Synopsis: This drill is great for working on the transition from blocking to attack, with a definite conditioning element involved.
Age/Skill Level: This is a drill for intermediate to advanced players.
Requirements: 6+ players (including 2 setters), a full court, two tossers, lots of balls
Execution: Start with two groups of three front row players on either side of the court at the net. There will be a coach with a supply of balls on each side in the back court. One side starts the drill by transitioning off then net. A ball is tossed to the setter and the offense is executed. If the ball gets by the block on the other side, that team transitions and attacks. If the ball is blocked or hit into the net, the same team transitions and attacks once more.
Variations:
- The drill can be run for a certain amount of time, a set number of balls, some goal objective, or on a scored basis as a game.
- You can run this with the setter as one of the front row players, or having to penetrate from their back row position.
- If sufficient players are available, they can be used in place of the coaches to toss.
- You can have a fixed play for each side, have players audible their sets, have the setter call a play, or have a/the coach call a play.
Additional Comments:
- Done properly, this will be a very tiring drill, so make sure to account for that when deciding how long to run it for and how many rotations to put players through – especially middles.
- Especially when working with less advanced players you’ll want to make sure you’re paying attention to their transition footwork.
- Because of the required tempo of the drill and close proximity of lots of running and jumping players at risk of having a ball underfoot, it is imperative that ball retrieval is handled quickly and efficiently.
- The inclination may be to include defensive players into the drill to dig and/or pass the first ball to the setter rather than for it to come from a toss. In most cases this probably won’t work as it will tend to slow the drill down and introduce a lot of timing variability as if the ball isn’t dug, or is dug poorly, a ball will still have to be introduced on a toss.
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