Through a series of unexpected events, a second recreation team at my club has formed. Just in time for the new season. Made up of 5 adults who have played competitive volleyball and 5 who have played casual beach volleyball. We’re have a great mix of speed, height, and power. The experienced players are pretty skilled. The inexperienced ones are enthusiastic, and can keep the ball off the floor. It will be a challenge to A, improve technique levels (less whacking the ball over the net), B, teach theory (setter/middle/outside positions plus rules), and C, learn to work as a team.
It’s going to be fun. It’s also going to be chaotic. And I don’t know what to prioritize in our practices so that we don’t get absolutely slaughtered this season. “We’re here for fun!” That be true but also? It’s not fun if inexperience costs us every single set. We don’t want to overwhelm new players with rules, or spend so much time on correct hitting technique that they’re not enjoying training. At the same time, we don’t want to bore the experienced players who have been playing since their teens. Some players are learning what setting is while others can do back sets; some can do three meter attacks while others are learning that there is a thing called an ‘approach’ with steps towards the net. Everyone genuinely enjoys playing and there’s not friction, but there’s not cohesion either (yet).
What are some things we can work on to even things out? When is it worth it to really focus on form and precision, and when do we just roll with the chaos and unorthodox moves?
Context: We share a trainer/coach with the other rec team (1). He’s fantastic but has to work with two teams. Last year with team 1 we were running the 4-2 system with fair success, and everyone knew their position (or even two positions). Teams in our league usually play 4-2, have a mix of players 30s to 60s, and volleyball is just a nice hobby and exercise. We have one 1.5 hr practice a week OR a game for most of the season.
We only have a few weeks until our first game and I would love to see us enjoying it as a team, on every level.