{
  "schema": "rufio.court.starter-plans/1",
  "plans": [
    {
      "schema": "rufio.court.plan/1",
      "id": "first-practice-beginner",
      "title": "First practice: beginner",
      "summary": "Your first session with players who are new to volleyball. Warm up, learn to move to the ball, pass, serve underhand, call the ball, and finish with a small game where everyone plays.",
      "levels": [
        "beginner"
      ],
      "players": {
        "min": 8,
        "max": 14
      },
      "coaches": 1,
      "oneCoach": true,
      "totalMinutes": 90,
      "provenance": {
        "author": "Rufio Stats",
        "sources": [],
        "notes": "Written for Rufio Stats from the shipped drill library. Common coaching practice; all text is our own."
      },
      "rev": 1,
      "blocks": [
        {
          "id": "b1",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Welcome and names",
          "minutes": 4,
          "notes": "Stand in a circle and say names. Tell them in one sentence what you will do tonight. Keep your talking short, because they came to play."
        },
        {
          "id": "b2",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "dynamic-warmup-flow",
          "title": "Dynamic warm-up flow",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Go slowly on the first lap so everyone can follow. Walk through the carioca once before anyone jogs it."
        },
        {
          "id": "b3",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "hoop-catch",
          "title": "Hoop catch",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "One hoop and one ball per pair. Show it once, then let them go. Watch for players who reach with their arms. Tell them to move their feet and wait under the ball."
        },
        {
          "id": "b4",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "partner-pass-rally",
          "title": "Partner passing",
          "minutes": 7,
          "notes": "Show the platform once: arms straight, thumbs together, ball off the forearms. Look for feet that move before the ball arrives. If passes fly off, bring partners closer and let them catch the pass."
        },
        {
          "id": "b5",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Ask if anyone needs a minute on the side."
        },
        {
          "id": "b6",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "toss-away-partner",
          "title": "Toss it away, call it",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Make \"Mine!\" loud on every ball. If a pair stays quiet, stop them and start the ball again. Only pairs that are catching most tosses should step back."
        },
        {
          "id": "b7",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "serve-target-zones",
          "title": "Underhand serve to a row",
          "minutes": 9,
          "notes": "Serve underhand from in front of the end line, and aim at a whole row instead of one spot. Cheer any serve that clears the net. Zones can wait for a later practice."
        },
        {
          "id": "b8",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3
        },
        {
          "id": "b9",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "got-it-circle",
          "title": "Got it! circle",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "Circles of three or four, holding hands. Toss very high and close at first. The circle only moves together if one person says which way, so listen for a voice."
        },
        {
          "id": "b10",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "passing-triangle",
          "title": "Passing triangle",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Run it in groups of three, so four triangles along the net with 12 players. The target catches every pass today. Rotate corners after each ball."
        },
        {
          "id": "b11",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 2,
          "notes": "Pick teams of three for the game while they drink, with new and returning players mixed."
        },
        {
          "id": "b12",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "three-v-three-small-court",
          "title": "3 v 3 on a narrow court",
          "minutes": 20,
          "notes": "Start each rally with an underhand serve and allow one catch per side. With 12 players run two games side by side. With fewer or more, rotate the extras in after every few rallies so nobody waits long."
        },
        {
          "id": "b13",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Cool-down and team talk",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Walk a lap, then stretch calves, thighs, hamstrings and shoulders, about 15 to 20 seconds each. Bring them in. Name one thing the group did well and one thing you will work on next time. Ask two or three players what they liked. Tell them when and where the next practice is."
        }
      ],
      "pageUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/drills/plans/first-practice-beginner",
      "courtUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/court?plan=first-practice-beginner"
    },
    {
      "schema": "rufio.court.plan/1",
      "id": "first-practice-intermediate",
      "title": "First practice: intermediate",
      "summary": "For players who can already pass and serve. Most of the night is ball control and talking, with one butterfly and one hitting block.",
      "levels": [
        "intermediate"
      ],
      "players": {
        "min": 10,
        "max": 14
      },
      "coaches": 1,
      "oneCoach": true,
      "totalMinutes": 90,
      "provenance": {
        "author": "Rufio Stats",
        "sources": [],
        "notes": "Written for Rufio Stats from the shipped drill library. Common coaching practice; all text is our own."
      },
      "rev": 1,
      "blocks": [
        {
          "id": "b1",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Welcome and what you will watch",
          "minutes": 4,
          "notes": "Tell them what you will be looking at tonight: first touch, serving, and who talks. Ask each player for one thing they want to get better at, and write it down."
