One coach this hour
Door and names until 5:22. Then stay with any girl who looks lost. Collect balls so nothing rolls under U-8. At serving, run the shaggers. At pickup, hand packets to grown-ups.
Welcome, ready, pass, serve.
Coach Troy and Coach George share the hour. Split Voice and Floor however you want tonight — trade next Friday if you like.
Tonight’s cues — say only these
- Ready
- Feet wide. Knees bent. Hands in front.
- Pass
- Straight arms. Platform to the target.
- Serve
- Hold. Step. Swing through.
- Talk
- Call MINE.
One coach this hour
The whistle, the three rules, the demos (20 seconds max), and the talk. If a girl cannot serve it over, walk her forward until she can. Do not sort a starting lineup tonight.
The hour
4:45Setup
Court 1 only
Net up (6'6"–7'0"). Short-serve cones 10–15 feet from the net. Ball cart off our court. Home-base spot on our end line. Say hello to the U-8 coach.
5:157 min
Arrival — no one waits
“I’m Coach Troy” or “I’m Coach George. What’s your name?” Name tag on the front. Partner toss-catch on Court 1. First girl tosses with a coach until a second arrives.
5:226 min
Circle
We are U-7. Court 2 is another team. In Jesus’ name we play — character, competence, confidence. Lord’s Prayer (they may listen). Three rules. Names + favorite snack. Then move.
5:287 min
Warm-up that teaches volleyball
Jog and say a name. Side shuffle. High knees. Backpedal then sprint. Finish with ready-position freeze tag: tagged girls freeze in ready until a teammate high-fives them. On “READY!” everyone hits the pose.
5:358 min
Ready + movement
Demo 15 seconds. Mirror a partner 30 seconds each. Then whole-team coach-point shuffles. Mix in a toss they must catch in ready.
Cue: Feet wide. Knees bent. Hands in front.
5:4312 min
Forearm pass — the heart of practice
Catch on the platform → pass back so partner can catch → pass over a line. Stay on a step until most can do it. Struggling: 6 feet, slower toss, you become her partner for 60 seconds.
Cue: Straight arms. Platform to the target.
5:5512 min
Underhand serve
Dry swing, then serve from the short line. 2 in a row = one step back. 2 misses = one step forward. Every girl puts one over the net today. No overhand, even if someone asks.
Cue: Hold. Step. Swing through.
6:073 min
Keep-it-up over the net
3v3 or 4v4 on Court 1. Catch-then-push is legal. Point every time it crosses. Call MINE. If chaotic, freeze and go 2v2 with a coach toss.
6:105 min
Name vote, packets, pickup
Two recap answers. Cheer-vote a team name. Two shout-outs. Hands in: 1-2-3 new name. Packets to parents. Ask for a Team Coordinator. Remind: Opening Day Sat Aug 29, 9:00 vs U-2. Black shorts/skort. Park in spaces, not the red curb.
If it goes sideways
| What happens | What you do |
|---|---|
| Girls trickle in late | Start the circle at 5:22 anyway. |
| 12+ players | Split pass / serve at 5:43 on Court 1. Switch at 5:55. |
| Balls on Court 2 | FREEZE. Cart. Restart with fewer balls. |
| Someone is scared | Partner her with a coach. Toss from 6 feet. Celebrate any contact. |
| Can’t serve it over | Walk her forward until she can. Success first. |