Mad – Middle Drill

By: Teri Clemens and Jenny McDowell

Originally Published in: The Volleyball Drill Book - Human Kinetics

Marking the spot to jump from gives hitters a visual cue that keeps them from being too tight to the net or setter.

Purpose
To give the middle hitters the opportunity to attack three different sets while teaching them the correct position to jump from.

Setup
Three middle hitters line up on side A in the middle of the court. A setter is ready to step into zone 6 at the net on side A. A coach with a cart of balls sets up on side A about 15 feet (4.5 m) off the net just to the right of the middle line. Shaggers spread out on side B. The coach puts down a piece of floor tape at the position the middles should jump from.

Run the Drill

1. The middle hitter makes the attacking approach to the net at 50 percent speed. The coach provides feedback as to whether the feet were in front of or behind the tape.

2. The coach adds a toss into the drill. The toss should be a high ball from behind the right side of the middles to simulate a pass the hitter must wait on to attack. The hitter should approach as if catching up to the ball.

3. The coach adds a setter. First the coach continues tossing the ball while the setter stands with hands up and does not set the ball; the middle hitter still attacks the tossed ball. Then the setter sets the quick attack. The coach speeds up the pace of the toss to make the hitter approach more quickly.

4. The coach continues to give players feedback about their spacing in rela¬tion to the setter, the net, and the toss.

5. The coach adds multiple sets, starting with the 31, then adding the 1, and then a tight or back 1 or a slide. The middles attack three balls in succes¬sion: a 31, a 1, and a back set of the coach's choice.

6. At first, the drill teaches the technique. Then scoring is added for the three successive attacks. The coach awards 1 point for each kill that does not hit the tape and deducts a point for an error (a ball that goes out or hits the tape). The player with the most points after five times through wins.

Coaching Points
• Provide constant feedback during this drill.
• Have a second coach watch the hitters' spacing and whether or not they are open to their setters.

Variation
Add a live passer and toss from over the net.