        },
        {
          "id": "b2",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "dynamic-warmup-flow",
          "title": "Dynamic warm-up flow",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Go through the lanes twice and speed up on the second pass. Notice who moves well and who is stiff."
        },
        {
          "id": "b3",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "middle-mover",
          "title": "Middle mover",
          "minutes": 9,
          "notes": "Groups of three. Start with high tosses. Once passing is steady, let the end players step back and hit controlled down balls at the middle player. Switch the middle after ten."
        },
        {
          "id": "b4",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "two-ball-triads",
          "title": "Two-ball triads",
          "minutes": 10,
          "notes": "The target sends their ball under the net as soon as the toss is gone, so both balls stay moving. After a few rounds let the thrower hit a down ball or serve instead of tossing."
        },
        {
          "id": "b5",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Count your players now. The butterfly runs best with 10 to 12."
        },
        {
          "id": "b6",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "butterfly-serve-pass-set",
          "title": "Butterfly: serve, pass, set, catch",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "Walk through it once with a ball in hand, then play. With 13 or 14 players, put the extras in the serving lines and rotate them in. Serve overhand from the end line once the pattern runs smoothly."
        },
        {
          "id": "b7",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 2,
          "notes": "Put out the cones for the hitting lines."
        },
        {
          "id": "b8",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "hit-lines-outside",
          "title": "Outside hitting lines",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "Start with two minutes of partner arm swings before the first approach. Hitters call line or angle out loud before it. Watch the last two steps. If the line gets long, shorten it by moving some players to shag on the far side and rotating them in."
        },
        {
          "id": "b9",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "turn-and-chase",
          "title": "Turn and chase",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Slap the ball, toss it right after, and wait for a call. Set a team goal, like 15 balls over in 5 minutes. If nobody calls, let the ball drop and ask who had it."
        },
        {
          "id": "b10",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Split the strong passers across both teams for the scrimmage."
        },
        {
          "id": "b11",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "one-voice-scrimmage",
          "title": "One voice scrimmage",
          "minutes": 15,
          "notes": "Put a pinnie on each side's talker. Change the talker every couple of dead balls so everyone gets a turn. Spend the last two minutes with everyone talking."
        },
        {
          "id": "b12",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Cool-down and team talk",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Stretch shoulders, hips and calves while you read back the goals they gave you at the start. Tell them one you noticed tonight, then give the next practice time."
        }
      ],
      "pageUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/drills/plans/first-practice-intermediate",
      "courtUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/court?plan=first-practice-intermediate"
    },
    {
      "schema": "rufio.court.plan/1",
      "id": "first-practice-advanced",
      "title": "First practice: advanced",
      "summary": "A first session with experienced players. See what they do at speed, hit and dig in a butterfly, build a jump serve, and finish with six on six.",
      "levels": [
        "advanced"
      ],
      "players": {
        "min": 12,
        "max": 14
      },
      "coaches": 1,
      "oneCoach": true,
      "totalMinutes": 90,
      "provenance": {
        "author": "Rufio Stats",
        "sources": [],
        "notes": "Written for Rufio Stats from the shipped drill library. Common coaching practice; all text is our own."
      },
      "rev": 1,
      "blocks": [
        {
          "id": "b1",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Welcome and what you will watch",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "Tell them what you will look at: first contact, how they call the ball, and how fast they recover. Ask each player for one goal for the season. Two minutes, then get them on the court."
        },
        {
          "id": "b2",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "dynamic-warmup-flow",
          "title": "Dynamic warm-up flow",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "They will want to rush it. Hold them to full range on the lunges and the knee lifts."
        },
        {
          "id": "b3",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Partner pepper and arm warm-up",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Pairs with one ball. Pass, set, controlled hit, dig, and repeat, keeping the ball low and the hit at your partner. Finish with two minutes of partner throwing, building to firm overhead hits, before anyone takes a full swing."
        },
        {
          "id": "b4",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "hit-lines-outside",
          "title": "Outside hitting lines",
          "minutes": 10,
          "notes": "Hitters call line or angle before the approach. Watch the approach and the arm swing more than where the ball lands. Keep it to about ten or twelve swings each on day one."
        },
        {
          "id": "b5",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 2
        },
        {
          "id": "b6",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "butterfly-hit-and-dig",
          "title": "Butterfly: hit and dig",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "It runs best with 10 to 12. With more, put the extras shagging or tossing and rotate them in. Swing at half speed for the first few rounds, then go full. Once it flows, have the digger call line, angle or tip before the hitter makes contact."
