Teaching Basic Movement Through Learning the Overhand Pass
Part 1:
1. Go through your progression for the basics that you want taught for the Overhand contact.
Main concepts: stable base, wide legs, bent knees, contact point, ‘window’ on contact and
follow through with legs and arms.
a. Use individual toss & catch (1 ball per person) and, later, one bounce as a
beginning to learn basics of ‘shuffle’ to the side.
b. Learn how to ‘shuffle’ forward to contact ball.
c. Learn how to ‘shuffle’ backward to contact ball
Note: 1. Distance of toss only covers 1 to 2 m. or very close to the athlete
2. For beginners progression: - use catch of first ball, followed by throw
& bounce and then throw and set without bounce. In all cases the ball is
set high into air after moving to the ball.
3. Make sure players learn how to stop before setting the ball
Part 2:
2. Add distance with the use of the ‘cross-over’ steps to the side. Ex: after bounce set ball
high in the air. 3-4 m in distance
3. Throw ball high over shoulder but near to the player and then turn/open and try to get behind
and set ball forward. Move at 45-degree angle. Ex: try to catch first, then after bounce, then
throw and direct overhand pass.
Note: For Part 1 & 2, players learn very quickly that movement is in 45-degree angles
from where the player is standing.
Part 3:
4. Do the same as in Part 2 but add run, turn, stop and set the ball. Distance now 3-6 m. Players
can go in pairs where one player (at net) controls the other player. Repeat the movements
taught so far (3-4 m apart). Throw ball underhand with proper arc on the ball.
Part 4:
5. Players in Pairs 4-6 m apart (always one at net and other in backcourt) – one person to toss
and other to go through various movements shown in Part 1, 2 & 3. 10 times and switch
Note: One player in the pair can be replaced by coach for feedback and correction.
Part 5:
6. Players in Pairs – 6-7 m apart – one person to toss and other to work at drill. Player at net
tosses first ball – backcourt player receives with overhand pass and follows set to touch ball
held by the player at the net. Ball is then immediately tossed over to right or left with
‘tosser’ giving shoulder & foot direction to the defender. After this contact the player stays 6
m deep and gets ready to do another sequence of double contacts. After 5 doubles switch
responsibilities.
7. Almost same drill but this time instead of making 5 double contacts, players make only 2
double contacts. Backcourt player starts touching ball of frontcourt player – runs to take ball
over shoulder & sets ball to partner – a 2nd ball is tosses L or R and it too is set back to front
player. Backcourt player now runs forward to ‘take’ ball and other player immediately starts
to ‘run & turn’ to get the ball. Distance is longer in this drill.
Note: This is done in 1-2 hours for a total team. Emphasize the movement fundamentals more
for this training than the fundamentals of the overhand pass. These initial movements lead into
all the other skills that are taught in the future. Get a ‘head-start’ and give a ‘heads-up’ to the
players immediately in the first day. 2nd day go back to the Overhand pass fundamentals again.
L. Sawula July, 2011
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