Defense to 100 Drill

By: Terri Clemens and Jenny McDowell

Originally Published in: The Volleyball Drill Book - Human Kinetics

This drill is a tremendous opportunity to work on overlapping areas, verbal communication, and movement.

Purpose
To provide repeated opportunities for a team to dig balls on defense.

Setup
Two coaches or other consistent attackers set up on boxes at each outside-hitting position at the net on side A. A supply of balls and a feeder are on the sidelines near the net on side A. Six players are in defensive positions on side B. A score¬keeper sets up outside the court near the feeder to count the successful digs. The coach preassigns alternate players for each defensive position.

Run the Drill

1. The feeder throws a ball to an attacker or coach, who hits or tips the ball over the net to side B.
2. The defender digs the ball up one foot (0.3 m) or higher off of the floor and sends it to a teammate, who clears it to the feeder on the opposite sideline.
3. Each defensive position has multiple players who stay on court only as long as it takes for the team to dig five balls successfully.
4. After the scorekeeper awards 5 points, the diggers rotate.
5. All players work together to score 100 points.

Coaching Points

• For beginners, the feeder should feed the same coach 5 to 10 balls in a row. Direct the middle blocker to move each time or stay outside for the series.
• For intermediate players, the feeders alternate throwing the ball to either attacker. The middle blocker must move to the correct side to block. The extra middle blockers stand on side A. After every ball or every three balls, a new middle blocker takes a turn.
• This is a fast-paced drill. Insist that players quickly return to the base position after each dig.
• Play to fewer than 100 as a goal for beginner players.

Variations

• When the skill level is appropriate, have the setter on side B catch or set every dug ball. A new setter steps in on every attacked ball.
• Use this as a transition drill and have players transition to attack on each ball. Because this lengthens the drill, you may need to decrease the goal.