Adult Newbie & Refresher Clinic 2026 Session 2

Calendar

• Clinic 1: July 27 from 6 - 8 PM

• Clinic 2: Aug 3 from 6 - 8 PM

• Clinic 3: Aug 10 from 6 - 8 PM

• Clinic 4: Aug 17 from 6 - 8 PM

• if there are cancellations, additional sessions will be added

Series Agenda

• Serving

  • underhand and overhand

• Passing

• Setting

• Attacking

  • Spiking

  • Roll Shots

  • Tipping

• Team offense and defense

  • offense: "center set" with and without designated front-row setter

  • serve-receive and defense: "W" base position

FAQ

• What should I bring with me?  something to drink, bug spray and perhaps sunglasses

• What should I wear?  whatever you are comfortable in.  Leggings or shorts and t-shirts are the most common.

• Do I wear anything on my feet?  The vast majority of people play barefoot.  You can wear shoes or socks if you wish.

• Can I come down and practice at other times?  Absolutely.  The courts are available for use any time there is not a scheduled activity.  See the calendar on the home page.  There are typically balls available for use in the bin by the entrance.  If you tighten a net, make sure you loosen it when you're done.

Techniques & Homework Options

Overhand Serving

• Skill Keys (reverse for left-hander)

  • Feet at 45 degree angle; left foot slightly in front of right foot; weight on back foot.

  • Hold ball in left hand at waist level in front of right shoulder; elbow with slight bend

  • Toss a foot or so above highest reach; it should land roughly in front of right foot

  • Repeat until consistent

• Homework: Practice toss 

  • Toss and let drop.  The ball should land ahead of right foot

  • Repeat until consistent

Passing

• Skill Keys

  • athletic position with one foot slightly in front of the other; slight bend in knees

  • platform

    • fingers on each hand at 90 degrees, with one set of fingers fully covering other set

    • thumbs adjacent to each other along entire thumb

    • elbows locked; extend wrists downward towards ground to flatten arms 

    • face source of ball (e.g. server)

    • bend forward; arms spread wider than hips a bit in front of body

    • shuffle in any direction needed to receive ball midline (ie down center of body)

    • minimal to no swing; just enough movement to pass ball into air arriving overhead to the target

  • passing to different direction than ball coming from

    • still face source of ball and swing arms towards source of ball.

    • the only difference is that you raise one shoulder to angle your entire platform (arms/hands) so at contact, ball will rebound towards target (i.e. setter)

• Homework options

  • create muscle memory of putting hands into proper platform by repeating action over and over

  • pass to self

    • horizontal platform

    • pass ball at least two feet above head

  • pass with partner

  • pass against wall

Setting

• Skill Keys

  • start by facing where ball is coming from

  • as ball arrives, pivot so you are facing where you are setting to

  • ball should arrive at forehead level into all finger pads

  • push ball out and finish with a superman/woman form

  • typical standard set ball should be four or more feet above top of net (this changes at more advanced levels).

  • ball should be set to three to five feet off net and about three feet inside sideline, if setting a hitter who is not in the middle.

• Homework options

  • set with partner

  • set against wall

  • alternate passing and setting to yourself.  Pass, followed by set, followed by pass...

Roll Shots

• Skill Keys

  • Bow and arrow.  Left hand extended as if holding bow.  Right hand pulled back with palm facing outward at ear level (similar to starting position for serving)

  • Jumping is optional

  • As ball arrives, swing right hand fast at ball, connecting with your palm while your arm is fully extended upward at about 1 o'clock

  • Follow through with a wrist snap and arm swinging down past the right side of your body

• Homework options

  • Wall hitting

    • Stand about 8 to 10 feet from wall

    • Toss ball to self about a foot above reach

    • Connect with fully extended arm at about 2 o'clock

    • Ball should bounce off floor, then off wall just above the floor, and return to you

    • Catch ball and repeat

    • Once you are proficient, you can do multiple hits at a time without catching ball in between

Opportunities to play...(to be updated)

• My Social Sports

  • Indoor coed league all seasons and spring/summer beach leagues.  Sign up as a team, a partial team or a free agent.

    • Monday nights at Saint Christopher School in Nashua

      • Registration deadline: Sept 17 (one level that is beginning/intermediate)

    • Thursday nights at Girls, Inc. in Nashua

      • Registration deadline: Sept 22 (two levels; one is beginning/intermediate)

    • Tuesday nights at Derryfield School in Manchester

      • Registration deadline: Sept 23 (level unknown)

    • Wednesday nights at Derryfield School in Manchester

      • Registration deadline: Sept 24 (level unknown)

• Drop-In Play