-

STGPS to success
k
ACTIVITY SGRieS
SECOIN D EDITION

Steps to Success or- ;.J«,

,«-

BARBARA kTA^

BONNIE JILL FERGUSON/ spor

ynnstructio
# Series
 Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2010

http://www.archive.org/details/volleyballstepstOOvier
VOLLEYBALL
Steps to Success
Second Edition

Barbara L. Viera, MS
Bonnie Jill Ferguson, MS
University of Delaware, Newark

Human Kinetics
 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Viera, Barbara L., 1941-

Volleyball : steps to success / Barbara L. Viera, Bonnie Jill

Ferguson.— 2nd ed.

p. cm. - (Steps to success activity series)

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-87322-646-1
1. Volleyball. I. Ferguson, Bonnie Jill, 1957- II. Title.
III. Series.
GV10I5.3.V54 1996
796.325-dc20
95-42643
CIP
ISBN: 0-87322-646-1

Copyright © 1996 Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.

Copyright © 1989 by Leisure Press

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any
information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Series and Developmental Editor: Judy Patterson Wright, PhD; Assistant Editor: John Wentworth; Editorial Assistant: Jennifer
Hemphill; Copyeditor: Bob Replinger; Proofreader: Jim Bums; Typesetter: Kathy Boudreau-Fuoss; Text Designer: Keith
Blomberg; Layout Artist: Denise Lowry; Cover Designer: Jack Davis; Photographer (cover): WilmerZehr; Illustrator: Sharon
Bamer; Mac Artist: Studio 2D; Printer: United Graphics

Instructional Designer for the Steps to Success Activity Series: Joan N. Vickers, EdD, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada

Human Kinetics books are available at special discounts for bulk purchase. Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to
specification. For details, contact the Special Sales Manager at Human Kinetics.

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RoNTENTS
^^^^H Preface iv

The Steps to Success Staircase V

^^^^1
^^^H The Game of Volleyball 1

^^H Step 1 Body Posture: Choosing the Correct Level 9

^^^H Step 2 forearm Pass: Attacking Starts f^ere 14

^^H step 3 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Ganfie 20

^^H Step 4 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack 38

^H step 5 Attack: Making the Kill 52

^^H step 6 Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the floor 71

^^H step 7 Blocks: Limiting the Options 89

^^H Step 8 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two front Row Players 100

^^^1 Step 9 2-]-3 Defense: transitioning to Attack 114

^^H Step 10 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack 126

^^^1 Step 11 2-4 Defense: Stopping the Multiple Option Attack 141

^^H step 12 Game Situations: focusing Your ftforts 151

^^^^H Rating Your Game Success 157

^^^^H Suggested Resources 160
^^^^H About the Authors 161
 REFACE

m
try
Ithough volleyball was invented in the United States, not until recently has our coun-
I

assumed a leadership role in its development. As is true in most sports, the key to
player development is learning correct technique early on. This second edition of Volley-
bcdl: Steps to Success has 12 steps that introduce you to the game of volleyball and its skills

and strategies. The book can be successfully used by beginning players wanting to learn
the game, by intermediate players attempting to improve their and by teachers and
skills,

coaches as a reference. As a beginning player, you will improve your skills more quickly by
understanding the correct method of performance and why each skill is important in a
competitive setting. Intermediate players will find the "Success Stoppers" section in each
step helpful in analyzing their performance errors and discovering how to correct them.
Teachers and coaches can use the book to find ideas for drills and teaching progressions.
The unique step-by-step format allows for logical progression while pro\1ding competi-
tive activities and 99 challenging drills. Suggested ways to increase or decrease the diffi-
culty level of the drills lets you progress at your pace as you practice the skills within drills
that closely simulate game situations. While you practice the basic skills, you'll learn not
only the key phrases and concepts for correct performance, but also when to use them.
The sequence random. It has been carefully developed over our long
of the 12 steps is not
and coaching careers. The 12 steps are organized from the simpler to the
playing, teaching,
more complex skills. They are also sequenced similarly to the order that skills would be
performed in a competitive situation. Thus, as each skill is learned and practiced, it can be
added to the sequence, which eventually allows a competitive rally. TTiis sequence—the
forearm pass of the sen^e to the setter, the set, the attack, and the block or dig to begin the
sequence again in transition— is repeated continuously in a game situation. As you im-
prove your level of performance, you'll enjoy the game more and more!
As in any project of this magnitude, many people have contributed to its successful
completion. We would like to thank Karen Woodie for her help with word processing and
computer technology; Da\1d Barlow, PhD, for his help in the filming presented to the artist
for sketching diagrams: and our subjects, Jeanne Dyson Scott, Nancy Griskowitz, Maggie
Hermigan, Sue Stauffer, Pat Castagno, John Aiello, and Clare We would also like to
Farrall.

extend our sincere appreciation to Sharon Barner and Studio 2D. who transformed photos
and diagrams into expert drawings.

iv
 .

