleyball Grades 5-6 Small Groups 1 vs 1 2 vs 2 3 vs 3 4 vs 4

Volleyball Fundamental Tactics Defend a territory Attack a territory

Stage 1 - Initiation Play activities FUN Manipulation Movement Cooperation Cooperation/opposition

Stage 2 - Development Different game formats Understand basic game concepts Ball trajectory Fun

Stage 3- Proficiency Ball direction: to, along, and over the net Catch-toss action Decision-making Movement