JVA Training Curriculum - 17U / 18U | Junior Volleyball Association

17U/18U Curriculum

Overview

This is the Elite Phase, also nicknamed the “The Full Bloom Stage” when the focus is on the development of advanced team play. The goal of this phase is to expose the players to a playing and training culture that extends their mental, physical, tactical and technical capabilities to the limit.

Athletes should have an understanding of the games’ principles and concepts, and should show emotional stability when confronted with pressure situations. Demanding and challenging training sessions and matches are recommended.

The essential 3 goals for each athlete’s success at the 18U level are:

Be able to work on their own game in a mindful manner.
Be in charge of their own confidence
Mastered 1st contact skills

Coach Description, Requirements and Role

An ideal 18U Coach is a teacher who is well-informed and up-to-date on the landscape of junior volleyball and college volleyball. In addition, the coach should have experience coaching at a high level, with knowledge of advanced volleyball concepts and training methodology. It is important for an 18U coach to be articulate, as well as a disciplinarian with no doubts about his or her authority. Having managerial know-how will allow an 18U coach to be organized and command a team, as well as lead other coaches and teams from a leadership standpoint.

An 18U Coach has the important role to demand excellence and train at a speed that meets match competition conditions. Individual skill training can be covered during warm-up and competitive situations in practice. There is minimal individual skill breakdown during practices and more game systems and reading the game development.

Skill Development

Serving

Technique
- Able to demonstrate all types of serves (standing float, jump float, jump top spin), but should focus on one.
- Have success using a jump serve

Mentality
- No back to back errors as a team or individual
- Make the opponent pass after timeout (don’t miss a serve after timeout)
- Serve the sub
- Recall the scouting report prepared on the opponent’s passers and your team’s serving strategies
- Have the ability to serve aggressively in a pressure situation without fear

Result
- Able to effectively execute a serving scouting report and attack specific zones either standing or jumping.
- Serve all 6 zones effectively (80%)
- Serve ball at 40 mph

Serve Receive/Passing

Technique
- Players should be expected to have excellent technique and execute both linear and non-linear passing forms.
- Players should be able to demonstrate the ability to routinely run through errant passes and short serves, move to (lateral, oblique, etc.) and adjust their platform (on-line and off-line) efficiently on all balls.
- Players should be able to demonstrate the ability to serve receive, free ball, out of system set and defend with their hands.

- Eye Work
  - Demonstrate the ability to read a serve coming off the hand before it crosses the net
  - Consistently say short, mine or deep as the ball is coming to them or their teammates
- Touch
  - Consistently be able to PUSH faster with shoulders on a slow ball to speed up the tempo of the pass and drive it to the net
  - Consistently be able to PUSH slower with shoulders on a fast ball so it is not overpassed
  - Consistently be able to cushion the ball for a soft pass and have a “quiet” platform
- Angels
  - Consistently create an angled platform when needed to get the pass to target
Mentality
- No ball hits the ground without effort
- No fear to pass the serve, want the ball

Result
- Consistently forearm pass free balls to target (95-100%)
- Consistently forearm serve receive to target (75-85%)
- Consistently overhead pass (with hands) serve receptions to target (80%)
- Consistently overhead pass (with hands) free balls to target (95-100%)
- Pass grade goal = 2.4 on a 3.0 scale

Setting

Setters should run the offense and become floor generals! Players should have a firm understanding of play-sets and combination sets and how they impact the offensive system. Jump setting should be a mainstay in practice at this point. Emphasis placed on the setter being offensive.

Technique
- Variety: Setters should be able to perform all 3 tempo sets (including all 3 backrow options/tempos) standing or jumping. Should be a capable attacker.
- Consistency: Should be able to set all 3 tempos and backrow options with consistency to a set target (mitt/setter’s eye) with proper pace.
- Transition: Ability to transition to the net from defensive position (multiple defensive alignments) and all serve receive release slots.
- Athleticism: Ability to reach with their feet and not hands…feet to ball. Should understand and be able to “better the ball”. Pursuit skills should minimize the number of terminal passing errors a team commits.

