Defensive Drills

Originally Published in: The Volleyball Drill Book

Provided by: Human Kinetics

DEFENSIVE TANGO

Purpose

To work on movement and conditioning, encouraging two players to cover the entire side of the court.

Setup

A pair of players set up on each side of the net. Two coaches at the net toss balls on their own side. Two baskets of balls are near the coaches, and two players feed the coaches. Shaggers and a counter are on each side.

Run the Drill

1. For the first round, coaches toss balls onto the court to open spaces, starting with easy tosses to open spaces, getting tougher as the drill progresses.

2. Two players must cover the entire court. Beginners start by catching the ball and tossing it off to the side of the court. They count until they catch 15 balls.

3. The next group is prepared to enter when the counter gets to 12 so no time is wasted between groups.

4. Players call the ball before catching it, not as they catch it. The counter does not count the catch if the player did not call it.

5. In round two, the coach tosses the ball, beginning with easy balls, and the player calls the ball, moves to it, and digs it to an assigned catcher at the net.

6. When the counter gets to 15, a new group enters the court.

7. The drill can be run simultaneously on both sides if there are enough players.

Coaching Points

• Make certain your skills in tossing, throwing overhand with two hands downward, and hitting are ready for the drill.

• Advance this drill to rapid fire as players improve.

• Give feedback after each group of two finishes 15 catches. If they are not showing success, stop immediately and give feedback.

• Have players practice digging without movement before adding movement.

• Focus on movement without bouncing up and down into different levels.

Variations

• Vary the number of players on the court. It is not always easier with more players. Calling the ball and maintaining aggressiveness with more players must be practiced.

• Add a setter: Dig and set 15 balls.

• Slowly advance to six players on the court.

• Add a team across the net and keep score. The coach enters the first ball to the digger.

21-GUN SALUTE

Purpose

To improve defenders' reaction time.

Setup

Two attackers set up on the sidelines facing each other. A cart of balls is at each sideline, near the attackers. (Alternatively, coaches or feeder can provide balls to the attackers.) A defender is in the middle. Each attacker begins with a ball in hand. The defender is in a defensive ready position.

Run the Drill

1. The defender faces one of the attackers.

2. That attacker hits the ball at the defender.

3. The defender digs the ball. The attacker must be able to catch the ball for the dig to be counted as successful.

4. Immediately after digging the ball, the defender turns to face the other attacker, who hits the ball at the defender. The defender must stay in the ready position while alternately facing each attacker and attempting to dig the ball.

5. Play continues until the defender digs 21 successful digs.

Coaching Points

• Insist on quick recovery movement when turning to dig from the opposite side.

• Be sure that the digger stays low when turning from side to side to dig the opposite hitters.

• Remind diggers to focus their eyes directly on the hitter so their reaction time is quicker.

Variations

• Increase or decrease the number of successful digs necessary to finish the drill.

• Vary the type of attack, such as tips and roll shots, to challenge the defender.

SCRAMBLE

Purpose

To warm up or to practice secondary defense as a team, including movement, transition, and defensive skills.

Setup

Three backcourt players set up in defensive positions. A coach or hitter is in the right front and a defender is in the left front. (A more advanced team can place an additional coach or hitter in the left front on side A.) A setter is at the net in zone 6. Extra players line up near each position, ready to substitute. A feeder with a basket of balls sets up on the side of the court at the net.

Run the Drill

1. The coach or hitter sends an attack to the backcourt defenders.

2. Players dig the ball to the setter who sets the coach.

3. The coach again attacks the defenders.

4. Players repeat continuously, trying to keep the ball in play. The coach varies the attacks on the defenders.

5. The off-court substitutes count each hit out loud.

6. After four hits and four digs, substitutes switch on the run. Players who were on the court go to the end of the substitute line for their position.

7. The goal is to consistently keep the ball in play, transitioning to base after each attack.

8. Coaches can run this simultaneously on both sides of the net.

Coaching Point

To make the drill more fun and challenging, create a competition allowing players to stay on the court until they err twice, counting successful digs.

Variation

The drill can be run simultaneously on both sides of the court. Players on one side of the net can compete against the other, counting successful digs total or in a row.