Training Approaches
“Proper Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Poor Performance”
Physical (Tactics) and Social Factors
Simulation Drills
Team building Exercises
Co-operative Practices
Conditioned Games
Team Reflection Exercises
Contents
Page 2
Contents
Page 3
Social and Physical Approaches Table
Pages 4-6
Description, Advantages and limitations of Team Building Exercises.
Pages 6-8
Description, Advantages and Limitations of Co-operation Practices.
Pages 8-9
Description, Advantages and Limitations of Simulation Drills.
Pages 10-
Three touch attack progress programme (combined approach of cooperative drills and simulation drills to develop principles of play)
Page 11
Description and advantages of conditioned games
Pages12-14 Description, advantages and limitations of reflection exercises.
Page 15-16 Example answers on explaining approaches for both physical and social sub
factors.
Table of Approaches for Physical and Social Sub Factors
It is important to remember when working to develop Social and Physical (Tactics) factors
many of the approaches utilised are the same as you need to develop understanding of
roles and responsibilities, develop communication and cooperation skills before you can
then go on to apply team tactics and improve the dynamics of the team.
TEA
M
Social Factor




Team building Exercises
Co-operative Drills
Simulation Drills
Team Reflection Exercises
Physical (Tactics)
 Co-operative Drills
 Simulation Drills
 Conditioned Games
 Team Reflection Exercises
Approaches to Training
Social Factor
Sub Factor: Roles and Responsibilities
Communication
Co-operation
Team Dynamics
Team Building Exercises
Team Building Exercises are frequently used at the Forming stage of social development when players are getting to
know each other as an “ice breaker”. They are also utilised when there has been a breakdown in performance and
this encourages team mates to cooperate and work to develop more positive relationships and work towards a
common goal to get players back on track.
Exercise 1: “Under you go”
Equipment
Organisation
4 cane supports, 2 canes.
Players work in small groups (volleyball teams). Obstacles are set up one after the other
with canes set up at different heights. Players must go underneath the canes and the only
part of their body which can make contact with the floor is their feet. Once you have
passed under the first obstacle you cannot go back until all team mates have made it
through. Every time you pass under the first obstacle you get 1 point and every time you
pass under the 2nd obstacle you get a further 2 points. Players who make it under both
cannot return to the start until all team mates collectively pass under the 2 nd obstacle.
This is a race against other teams and the target is to get the most points you can in 3 mins.
If you hit a cane down you must go back to the start.
Visual
Practice time
Task:




Time allocated to decide strategy before timed task and work out team strengths and
weaknesses.
Discuss in your group the following:
How successful was your team?
Did everyone make a contribution?
Was there a natural Leader?
Did everyone have a chance to speak?
Was everyone heard?
Was there a clear plan and common goal to achieve the task?
Was there any negative behaviour?
Would you change anything if you did the task again?
Exercise 2: “Pole Position”
Equipment
Organisation
4 corner poles from football and 1 golf ball
Players work in small groups (volleyball teams) Target is to cover as many lengths of the
games hall in three minutes. You cannot move the poles when the ball is on a pole. Not
permitted to touch the ball with your hands at anytime. This is a race against other teams.
Visual
Practice time
Time allocated to decide strategy before timed task.
Task: Discuss in your group the following:
 How successful was your team?
Did everyone make a contribution?
 Was there a natural Leader?
Did everyone have a chance to speak?
 Was everyone heard?
Was there a clear plan and common goal to achieve the task?
 Was there any negative behaviour?
Would you change anything if you did the task again?
Exercise 3: “Mastermind”
Equipment
Organisation
Lots of coloured cones and a code card.
Players work in small groups (volleyball teams)
Coloured cones are laid out in an area of the hall. Each group has a team member who is
allocated the code card. The challenge is to race and collect cones so that they appear in
the same order as the code card. Each time you return to the code bearer they will provide
you with information on how close to the sequence you are. They can only give limited
information. Example “You have one colour in the correct place and 2 of the correct
colours in total”
Visual
Example of a Code card
G
Task: Discuss in your group the following:
 How successful was your team?
 Was there a natural Leader?
 Was everyone heard?
 Was there any negative behaviour?
G
W
R
Did everyone make a contribution?
Did everyone have a chance to speak?
Was there a clear plan and common goal to achieve the task?
Would you change anything if you did the task again?
Benefits of Team building Exercises

Team-building exercises provide experiences that empower individuals to contribute to a common goal.


