PRACTICE SCHEDULE - WEEK 2 PART 2 (DEFENSE) Drill Time Description Focus 20 s 10 min 1. 20 tosses over set to partner set back to catch 2. 20 passes or sets over net - Make sure groups aren t always the same Partner Defense 10 min 1. 10 overhead toss straight on, switch 2. 10 overhead toss to left, switch 3. 10 overhead toss to right, switch 4. 10 overhead toss to hands, switch 5. 2x through Hustle Drill 20 min 1. Partner up. 2. Coach toss all over 3. Three contacts any way to get ball over Around the World Passing 25 min - Steady platform - side stepping and dropping inside shoulder for out of midline passing - only count quality passes - Must talk entire time or wash - Must give effort for every ball Setup - 6 tossers, 3 each side spread out across the net facing the backline Drill: 1. Other 6 are shuffling across starting from right back and passing each ball up. Progression: 1. Free ball tosses to 15 line 2. Short toss to 5 line, toss to 15 line, short toss to 5 line, repeat otherside 3. Far toss 25 line, 15 toss, 25 toss, repeat 2x through each progression and switch groups. Match Warm-Up 15 min See drill below. - Can start with low tosses and work up to roll shots. Error Correct Serving Both Sides 25 min See drill below. Don t need to make competitive 15 Split group and serve both sides - Goal is first player to make 5 or 10 in a row - Correct person taking ball. - Correcting error on first try. - Asking players why the error occurred. - Go over serve focuses
1. 20-20-20 (20S) Level: Basic This is a warm-up drill to begin a practice. The goal is to get 20 sets across the net in a row, followed by 20 down balls in a row across, followed by 20 back row attacks in a row. Groups of 4 to 6 players. Divide equally directly across the net from each other, 2/3 per side across from each other. Begin with a toss over the net to other group. Set the ball to partner at the net, they set back to partner and then set the ball over. That side then rotates, passer to setter and setter to passer, on their side. Other side repeats same pattern until 20 sets over collectively is achieved. Next is 20 down balls in a row. Pass, set, standing down ball. Next is 20 backrow attacks. Pass, set, jump and swing. Often modified to not be in a row, but must have two contacts on other side to count towards the 20. The goal is to complete all sets of 20 in under 10 minutes. During the 20 sets, below the height of the antenna and not directly set or hit to other group when sending a ball over, hit slightly off to their sides. Focus on proper footwork and technique, even though the drill is very basic. Stress importance of control and not power. 1 3 4 2
PARTNER DEFENSE Level: Basic This drill is focused on controlled swings to work on defensive ups to target. Partner up with the partner hitting first standing at the net. First set of 10 is a downball swing at their midline. Second set is 20, 10 to the left and 10 to the right of midline. Third set is 10 swings at their hands. Switch after each set with partner. Good arm swing mechanics. Dropping shoulder when digging outside of midline. Strong fingers when digging ball with hands. Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3
HUSTLE DRILL Level: Intermediate This drill demands clear communication and an expectation that a ball gets up any way possible. Develop mindset of chasing after every ball and giving effort when you might be tired. Athletes pair up. First pair is on the court and the rest are shagging to ensure the coach always has a ball in hand. Coach hits, tips, throws ball anywhere on the court or gym. Between the pair they must get three contacts and put ball over the net in the lines. To make it harder third contact must be a swing. Get three balls over and then rotate groups. Each group should go at least twice. Must talk the entire time otherwise ball doesn t count. Loud audible communication. Diving/crashing for every ball, build that mentality.
AROUND THE WORLD PASSING Level: Basic This is a basic breakdown of passing and footwork that allows a coach to make corrections as a whole or individually easily. Split team in half. Half will pass first and half will have balls tossing to passers. Players should enter from right back and work around the court passing back to target. They should be shuffling from each spot, staying low, and squaring up to the target. Each group should go through three times. Variations Enter down balls, long balls, short balls, or tips. Mix up the pattern on each set. Hips turned into the court when passing from left or right back. Stopping movement when shuffling. 3 4 2 5 1 6
MATCH WARM-UP Level: Intermediate Defensive warmup drill before a match. This drill aims to get players ready to hit the floor during a match and stay agressive when playing defense. Begin with a middle, right, and left back player. Coach hits ball at left back player and right back (setter) sets to a pin. Coach hits ball at middle back player and right back sets to a pin. Coach hits ball at right back and left back sets the ball. After 10 balls are dug and set to pins, mix players. This is a rapid fire drill. Mix in tips, rolls, and hard driven down balls. Players are calling for ball on defense. The defenders are crossing on seam plays. Middle back is staying deep, crossing behind, and shifting based on which way coach is standing. 3 1 2 4
ERROR CORRECT Level: Intermediate This drill is to focus on fixing mistakes on the spot with game play. Setup with 6s and begin with coach toss in. Every time an error is made, recreate that error with a coach toss, tip, throw, etc. Points are awarded for the other team if the same error is made twice or more in a row. The error itself does not count as a point, it s the following errors. Same mistakes are not made twice or more. Breaking it down of why error was made.