The set starts with the hand shape. Both hands above the forehead, fingers spread, forming a diamond or “window” through which the player looks at the ball. Without the right shape, the set is a slap.
What you need: Open space. No ball.
Setup: Kid stands in athletic stance.
How to run it:
- Cue: Window, Soft, Push, Target.
- Window: hands above the forehead, palms facing up, fingers spread, thumbs and index fingers form a diamond. Look through the window at an imaginary ball.
- Hold the window for 10 seconds. Coach checks: hands above forehead, fingers spread, no thumbs touching.
- Reset. Do 8 reps holding the position.
- Last 3 reps: pretend to set an invisible ball. Push the hands forward and up.
What to watch: Hand position. Hands at the chest is wrong. Hands above the forehead is right.
If they’re struggling: Have them touch their own forehead with their thumbs first, then move hands up an inch above. That’s the spot.
If they’ve got it: Add a balloon. They set the balloon up in the air using the window position.