Helps to Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your team.
Develops leadership skills in individuals and players feel more empowered to contribute building team
morale.
Team members are more motivated when they gain trust in their team mates and feel confident that their
work as a team will be recognized and appreciated. If your team's lines of communication are open, your
teammates may be more likely to approach you.
Encourages players to be more creative and to use their imagination to accomplish the tasks set before
them. These creative problem-solving skills transfer back to the sport once the activities are complete.
Through the activities, team members gain the skills that let them identify barriers to accomplishing goals
and come up with ways to overcome these barriers improving adaptability.
These exercises are designed to motivate people to pool their talents and perform at their best individually
and as team players. Team members discover that diversity is their greatest asset and trust, cooperation and
effective communication are the key to a team's success.
The purpose of team building activities is to assist teams in becoming cohesive units of individuals that can
effectively work together to complete tasks and work to develop roles and responsibilities.





Limitations of Team building Exercises


"Free-riding" within the team may occur where they sit back and let others do the work which causes
conflict.
Conflict may develop between team members or other teams impacting negatively on team cohesion.

There has to be a real purpose to these exercises such as develop cooperation, communication or strengths,
and address weaknesses, otherwise they will have no impact on performance and social development.


Some individuals feel intimidated in these exercises and shy away from any responsibility.
If there are too many leaders it can result in players challenging to be heard and unwilling to listen unless
exercises are done their way.
Co-operation (Unopposed) Drills
Social Factor
Sub Factor:
Roles and Responsibilities
Communication
Co-operation
Team Dynamics
Sub Factors: Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Physical Factor (Tactics)
Co-operation drills are frequently used to develop skills, positional requirements and roles before increasing
pressure when applying strategies which can impact productivity and success level.
1-2-1 Structure in volleyball (Co-operative drill for specialised setter)
Used to develop the specialised setter rotations
Rotation 1
Rotation 2
x2
X1
x1
x4
x2
Rotation 4
Off Setter
S Set
S Set
x4
Rotation 3
x2
S set
x4
S set
X2
X1
X4
Option 1 = Play with off setter
Option 2 = Penetrate set from back court
1- Walk through structural adaptations
- Teacher instructs pupils to where they should be to get a feel for roles and responsibilities.
- Visual aids ( the specialised setter plays with a bib on).
- Diagrams on the board to help illustrate rotations.
- Ball fed over the net to initiate one attack for each rotation until performed with consistency within
unopposed environment.
Three touch Attack strategy in volleyball – (Co-operative Drill)
Used to develop increased understanding of the roles, improve skills and communication and to create a
coordinated attack.
Butterfly Drill
1 server
R/H
Server
2 receivers/hitters
1 setter
setter
The ball can be thrown over or served
underarm to allow players on the other
side of the net to initiate a three touch
attack. Players move round a place if
an attack is successful.
R/H
Benefits of Co-operative Drills
As a co-op drill is repeated over
and over with the speed
gradually increased then a
team can perform the strategy
unopposed with consistent
success.
This method develops players'
confidence as there is no
opposition, success should be
high and they can increase the
pace when required.
This method allows players to
become more familiar and
understand their own roles.
As the pace gradually increases,
players movements become
grooved and automatic. This
develops a " conditioned
response" from the individual
players and team allowing them
to carry out movements quickly
and confidently.
The teacher talks through the
strategy from all players
perspective and explains what is
expected in each role. This
increases players
understanding of each others
roles and how they interlink.
Players develop their cooperation and communication
skills and trust in each other is
developed which allows for
smoother application and
support play of strategies when
applied in a game environment.
Co-operative drills also give
players time to make
appropriate decisions to
increase success rate.
Limitations of Co-operative drills




