This drill focuses on side-out followed by specific skills performed by the defender and blocker. Additionally this drill is physically demanding and is a good drill for developing endurance.
Set up
# of players : 4-8 players
Ideal : 4 players
Equipment : 3 balls +
Average duration : 15-25 minutes
Description
- This drill is initiated by a serve and playing out of a normal rally.
- After the rally ends the coach then attacks a ball at the defender of the receiving team and this ball is also played out.
- The coach then tosses a ball up between the blockers for them to joust and the ball is played out.
- The game is then repeated with the other team serving.
- A number of different scoring options exist for this game, one being that teams get a point for every time they win 3 out of 3.
Variations
- Switch teams
- Left and right
- Switch sides
Progression
- The coach can make the defender and blocker make a play in a situation they would like the athletes to practice.
- Increase the balls to 5 with defender and blocker getting 2 each.
Key points
- Athletes should be down low in a defensive position before the ball is contacted to enhance their ability to move to any balls attacked away from them.
- Athletes should focus on trying to read where the attacker is going to put the ball. Ways they can do this is to observe the position of the ball on the attackers shoulder, evaluate the hitters tendencies, watch the approach of the hitter to determine if the ball will be hit hard or soft, evaluate the wind conditions to determine high and low risk shots