HE STEPS TO SUCCESS STAIRCASE

ra
IkSlet ready to climb a staircase—one that will lead you to be a great volleyball player.

You cannot leap to the top: you get there by climbing one step at a time.
Each of the 12 steps you are about to take is an easy transition from the one before. The
first few steps of the staircase provide a foundation— a solid foundation of basic skills and

concepts. As you progress, you will learn how to connect groups of those seemingly iso-
lated skills. Practicing common combinations of volleyball skills will give you the experi-
ence you need to begin making natural and accurate decisions on the court. You will learn
to make the right moves in various game situations— whether you're serving or receiving,
spiking or blocking. As you near the top of the staircase, the climb will ease, and you'll find
that you have developed a sense of confidence in your volleyball playing ability that makes
further progress a real joy.
Familiarize yourself with this section, as well as the section "The Game of Volleyball," for an
orientationand an understanding of how to set up your practice sessions around the steps.
Follow the same sequence each step (chapter) of the way:

1 Read the explanations of what is covered in this step, why the step is important, and
how to execute or perform the step's focus, which may be a basic skill, concept,
tactic, or combination of them.
2. Follow the numbered illustrations shovifing exactly how to position your body to
execute each basic There are three general parts to each skill
skill successfully.

description: preparation phase (getting into a starting position), execution phase

(performing the skill that is the focus of the step), and follow-through phase (recov-
ering to the starting position).
3. Look over the common errors that may occur and the recommendations of how to
correct them.
4. The drills help you improve your skills through repetition and purposeful practice.
Read the directions and the Success Goal for each drill. Practice accordingly. Most
drills require players in different positions; be sure to switch positions to practice all

aspects of each Record your score. Compare your score with the Success Goal
drill.

for the drill. You need to meet the Success Goal of each drill before moving on to
practice the next one because the drills are arranged in an easy-to-difficult progres-
sion. This sequence is designed specifically to help you achieve continued success.
Pace yourself by adjusting the drills to either increase or decrease difficulty, depend-
ing on where you are.
5. As soon as you can reach all the Success Goals for one step, you are ready for a

qualified observer— such as your teacher, coach, or trained partner— to evaluate your
basic skill technique against the Keys to Success found at the beginning of most
steps. This is a qualitative, or subjective, evaluation of your basic technique or form.
6. Repeat these procedures for each of the 12 Steps to Success. Then rate yourself
according to the directions for "Rating Your Game Success."

Good luck on your step-by-step Journey to enhancing your volleyball skills, building
and having fun!
confidence, experiencing success,
vi • Volleyball: Steps to Success

KEY

C = coach |-l=
box, chair, or official's stand

° = player with ball |8oo = feeder

X = player RB = right back

= path of ball CB = center back

> = path of player LB = left back

A= target player RF = right front (or forward)

/^~N._^= rolled ball CF = center front (or fonward)

s = setter LF = left front (or fonward)

T = tosser
HE GAME OF VOLLEVBALl
lln 1895 William G. Morgan, a YMCA director in Holyoke, Massachusetts, invented a
game called mintonette in an attempt to meet the needs of local businessmen who found
the game of basketball to be too strenuous. The new game caught on quickly
because it

required only a few basic skills, easily mastered in limited practice time by players of

varying fitness levels. The original game was played with a rubber bladder from a basket-
ball. Early rules allowed any number of players on a side. In 1896 the name was changed
by Alfred T. Halstead, who, after viewing the game, felt that volley ball would be a more
suitable name due to the volleying characteristic of play.
As the game has progressed, many changes in play have occurred. For example, the

Filipinos are credited with adding the spike.

The game is now recognized as a strenuous sport as well as a recreational activity. The
Japanese added the sport to the Olympic Games program in 1964; this contributed to the
fast growth of volleyball in the last 30 years. It is currently played in 210
federations

around the world. Volleyball is an exciting game for the following reasons:

It is adaptable to various conditions that may present themselves.

Itcan be played with any number on a side from two, which is extremely popular in
the beach game, to six. which is the number used for interscholastic, intercollegiate,
junior, and club play.

It can be played and enjoyed by all ages and ability levels.

It can be played on many surfaces—grass, wood, sand, and various artificial sur-

faces.

It is an excellent co-ed activity.

It is an exciting spectator sport.

It can be played indoors or outdoors.

It isan extremely popular recreational activity with numerous leagues in business,

community, and school intramural programs.

It requires few basic rules and skills.

It has limited equipment needs.

