Handling Flighted Balls
Inside players check away, move to a server on the circle, settle the tossed ball with the called body part, and play it back on the ground — always moving to the next ball.
Passing and receiving flighted balls — settling with the right body part and returning a clean pass — with the movement never stopping.
The weekly budget is the part coaches miss. A coach who runs heading twice in a week is not being reckless, they are unaware there is a cumulative cap at all — say the cap, then trust the trained adult: about 30 minutes and 15-20 headers per player per week, everything counted, including games.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones for the circle and a ball for every server.
- Build: Build a circle 20 yards across.
- Place: One group spreads around the outside of the circle, each with a ball in hand; the other group scatters inside.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Receiving flighted balls with the right body part, good first touches, body position with shoulders facing the thrower, ground passes back to feet with the right pace, and hard work.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
Inside players check away, move to any server, settle the toss with the body part you call, and pass it back on the ground — one minute of constant motion, then the groups switch.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split the players into two groups — no set sizes, the split is yours. Group 1 spreads around the outside of the circle with a ball each in hand; group 2 scatters inside.
Coach says
Two groups! Outside crew — spread around the circle, ball in your hands. Inside crew — find space in the middle.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one rep — an inside player checks away, then moves to any player holding a ball. The toss comes in; they settle it with the body part you've called and return it on the ground to the thrower, then move straight to another server.
Coach says
Check away first, then go meet a ball. Settle it how I call it, pass it back on the ground, and find your next one.
3Play▾
Coach does
Run one-minute rounds and call the skill — one-touch ground passes, inside-of-the-foot volleys, instep volleys, thigh volleys, chest volleys, or headers. Keep everyone continually moving, and encourage the hard work.
Coach says
This round — thigh volleys! Keep moving. Next ball, next ball!
Look for: Shoulders facing the thrower before the ball arrives — the body position that makes the first touch good.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
After each minute, the inside and outside groups switch positions. Work down the serve menu round by round, from ground passes all the way to headers.
Coach says
Switch! Servers inside, receivers grab the balls — new skill coming.
If it's not working
If the middle goes quiet, tighten the circle while they play — a shorter run to the next server keeps everyone working.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.