Once volleyball players master the fundamentals of hitting -- the proper footwork, arm swing and contact techniques -- they can begin polishing their skills. Practice drills can help hitters in every aspect of the attack, from spiking accuracy to shot variety and the transition to and from defense.
Four-Corner Hitting
Put a chair in each corner of the court. Line up a player in the outside hitter position. Set high outside balls to the hitter four times. The hitter tries to hit each of the four targets with a spike or tip. The goal is to improve accuracy for both spikes and tips.
Five-Star Drill
Position an outside hitter at the net, across from a blocker. Toss balls to the hitter, who gets a star for hitting either deep corner, nailing a cross shot inside the 3-meter line or hitting a winning shot off the blocker's hands. Vary the tosses to make the hitter adjust. The hitter keeps going until totaling five stars.
Running Transition
Position the hitter at the net. Have the hitter race to the back line, then back into the ready position. Toss the ball to the hitter. The hitter strikes the ball, then repeats the drill. Start with five repetitions and work up to 10. Vary the tosses to make the hitter adjust. This builds conditioning for the defense/attack transition and improves concentration.
Two vs. Two
Play a half-court game pitting two hitters against two hitters. Only two touches are allowed. This forces hitters to play the second ball aggressively. This is an effective way to teach hitters how to hit winning shots in scramble situations. Players need to maximize their performance within the team system, but they must learn to succeed outside the system as well.
Cover Yourself
Put the hitter at the net. Have a setter in position. Have a tosser ready in the block position. Slap the ball, sending the hitter into the defensive position. Hit the ball to the hitter, forcing a dig. After the dig, the setter sets the ball and the hitter hits it. When the ball crosses the net, the tosser sends it back toward the hitter, simulating a block. The hitter has to pass the ball to the setter. The setter then sets the ball for the hitter, who attacks for the second time. This drill helps hitters master the transition from defense to offense.
Two vs. Six
Place a setter and a hitter on one side of the court and a regular six-player defensive formation on the other. Toss the ball to the hitter on the two-player unit. The hitter passes to the setter, who sets the ball for the hitter. The hitter strikes the ball. A winning shot earns five points. If the six-player defense digs the shot and returns a winner, then one point is subtracted from the two-player unit. If the two-player unit manages to dig and return that shot for a winner, it gets two points. Keep going until the desired point total is reached.
Member Comments