Club Curriculum

The Arizona Saguaros Club Curriculum was first adopted in 2004. This curriculum outlines the training methods used by the club in all aspects of player development complete with a strength, speed, and agility program, and volleyball-specific training.

Published by: The Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club in 2004

Purpose, Scope and Curriculum Based Training

Our Master Coaching System: Ensures, Cohesive Quality Training Across All Teams

Technical Director Rosario Lopez is responsible for the overall training protocol.  He brings techniques used by the U.S. National Team, Division 1 Colleges, and the top club teams in the country and works with the team coaches to develop and implement our practice and training plan.  The Master Coaching System allows all players and coaches in our club to learn a consistent set of techniques and terminologies that are used throughout the volleyball community. 

Practices are designed by Coach Lopez with a specific focus on skill progression and competitive play.   This philosophy allows all club members to learn a foundational set of skills from footwork, hand skills, and on-court decision-making.  Players can build upon these foundational skills, enabling them to increase their proficiency quickly and potentially play on different teams throughout the club or fill in for a player that may miss a tournament.  This also means that our student-athletes master skills necessary for all positions on the court, allowing players to be proficient in more than one position.

This coaching structure has proven to be efficient and effective.  Each coach works closely with the master coach to provide feedback about what went well at tournaments including areas needing improvement.  This interaction sets the direction for future practices.

Our Master Coaching System ensures cohesive, quality training across teams. All our athletes go through the same practice plans and get the same excellent level of training, no matter what team they are on.

12u Curriculum Overview

This is the Foundation Phase, also nicknamed the “Romance State” when players truly develop their love for the sport of volleyball. The overall goals for this age are to develop individual skills, understand basic team tactics, and grow a passion for modeling the game.

The impact of a role model is very important at this stage of development. Hero worship, identification with successful teams/players, and hunger for imaginative skills typify the mentality of this age. This is a time of transition from self-centered to self-critical. Players of this age have a high arousal level in relation to the training of basic skills. This is the “golden age of learning” and the most important age for the development of skill and love of the game. A demonstration is very important, and the players learn best by “doing.” This is also an important time to introduce and teach principles of team play and teamwork. It is critical to establish discipline from the beginning.

Coach Description, Requirements, and Role

An ideal 12U Coach is a patient teacher who enjoys the process of developing an athlete from the physical and mental aspects. Knowledge and experience of team development/management, as well as advanced skill development, is important.

A 12U Coach has the important role of establishing a strong, solid training culture among the athletes and team. Teaching correct skill development and proper technique is essential. The coach must also emphasize that there will be no more parents coaching from the sidelines, or feedback during practice or games, unless the athlete is hurt or there is an emergency. In addition, the athletes need to be encouraged to communicate directly with their coach regarding their playing time and skill development. The coach should be transparent when possible.

At this age it is important to find the right times for the athletes to learn to work through tough situations during a game, even if it means dropping a set or losing some points. The athletes need to have the opportunity to fail and grow from it.

Team Systems Development

While the focus of this age group should be on maintaining balance and learning correct techniques, simple defensive tactics need to occur. The tactics need to be implemented and trained, but more importantly…explained. The more cerebral athletes become at an earlier age the better the chance for Volley Savvy athletes in the older age groups. Players should play a variety of positions with emphasis placed on player development first-team development second!

  • Positions: Even though at this age players will play a variety of positions, they should have a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the setter, the left side hitter, middle hitter, and the libero.
  • Players should understand who they are opposite from in the line-up to help them with rotations. 
  • Players should know the rules of the libero position (how they rotate, setting in front of the ten-foot line, who they can serve for)
  • Court awareness: Knowing when a ball is out of bounds. Transitioning off the court to hit, setters getting to the net first. Defense according to opponent hitting angles and set. 
  • Importance of communication with teammates, MINE, OUT, IN, etc. Learn it early.
  • Players should understand 3 across the serve-receive formation.
  • Offensive Systems: 4-2, 6-2, and 5-1 offense, out of system vs. in system offense, free ball offense according to setter location

Mental Development

The number one priority should be to develop a pure joy for the game, and an eagerness to learn. There is so much to learn at this age, and therefore it is so important to focus on one or two concepts at a time, so players do not become overwhelmed or discouraged. The effort, focus, and energy should be stressed above outcomes or errors. This is the age to establish a player’s confidence and no fear of making mistakes.