This method can be boring for players if done for too long as it lacks any competition.
There are no external factors so it does not reflect a game situation.
Although players may understand a specialised setter or 3 touch attack strategy this method does
not test whether they can carry out the strategies in an open context with pressure and opposition.
This type of drill does not prepare players for the instinctive responses to cues required when
under pressure as the practice is manufactured.
Simulation Drills
Simulation drills are an approach used which consists of deliberately creating intensive conditions for skill practice,
tactical development and team work. Simulation training allows a team to experience greater pressure during
training to give them the chance to work collaboratively to cope with pressure effectively during competitions. You
must practise pressure situations in training, so they become normal and easy to handle. This will not only develop
the physical factor but your social cohesion and unity. Decision making and tactics can only be developed in this
context.
Simulation drill examples for attacking and defensive units in volleyball.
Defensive Unit
Attacking Unit
Defense
Setter
Short
Fast A
Reverse
A
Back
Court A
Attack
Attacking players stand on a bench. As soon as the
ball is tossed for a hit the defensive team must
position themselves to cover the hit from one side of
the net.The setter has the option of moving across to
double block or cover In behind blocker.
When a serve is played over the attacking team
will select from a variety of attacking options
whether to play a fast attack, directional change
with a reverse volley or use depth in attack with
a back Court hitter.
Benefits of Simulation drills:









Allows you to make the practice reflect game-like conditions when your anticipation and decision making
needs to be faster which is crucial for tactical play.
Allows you to perform under similar pressures to that you would experience in a game which can be
unpredictable and open increasing performer motivation and challenge.
Tests fully the cohesion and communication skills of a team.
Can pressurise the individuals to fulfil roles to allow for smooth application.
Can be manipulated to suit needs. For example players can stop the practice to work on tactics and discuss
calmly solutions developing team dynamics and communication.
Simulation training may improve the speed of executing skilled movements, and help performers retain the
skills under the duress of competition.
A number of complex movement patterns and skills can be combined. Ie width, and depth in attack.
Enables a team to iron out any issues in a competitive environment improving team dynamics and
confidence.
As the defence is active in the attacking drill the players must problem solve and the setter must work on
selecting the correct option based on the opposition defensive unit.
Limitations of Simulation drills:
Situations are often
"stage managed"
and play does not
always follow the
same pattern.
The mental and
emotional state of
all team players can
impact the quality
of play.
Poorer players find
it difficult to cope
with the opposed
nature of this
approach and
breakdowns in play
can cause
frustrations within
a team.
If there are issues
with the social
dynamics of a team
they will not
respond instantly as
a unit and the
practices will break
down.
Three Touch Attack Progressive Practices
Practice
Volley into the setter– Volley
along the net to spike.
Type
Co-operative Practice
Players should take on specialised
roles as hitters and receivers or
setter




Sub Factors
Roles and Responsibilities
Communication
Co-operation
Team strengths and weaknesses
Additional info on why
Develops basic passing skills
Allows setter to work on individual role.
Communication of reception unit.
Hitter timing and technique
Placing players in positions of strength
Throw over to volley-volley to
spike
Throw over to dig to volley to
spike
Co-operative Practice
As Above
As above +
Forces receivers to adjust to the flight of the ball.
Co-operative Practice
As above
Introduces more complex reception skill most
likely in a game from a power serve.
Develops the anticipation and linkage of the
receivers and setter.
Throw over to dig to volley to
spike past a block
Simulation Drill
As above
Introduces more decision making of the setter
and hitters.
Works on the timing and shot selection of the
hitter.
Throw over to fast attack to
spike past a block
Simulation drill
Throw over to dig to choice of
hitters past block
Simulation Drill
Throw over to b- ball with a
penetration set from back court
past block
Simulation Drill
plus

