Synopsis: This is a good warm-up drill which includes all ball-handling skills and lots of movement, plus encourages player communication. (Saw this one while watching the University of Rhode Island training)
Age/Skill Level: This is a drill for intermediate and advanced players.
Requirements: Four players, half a court, 1 ball
Execution: Begin with 1 player in a corner of the court and 3 players in the opposite corner. The one player standing hits a ball to the group of three. The player who digs the ball immediately runs across to where the hitter is. One of the other two players sets the ball to the other of the duo, then runs to join the other two. Finally, the third player hits the ball at the three now in the opposite corner, starting the cycle again.
Variations:
- In order to give the setter more time to get across the court, the hitter can take the set ball and do a self-set before hitting the ball to create a little delay.
- Higher level players could be required to jump hit and/or jump set
- This could be done for time or for some number of successful dig-set-hit executions (consecutive or otherwise).
Additional Comments:
- The variability of who takes the first ball and the requirement of the other two players to have to decide which takes the second ball.
- The defenders should also be encouraged to call for the ball when the hitter is getting ready to send the ball their way to provide an auditory target.
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