Young kids in VJTTA are going to have to volley.  Without any instruction, they will probably be doing swinging volleys on most of these out-of-the air shots.  While the swinging volley has its place, you will also need to teach the more classic volley.  The following guidelines should help you.

First, have someone toss a few balls for you to demonstrate the volley.  As you volley the balls explain what you are doing.  Emphasize that while you have hit the ball out of the air, you haven't really taken a big swing at it.  All you have done is position your racquet face so it was parallel to the net and perpendicular to the flight on the oncoming ball.  This is nothing more than "show the logo" to a ball in the air; that is, a ball that you intend to hit before it bounces.  As the ball approaches, you step forward and firmly meet it.  You didn't need to swing, just step in and let your racquet do the work.

Next, line them up and take them through the stroke.  Here are the key features:

* Ready position, cradle the racquet with non-dominant hand.

* They can use their regular groundstroke grip,  the Eastern Forehand,  on this stroke, just make sure it isn't a Semi-Western Grip.

* Unit turn (pivot on feet and small turn of shoulders) toward the ball, while laying back the wrist and opening up racquet face

* continue turning upper body and opening the racquet until it is parallel to the net--"Show The Logo"

* at the end of the preparation, racquet and palm are parallel to  net, though reclined away from the net

* racquet is at about 45 degrees from vertical and about a hand-span from student's nose

* wrist is locked in laid-back position (and stays such throughout the stroke)

* head and shoulders are facing the right net post (or about 45 degrees to the net)

* player next steps softly with left foot toward the net while weight shifts onto front foot (player remains facing right net post)

* Forearm and racquet are solid unit, with no movement of the wrist 

* forearm thrusts forward and slightly downward to make contact with the ball (wrist locked)

* think of leading with the lower edge of the racquet 

* contact is in front of body, about even with left knee 

* racquet head can be viewed as giving a mild karate chop to the ball as weight shifts forward into the shot

* this downward stroking of the ball puts backspin on it, which is necessary for control of all volleys

* forward thrust and weight shift should be smooth and controlled

* once the ball is struck, the racquet stops its forward downward swing and the player returns immediately to ready position.

It has been my experience that you cannot teach this stroke simply by demonstrating it or talking about it.  You have to physically guide the students' hand and arm through the stroke.  I like to divide the players into 2 groups, one on each side of the net.  One group will toss the ball, the other will work on their volleys.  First set balls or Ralleyballs work best with this drill.

Make your tossers drill instructors.  They command the hitters to assume a ready position, pivot,  and show the logo.  The presented racquet will be the tossers target.  When the hitters have performed as instructed, the tossers then toss the ball.  The hitters volley the ball gently back to the tossers so they can catch the ball.  Have the tossers toss underhand and fairly high on their tosses to make it easier for the volleyers to hit the ball. .

You need to stand behind the hitters.  Put your left hand on their left shoulder and reach around and grip their racquet handle, just above their own grip.  Follow the instructions of the tosser, getting the racquet into the show the logo position with the wrist laid back and locked.  Now, as the ball is tossed, you do most of the stroking action on the volley.  Have the student relax his grip and arm and just try to get the feel for the stroke.  Your successful volleys will have good back spin and will be crisp.  Do this several times with each student, even those who look like they are doing it well enough on their own.  Once you have helped all the hitters, the groups can rotate and exchange roles.   Assist this new group of hitters just like the previous group.

I usually take a water break about here, then bring them all back, and go over again the key features of the volley.   Have them go through the toss and volley routine once more.  This time it should go faster, as many will have picked up how to do it correctly and you will only have to spend time with those having difficulty.  

Make sure they get this notion of downward striking of the ball because it is the elemental motion of the serve, the drop shot, and the slice groundstroke, strokes that they will need later to be successful in tennis.   Do the toss and volley drill again a few days later or as necessary to ensure that most of the kids can volley correctly.

Another drill that can help some players is to have them put their non-hitting palm under their hitting elbow.  Facing the right net post, with their wrists locked and the racquet in the "show the logo" position, have them just move their forearm up and down in a chopping motion.  This isolates the movement of the forearm, which is the key movement in the volley.   Have the tossers toss the ball and let the hitters volley while still holding their elbow with their non-dominate palm.  As they gain success, let them try this from closer to the service line.  This distance will require more skilled tosses from the tossers, but it helps hitters really get the feel for the volley. 

Once you feel your players have mastered some volley skills, have them do some drills which require them to advance toward the net after one or two groundstrokes and take a few volleys.   Make sure that they practice their volleys in a variety of situations and court positions.  This will keep it realistic and fun. 

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