Skills and Drills / Team Coaching

Skills and Drills

Just getting into volleyball or been around for a while but looking to revisit some fundamentals, refine your skills or take them to the next level?  Join us for OFSL’s new Skills and Drills Program led by James Battiston, former professional volleyball player and member of the Canadian Beach National Team.  James has coached for several years with the Mavericks Volleyball Club as well as 15+ years at Madawaska Volleyball Camp.  He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expert guidance that players of all levels from beginner to competitive can benefit from.

Dates: Feb 01st, Mar 08th, Mar 22nd & Apr 2025.

2 hour session - 1 head coach and 4 assistant coaches based on the number of registered players.

Time:  Saturdays 9-11am, 11:30am-1:30pm

Location:  De La Salle HS

Price: $30 + HST, per session

limited spots available - first come first serve basis

See details below:

Specialized Clinic - limited spots max. 16 participants

Libero/Defense

In this session, we’ll focus on skills specific to the Libero or defensive specialist positions while exploring key responsibilities and essential skills of the roles. Participants will have an opportunity to improve floor defense by learning digging techniques including diving and pancakes through drills designed to enhance hand positioning, body control, and quickness to get low and cover unexpected attacks. The session also emphasizes defending a range of attack hits, teaching players how to anticipate, adjust their platform, and read hitters for better positioning. This session will have a maximum of 12 (or 16) participants. 

Strategy/Gameplay  

This strategy and gameplay session will allow players to apply skills that have been developed over the course of this season’s focused skills sessions.  We will provide drills designed to practice core skills such as passing, setting, attacking and defending in modified game situations. Players will work on quick transitions, positioning, communication, reading the opposing team's movements and determining appropriate strategies.  There will be minimal personalized instruction on technique in this session so players are expected to have a minimum level of ball control which will allow for meaningful rallies and continuity drills to be executed. 

Setters  

This session is designed to help players develop the essential techniques and strategies needed to excel in the setter position. Athletes will focus on improving their footwork, hand positioning, decision-making, and court awareness, with an emphasis on accurate sets and quick, smart decisions under pressure. Through a combination of drills and personalized feedback, players will learn to become more effective at controlling the tempo of the game, setting up offensive plays, and building chemistry with their hitters. Whether you're looking to refine your skills or take your game to the next level, this clinic will provide the tools and guidance to elevate your performance.  This session will have a maximum of 18-24participants.  

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General Session - limited spots max. 16 participants

Skills and Drills Curriculum Planning

The four foundational sessions that we can offer are as follows.  If you have other specific requests for sessions, those can be arranged (e.g. Setter only)  :  Fundamentals 

For players at any level, this is an opportunity to develop your skills whether you’re newer to the game or have been playing for years and looking to refine your technique. 

We will touch on each of the main aspects of volleyball: Passing (overhead and underhand), attacking, serving, defense (front and back row).  Drills will aim to maximize the number of contacts for each athlete.  We will also play small games to stress and grow skills with in-the-moment feedback. 

Reception 

When it comes to reception, the outcome of a play is often dictated by the quality of the first pass.  This session will focus solely on the first contact, whether overheard using hands, or underhand using forearms.  We will walk through techniques and when to apply them.  We will also look at reception forms and strategies to help maximize the success of your team’s first contact. 

Attacking 

UPDATE:  We  will work exclusively on attacking in this session.  

This will include work on arm swing, approach, hand contact and timing of attack as well as attacks from all positions on the court (front and back row).   Small game situation drills may also be implemented based on the group's skill level.  

Defense/Blocking 

In this session, we will focus on blocking and back row defense.  For blocking we will cover reading where the ball is being set to, moving to the ball efficiently and with the best footwork to produce a stronger block jump, blocking position and hand placement.    

For back row defense, we look at starting position (on the court as well as body posture), seeing/reading the attacker, arm placement and movement.   

Strategy and placement of defenders will also be covered before full court drills are introduced when groups are combined. 

Team Coaching 

Is your team looking to get some training to help develop your game play?  OFSL is excited to offer team training sessions with James Battiston.  Whatever skills your team would like to work on, James can design practice sessions to help you meet your objectives.  When you book a session, you’ll have the chance to identify specific focus areas, whether it is individual skills, defensive and offensive systems, or implementing and forming strategies. 

Time:  Saturdays 11:30am-1:30pm

Location:  École Secondaire De La Salle, 501 Old St Patrick Street

Dates:  Mar 08, March 22, April 5, 2025 & additional dates to be determined

Contact: ottawafunsports@gmail.com to reserve your session!

 **Can be booked exclusively for your team or feel free to bring another team or additional players up to a maximum of 12 players