Teaching athletes the importance of “how you practice is how you play” mentality should be established during this age and the mindset of improving with every training session.

A player must learn to not be afraid of the ball or the floor. A player should be able to dig a hard driven down ball attack and confidently receive a topspin serve without fear or concern for their well-being. Consequently, the athlete should be able/comfortable going to the floor in relentless pursuit of the ball. 

Teach the importance of respecting the opponent and having good sportsmanship, while also developing the hunger to compete and win.

Strength and Agility Development

It is recommended to do all fitness with the ball, and in fun engaging activities.

  • Flexibility
  • Agility
  • Quickness
  • Leg strength
  • Speed
  • Balance
  • Plyometrics

At the 12U level athletes should start to develop an idea for how to win games (serving certain people, hitting open spots on the court, going after someone who is struggling). They can begin to understand the preparation that can be done before a match, and gain independence, as well as leadership skills by doing the little things consistently. Athletes can begin to visualize the things they do well before a match to get their mind focused and understand that it is the work put in when no one is watching that separates the GOOD athletes from the GREAT athletes.

13u Curriculum Overview

This is the Transition Stage when players make the adjustment from a lighter ball to a women’s ball and a lower net to a women’s net height. The overall goals for this age are to enhance individual skills while improving reaction time, understand team strategy, and build on basic volleyball IQ.  Players should play a variety of positions with emphasis placed on player development first-team development second! As the demands of the game increase, the goal is to maintain a level of hunger to learn and pure enjoyment for the sport.

During this stage, the physicality of the athlete can play a larger role in a team’s and individual’s success. This is a time of transition from self-centered to self-critical. It is important for the athlete to understand the “why” behind the principles he/she is learning, and to also learn to not compare his/her accomplishments to others, but to focus on oneself and the progress made day to day and week to week.

This is the “golden age of learning” and the most important age for the development of skill and love of the game. The impact of a role model is very important at this stage of development. The demonstration is very important, and the players learn best by “doing.” This continues to be an important time to introduce and teach principles of team play and teamwork. It is critical to establish discipline from the beginning.

Coach Description, Requirements, and Role

An ideal 13U Coach is a patient teacher who enjoys the process of developing an athlete from the physical and mental aspects. Knowledge and experience in team development/management, as well as advanced skill development, is important. A 13U Coach should have the ability to demonstrate themselves OR be able to utilize someone who can (use an assistant coach, create modeling with older players). A 13U Coach can be stern but needs to also keep the training environment rewarding, positive and fun.

Understanding and competency on how to make line-up adjustments during the game are important for this age group. On top of that, a 13U Coach needs to be able to explain to the athlete WHY a change was made. Open communication is extremely important in the younger age groups. 

At this age, it is important to find the right times for the athletes to learn to work through tough situations during a game, even if it means dropping a set or losing some points. The athletes need to have the opportunity to fail and grow from it.

A 13U Coach has the important role of enforcing a strong, solid training culture among the athletes and team. Teaching correct skill development and proper technique is essential. The coach must also emphasize that there will be no more parents coaching from the sidelines, or feedback during practice or games unless the athlete is hurt or there is an emergency. In addition, the athletes need to be encouraged to communicate directly with their coach regarding their playing time and skill development. 

Finally, it is important to be flexible and adapt each year to different challenges and different expectations. What you did last year, last month, or last week…it constantly changes!