Interestingly, although the game was invented in the United States, it was not until the

mid-1980s that the Americans began to provide strong leadership for its development. In
1984. for the first time ever, the United States men's and women's teams won Olympic
medals. The United States' men defeated Brazil to capture the gold, and the United States'
women lost to China The success of these two teams
in the finals to capture the silver.

increased the interest level of both spectators and participants throughout the United
States. In 1988, the U.S. men won the gold medal at the Seoul Olympics, and in 1992, both
the men's and women's teams won bronze medals in the Olympics at Barcelona. The Inter-
Volleyball: Steps to Success

national Olympic Committee has added beach volleyball to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta in
response to the extremely popular beach game on the professional level. Beach volleyball
players have the opportunity to win substantial purses on the professional tours.
With the impetus of the 1984 Olympic success of our American national teams, volley-

ball continues to grow and develop in the United States at all levels of play. The financial
success of the game depends upon improving the sport's image on the spectator level. This
willhappen when volleyball is more visible through the media, including newspapers,
magazines, and television.
Under the current scoring system in volleyball, the length of a match can vary from 1
hour to more than 3 hours, depending on how close the participating teams are in ability.
This variance in time causes great consternation for the media, particularly television.
Various studies have been done on different systems of scoring and time regulations that
would make the game more predictable in length. Due to this problem, matches on televi-

The closely contested NCAA 1993 women's cham-

sion are not often seen in their entirety.
pionship match between Long Beach State and Penn State, held at the University of Wis-
consin, Madison, was played in front of a sold-out crowd. Only a portion of the match was
shown, tape-delayed, on national television.
Beginning in the fall of 1995, the new NCAA television contract includes the live telecast

of the NCAA collegiate championships for both women and men. In addition, the number of
collegiate contests telecast throughout the year continues to increase. This additional cov-
erage of collegiate volleyball will increase the spectator interest in the sport.

Playing a Game
Volleyball is played by two teams each having two on a 9-meter square (about
to six players
30-feet square) court, the two courts separated by a net. The primary objective of each
team is to hit the ball to the opponent's side in a manner that prevents the opponent from
returning the ball. This is usually accomplished by using a three-hit combination of a
forearm pass to a setter, followed by a set to an attacker, and a spike into the opponent's
court.
When there are six players on a side, three are called front row players, and three are
called back row players. The three players in the front row are called left front (LF), center
front (CF), and right front (RF). (Front players are also called "Forward" players. Don't be
confused— for example, the left front position and the left forward position are the same
position.) The three players in the back row are called left back (LB), center back (CB), and

right back (RB). Players need to be in their correct rotational positions until the serve is

executed. This means that players cannot overlap positions from front to back or from side
to side (see Diagram 1). After the serve, players are allowed to play in any position on or off

the court, with one restriction: Back row players cannot leave the floor to hit the ball over
the net from a position higher than the top of the net when in front of the attack line. A side
out occurs when a team that is not serving wins the rally. When a team earns a side out,
they rotate clockwise one position (see Diagram 2).

All this requires that each player master the intricacies of every one of the positions. This
aspect of volleyball differentiates it from other team sports. As volleyball becomes more
competitive, players are finding it increasingly difficult to learn the in-depth characteris-
tics of all six positions. Therefore, the specialization of players is commonly found. When
players specialize, they switch to a specific area of the court (left, center, or right) after

every serve. These positions are referred to as their playing positions.

 The Game of Volleyball • 3

1
1

Attack Attack
Line Line

Net Net

CF RF
LF
4 3 2
Attack
4
^ ~^3^^
\ Attack
Line Line
\
[
LB CB RB
]
\
5 6 1
5 6 _y
1 1

1 Diagram 1 Players arranged ir1 proper 1 Diagram 2 Rotational direction of

rotational positions. players on a side out.

Attack
Line

Net
LF CF RF

Attack
-
Line

CB
LB

1 RB
H Diagram 3 Position of serving team members during serve.
4 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

The serve is initiated by the right back player from a position behind the end line (see
Diagram 3). In the first four games of a match, a team scores points only while it is serving,
and the same player continues to sen^e as long as the serving team wins each rally. A rally is
the continuous play of the ball over the net between opponents, ending in a point or side out.
A point is awarded each time a team serves the ball and wins the rally. In the fifth and
deciding game of the match, a point is awarded for every serve. If the serving team wins the
rally, it scores a point and senses again. If the receiving team wins the rally, it scores a point
and also wins the right to sen^e. This scoring system is referred to as rally scoring. A game
consists of at least 15 points, and a team must be 2 points ahead to win. A match in volleyball
consists of best two out of three or three out of five games. When rally scoring is used in the
deciding game, the game lasts an average of 8 minutes.

