--------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
--------------------------------------------------------
Nearly all clubs, and many schools, face tight money situations, causing them to look for ways to accomplish the most good for the least money. For the next few weeks, we`ll look at some great ideas for inexpensive training tools.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Tip of The Week: Milk Jug Passing Tools
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We`ve had great success with using common, ordinary milk jugs as tools for teaching beginning players how to pass. Needless to say, empty one gallon milk jugs are plentiful and free.
There are several drills we do with the jugs. First, we have the players place the jugs about two steps in front of them. Then we ask them to take two steps, bend down (using their legs, not bending at the waist) and pick up the jugs with their hands, which are in the passing position.
Invariably, this drill brings groans from kids who have become lazy and don`t bend their knees when they`re passing. The jugs force them to get down low to reach the jug, and then lift up, the jug in their fingers, again using their knees.
To make sure the players are looking up, we have coaches standing in front of them, a certain number of fingers in the air. If a player is bending at the waist, they won`t be able to see the coaches, and won`t be able to tell the coach how many fingers they`re holding up.
They`re free, they`re everywhere, and they`re useful. Think about adding the simple milk jug to your passing program. Next week, we`ll talk about more training exercises you can perform, using the humble milk jug.
If you`re looking for a monthly volleyball fix, check out the grandaddy magazine of all time, Volleyball Magazine, online at www.volleyballmag.com. It`s got lots of the stuff you`ve grown to love in the print version, but it`s right there in your computer.
Gary Anderson has been involved with volleyball for over 30 years. He served on the boards of the USVBA and NCVBA, has worked with hundreds of players as camp director for a number of organizations, and is currently head coach at Valley High School in NE Iowa.