Team Systems Development

While the focus of this age group should be on maintaining balance and learning correct techniques, simple defensive tactics need to occur. The tactics need to be implemented and trained, but more importantly…explained. The more cerebral athletes become at an earlier age the better the chance for Volley Savvy athletes in the older age groups. The cerebral part of the game is what will help them get to the next level, whether that be making their high school team in a couple of years or being able to obtain the college scholarship they start dreaming about at 13’s. The first three months of the season should be about individual player development, rather than wins and losses.

  • Positions: Even though at this age players will play a variety of positions, they should have a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the setter, the left side hitter, the middle hitter, and the libero
  • Put players in situations where they are forced to learn other positions by competing in doubles, triples, and quads during practice or encourage it outside of practice (beach, grass, 4s tournaments). Cooperative or competitive “Columbus” style drills is also a great way to force the athletes to play all positions.
  • Players should understand the service rotation and overlap rules (teach players to understand who they are across from in the line-up)
  • Players should know how to sub.
  • Players should know the rules of the libero position (how they rotate, setting in front of the ten-foot line, and who they can serve for)
  • Court awareness: Knowing when a ball is out of bounds. Transitioning off the court to hit, setters get to the net first. Defense according to opponent hitting angles and set. 
  • Importance of communication with teammates: “MINE”, “OUT”, “IN”, etc. Learn it early.
  • Players should understand 3 across the serve-receive formation.
  • Offensive Systems: 4-2, 6-2, and 5-1 offense, out of system vs. in system offense, free ball offense according to setter location

Mental Development

The number one priority should be to continue to develop a pure joy for the game, and an eagerness to learn. Learn to compare yourself to yourself by evaluating your improvement from week to week. Build confidence by evaluating yourself and your own improvement. 

Self-doubt, self-confidence issues, and comparing oneself with others is prevalent at this age. It is important that the athletes stay in a positive headspace to adapt, learn to respond to failure, and move on to the next opportunity. 

Teaching athletes the importance of a growth mindset should be established during this age and understanding that it’s OK to feel uncomfortable when presented with a challenge or opportunity to change.

Continue to emphasize the importance of respecting the opponent and having good sportsmanship, while also developing the hunger to compete and win. It is important to teach the players to understand they won’t win every point and that’s okay. Understand they can’t dig every ball. It’s about “percentages.” 2-3 really good kills in the deep corner because your team is choosing to let that be the open hole, beats the 9-10 shots the opponent hits to Zone 6 so you set up a defense around the higher percentage shots.

Strength and Agility Development

It is recommended to do all fitness with the ball through fun and engaging activities.

  • Flexibility
  • Agility
  • Quickness
  • Leg strength
  • Speed
  • Balance
  • Plyometrics

At the 13U level, athletes will continue to develop an idea for how to win games (serving certain people, hitting open spots on the court, going after someone who is struggling). At this age, the preparation before a match, gaining independence, and leadership skills by doing the little things consistently are still coach driven. The mental aspect of the game including visualization, staying focused, and understanding what separates the GOOD athletes from the GREAT athletes is important to teach and develop at this age.

14u Curriculum Overview

This is the Commitment Stage, when players work on developing individual skills, individual tactics, and team tactics. The overall goals for this age are to build a strong base, develop individual skills under the pressure of time, space, and an opponent, and increase the tempo of the player’s skill development and training regimen.

During this stage, adult standards and formal rules become applicable. The pace of development quickens currently due to the acceleration of physical and mental maturation. The demands of skill training as well as training loads increase, thus provoking improvement in mental toughness, concentration, and diligence. Awareness of tactics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process as well. Players tend to be self-critical and rebellious but show a strong commitment to the team.

Coach Description, Requirements and Role

An ideal 14U Coach is an experienced teacher and coach with a strong personality and a wealth of knowledge. A 14U Coach should have the ability to demonstrate or utilize someone who can paint a good picture (older player, assistant coach). A 14U Coach must be patient, but demanding and fair. It is important to have someone who knows when it’s time to work and when it’s time to play, and to be able to create a fun and competitive environment for the athletes. During this year of development, the coach needs to be able to teach the athletes HOW to compete to prepare them for the 15s level.

