What to Expect at a Beginner Volleyball Clinic

If you are new to the world of volleyball, you might want to try attending a clinic. This is a great chance to learn the skills that you need to know, in a relatively short period. However, what can you expect from one of these sessions?

A volleyball clinic is a concentrated coaching session, often lasting for a few days. Typically, the coach will show you a skill. Then they will do drills to develop this skill, before putting it into practice with a game. This format will allow the coach to work more intensely on your skillset, which makes a clinic ideal for beginners.

Each summer, there are plenty of volleyball clinics that are operated. These can be hugely beneficial, especially to beginner players. Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect from one of these sessions.

Benefits of a Volleyball Clinic

Let’s start by talking about the purpose of these clinics, so you can decide whether you will benefit from attending them. In most cases, the clinic is a chance to learn a lot of skills in a short space of time. Often, it will only last for a few days.

 There are a few reasons why people like to attend these clinics. These include:

• More time spent with the coach. A clinic will give the player more one-on-one time with the coach. This is a good chance for them to get more personalized feedback. This is essential for beginners, as you are working to improve your form.
• Focus on learning skills. Another huge benefit that comes from attending the clinic is being able to take your time learning skills. For example, it’s common to spend a whole day focusing on one particular skill, like learning how to pass the ball.
• Recognized coaches. Many clinics will try to bring in a high-quality coaching staff. You’ll be able to draw on their years of experience, getting plenty of invaluable tips.
• Fun. Finally, you want your introduction to the world of volleyball to be a fun experience. This is where the clinics excel, many people who attend will make lasting relationships.

What to do Before a Volleyball Clinic

You don’t need to do a lot before attending a volleyball clinic. If you are attending a beginner’s clinic, it will be assumed that you don’t have a lot of playing experience. The coach will adjust for this. However, it will be a good idea to get a basic understanding of how the game works. Learn some of the most important rules.

The next thing that you should do is make sure that you have the right clothes. You’ll need to make sure that you have a fitted shirt and shorts. You don’t want any loose clothing that could get in the way when you are playing. Make sure that you have a pair of comfortable shoes. You might also want to bring along knee pads and a headband.

Finally, you want to make sure that you are arriving at the clinic early. This shows the coach that you are ready to learn. It’s also a great way to meet some of the other people who will be attending the clinic, allowing you to start making friends.

How the Lessons are Structured at a Clinic

The way that the lessons are structured will vary from clinic to clinic. However, it can usually be broken down into a few stages. These are:

1. Warm-up. This is a fairly simple exercise, designed to limber up the body, getting you ready for the physical exercise to come.
2. Demonstrate the skill. Next, the coaching staff will provide a demonstration, showing you what the skill is meant to look like. They’ll go through the proper form, making sure that you are doing it safely.
3. Drills. This is where you put your new skills into practice. They will often have a few drills designed to help you learn how to use the skill. The coaches will usually spend some time with you individually, making sure that you are applying the skill properly.
4. Playing a game. Next, you might play a game. This is a chance to solidify the skills that you have learned. It’s also a lot of fun.
5. Debrief. Sometimes, after the game, the coaches will want to give you some final pointers.

While this is a popular formula, not every clinic will follow this approach. If you have a longer clinic, they might have the time to focus on just one skill each day. If you have a shorter clinic, you might need to take a more condensed approach, learning multiple skillsets in a day.  

Finding the Right Volleyball Clinic For You

If you are a beginner, a clinic is ideal for you. Chances are, there will be a few options in your local area. So, how can you find the right one for you? There are a few elements that you should consider.

First, it’s important to think about how long the clinic will last. Usually, it’s best to choose a longer clinic. This will give you more time with your instructors. It also ensures that they will be able to take a more leisurely approach, ensuring that you understand each aspect. But even a shorter clinic will function as a good introduction to the sport.

The next factor to consider is the coaching staff. You need to make sure that they have plenty of experience to back them up. It’s also important to consider their reputation. You should look for someone who is going to push you to achieve your goals but will maintain a fun atmosphere. Occasionally, you might see prominent former professionals coming in to act as guest coaches.

Third, it’s important to consider the cost associated with taking a clinic. If you are new to the game, you probably don’t want to go dropping thousands of dollars. After all, you don’t even know whether you will like the sport. But you should be able to find a decent clinic for a good price.

Finally, you might want to consider the tone of the clinic. Sometimes, they will be focused on having fun. This can be ideal for beginners, allowing you to learn the basics in a supportive environment. On the other hand, some clinics will take a more serious tone. This can be a great resource, but it’s best for more experienced players.

Getting the Most Out of a Volleyball Clinic

When approached properly, a volleyball clinic can be a valuable learning experience. Here are some of the ways that you can make sure that you get the most out of the clinic:

• Have a positive attitude. This is the most important aspect of any clinic. If you go in with the right mindset, you’ll be able to get a lot of value from the clinic. Remember, the coaches won’t expect you to get it right on your first try. But they will expect you to put in your best effort.
• Avoid overtraining. The clinic can be a very intensive process. But it should only last for a few days. If you are a younger player, you can’t allow your passion for volleyball to overtake your life, to the detriment of your academic performance.
• Remember to have fun. This is the most important part of any clinic. You must enjoy your introduction to the world of volleyball. This will encourage you to continue training.

Click Here for How to Practice Volleyball by Yourself

Final Thoughts

If you are new to the world of volleyball, you should consider attending a clinic. It’s a fast way of building your skills. You’ll be able to get wisdom from some experienced coaches and get a better understanding of the game. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.