How do I handle a long gap on my résumé?

I have been out of work for 9 months and worry about the gap. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I am not sure how much to explain. Did anyone get past it?

I listed the volunteering and course under the same dates and kept the explanation to a sentence in the cover letter.

I was hired after a 9-month gap. The manager said the skills test mattered more than the dates.