18U volleyball practice plans (ages 17 and 18)

Volleyball Warm-Up, Ages 14 and Up 5 min

1. Jog easy for 1 minute, then skip, side shuffle and backpedal for 1 minute.
2. Moving warm-up over 15 to 20 yards: high knees, heel flicks, carioca each way, walking knee hugs and walking quad pulls (one step in each, no long holds).
3. Leg swings, 10 each way each leg; walking lunges with a twist, 6 each leg; then 5 inchworms (walk your hands out to a plank and back).
4. Strength: plank 30 seconds, side plank 20 seconds each side, 8 slow squats, and 6 single-leg reaches each side (hinge forward on one leg with a flat back).
5. Single-leg hops: 3 small hops forward on one leg, holding the last landing for 2 seconds; each leg twice.
6. Cuts: run 5 yards, plant and cut at about 45 degrees off the outside foot, 4 each way at three-quarter speed, knee over the toes.
7. Build-up runs: three runs of about 20 yards at 60, 80 and 90 percent; walk back each time.
8. Sport moves: arm circles both ways, then 10 passes to yourself, then easy partner passes and 5 slow arm swings like an attack.

Coaching point: Quality over speed: quiet feet, knees over toes, hips level.

Safety: A flat, clear space with room to run. Stop if anything hurts: a warm-up should leave you ready, not tired. Growth spurts: many girls have theirs between about 10 and 14 and boys about two years later. While you grow fast, muscles can feel tight and landings clumsy for a while; that is normal and it passes. Keep the work light (your own body weight), stretch gently and never push into pain. Sore just below the kneecap or at the back of the heel after sport? Tell a parent or coach and rest it. If the pain keeps coming back, makes you limp, or is there even when resting, see a doctor.

Jump Float Serve 12 min

1. Take a three-step approach behind the end line.
2. Toss low in front and jump off both feet.
3. Contact with a firm flat hand at the top of your jump.
4. Serve 20, landing inside the court.

Coaching point: Low toss, contact in front.

Safety: For ages 12 and up. Warm up your shoulder first, keep serve and hitting sets short, and stop if your shoulder hurts. Land on two feet on a non-slip surface. Stop if your knees or ankles hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.

Back Row Attack 12 min

1. Start your approach a step behind the 3 yards (3 m) line.
2. Take off behind the line.
3. Hit up and over with topspin so the ball lands deep.
4. Do 10 attacks.

Coaching point: Take off behind the line, hit deep.

Safety: For ages 12 and up. Keep the jump count low (stop at the number in the steps) and land on two feet with soft knees. Stop if your knees hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.

Block, Land and Turn 12 min

1. Block jump at the net.
2. Land on both feet and turn toward the ball tossed into your court.
3. Back off the net for an approach.
4. Do 10 rounds.

Coaching point: Land, find it, back off.

Safety: Keep the jump count low (stop at the number in the steps) and land on two feet with soft knees. Stop if your knees hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.

Five-Ten-Five Technique Rehearsal 15 min

1. Set three cones in a line, 5 yards apart; start at the middle one.
2. Run 5 yards right, touch the line with your outside hand, turn low.
3. Run 10 yards to the far cone, touch, turn, run 5 back through the middle.
4. Do 3 walk-throughs, 3 at three-quarter speed, then 2 timed with full rest.

Coaching point: Low turn, push off the outside foot.

Safety: Use a clear, non-slip space and change direction only as fast as you can control. Stop if a knee or ankle hurts.

Volleyball Cool-Down Stretches, Ages 14 and Up 4 min

1. Walk easy for 1 minute and let your breathing slow down.
2. Front of the thigh: hold a fence, wall or partner and bring one heel toward your bottom, knees side by side. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
3. Back of the leg: sit with one leg straight and the other bent, and reach toward the straight leg’s ankle until you feel a gentle pull. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
4. Calf: hands on a wall, one foot back with the heel down and the back knee straight; then bend the back knee a little to move the stretch toward the heel. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
5. Front of the hip: kneel on one knee, tuck your hips under and shift forward gently until the front of the hip feels a stretch. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
6. Seat: lie on your back, cross one ankle over the other knee and pull the bottom leg gently toward you. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
7. Shoulder: bring one arm across your chest and hold it gently above the elbow with the other hand. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
8. Back of the arm: reach one hand down between your shoulder blades and rest the other hand gently on that elbow. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
9. Lie on your back with one hand on your belly: 5 slow breaths, breathing out longer than in.

Coaching point: A gentle pull, never pain, and no bouncing.