Rules
Volleyball in the United States is currently being played under three sets of rules. Basically,
most high schools play under the rules of the National Federation of State High School Asso-
ciations; college women play under the rules of the National Association of Girls and Women
in Sport (NAGWS); college men, all recreational teams, and club teams play under the United
States of America Volleyball (USAV) rules. International rules govern all competition between
nations. In recent years, all four sets of rules have approached uniformity. The USAV and
NAGWS are identical except for substitution rules. Discussion in this book is based upon
NAGWS rules.
All players should be familiar with the court markings. The volleyball court is 59 feet (18

meters) long and 29 feet 6 inches (9 meters) wide, marked by sidelines and end lines, respec-

tively. The sidelines and end lines are part of the playing surface. Other important lines on a
court are the following:

The centerline divides the court into two equal playing areas, sometimes known as team
areas.
The attack line is parallel to. and 9 feet 10 inches (3 meters) from, the centerline.
The sewing area is the right one third of the court outside the end line, with a minimum
depth of 6 feet. If this required space does not exist, a player, on the service, is allowed to
step into the court up to the distance needed to make up the difference (see Diagram 4),

The correct height of the net for women is 7 feet 4-1/8 inches (2.24 meters): for men and co-
ed play, 7 feet 1 1-5/8 inches (2.43 meters). The legal portion of the net is the part between the
sidelines of the court.
A match begins with a coin toss between the teams' captains. The captain who wins the toss
may choose first service, first reception, or select the team's playing area. The other captain
selects from the remaining choices. The first serve rights alternate with each game until the

deciding game of the match, when a second toss is made. Teams change sides at eight points

in the deciding game. However, if both captains agree not to change (at the coin toss prior to
that game), they may continue on the same side.
A team consists of 6 players on the court at all times. A squad cannot exceed 12 players.
The lineup at the beginning of the game determines the senlce order throughout the game.
Players of both teams must be in their correct rotational order at the time of the senlce by
either team. The correct position of each player is described as follows:

In the front line, the center forward must be between the right forward and the left
 The Game of Volleyball • 5

9'10" ,

2916:'

59' Net

9'10"

Attack line

End line h >

Serving area

Diagram 4 Basic court diagram with dimensions.

forward, and in front of the center back.

In the back line, the center back must be between the right back and the left back,
and behind the center forward.
The right forward must be in front of the right back, and the left forward must be in
front of the left back.

When a player is out of position, play is stopped, the error is corrected, points scored

while the team was in error are canceled, and a point or a side out is awarded to the

opponent.
The player in the right back position has 5 seconds to initiate the serve from the service
area. The server must use one hand— either open or closed—or the arm to make contact.
The ball may not touch the net and must be over the legal portion of the net. If a bad toss
is made, the ser\'er may let the ball drop to the floor without touching it and begin again,

being allowed an additional 5 seconds for a second attempt. The server may not step on or
over the end line until after the ball is contacted.
The following rules govern contacting the ball during play:

Each team is allowed a maximum of three successive contacts to return the ball to

the opponent's area. If the first touch is on a block, the team may have three addi-
tional contacts to return the ball. In effect, the touch on the block does not count.
The ball may contact any part of the body above and including the knee (USA Volley-
ball and International rules will allow contact by any body part beginning in 1996).
6 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Theball may contact any number of body parts as long as it does so simultaneously.
When the ball comes to rest momentarily in the hand or arms of a player, it is consid-
ered held.
Double contact is when a player hits the ball more than once with no other player

touching it between these contacts. However, a player who blocks the ball may touch
ita second time without an intervening touch by another player.
Ifthe ball is held simultaneously by two opposing players, it is a double fault and
results in a playover.
If two players on the same team contact the ball simultaneously (both must physi-
cally touch the ball), this is considered as two contacts for their team.
When two opponents commit a fault simultaneously, a playover must occur.
A player who places any part of the body above the height of the net is considered to
have the intention to block: only front line players may block.
If two players contact the ball on the block, it is considered only one hit.

Blockers may reach over the net to block the ball as long as the opponents have hit
the ball in such a manner that the ball would clearly cross the net if not touched by
a defending player.

Several rules govern play near the net and at the centerline:

The ball remains in play if it touches the legal portion of the net in play, except on the
sen'e.
A player may not touch the net while the ball is in play (incidental touches of the net
are being allowed in USA Vollevball, International, and NAGWS rules begiiming in
the faU of 1995).
If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it contacts an opponent, this is

not a net fault.

The hands may legally pass over the net after a spike on the follow-through.
The only parts of the body allowed to touch the opponent's court are a foot or the feet;

however, some part of the foot or feet must remain on or above the centerline at the
time of contact.
You can cross the vertical plane (an imaginary continuation of the net above and
below its actual limits) as long as you don't interfere with the opponent.
Once the ball is dead, it is not a fault to hit the net or cross over the centerline. A ball
is dead when it has touched the playing surface, when it is ruled out-of-bounds, or
when a rally has ended due to an official's whistle.

