Defensive Drills

By: American Volleyball Coaches Association

Originally Published - The Volleyball Drill Book - By Human Kinetics

Speed Ball

Purpose

To encourage players to be quick to receive the ball and to score on the opponent.

Setup

Three players spread out on each side of the court. The coach is off the court near the midline with a basket of balls and a feeder.

Speed Ball

Run the Drill

1. The coach tosses the ball to a player on side B.
2. The player on side B catches the ball and immediately throws it to the opponents' side, attempting to score a point.
3. If a player on the receiving side is unable to catch the ball and throw it back, the team that threw the ball gets I point.
4. If a player on side A catches the ball, the player immediately throws it to the opponents' side, attempting to score a point.
5. This continues until one team scores 5 points (uncaught balls) by throwing to the opponents' open spots on the court.

Coaching Points

• To initiate play, start with a half-speed throw and increase velocity as players warm up.
• Emphasize the importance of reading the hitter or thrower.
• Teach your players to read the open areas of the opponents' court and develop court awareness.

Variation

Increase or decrease the number of points needed to win.

Dig Around the world map

Purpose

To practice basic team defense within a given movement pattern.

Setup

Three players set up in the backcourt in defensive positions on side A, and three more set up in the backcourt on side B. One setter is on each side of the net. Extra setters can alternate or substitute on the coach's call. A target sets up in the right front. A coach or hitter is in the left-front position on each side. The hitter will hit at the three defensive players on the same side of the net. A cart of balls is on the side of the court near the coach. Extra players wait in a line on each side of the court.

Run the Drill

1. Each coach simultaneously hits, tips, or throws a ball to the defenders on the same side of the court.
2. Defenders dig to the setter, who sets a high ball back to the target in right front. The target catches the ball and places it in the cart then moves to the line.
3. Players rotate counterclockwise around the court after every attempt to dig, pass, and set, whether successful or not. After catching the ball as a target in the right-front position, the player leaves the court, puts the ball in the basket next to the coach, and goes to the end of the line of players waiting to enter as diggers.
4. Each successful pass and set counts as 1 point. Each target must count out loud. Both sides score together and strive to successfully set a total of 50 balls.

Coaching Points

• Maintain the same pace on each side to keep the line of off-court players as equal as possible.
• All players rotate, not just the diggers.
• Hit the ball anywhere in the backcourt.

Variation

• Coaches and hitters may hit from other positions along the net.
• Coaches and hitters may hit from boxes on the opposite side of the net.
• Adjust the scoring total, depending on the ability of the team.

Defense to 100

This drill is a tremendous opportunity to work on overlapping areas, verbal communication, and movement.

Purpose

To provide repeated opportunities for a team to dig balls on defense.

Setup

Two coaches or other consistent attackers set up on boxes at each outside-hitting position at the net on side A. A supply of balls and a feeder are on the sidelines near the net on side A. Six players are in defensive positions on side B. A scorekeeper sets up outside the court near the feeder to count the successful digs. The coach preassigns alternate players for each defensive position.

Run the Drill

1. The feeder throws a ball to an attacker or coach, who hits or tips the ball over the net to side B.
2. The defender digs the ball up one foot (0.3 m) or higher off of the floor and sends it to a teammate, who clears it to the feeder on the opposite sideline.
3. Each defensive position has multiple players who stay on court only as long as it takes for the team to dig five balls successfully.
4. After the scorekeeper awards 5 points, the diggers rotate.
5. All players work together to score 100 points.

Coaching Points

• For beginners, the feeder should feed the same coach 5 to 10 balls in a row. Direct the middle blocker to move each time or stay outside for the series.
• For intermediate players, the feeders alternate throwing the ball to either attacker. The middle blocker must move to the correct side to block. The extra middle blockers stand on side A. After every ball or every three balls, a new middle blocker takes a turn.
• This is a fast-paced drill. Insist that players quickly return to the base position after each dig.
• Play to fewer than 100 as a goal for beginner players.

Variation

• When the skill level is appropriate, have the setter on side B catch or set every dug ball. A new setter steps in on every attacked ball.
• Use this as a transition drill and have players transition to attack on each ball. Because this lengthens the drill, you may need to decrease the goal.