First practice: beginner

The practice, block by block

1. Minutes 0 to 44 min

   Welcome and names

   Note

   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.

2. Minutes 4 to 128 min

   Dynamic warm-up flow

   Drill, 1 to 24 players

   Go slowly on the first lap so everyone can follow. Walk through the carioca once before anyone jogs it.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
3. Minutes 12 to 175 min

   Hoop catch

   Drill, 2 to 16 players

   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.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
4. Minutes 17 to 247 min

   Partner passing

   Drill, 2 to 12 players

   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.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
5. Minutes 24 to 273 min

   Water break

   Break

   Ask if anyone needs a minute on the side.

6. Minutes 27 to 358 min

   Toss it away, call it

   Drill, 2 to 16 players

   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.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
7. Minutes 35 to 449 min

   Underhand serve to a row

   Drill, 1 to 12 players

   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.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
8. Minutes 44 to 473 min

   Water break

   Break

9. Minutes 47 to 525 min

   Got it! circle

   Drill, 4 to 16 players

   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.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
10. Minutes 52 to 608 min

    Passing triangle

    Drill, 3 players

    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.

    Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
11. Minutes 60 to 622 min

    Water break

    Break

    Pick teams of three for the game while they drink, with new and returning players mixed.

12. Minutes 62 to 8220 min

    3 v 3 on a narrow court

    Drill, 6 to 12 players

    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.

    Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
13. Minutes 82 to 908 min

    Cool-down and team talk

    Note

    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.