Team Systems Development

During the commitment stage your primary focus is still on individual skill development using correct techniques. However, team tactics start to come into play. Strive for quality in-system volleyball. Set team goals on number of attack attempts/errors, passing percentage, and serving percentage. Encourage some risk taking. Team results become more important but should not displace technical development as number one priority.

Positions: Players should begin to specialize. Setters should be identified and engaged in skill specific training. Middle blockers should begin to focus on blocking tactics and techniques.

Systems: Players should understand and excel at 5-1 and 6-2 offensive systems. Players should be versed and run a perimeter defense scheme.

Service rotation: Players should be able to switch (specialize positions) following serve or after the first ball is returned.

Recommended System-

  • Serve Receive: The recommended system is a three- or four-man reception pattern, moving away from a service “W”.
  • Offense: 5-1 or 6-2

Mental Development

The game should remain FUN and ENJOYABLE. Players should be continuing to develop a passion for the game.

  • Imagination/creativity
  • Increase demands.
  • Establish training targets.
  • Maintain discipline.
  • Self-reliance/inner drive
  • Develop team & club culture.
  • Encourage players/teams to watch professional and national teams on TV. 
  • This is the age when you can begin to empower the athletes to hold each other accountable. Athletes will begin to standout as leaders or followers.

Strength and Agility Development

At this stage, all fitness work should be done with a ball.

  • Flexibility – Player led static and dynamic stretching.
  • Agility – Coordination without the ball / ladder work
  • Quickness – With and without a ball involved.
  • Strength – Arm and leg
  • Speed – Arm and foot speed
  • Balance – Work all the single leg drills

15u Curriculum Overview

This is the Evolutionary Stage, when players are continuing to mature and strengthen all areas of their game. The overall goals for this age are to develop a higher volleyball IQ by understanding the disciplines of offense and defense. Athletes should be pushed outside of their comfort zones to achieve a higher level of work ethic and learn to compete at a higher level, while understanding that the overall team success is as important as individual success. 

During this stage, athletes begin to understand more advanced concepts and are continuing to adjust to the demands of playing at a faster pace. Players continue to evolve in physical and mental maturation. This is the stage where some players accelerate in their abilities and begin to truly stand out.  Awareness of tactics within the game becomes an important facet of the learning process as well. Players tend to be self-critical and rebellious but show a strong commitment to the team.

Coach Description, Requirements and Role

An ideal 15U is positive yet clear on expectations and knows when to be firm and when to be calm and sit back to allow the player to think and respond on his/her own. During this age many athletes are transitioning to new roles, for example a hitter is becoming a 6-rotation player, or a setter is becoming a libero. A 15U coach must be prepared and willing to go through growing pains with their athletes, allowing them to fail early to learn and achieve the long-term goal. It is important for the coach to focus on the athletes’ learning processes and not the result. It is equally important for the coach to help the athletes to understand it is a process that takes time.

At the 15U level significant development at this age with respect to independent decision making and problem-solving should be expected.  Therefore, it is important for the coach to encourage the narration of the game from the players.  Liberos switching serve receive patterns, setters alternating offensive design, blockers calling out top hitters and tendencies by rotation.  Teach and guide the athletes to become students of the game.

Team Systems Development

  • Develop an offense that always has a first tempo option
  • Develop an offense that has a back row attack option
  • Develop offensive combination plays
  • Train an overlapping defense with the expectation that at least two players pursue every ball
  • The movement and transition game becomes more important at this age. Athletes must understand how the game breathes from coverage-base-defensive release-repeat.
  • Introduce higher level concepts such as having a transition plan for each situation. Ie: if the drop off/off blocker plays the 1st ball your team should run the middle.