Out of System Setting
- Platform set a ball 5 feet off of the net and 5 feet inside the court
- Understand when to utilize the back row attack out of system when pass it pushed to right antenna and how to lead the attacker

Mentality/Decision Making
- Leadership: Should understand and exemplify the term servant leadership. Be willing and able to take the heat/pressure from failing attackers.
- Captain of the offense
- Court Awareness: Must be able to “trust their eyes” …. look over the floor and know where their advantages may be located.
- Exploit weaknesses. Need to be able to manipulate and “hold” the opponent’s middle.
- Understand the value of establishing middle and know ALL hitters’ preferences and strengths
- Understand the value of getting your attackers a one on one situation for your attackers (one blocker vs two blockers)

Result
- Jump set all in system passes
- Provide attackers with a one on one blocking match up on nearly all in system passes
- Team attack percentage at .250 or higher

Attacking

Players should know how to score and should be able to attack with a varied repertoire. Players should be able to attack effectively off serve receive, free or down ball, and transition.

Technique
- Players should be able to demonstrate the ability to attack all sets (and score), including out of system attacks
- Players should be able to attack at various speeds and direct their shots.
- Middle hitters must be able to attack a variety of sets to both the power and setter sides of the court
- Ability (under game situations) to attack all tempo sets, back row sets and for the middle to consistently use a slide approach behind the setter
- All transition is executed flawlessly including the middle attacker being able to transition into a first tempo attack after blocking anywhere along the net
- See the block and use numerous tools (i.e tip, roll shot, throw down the line, high hands, etc.)

Mentality
- Efficiently respond from an attack error
- Have an understanding of defenses on other teams and what shots will work well against certain defensive systems; recognizing this on their own by taking an active role in scouting while line judging or score keeping.

Result
- Consistently attack line to seam on out of system ball
- Effectively attack with thumb/pinky down techniques on both pins

Defense

Players should be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively control hard driven, off speed and tip attacks. Players should be able to use platform and hand defensive techniques equally. Players should be able run multiple defenses.

Technique
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively control hard driven, off speed and tip attacks.
- Use platform and hand defensive techniques equally
- Understand and be able to run multiple defenses (perimeter, rotation, middle up)
- Read the attacker’s line of approach and shoulder

Mentality
- Pursuit-Relentless Pursuit! An attitude that NO ball is impossible to retrieve. Never judge whether a ball is playable during play.
- An attitude that “every ball is coming to me.”

Result
- Consistently dig balls to a target position just inside the 10’ line/middle of the court (60%)
- Consistently keep the ball in play using emergency floor techniques.

Blocking

This is the skill you can spend the least amount of time training and focusing on, however it is still important for the players to learn the proper technique and understand the basic goals of blocking.

Technique
- Able to front attackers, give and take line, know back row attack blocking assignments
- Understand shuffle, step cross hop and sprint to hip blocking footwork patterns.
- Utilize anchor foot blocking to close the block
- Understand commit, spread and bunch blocking schemes
- Recognize key players and systems and set solid blocks, always doubling an attacker.

Mentality
- Attack the attacker. Aggressively pursue the block.
- On every ball either dissuade, disrupt or deny the attacker

Result
- know if the setter is back row or front row
- be able to find your hitter
- be able to do proper footwork to get in front of your hitter
- understand a stuff block isn’t the only successful block
- teach slowing ball down is equally as helpful

Team Systems Development

Be able to execute a basic scouting report.
Should play with defined team tactics to advance teams overall play.
Early on, train and focus on individual skill development and techniques. However, team tactics become a priority at this age.
Teams should strive to run multi tempo offenses and multiple defensive schemes.
Players should have an awareness of statistics and their impact on the outcome of the match. Team results are now paramount, but the athlete needs to understand that skill acquisition is still critical to development.
Recommended System –
- Serve Receive – 2 or 3man reception pattern. Understand and execute pre-pass, pass and post pass communication skills.
- Offense – 5-1 and 6-2
- Defense – Perimeter or Rotation (focus on holding pinch position)
- Out of System – Have a designated out of system setter (libero).

Mental Development

Psychological development is critical at this age. The following characteristics should be emphasized and developed. Players should be held accountable for these characteristics by their coaches and teammates.

Time Management
Maximum concentration
Elite effort on EVERY play
Discipline
Respect for the game
Goal setting
Competitive nature
Routines – Pre-practice/game and post practice/game
Active learners – watch the game on tv or in person…study the game

Strength and Agility Development

Strength

In this program, athletes will work off of 6 movement patterns:

-Squats
-Hinges
-Vertical Push
-Vertical Pull
-Horizontal Push
-Horizontal pull

Each movement has a progression system that allows athletes to advance based on their individual training experience and ability. While there will be age-based recommendations for where athletes should ideally begin, determining the appropriate starting point for each athlete is essential, as training backgrounds can vary significantly.

For example, a 17s athlete may have no weight room experience, while a 14s athlete may have already completed two years of structured strength training. This system allows athletes to enter at the appropriate level for their experience and progress at a pace that supports their individual development.

