A strong attack is key for a volleyball team to score points, but having a responsive defense that can dig difficult balls and set up the attack is just as important. Defensive players must be able to quickly react to incoming attacks and neutralize them in a controlled manner. A variety of drills can help players develop strong defensive skills.
Emergency Save
This drill is used at the University of South Carolina to help players quickly react if a pass is tipped incorrectly. A coach stands on a box on one side of the net, with two players standing on either side of the coach on the opposite side of the net. The players hold on to the net with one hand. When the coach slaps the ball, the players run straight back to the baseline. Meanwhile, the coach throws the ball high to one side of the court. The player on that side of the court must call the ball and pass it to the front of the court. The other player must react and hit the ball to one of the back corners on the opposing side of the court.
Net Save
Recovering from a missed hit by your own attacking side can be among the most difficult tasks for a defense. To simulate this situation, have a line of defenders stand at the front of the net. A setter stands in the back row on the right and an outside hitter on the left. The coach then throws a ball into the net, and the closest defender must try to bump the ball to the setter. If the setter receives the ball, she must then attempt to set a high ball to the outside hitter. The outside hitter should simply catch the ball for this drill. If the ball was hittable, the team scores a point. The drill continues until the team scores a predetermined number of points.
Dig and Roll
Part of playing defense in the back row is being able to make crucial saves and then move out of the way to allow teammates to finish the three hits. The dig and roll drill begins with the players in a straight line behind the baseline and the coach on the other side of the net on a stand. The first player in line steps into the middle back position, and the coach hits a ball hard to the right of the player. The player must dig the ball up so it would be retrievable and then roll to the same side to which the ball was served. The coach then hits the next shot to the left of the player who stepped into the middle back position. The drill continues until each player has received a predetermined number of digs.
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