Competitive Multiplayer Drill: Three vs Six

By: Teri Clemens and Jenny McDowell

Originally Published in: The Volleyball Drill Book

Provided by: Human Kinetics

Purpose

To give players practice in playing six-person defense and transitioning to offense.

Setup

One passer (who covers both the left back and middle back on defense), three attackers, and one setter get into position on side A. Six players set up on side B in their defensive positions. A coach or tosser is off the court on side B with a supply of balls and a feeder. A scorekeeper is off the court, close to but not right at the net.

Run the Drill

1. The coach or tosser initiates the ball to the passer on side A. The tosser can toss, pop, or serve the ball, depending on the passer's skill level or the type of skill to be worked on.
2. Players on both sides pass, set, and hit, with the hitters calling out the set they want as the teams play out the rally.
3. The team of six has the advantage of a full team. Strong transition from defense to offense will be rewarded, making it easier to score.
4. The rally winner earns 1 point. The first side to score 6 points is the winner.

Coaching Points

• Assign substitutes for the defensive players on side B before the drill. Substitute after every three balls the tosser initiates or wait and sub in a full team of defenders.
• You can have groups of three players wave onto the court for new games: The front row from side A moves to the front row of side B, the front row of side B moves to the back row, and the back row from side B moves to the front row of side A.
• Plan your teams for several games.

Variations

• Add a full team to side A.
• Work only on specific attacks from side A.
• Keep the same attackers together and put them with different setters to compare the effectiveness of the setters within the drill.