A player may not spike the ball until part of the ball is on that player's side of the net.
Only forwards are permitted to spike or to return the ball with their hands in a position
higher than the top of the net from in front of the attack line. Back line players may not
block and may spike only when they take off (jump) from behind the attack line.

The ball must pass from one side of the net to the other over the legal portion of the net.
A ball landing on a boundary line is considered to be in the court. A player may go off the
court to play a ball. A ball coming from the opponent that is perceived to be out-of-bounds
may not be caught until it legally touches an out-of-bounds area.
In NAGWS rules, 12 substitutions are allowed per game: each player may enter the
game three times with the starting entry counting as one. Any number of players may
enter one position in the lineup, but once a player has entered a position, they may not
enter another position in that game except when injury causes the need for an unusual
sub. International rules are much stricter in substitution procedures. A team is only al-

lowed six total substitutions per game. A player may enter a game only once with the initial
 The Game of Volleyball

entry not counting. No more than two players are allowed in each rotational position un-
less an unusual sub is needed due to injury.

Volleyball Governance
Three governing bodies currently provide rules for volleyball competitions in the United
States. Men's and women's open and men's collegiate competitions use the United States
of America Volleyball (USAV] rules. For rules information and interpretation contact the
USA Volleyball 3595 East Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs. CO 80910-1740.
office:

All collegiate women's play and some scholastic girls' competitions are governed by the

National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) rules. For rules information
and interpretation contact the NAGWS office: 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091.
The majority of girls' high school play and all boys' high school play is governed by the
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA). For rules information
and interpretation contact the NFSHSA office: 11724 Plaza Circle, Box 20626, Kansas
City, MO 64195.
The USAV controls all open play in the United States. The country is divided into regions,
with each region responsible for the competitive schedule for its membership. The national
office in Colorado Springs can be contacted to obtain information about your regional
commissioner. All commissioners have information regarding registration, player eligibil-

ity, and tournament schedules. All now sponsor competition for junior players.
regions
Collegiate competition for both men and women is controlled by the National Collegiate

Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), or
the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). These organizations oversee sea-
sonal play and administer both national championships. Questions concerning player eli-

gibility, national championship format, recruiting rules, and so forth should be directed to
the appropriate governing bodies:

NCAA
Nail Avenue at 63rd Street
P.O. Box 1906
Mission, KS 66201

NAIA
1221 Baltimore
Kansas City, MO 64105
NJCAA
P.O. Box 7305
Colorado Springs, CO 80933
The American Volleyball Coaches' Association (AVCA) provides opportunities for coaches
at all levels to share ideas and actively promote the game of volleyball. This organization
also publishes a bimonthly journal. Coaching Volleyball and a monthly newsletter, Ameri-
can Volleyball Both contain new ideas and current trends in the sport. These publications
are a benefit of membership in the AVCA. For more information contact the AVCA office:

122 Second Avenue, Suite 217. San Mateo, CA 94401.

8 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Warm-Up and Cool-Down

Prior to practicing, you need a 5- to lO-minute warm-up to increase your heart rate or to
"get your blood flowing." Many activities can be used to accomplish this. Running, rope
jumping, sliding, cross-steps, block or spike jumps, and skipping are some examples. Gen-
erally, it is good to start easy and gradually increase your effort.
It is also important to stretch, for 10 to 20 minutes, to increase
flexibility. You should

stretch thebody parts needed to perform all the skills so that there is no danger of pulling
muscles. The best method of increasing flexibility is to stretch a muscle and remain in the
stretched position for 5 to 7 seconds. The test for sufficient stretch is that you should feel

the stretch of your muscle in the holding position. The arms, back, neck, legs, and feet
should all be sufficiently stretched. There are many books available on the proper ways to
stretch.
When your volleyball activity has been completed, spend 5 minutes cooling down. This
time is used to bring your heart rate down and stretch the muscles you used most during
practice. You should choose at least one flexibility exercise similar to those that you used
during the warm-up, for each body part. It is recommended that each activity be executed
twice. The cool-down period is important because it helps lessen the amount of soreness
that you may experience when using and stretching muscle groups in a new activity.
 1
BOD/ POSTUR{: CHOOSING m mm
LfVtL

^ou are in a game situation, and one of your hit the floor hard due to falling from a high level,

teammates is You cover the spiker, close

spiking. thus increasing the chance for an injury. When jump-
behind and in a medium to high body posture. The ing in the air, it is important that your body be bal-
spiked ball is blocked and hits you in the face before anced before takeoff so that it will be balanced in the
you can react to dig it. Poor body posture causes you air. When landing from an air movement, you should
to miss this play. A low body posture should be used cushion the landing by bending your knees to help
in this situation, which would allow you more time prevent injury.
to react to the ball.
When you play volleyball, your body posture can
be at one of three different levels—high, medium, or How to Execute Body
low. The high position is basically used for serving, Postures
setting, blocking, and spiking. When using the high
position for blocking and spiking, your body can also High body posture is when you're either jumping in
be The medium position is the most im-
in the air. the air or standing with your feet in an easy stride
portant because it is used 70 percent of the time— with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of
during serve reception, when executing the overhead your feet (see Figure 1.1a). In the medium posture,
pass, and as the starting position for the spike. The your body is in an easy stride with its weight evenly

