The key skill of transitioning in volleyball keeps a team in proper position through serving, receiving, blocking, attacking and defending. Macalaster College head coach Stephanie Schleuder observes in "Volleyball Skills & Drills" that players must learn to visually recognize when they should transition to a different phase of the game. One of the best ways to help them recognize these transitions is through practicing drills.
Serve-Receive
This drill is designed to take teams from receiving to attacking. Two teams comprised of three passers, one setter and one server set up on opposing sides of the net. One team serves the ball to one of the passers on the opposing team. The passer then sets the ball up the court to the setter, who sets it back to the passer. After the ball is coming to the passer, one of the passers makes a call for the hit on the ball over the net. Alternate serving for this drill between sides.
Quick Defense
In this drill, the coach stands to the side of the net as two teams of five or six players set up to play as they normally would, with one team serving and one team receiving. An initial rally is played. After one team wins the rally, the coach quickly throws another ball to the winning team. This forces the team to quickly transition from offensive to defensive positions. The drill continues until one team wins five rallies and then the front and back rows are switched.
Front Row
Front-row players must learn to quickly switch from defending to attacking, and that is the aim of this drill. Three front-row hitters stand along the net on each side with a setter in the rear right position. A coach stands on each side of the net with a ball. Play begins with one setter receiving the ball and setting up to one of the hitters. The opposing front row attempts to block the attack. If the attacking side wins the point, the coach on the same side tosses another ball to the setter. If the defending team is successful, it must immediately transition into an attack from their setter.
Middle Hitter
Middle hitters must be available quickly for offensive and defensive purposes. Have a line of hitters and a setter on one side of the net. On the other side, three blockers take positions. The coach tosses the ball to the setter, who then sets the outside hitter. The hitter hits the ball over the net to the middle blocker, who sets the outside blocker. The outside blocker hits it over, and the middle hitter transitions back from the net to quickly set the ball for another attack.
References
- "Volleyball Skills & Drills"; American Volleyball Coaches Association; 2006
- Y-Coach: Serve-Receive Transition Drill
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