        },
        {
          "id": "b7",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3
        },
        {
          "id": "b8",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "jump-serve-progression",
          "title": "Jump serve build-up",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "Use both end lines, six players on each, and rotate after every five serves. Stop each player at about ten jump serves today. Players who already jump serve start at stage 3. Anyone who does not, or who has a sore shoulder, stays on the standing serve."
        },
        {
          "id": "b9",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3
        },
        {
          "id": "b10",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "one-voice-scrimmage",
          "title": "One voice scrimmage",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "Use the harder version: send down balls and quick free balls so the talker has to call early. One talker per side, changed every couple of dead balls. Finish with everyone talking."
        },
        {
          "id": "b11",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Six on six",
          "minutes": 9,
          "notes": "Rally scoring to 15, rotating through the serve. Everyone talks. Coach between rallies, one fix per team."
        },
        {
          "id": "b12",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Cool-down and team talk",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Easy lap, then shoulders, hips, hamstrings and calves. Say what you saw and what you will work on first, and when you meet next."
        }
      ],
      "pageUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/drills/plans/first-practice-advanced",
      "courtUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/court?plan=first-practice-advanced"
    },
    {
      "schema": "rufio.court.plan/1",
      "id": "at-home-parent-and-player",
      "title": "At home: parent and player",
      "summary": "A 30-minute backyard session for one player and a parent. Practice setting, passing and the serve toss with one ball and a towel. The parent can toss and catch throughout; no volleyball experience or net needed.",
      "levels": [
        "beginner",
        "intermediate"
      ],
      "players": {
        "min": 1,
        "max": 1
      },
      "coaches": 1,
      "totalMinutes": 30,
      "provenance": {
        "author": "Rufio Stats",
        "sources": [
          {
            "title": "USA Volleyball: Teach Novice Players the Love of Volleyball",
            "url": "https://usavolleyball.org/resource/teach-novice-players-the-love-of-volleyball/"
          },
          {
            "title": "USA Volleyball: Top 12 Parent Drills",
            "url": "https://usavolleyball.org/resource/top-12-parent-drills/"
          }
        ],
        "notes": "Original Rufio Stats session using the existing home drills. USA Volleyball’s guidance informed the use of catches, shared goals and player choice. The 30-minute schedule and drill order are our own."
      },
      "rev": 1,
      "blocks": [
        {
          "id": "setup",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Pick a goal and warm up",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "For a child learning the basics, roughly age 8 and up. Ask what they want to practice today. Take one ball, a towel and water to a flat, clear patch of yard with room for soft tosses. Walk together, circle your arms and take a few easy side steps. Use a lighter youth ball if needed. Keep clear of roads, windows and obstacles. Stop if anything hurts."
        },
        {
          "id": "feet",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "point-and-shuffle",
          "title": "Move to the ball",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Point left or right and let your player shuffle one or two steps, then return to the middle. Start slowly. Change direction only once they are balanced. Swap roles for the last minute so the child gets to call the directions."
        },
        {
          "id": "set",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "parent-toss-set",
          "title": "Toss, set, catch",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "Toss gently above the forehead and catch the set. Begin with a catch in the setting window, then try pushing the next toss back to your hands. Count returns you can catch comfortably. Move closer whenever the player needs it; catching is fine."
        },
        {
          "id": "water",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water and a breather",
          "minutes": 1
        },
        {
          "id": "pass",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "parent-toss-pass",
          "title": "Pass back to your parent",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Make a soft underhand toss to the platform and catch the return. Try three rounds of ten, resting between rounds. Count passes you can catch without stepping. If that gets easy, toss one step to either side. Give one cue at a time: move behind the ball, then point the platform at the catcher."
        },
        {
          "id": "toss",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "serve-toss-drop",
          "title": "Land the toss on a towel",
          "minutes": 4,
          "notes": "Outside only for this block. Lay the towel just ahead of the front foot on the hitting-arm side. Lift the ball and let it land; there is no serve or jump. Try two rounds of ten tosses with a pause between. For a player still learning to control the ball, toss and catch instead. Count towel hits together."
        },
        {
          "id": "rally",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "parent-pepper",
          "title": "Finish with a rally game",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "The parent may catch every return and toss again. Let your player choose passing, setting or a mix. Pick a shared goal, such as five returns before the ball drops, then try to beat it together. Skip the hit if either of you cannot control it. Rest whenever you want."