low position is used during digging, during all forms distributed on the balls of your feet, your knees are
of individual defense such as the sprawl and the roll, bent so that they are ahead of your feet, and your
and for covering a spiker. shoulders lean forward so that they are in front of
your knees. Your hands and arms are above your
knees and away from your body (see Figure 1 . lb). In
Why Is Body Posture the low posture, your weight is forward, your knees

Important? are bent more than 90 degrees, and your arms and
hands are above your knees and away from your
Correct body posture is extremely important for vol- body. When moving to the ball in a low body pos-
leyball performance. By using correct posture, you ture, you must get to the ball before you attempt to

can perform skills more efficiently and with less play it. If possible, you should play the ball before
chance of injury. One common error is trying to per- any part of your body, other than your feet, contacts
form an individual defensive maneuver from a high the floor (see Figure 1.1c).
posture. If you attempt to do this, you are likely to
 10 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

FIGURE!
1.lf
KEYS TO SUCCESS

BODY POSITIONS

High Posture Medium Posture Low Posture

1 Feet shoulder-width 1 . Body leans forward 1. Bend knee more than 90
apart 2. Knees in front of feet degrees
a. side-bv-side 3. Shoulders in front of 2. Keep weight forward
b. stride position knees 3. Get to ball
2 Weight evenly distributed 4. Hands and arms above 4. Play ball, then contact
3 Knees slightly bent knees floor
4 Maintain correct level 5. Arms parallel to thighs 5. Cushion impact with padded
throughout movement 6. Maintain posture throughout areas of the body
5 Eyes always follow ball movement 6. Eyes follow ball to target
6. Regain starting position 7. Do not join hands 7. Recover immediately for con-
quickly 8. Knees and hips face tinuous play
target
9. Stop movement with shuffle
step
10. Eyes follow ball to target
11. Transfer weight toward
target

BODY POSTURE SUCCESS STOPPERS

Errors in posture fall into two categories: (a) selecting come natural movements to you. Eventually, you will
the incorrect posture for the skill being performed or automatically assume the correct body posture for the
(b) selecting the correct posture but executing it poorly. skill you anticipate.
Body postures should be practiced so that they be-
 Body Posture: Choosing the Correct Level • 11

ERROR CORRECTION
1 . Your hands are too close to your body. 1 . Your hands must be far enough away from
your body so that your arms are parallel to

your thighs.

2. You move with your hands joined. 2. Your hands should not be joined during

movement, but should be quickly joined before

ball contact.

3. You slam into the floor following a defen- 3. Your body must be in a low position and
sive move. as close to the ball as possible before contact.

4. On defense, you do not move through the 4. You must contact the ball and continue by
ball. moving toward the target.

BODY POSTURE
DRILLS
1. Mirror Drill
This drill allows you to work on medium posture. You move quickly with
agility while in the
frequent changes in direction— the type ofmovement you use in game play.
The leader stands in front, facing you and the other players. All players are in the medium
body posture. The leader moves forward, backward, left, or right. You must follow the leader.
Maintain the medium body posture throughout the drill.

I i Success Goal = continuous movement for

60 seconds, maintaining the medium body

posture

4^uccess Check
• React to leader
• Move quickly
• Maintain posture
Net

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Increase the pace of the movement.
t
<-C-¥-
• Change direction frequently.
1
• Change the body posture frequently.
• Move for a longer period of time. t t t
-«-x-> -^x-*. <<-x-^
To Decrease Difficulty\ 1 1 1
• Emphasize correct movement at a slow pace. <-*-*- <-x-^ -•-x-^
• Change direction infrequently. I 1 1
• Move for a shorter period of time.
1
12 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

2. Forward and Backward Movement

This drill simulates movement away from the net in a medium body posture. This movement is
used in a Iree ball situation when you are in transition from defense to offense.
Stand in the medium body posture on the attack line, facing the net. With a step, step to-
gether, move forward, touch the centerline with your foot, and move back to the attack line.

(usui
li Success Goal = continuous movement
with the medium body posture for 30 seconds

Success Check
• Step, step together forward
• Touch line
• Maintain posture

To Increase Difficulty Net

I

Player touches the line with the palm of the hand.

Lengthen the time. 11 11 II 11
Lengthen the distance.

To Decrease Difficultyt^au-
Player does not have to touch line.
Continuous movement could last for a shorter
period of time.
Shorten the distance.