Level 1 Strength

This level is where all athletes ages 12 and under will start, but any athlete who is brand new to the weight room regardless of age will look to master these movements before moving on to the next level. Level one is all about learning the basics of each movement pattern. Since athletes in this level are younger or brand new to the weight room, this level puts focus on technique above all else and adding weight is only ever considered when the athlete shows proficiency in technique. Bodyweight movements have tools to assist in the movement or are done in variations to make the movement less complex and build the confidence in the movements technique.

Goals for Level 1 Athletes

Learn about each fundamental movement patterns in the system
Understand why these movements are important and how getting better at them over time will help them improve as a volleyball player and overall athlete.
Master technique in the movement patterns to allow for better success when they progress to the higher levels

Coaches can look to move athletes to the next level once they feel the athlete has a good grasp of these goals.

Level 2 Strength

This level is for athletes who have progressed through the level one movements and goals, and ideally where athletes 13-15 would look to be. These athletes have proficient technique in the movement patterns and have slowly started to add weight and complexity in the movement patterns. This level introduces the barbell to a majority of the movement patterns to allow the athlete to have a tool that can progress load. Bodyweight movements will also be progressed to less assisted variations and closer to their full bodyweight versions.

Goals for level 2 athletes

Show proficient technique with the barbell or new tool used in the movement pattern
Add new levels of strength to the movement patterns over time
Better control and coordination in bodyweight movements

Level 3 Strength

This level is for athletes who have gone through level one and 2 by learning the movements within each pattern and have gained a good level of relative strength through training. This is the level you would want athletes 16-18 to be. This level doesn’t add many more movements or complexity to the movements already learned, but looks to add more load to weighted movements while keeping proficient technique and fully unassisted variations of the bodyweight movements.

Goals for Level 3 athletes

Build higher levels of relative strength in the weighted movements overtime
Complete higher number of reps of the bodyweight movements unassisted

***It is highly debated in the strength and conditioning community what levels of strength athletes should meet (double body back squat vs 1.5 times bodyweight back squat for example) so athletes of this level should have a professional consult them on their strength levels and their proficiencies to further push their weight room capabilities appropriately.

	Level 1: Beginner WATCH VIDEO	Level 2: Intermediate WATCH VIDEO	Level 3: Proficient WATCH VIDEO
Squat	Bodyweight/ lightly weighted goblet squat	Medium weighted/Lighter Barbell Back Squat	Heavier loaded barbell Back squat
Hinge	Bodyweight hinge/ lightly loaded Romanian Deadlift	Medium weighted romanian Deadlift/Lighter loaded barbell romanian deadlift	Heavier Loaded Barbell romanian deadlift/ Hex Bar Deadlift
Vertical Push	Knee on box handstand push ups/ Lightly weighted overhead press	Wall full handstand hold/ Medium weighted overhead press/ light barbell overhead press	Handstand Shoulder taps/ Heavier Barbell overhead press/ Barbell push press
Vertical Pull	Pull downs (banded or machine)/ Banded Chin Ups and Chin up holds	Eccentric Chin-ups/ less resistance banded chin up	Free chin ups
Horizontal Push	Eccentric push ups/ Lighter Dumbell Bench Press	Full Push ups (at least 5 full depth) / Heavier Dumbbell Bench press/ Lighter Barbell Bench press	Full range push ups (10+), heavier Barbell Bench Press
Horizontal Pull	Bodyweight Rows/ Lighter Dumbell Bent over rows	Heavier DB Bent Over Rows/ Lighter Barbell Rows	Heavier Barbell Rows

Plyometrics

Volleyball naturally involves a high volume of plyometric actions.

Athletes repeatedly jump, land, and jump again during rallies. Setters plant and redirect force to move quickly to the ball. Defenders react and change direction rapidly while pursuing digs. Nearly every movement on the court requires an athlete to absorb and produce force efficiently.

Training should prepare athletes for the demands of competition. Because plyometrics closely mirror the physical requirements of volleyball, they can be a valuable component of a comprehensive training program. Read more on plyometric vertical training for junior volleyball athletes.

Begin with the Plyometric Rudiment Series below.

Athletes can complete the series once during a warm-up for approximately 10-20 yards per movement, or complete multiple rounds as a standalone training session.

As athletes improve, these same movements continue to build lower-body resilience. Increased athleticism naturally leads to greater speed, intensity, and force production over time.

Once athletes demonstrate proficiency with these foundational movements, coaches can begin introducing more advanced plyometric progressions like the Plyometric Intensive Exercises below.