Front to back setting drill: Adjusting hands
Purpose: Teach setters the importance of using their hands rather than their hips to perform a back set. How it Works: Begin by tossing the setter several balls to back set. The focus should be on the...
View ArticleOver the elastic attacking drill
Purpose: Teach players to reach high during attacking. How it Works: Stretch an elastic band across the length of the net 6-12 inches above the top of the net. Go through a hitting line with the...
View ArticleThe process of failure and team principles
Mike Sealy encourages the process of failure through repetition rather than over-coaching. Allowing players to feel a failure and learn from it creates a basis of confidence in skill rather than a fear...
View ArticleWhere to block: Lining up with the hitter
Purpose: Teach players basic blocking techniques and strategy. How it Works: George explains how a right side blocker should line up against an outside hitter. If the outside hitter is attacking line,...
View ArticleSystems Don’t Win Games, Players Win Games
Head Coach at Penn State University Russ Rose talks about a critical thing to remember as a high-level coach: your responsibility is to teach the team how to run an efficient offensive and defensive...
View ArticleSelf-toss hitting drill
Purpose: Teach players the specifics of ball contact, an explosive approach, and wrist angle. How it Works: Four or five hitters line up in the outside hitter's position off the net. One at a time,...
View ArticleReading & channeling the balls to the libero
Russ Rose, Head Coach at Penn State University, demonstrates how blockers can strategically place themselves in front of the attacker in order to channel the attack to your strongest defensive player,...
View ArticleBasic hitting form: Work right to left
John Dunning, Former Head Coach at Stanford University, and Mark Rosen, Head Coach at Oregon State, explain a simple drill to understand a player's swing and positioning. Having two attackers hit...
View ArticleDeveloping leaders: Knowing your team
Dani Busboom Kelly, Head Coach at the University of Louisville, talks about surrounding your program with dedicated, knowledgeable staff that are able to communicate effectively with the players. Kelly...
View ArticleBiomechanical analysis of running the slide
Jim Stone of USA Volleyball addresses the "slide," where the middle hitter runs to the right side to fool the blockers. Some coaches, Stone says, have their middles take several steps towards their...
View ArticleCompetitive passing drill
Purpose: Engage players in a competitive passing and setting drill that focuses on accuracy and precision. How it Works: Three passers, one setter, and one catcher/ target are on each side. Several...
View ArticleTradition takes time
Russ Rose, Head Coach at Penn State University, talks about ensuring a safe environment for your team and the individual players. This means safe facilities, safe strength and conditioning, and...
View ArticleCreating competition: 1 vs. 1 Drill variations
This 6 vs 6 drill is only played to 5 points, but only one hitter is getting the ball. Use these 1 vs 1 drill variations to spice up your team drills during practice and get your players' competitive...
View ArticleBlocking fundamentals: Landing balanced
The post Blocking fundamentals: Landing balanced appeared first on The Art of Coaching Volleyball.
View ArticleTie breaker game reset drill
Clinician: John Dunning, former head women’s volleyball coach at Stanford University Purpose: To develop strategies and train tactics for success in short tiebreaker sets How it works: This six-on-six...
View ArticleCooperative cross-court attacking drill
Clinician: Terry Liskevych, founder of the Art of the Coaching Volleyball and former head coach of the US women's national team Purpose: To challenge your team to a cooperative, team-building drill...
View ArticleBlocking fundamentals: Blocking the slide
Purpose: Train blockers to react quickly and efficiently to the slide. How it Works: Several middle hitters line up in middle front to hit slides. On the opposite side, several middle blockers will be...
View Article5 vs 5 drill to create competition
Purpose: Teach players to make do without a middle blocker by taking that attacker out of the equation. Short games to 5 points force players to play competitively for each and every point. How it...
View ArticleScouting your opponent: Tendencies & timeouts
Christy Johnson-Lynch of Iowa State University talks about what she looks for in opposing setters, hitters and team strategies. Coach Johnson-Lynch's first rule is basic: simplify and pare down what...
View ArticleCoach on 3 defensive drill
Purpose: Practice defensive transitions as well as setting in a fast-paced, intense digging drill. How it Works: Three defensive players will take positions in right, middle and left back. One target...
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