3. Block and Roll

In this drill you practice movement in two body postures: high for the blocking action of jump-
ing and reaching over the net, low for recovering from the floor, and high for blocking readiness.
Stand at the net in a high body posture, with your elbows bent and close to your body, and
your hands in front of your shoulders. Jump, reach over the net without touching it, then quickly
withdraw your hands. Return to the floor in low body posture, sit and roll onto your back, and
quickly return to the starting position.

WJsL
li Success Goal= lO consecutive jumps I
To Increase Difficulty
and rolls without touching the net • Lower the height of the ball on the opposite side
of the net.

Success Check To Decrease Difficulty

• Jump high • Lower the net.

• Reach forward
• Withdraw quickly
 Body Posture: Choosing the Correct Level • 13

4. Low to Floor Sit

In this drill you practice moving in a low body posture to the side and hitting the floor in

preparation for a roll. The lower you get to the floor, the easier the roll will be to execute.
Begin at the center of the court, facing the net in a low body posture, with your hands touching
the floor. Maintaining the low posture, slide to the right sideline. At the sideline, take a big step
to the side, sit on the floor, then stand and quickly return to the starting position. Repeat this
movement to the left. Continue this drill, alternating right and left.

IfiSucceSS Goal = 5 floor sits in 30

seconds

(fSuccess Check
• Maintain low posture
• Quick movement
• Slide step
• Sit and recover
Net

I
To Increase Difficulty
Roll rather than just sit.

Increase the number of floor sits per 30 seconds.

Shorten the time allowed for a given number of
sits.

To Decrease Difficulty
Lower the Success Goal.

BODY POSTURE SUCCESS SUMMARY

Often your selection of body posture is an important part of skill execution. Being in a low
body posture during spike coverage allows you more time to react to a ball rebounding quickly
off an opponent's block. Even though the same high body posture is used for the three different

skills— serving, setting, and blocking— the starting positions of the extremities differ. For ex-
ample, you anticipate a block, your feet should be side by
if side, your hands at shoulder height.
However, if you anticipate a set, your feet should be in a stride, with your hands above your
forehead. This isbody postures— high, medium, and low.
true for all

Have a trained obsen^er watch your movement patterns. The facets in the Keys to Success
(Figure 1.1 a-c) should be checked in the course of your performance. Such an evaluation can
help you focus on actions that need extra practice.
 m
1
mum PASS: ATTACKING STARTS \m
I
he game has begun. The opponent has won The forearm pass is most often used to direct the
the toss and elected to serve first. Their first server ball to a teammate. It is important to absorb the force
has a powerful topspin serve that drops quickly. Six of a hard-hit ball and direct the ball in such a way
points have been scored and your team seems un- that your teammate can execute an overhead pass
able to stop the server. You can only hope that the or set on the next play.
next serve will go into the net. The forearm pass must be executed efficiently if
Serve reception is critical to overall team success. your team is to be successful; it is the starting point
To improve the efficiency of serve reception, the Japa- of a successful attack. If the ball is passed poorly,
nese introduced and popularized the forearm pass the setter will have difficulty placing the ball in the
before the 1964 Olympics. In recent years, many best position for the attacker.
teams have developed players who specialize as
passers during serve reception. This is done to take
advantage of the special talents of these indi\aduals How to Execute the
as efficient forearm passers. Some teams receive with Forearm Pass
as few as two players. The United States' men's team
has used only two players to receive serve since the The basic elements for good execution of the forearm
1984 Olympics. pass are (a) getting to the ball, (b) setting your posi-
The forearm pass is the first basic volleyball skill tion, (c) making contact, and (d) following the flight
you should learn. This skill is also referred to as the of the ball to the target. When performing the fore-
underhand pass or the bump. It usually is the first arm pass, your hands must be joined together: your
skill your team must execute if you have not elected thumbs must be parallel. Your elbows are rotated
to serve. It is used to receive serves, receive spikes, inward so that the soft, flat portions of your fore-
play any ball at waist height or lower, and play any arms face the ceiling. This platform formed by your
ball that has gone into the net. Due to the fact that arms should be as even as possible. Your arms should
this skill is used almost exclusively for receiving, it be parallel to your thighs; hold them away from your
is often referred to as just a pass. body. You must try to position your body behind the
ball, absorb the force, and direct the ball to the tar-

get using your body, through leg extension, while

Why Is the Forearm Pass contacting the ball with little or no arm swing (pok-

Important? ing action). See Figure 2. 1 for the forearm pass Keys
to Success.

Although the forearm pass is frequently used, you The forearm pass is a relatively easy skill to per-
have better passing control when utilizing the over- form when you move to the ball first; that is, when
head pass (discussed in Step 4). Therefore, if pos- you get to the proper position before attempting the
sible, use the overhead pass. However, any hard- skill. The difficulty in the skill is that you probably
driven ball— that is, a serve or a spike— should be do not use your forearms in performing any other
received with a forearm pass because open hands sport skill. The tendency, therefore, is to hit the ball

are not strong enough to receive a ball hit with force. with the hands; be careful not to acquire this habit.