Safety: Stretch only to a gentle pull and stop if anything hurts. An injured muscle or joint is not stretched until a doctor or athletic trainer says it is OK. Growth spurts: many girls have theirs between about 10 and 14 and boys about two years later. While you grow fast, muscles can feel tight and landings clumsy for a while; that is normal and it passes. Keep the work light (your own body weight), stretch gently and never push into pain. Sore just below the kneecap or at the back of the heel after sport? Tell a parent or coach and rest it. If the pain keeps coming back, makes you limp, or is there even when resting, see a doctor.

Volleyball Warm-Up, Ages 14 and Up 7 min

1. Jog easy for 1 minute, then skip, side shuffle and backpedal for 1 minute.
2. Moving warm-up over 15 to 20 yards: high knees, heel flicks, carioca each way, walking knee hugs and walking quad pulls (one step in each, no long holds).
3. Leg swings, 10 each way each leg; walking lunges with a twist, 6 each leg; then 5 inchworms (walk your hands out to a plank and back).
4. Strength: plank 30 seconds, side plank 20 seconds each side, 8 slow squats, and 6 single-leg reaches each side (hinge forward on one leg with a flat back).
5. Single-leg hops: 3 small hops forward on one leg, holding the last landing for 2 seconds; each leg twice.
6. Cuts: run 5 yards, plant and cut at about 45 degrees off the outside foot, 4 each way at three-quarter speed, knee over the toes.
7. Build-up runs: three runs of about 20 yards at 60, 80 and 90 percent; walk back each time.
8. Sport moves: arm circles both ways, then 10 passes to yourself, then easy partner passes and 5 slow arm swings like an attack.

Coaching point: Quality over speed: quiet feet, knees over toes, hips level.

Safety: A flat, clear space with room to run. Stop if anything hurts: a warm-up should leave you ready, not tired. Growth spurts: many girls have theirs between about 10 and 14 and boys about two years later. While you grow fast, muscles can feel tight and landings clumsy for a while; that is normal and it passes. Keep the work light (your own body weight), stretch gently and never push into pain. Sore just below the kneecap or at the back of the heel after sport? Tell a parent or coach and rest it. If the pain keeps coming back, makes you limp, or is there even when resting, see a doctor.

Jump Setting 16 min

1. Your partner tosses the ball tight to the net.
2. Jump and set at the top of your reach.
3. Deliver to the outside or the middle.
4. Do 20 sets.

Coaching point: Jump first, set at the top.

Safety: Land on two feet on a non-slip surface. Stop if your knees or ankles hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.

Libero Lanes 16 min

1. Set up serve receive with the libero in the middle.
2. The libero calls "mine" early on any ball in their lane.
3. Pass to the target; teammates open up.
4. Receive 20 serves and swap roles.

Coaching point: Call early, take your lane.

Reaction Ball Drops 16 min

1. Your partner holds a ball in each hand at shoulder height, 3 yards away.
2. They drop one without warning.
3. Catch it before it bounces twice.
4. Do 15 drops.

Coaching point: Stay on your toes.

Volleyball Cool-Down Stretches, Ages 14 and Up 5 min

1. Walk easy for 1 minute and let your breathing slow down.
2. Front of the thigh: hold a fence, wall or partner and bring one heel toward your bottom, knees side by side. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
3. Back of the leg: sit with one leg straight and the other bent, and reach toward the straight leg’s ankle until you feel a gentle pull. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
4. Calf: hands on a wall, one foot back with the heel down and the back knee straight; then bend the back knee a little to move the stretch toward the heel. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
5. Front of the hip: kneel on one knee, tuck your hips under and shift forward gently until the front of the hip feels a stretch. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
6. Seat: lie on your back, cross one ankle over the other knee and pull the bottom leg gently toward you. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
7. Shoulder: bring one arm across your chest and hold it gently above the elbow with the other hand. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
8. Back of the arm: reach one hand down between your shoulder blades and rest the other hand gently on that elbow. Hold 20 to 30 seconds, each side.
9. Lie on your back with one hand on your belly: 5 slow breaths, breathing out longer than in.

Coaching point: A gentle pull, never pain, and no bouncing.

Safety: Stretch only to a gentle pull and stop if anything hurts. An injured muscle or joint is not stretched until a doctor or athletic trainer says it is OK. Growth spurts: many girls have theirs between about 10 and 14 and boys about two years later. While you grow fast, muscles can feel tight and landings clumsy for a while; that is normal and it passes. Keep the work light (your own body weight), stretch gently and never push into pain. Sore just below the kneecap or at the back of the heel after sport? Tell a parent or coach and rest it. If the pain keeps coming back, makes you limp, or is there even when resting, see a doctor.