Week 9 · Application phase · 3rd grade · 60 minutes
Tournament week
Light practice · Mental readiness · Team unity
- Net
- 6′ 6″
- Ball
- Volley-Lite
- Serve
- Underhand from 15 ft, or overhand from 10 ft
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Warm-up & ball control 15 min
- Keep it light and fun — no new skills this week.
- Favorite warm-up drill voted on by the team.
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Serving 10 min
- Each player serves 5 times from tournament distance — build confidence, not pressure.
- Celebrate every successful serve.
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Skill focus: team highlights 15 min
- Coach shares one specific improvement they’ve noticed in each player — out loud, in front of the team.
- Quick review of tournament format: bracket, schedule, what to bring, arrival time.
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Team play: fun scrimmage 20 min
- Scrimmage with fun rules: bonus point for ace serves, bonus point for 3-contact sequences.
- End practice with a team cheer — let the players choose it.
- Remind players: “You’ve worked hard all season. Go have fun at the tournament.”
The rule for every drill: 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.
Week 9 practice is about confidence and energy — not skill work. Your players are ready. Your job this week is to remind them of that.
Coaching tip from Stephanie Abdalla
Recap for parents
Copy this into your team chat after practice.
Week 9 at CSA Volleyball practice (3rd grade): we had a light practice, celebrated how much everyone improved, and got ready for the tournament.
Ask her what her coach said she has gotten better at this season.
Week 9 for 1st–2nd grade · 4th grade · 5th–6th grade