        },
        {
          "id": "finish",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Let your player pick next time",
          "minutes": 2,
          "notes": "Walk, drink some water and ask which part they liked. Name something specific you noticed, such as moving their feet before a pass. Next time, repeat this session or spend more time on their chosen skill. A shorter session is fine; stop while they still want to play."
        }
      ],
      "pageUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/drills/plans/at-home-parent-and-player",
      "courtUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/court?plan=at-home-parent-and-player"
    },
    {
      "schema": "rufio.court.plan/1",
      "id": "rec-league-mixed-one-coach",
      "title": "Rec league, mixed levels, one coach",
      "summary": "For a rec or school team with beginners and club players in the same gym and one coach. Players feed each other in pairs and small groups, so nobody waits long, and every drill has a call.",
      "levels": [
        "beginner",
        "intermediate"
      ],
      "players": {
        "min": 12,
        "max": 14
      },
      "coaches": 1,
      "oneCoach": true,
      "totalMinutes": 90,
      "provenance": {
        "author": "Rufio Stats",
        "sources": [
          {
            "title": "r/volleyball: practice help for a new coach (thread, 2026-10-06)",
            "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/volleyball/comments/1wytpv3/practice_help_for_a_new_coach/"
          }
        ],
        "notes": "Answers the coach in that thread: 12 to 14 mixed-level players, one coach, and a wish for drills on calling the ball and moving to it. Ideas are common coaching practice; all text is our own."
      },
      "rev": 1,
      "blocks": [
        {
          "id": "b1",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Welcome and mixed pairs",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "Pair each newer player with a more experienced one. Say that you will make new groups at the first water break, so nobody is stuck as the helper all night."
        },
        {
          "id": "b2",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "dynamic-warmup-flow",
          "title": "Dynamic warm-up flow",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Everyone together, one lane each. Go slowly first so the newest players can copy the others."
        },
        {
          "id": "b3",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "got-it-circle",
          "title": "Got it! circle",
          "minutes": 5,
          "notes": "Put at least one experienced player in each circle. They talk, and the newer players hear what a call sounds like. Toss high and close at first."
        },
        {
          "id": "b4",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "toss-away-partner",
          "title": "Toss it away, call it",
          "minutes": 8,
          "notes": "Experienced players toss farther away, and newer players get shorter tosses. Everyone says \"Mine!\" out loud. Give each pair one fix at a time."
        },
        {
          "id": "b5",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Make new groups of three, mixing levels again."
        },
        {
          "id": "b6",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "middle-mover",
          "title": "Middle mover",
          "minutes": 7,
          "notes": "Groups of three. With 14, make two groups of four and rotate the fourth player in after ten tosses. Mix levels, so each group has someone who can toss with some height."
        },
        {
          "id": "b7",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "two-ball-triads",
          "title": "Two-ball triads",
          "minutes": 9,
          "notes": "Newer players toss easy and high. A thrower who is comfortable can hit a down ball over instead. Rotate jobs after ten."
        },
        {
          "id": "b8",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3
        },
        {
          "id": "b9",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "turn-and-chase",
          "title": "Turn and chase",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Set a team goal like 20 balls over in 4 minutes. The players waiting in line count out loud and cheer, which keeps them in it."
        },
        {
          "id": "b10",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "three-v-three-small-court",
          "title": "3 v 3 on a narrow court",
          "minutes": 12,
          "notes": "With 12 players run two games side by side. With 14, the extra two rotate in after every rally. Start each rally with a serve, underhand from inside the court for newer players. Spread the stronger passers across teams and allow one catch per side for the newest players."
        },
        {
          "id": "b11",
          "kind": "break",
          "title": "Water break",
          "minutes": 3,
          "notes": "Pick two teams of six or seven, and hand out pinnies for the talkers."
        },
        {
          "id": "b12",
          "kind": "drill",
          "drillId": "one-voice-scrimmage",
          "title": "One voice scrimmage",
          "minutes": 15,
          "notes": "One talker per side. Rotate the talker every couple of dead balls and make sure the quiet players get a turn. With 14 players the extras sub in at each talker change. Finish with everyone talking."
        },
        {
          "id": "b13",
          "kind": "note",
          "title": "Cool-down and team talk",
          "minutes": 6,
          "notes": "Stretch together. Ask the group what it was like to play with only one voice, and what they noticed when everyone talked. Tell them when practice is next."
        }
      ],
      "pageUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/drills/plans/rec-league-mixed-one-coach",
      "courtUrl": "https://rufiostats.com/court?plan=rec-league-mixed-one-coach"
    }
  ]
}