Check Your Distance, Out of the Net, and Under-the-Net Digging

Originally Published in -The Volleyball Drill Bookby By Human Kinetics

Check Your Distance
Purpose
To help players establish a starting distance in relation to the net when blocking and to maintain that distance after moving.

Setup
One player begins at the net in the middle in a blocking ready position. Additional players line up behind the first. The coach sets up about five feet (1.5 m) from the net, facing the blocker.

Run the Drill

1. The first player performs a blocking sequence: block middle, block outside, block middle, block right side, block middle.
2. Each player takes a turn performing the blocking sequence.

Coaching Points

• Before the drill begins, perform a technical blocking checkup. Players should establish a blocking ready position, with elbows at the side and fingers extended and two inches (5 cm) from the net, and then move their hands high in front of the body.
• During the drill, check players' forearm position just before each block-jump.

Variation
Use any blocking sequence.

Out of the Net
Besides providing repetitions, this is an instructional drill.

Purpose
To provide practice digging balls out of the net.

Setup
A coach and a basket of balls set up near the 10-foot (3 m) line. One player begins near the net in a low ready position. A line of players waits behind that player. A target player is in the middle of the court.

Run the Drill

1. The coach throws the ball into the top half of the net.
2. The player at the net digs the ball high into the middle of the court.
3. The target player catches the ball, gives it back to the coach, and gets in line to be the next player to dig out of the net.
4. Players take turns digging to the middle of the court until 24 balls are dug to the target.

Coaching Points

• Encourage players to see that when a ball goes into the top half of the net, it generally bounces out low and that a ball that goes into the lower half of the net generally bounces out high.
• Point out that pace and trajectory also determine where the ball will come out of the net.

Variations

• Challenge setters to set with the hands or to forearm-pass the ball out of the net to a target hitter.
• Challenge players to play the ball out of the net as the third contact, trying to send the ball over the net.
• Add a passer to the drill. The ball must be dug and then passed or hit over the net to score a point.

Under-the-Net Digging
Purpose
To teach players to maintain a low position throughout the dig.

Setup
Two lines of players set up at the net on the sidelines of side A. Two coaches with a supply of balls are on side A. Target players set up on side B approximately five feet (1.5 m) in front of the diggers to catch the ball.

Run the Drill

1. The first player in each line moves in a low position toward the net.
2. Each coach hits a ball as the players approach the net.
3. The players dig the ball under the net to the target players.
4. The players who made the dig follow through onto side B and move around to the end of the line of players on the sidelines.

Coaching Points

1. Because this is a technical instructional drill, do not run it for an extended time.
2. After running this drill, during practice and in other drills, remind players to get low in the under-the-net position.

Variation
The players can start under the net with the coach near the net at the other side, forcing the player to move forward under the net all the way through the dig.