Plus


Plus



Tempo change
Tempo change
Width in attack
Width in attack
Tempo change
Penetration in attack
Introduces changes in the tempo of the game.
Forces setter to consider the touch of their pass.
More physically demanding for hitters to move in
early.
Providing different tactical options.
Cooperation crucial for co-ordinated attack.
Introduces more complex setting skills (Reverse
volley) to change the direction of attack.
Works on communication and linage of attacking
unit.
Places more demands on setter and hitter
decision making.
More game like environment.
More physically demanding for setter.
Complex movement patterns
Communication is key
Intuitive decision making by the setter plus
players must work as one cohesive finely tuned
unit
Conditioned Games
A conditioned game is often used to encourage players to build up to stronger attacks- Teams must play 3 touch
volleyball.
Reinforces a realistic
setting but encourages
players to use set skills
or apply set strategies
If players are required
to play three touches
they will be more
focussed on the skills
and work as a team to
build a stronger 3
touch attack
Decision making and
problem solving skills can
be developed in a
competitive mode where
cues are constantly
changing encouraging
adaptability.
Advantages of
Conditioned games
It increases a
player/teams
confidence and
motivation as this
situation can be
challenging but fun.
Excellent for automatic
performers to push the
boundaries and
develop the mental
and emotional factors
Encourages
communciation when
supporting each other
in units to alert team
mates of challenges
occuring at game pace.
Team Reflection Exercises
TASK 1
Team reflection sheets are frequently used to help investigate your own team strengths and weaknesses and that of
your opposition.
Once you have decided on an attacking structure, the 1-2-1 formation and a defensive strategy to cover space, the
next step would be to observe your future opponents playing. This will help your team to decide upon an attacking
strategy to play against your opposition.
Aim of the observation – To identify strengths and weaknesses of your opponents’ ability to defend attacking shots.
The team being observed ___________________________
The observation is done whilst a game is played. As a team you are simply watching your opponents playing against
another team and then reflecting on opposition strengths and weaknesses which will dictate your attacking play
when you come to compete against them. The focus is only on their defensive abilities. As a group you must
answer the questions below and then at the end of the match reflect on the results as a TEAM.
Evaluation Points
When their opponents get a chance to spike is there always an attempt by one or more
players to block?
Yes
No
Are the Blocks usually successful?
Do they regularly leave spaces of the court uncovered?
How good are they at preventing the ball from hitting the floor?
Poor
Fair
Good
How good are they at directing the first pass accurately to a player at the front court?
Poor
Fair
Good
From the list below, which 2 attacking shots do they find most difficult to deal with?
Spike
Tip over the net
Volley to front court
Volley to back court
Conclusion based on the observations made – Future plans
Tick the 2 skills below
TASK 2
Your attacking strategy is to play a 3 touch attack. In order to run this successfully it is important that a team builds
their ability to