Mental Development

  • Start to understand the struggle is temporary and necessary for growth.
  • Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
  • Learn the ebbs and flows of the game.
  • Celebrate others success within the team.
  • Understand while the ball is in play there is always a job to be done by all players. There should never be a time of standing and watching.

Strength and Agility Development

  • Pushing off the line with proper leg on defense to cover more ground.
  • Box jumping for attacking to get max jump each time.
  • Consistent pre-practice routine for 10-15 minutes
  • Embrace the concept of going harder and longer in practice and how it translates into the game.

16u Curriculum Overview

This is the Fervid Phase, also nicknamed the “Dedication Stage”. The overall goals for this age are to strengthen the foundation of an athletes’ volleyball skills, both mental and physical. During this phase, the development of individual skills and execution, and individual, group, and team tactics are important.

This is a critical time in the player’s development. This is generally the largest group involved in club volleyball. Many players believe the only way to solidify and elevate their position on their high school team is to participate in a club program. Players at this age still tend to lack mental toughness and self-confidence. They tend to be self-critical and struggle with their desire to be competitive or the need to be more competitive. There is a need for attention and security. A great focus on team spirit, gym culture, leadership and discipline should be fostered within the team.

Coach Description, Requirements and Role

An ideal 16U Coach is a teacher; charismatic; experienced; knowledgeable; articulate; disciplinarian; managerial know how; thoughtful persuader. Understands the ebb and flow of a match, when to call a timeout and when to make substitutions to slow the game down if needed.  A coach for this age should have the ability to show the athletes that it’s OK to be aggressive and express emotion. It is critical for the coach to be able to develop the mental part of the game. 

A 16U Coach at an elite level should understand what it takes to play at the collegiate level, as well as the college programs in your part of the country that compete in each division (D1, DII, DIII, NAIA, Junior College). The coach needs to understand the importance of connecting the athlete with interested college programs, answering calls or texts from college coaches, and helping the athlete through the recruiting process when needed.

Team Systems Development

Clearly defined team tactics, team play within the system is essential. You must still focus a great deal of time on individual skill development using correct techniques. However, team tactics become a priority at this age. Strive to use all your attackers, with different tempo sets. Set team goals for hitting percentage, service aces, digs, and attacks out of transition. Encourage aggressive play. Team results become even more important, but need to be balanced with individual and team development.

  • Recommended Systems  
    • Serve Receive – 2 or 3 Person Serve Receive
    • Offense – 5-1/ 6-2
    • Defense – Perimeter and Rotation (focus on holding the base position and reading the pass/set)

Mental Development

Important Characteristic to focus on:

  • Increased concentration
  • Leadership/player responsibility
  • Discipline
  • Respect for the game
  • Goal setting
  • Accountability; understanding how to hold oneself and others accountable. 
  • Vary Program- Satisfy player’s urge for competition.
  • Establish pre-practice and pre-game routine (as individuals and team)
  • Encourage players/teams to watch college and national team volleyball on TV.

Strength and Agility Development

It is recommended to do all fitness work with the ball (during practice) and without the ball (prior to/after practice).

  • Flexibility – Static stretching after training/matches. Start working injury prevention stretching.
  • Dynamic Flexibility – Partner stretching. Start working injury prevention stretching.
  • Importance of discipline for warm-up, cool-down and the “First 10 minutes” of practice.
  • Agility – With and without the ball.
  • Footwork – Keeping the feet active when moving/playing.
  • Endurance – Aerobic and anaerobic.
  • Strength – Upper and lower body; core strength and stability.
  • Balance 
  • Nutrition – Proper diet – pre-game, post-game, tournaments, etc.
  • Prevention and care of injuries.

*Stress the importance of rest/recovery – schedule issues relative to the physical demands.

17-18u 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 understand 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: 

  1. Be able to work on their own game in a mindful manner. 
  2. Be in charge of their own confidence. 
  3. 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.

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.