By Stephanie Abdalla · Volleyball Director
The CSA Volleyball method
A recreational, developmental league for girls in grades 1–6: no cuts, equal playing time, and a nine-week curriculum built so every girl touches the ball as often as possible.
A message from the director
Welcome to CSA Volleyball. My name is Stephanie Abdalla, and I serve as the Volleyball Director for the Cajun Sports Association here in Lafayette, Louisiana. I am proud to lead a program that is rooted in community, built on a love of the game, and committed to developing young athletes the right way.
This handbook exists because our players, their families, and our volunteer coaches deserve clarity. You deserve to know exactly what this program stands for, what we expect from everyone involved, and what your daughter will learn from the first day of practice to the last point of the season. Nothing in here is arbitrary — every rule, every expectation, and every practice plan has been designed with one goal in mind: to give every girl in this program a great experience with volleyball.
CSA Volleyball is a recreational, developmental league. That means we are not a club program, we do not cut players, and we do not prioritize winning over learning. What we do prioritize is effort, attitude, skill growth, and sportsmanship. A player who hustles every practice, encourages her teammates, and improves her serve over nine weeks is a success story — regardless of the scoreboard.
Please read this handbook carefully. Share it with your daughter. If you are a coach, treat it as your operating manual. If you are a parent, treat it as your partnership agreement with this program. And if you ever have questions, my door is open.
— Stephanie Abdalla, CSA Volleyball Director
From the Master Handbook, section 1.
Mission and values
To provide every girl in grades 1–6 with a safe, fun, and structured environment to learn the game of volleyball — building athletic skills, teamwork, confidence, and a love of sport that lasts a lifetime.
- Fun FirstEvery practice and game should leave players wanting to come back. Coaches design sessions that are energetic, positive, and engaging.
- Development Over WinningScores matter less than skill growth. We celebrate improvement at every level, not just victories.
- RespectFor teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, and the facility. Always.
- EffortWe ask every player to give her best — not someone else’s best. Consistent effort is the standard.
- InclusionEvery registered player plays. No one sits the bench for an entire game. No one is made to feel unwelcome.
The core principle
Every player should touch the ball as many times as possible in every practice. Maximize repetitions. Minimize lines. If players are standing still for more than 60 seconds, restructure the drill.
From the Season Curriculum & Practice Plan Guide.
Nine weeks, three phases
One 60-minute practice a week in the same four segments: 15 minutes of warm-up and ball control, 10 of serving, 15 on the skill of the week, and 20 of team play. The season ends in a tournament where every team plays.
- Weeks 1–3FoundationIndividual ball control, passing platform mechanics, underhand serve, and basic rotation. Establish team culture and communication habits from Day 1.
- Weeks 4–6DevelopmentOverhand serve progression, introduction of setting, team communication, and the Pass–Set–Hit concept. Players begin connecting individual skills into team sequences.
- Weeks 7–9ApplicationApplying all skills in game-like situations. Tournament preparation. Competitive drills. Building team identity and confidence heading into the end-of-season tournament.
The game grows with the player
Nets rise, balls get firmer and the serve line moves back as players grow. Each division has its own goals for the season.
| Grade | Net | Ball | Serve |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st grade | 6′ 0″ | Soft Touch or Volley-Lite | Underhand only, from 10 ft |
| 2nd grade | 6′ 0″ | Soft Touch or Volley-Lite | Underhand only, from 10 ft |
| 3rd grade | 6′ 6″ | Volley-Lite | Underhand from 15 ft, or overhand from 10 ft |
| 4th grade | 6′ 6″ | Volley-Lite | Underhand or overhand, from 20 ft |
| 5th grade | 6′ 6″ | Volley-Lite or standard | Underhand or overhand, from 22 ft |
| 6th grade | 6′ 6″ | Volley-Lite or standard | Underhand or overhand, from the end line |
1st–2nd grade
- Make a proper passing platform (arms together, thumbs parallel)
- Underhand serve from the 10-foot line with reasonable consistency
- Call “mine” before playing the ball
- Rotate clockwise when their team earns the serve
- Demonstrate basic sportsmanship (handshake line, cheering for teammates)
3rd and 4th grade
- Pass with a consistent, locked platform, directing the ball toward the setter
- 3rd grade: Underhand serve from 15 feet; attempt overhand serve from 10 feet
- 4th grade: Underhand serve from 20 feet; attempt overhand serve from 20 feet
- Understand and attempt the Pass–Set–Hit sequence
- Rotate correctly and understand their court position number
- Open up and face the passer (“belly button to the ball”)
- Hit a downball over the net from behind the 10-foot line
- Communicate with teammates during play
5th–6th grade
- Pass consistently to a target (setter position)
- Overhand serve with reasonable accuracy: 5th grade from 22 feet, 6th grade from the end line
- Execute a basic overhead set to a hitter
- Run a 3-step approach and contact a set ball
- Understand serve receive formation (“W” formation)
- Play in a base defensive position
- Execute the full Pass–Set–Hit sequence in game situations
Her drill library
Six drills to supplement or replace segments in the weekly plans. All are designed to maximize ball contacts and minimize standing time.
Pepper
Player A passes to Player B. B sets back to A. A hits (or downballs) back to B. B digs and the cycle continues.
Queen of the Court
Split the court into two halves, 3v3 on each side. The winning team (first to 3 points) stays. The losing team rotates off and a new team rotates on. Also called King of the Court: it is the same drill.
Serve and Shag
Half the team serves from one side; the other half retrieves (shags) balls on the other side. After each player serves 5 balls, teams switch.
Toss–Pass–Set–Catch
Player 1 tosses to Player 2. Player 2 passes to Player 3 (setter position). Player 3 sets back to Player 1, who catches. Rotate positions every 5 repetitions.
Down the Line Passing
Players line up on one side of the court. The coach stands on the other side of the net and tosses balls to various positions. Players move to the ball, pass it back over the net, and return to the line.
Serve Receive Triangle
Three players form a triangle: one server, one passer, one target (setter). The server serves from the grade-appropriate line. The passer receives and passes to the target. The target catches and feeds the ball back to the server. Rotate every 5 serves.
The handbooks
Written for CSA by Stephanie Abdalla. Free to read online or download.