Move quickly to the ball
Dig to front court
Volley set
Spike
Have an alternative attacking shot
Communicate as a unit
Make decisive decisions at pace
Have alternatives to vary the strategy (Tempo changes, back court hitters, shot variation etc)
Select players in roles to ensure we use our individual strengths- best skills to set up an attack
During this course you have used a variety of team building exercises, co-operation drills, simulations drills and
conditioned game. It is important to constantly reflect on every match and on the effectiveness of your strategy and
self-reflection exercises can be a useful approach to train to develop social and physical factors and to monitor
tactical implementation and the communication/cooperation within the team.
Self-Reflection as a team
Evaluation point
Are we giving the setter a good pass in?
Are we attacking from the front of the court?
Are we playing a high accurate set?
Playing effective spikes?
Attempting alternative shots?
Playing effective alternative shots?
Scoring points directly from the strategy?
Are hitters moving as an attacking unit?
Is the tempo being varied?
Conclusion based on the observations made – Future plans
Yes
No
Benefits of Team Reflection Exercises
Allows you to identify your
own strengths and
weaknesses and that of your
opposition to select the most
appropriate tactics during a
game.
Through the reflections
made in these sessions it
encourages players to be
open and honest and work
together to solve problems.
Also, teams will become
more cohesive as they are all
involved in making effective
decisions on the course of
action that will follow.
Having a common goal
creates more unity as they
have a sense of purpose.
Ecourages players to
develop physical and
social factors which
they might have
ignored. Also develops
adaptability and better
performance evaluation
skills which will transfer
back on to the court to
help with making faster
decisions.
Limitations of Team building Exercises
Issue 1
Issue 2
Issue 3
•If players are not interested and don't buy into this approach they would rather just play
and they might not be open to the benefits of these exercises. They will be uninterested in
reflecting on the teams performance incase they are the ones causing performance
problems and will prefer to "dig their heads in the sand".
•In these team reflection sessions there can be a conflict of opinion and players perceptions
of their play may be different from the reality. Discussions can be heated and can result in a
breakdown in communication.
•Finally, players involved in these exercises may feel victimised if they are involved in phases
of the game where there are constant errors and lack of co-ordination. If looking at the
three touch attack there might be a great deal of pressure and focus on the setter during
reflection.
Sample Answer for Social and Physical Factors
Selected Factor: Social
Identified Approach: Co-operative Practices
Explain the relevance of using the approach.
To develop our communciation skills and maximise players understanding and application of their role in the three
touch attack strategy in volleyball we used co-operations drills.
Previously when applying this strategy we had players simply rotating round the court but this meant that players
were not playing in positions of strength and strong hitters were forced to set and vice versa. During our attacks
there was a lack of communciation within the attacking unit to cover the first touch, initiate the attack from the
setter and lack of timing of both hitters moving into the net. Therefore our attacks were unco-ordinated and
rushed limiting our potential to set up varied, strong three touch attacks.
To maxmise players strengths we decided to play with a specilised setter to dictate the plays. To ensure all players
understood their roles and responsibilities and that of other players in the team we carried out a co-operation drill
where we did a walk through of each specialised setter rotation with players learning to switch quickly to their new
position. This then progressed to a feed being played over the net for each roatation to allow the attacking team to
mount a co-ordianted, faster attack.
Through the teacher talking through the strategy from all players perspective and explaining what is expected in
each role this increased players understanding of each role and how they interlink. Players had more confidence
and trust in each other leading to improved communication and co-operation which allows for smoother
application and support play of this strategy when applied in a game environment. Working under less pressure
gave players the opportunity to address any issues and discuss calmly solutions as they learnt this new strategy. This
had a positive impact on the dynamics of the team as their lines of communication were open and they were
willing to listen and reflect. As the pace gradually increases, players movements become grooved and automatic.
This develops a “conditioned response" from the individual players and team allowing them to carry out
movements quickly and confidently, reacting to each others cues in the game.
First of all the answer decribes the issues in performance which led to this approach being used. This is
not a requirement of this question, however, it sets the scene and shows understanding. Then it goes
on to explain why this method was effective in aiding performance improvements. This is where the
marks are allocated.
Selected Factor: Physical
Identified Approach: Simulation Drills
Explain the relevance of using the approach.
To develop our Team strengths and ability to apply the principles of play in a 1-2-1 structure and three touch attack
strategy we used simulation drills.
Previously when applying the strategy we had little variation in our attack, i.e our direction and pace of attack was
predictable. We were not maxmimising the strengths of our team with players playing in positions of strength.To
maximise players strengths we decided to play with a specilised setter to dictate the plays.
We carried out a series of simulation drills looking at width and depth in attack and tempo changes. Simulation drills
are fast paced and with active defenders encourages more intuitive, quick decision making in a pressurised
context. This enabled our team to react and recognise cues in the game and mount attacks which exploited
opposition weaknesses and made our play more creative and unexpected. This meant it was extremely difficult for
the defense to move early to narrow our attacking options. The hope with all simulation training is that practicing
under this level of pressure that every situation will become the norm and easier to cope with in open play.
Simulation training also improves the speed of executing skilled movements, and help performers retain the skills
under the duress of competition which is extremely important when implementing advanced tactics. This setting is
both challenging and motivational for our team. Working closely as a unit continues to develop communication
skills and confidence in each other which allows for a smoother application of our three touch attack strategy. We
had more deception of touch, more variety in our direction of attack and a stronger more cohesive unit well
rehearsed in adapting to performance demands.
First of all the answer decribes the issues in performance which led to this approach being used. This is
not a requirement of this question, however, it sets the scene and shows understanding. Then it goes
on to explain why this method was effective in aiding performance improvements. This is where the
marks are allocated.