14
 Forearm Pass: Attacking Starts Here • 15

FIGURE!
2.1 f
KEYS TO SUCCESS

FOREARM PASS

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 . Move to ball and set 1. Receive ball in front of 1. Keep hands joined
body body 2. Elbows remain locked
2. Join hands 2. Slight extension of legs 3. Platform follows ball to
3. Feet in an easy stride position, 3. No arm swing target
shoulder-width apart 4. Transfer weight forward 4. Keep arms below shoulder
4. Bend knees, keep body 5. Contact ball away from level

low body 5. Transfer weight toward

5. Form platform with arms 6. Slant platform toward target
6. Thumbs parallel target 6. Watch ball to target
7. Elbows locked 7. Hips move forward
8. Arms parallel to thighs 8. Watch ball contact arms
9. Back straight
0. Eyes track ball

FOREARM PASS SUCCESS STOPPERS

If you learn to recognize the components of correct ers" attempts to perform correctly. The most com-
execution of the forearm pass, it becomes easier for mon forearm pass errors are listed here, along with
you to analyze your attempts and your fellow play- suggestions on how to correct them.

ERROR CORRECTION
1 . Your arms are too high when you contact 1 . Let the ball drop to waist level before
the ball. Your arms follow through above contact. Try to stop your arms on contact by
shoulder height. using a "poking" action on the ball.
16 • Volleyball; Steps to Success

ERROR CORRECTION
2. You get low by bending at your waist 2. Bend your knees, keeping your back
instead of your knees, causing you to pass the straight as you move under the ball; touch the
ball too low and too fast. floor with your hands to stay in a low position.

3. You do not transfer weight toward the 3. Check that your weight ends up on your
intended target: as a result, the ball does not forward foot and that your body is inclined
travel fonvard. forward.

4. Your hands separate before, at, or just 4. Keep your hands joined by interlocking
after contacting the ball, resulting in an errant your fingers or wrapping one hand in the other
pass. with thumbs parallel.

5. The ball contacts your arms at or above 5. Keep your arms parallel to your thighs and
your elbows or contacts your torso. contact the ball away from your torso.

FOREARM PASS

DRILLS
1. Passing a Held Ball
This drill helps you to practice contacting the ball at a low level and projecting it forward.
Because the ball is stationary, you can work on ball contact and body position without worrying
about moving to the ball. It will be difficult to project the ball over your partner's head if you do
not contact it with the arms away from the body.
Have a partner loosely hold the ball out toward you at waist level. Using forearm pass tech-
nique, hit the ball out of your partners hands so that it is directed back over your partner's
head. Your partner then retrieves the ball, and the drill continues.

ms^<
i* Success Goal = 25 good forearm passes
/ N
in 30 attempts / O I

Y X X

<» ~»
/ \
iuccess Check ^-«. I O I
' ^ V X X
• Ball held low
y X X
• Weight transferred forward
• Arms parallel to thighs

/
—^A
^—
o I

Y X X

Net
 Forearm Pass: Attacking Starts Here • 17

2. Partner Pass
allows you to pass a ball that is coming right at you. It is goodto work on passing
This drill

consistency from the beginning. Here you are forced to pass the ball the same distance all the
time. Try also to work on consistency in the height of the pass.
Have a partner toss you a ball; using your forearms, pass the ball back to your partner. Your
partner must be able to catch your pass without taking more than one step in any direction.

n Success Goal - 20 good forearm passes

MSui I
To Increase Difficulty

in 25 attempts The tosser throws the ball lower and harder, to

either side of the passer or out in front of the

passer.
%^uccess Check
• Move to ball
To Decrease Difficulty
The tosser throws the ball higher.
• Set position
Shorten the distance between partners.
• Direct ball with platform

3. Continuous Bumping
This drill allows you to practice consistency in your form, adds some footwork, and also as-

sists you drop to you. Consistency in the height of the pass is important.
in letting the ball

Gently toss a volleyball underhand to yourself and use forearm pass technique to keep the ball
in the air Bump the ball 8 to 10 feet high by using the net as a guide. Stay within a 10-foot
square.

iiiSu
li Success Goal = 25 consecutive bumps I
To Increase Difficulty
while remaining in the 10-foot square • Make the playing area smaller than a 10-foot
square.
• Make a quarter-turn between each contact.
WSuccess Check • Touch the floor with a hand between each
• Receive ball low contact.
• Extend legs
• Control ball To Decrease Difficultywl^—
• Let the ball bounce on the floor between
• Aim high
contacts.
• Make the playing area larger than a 10-foot
square.

4. Passing to Target
The tosser in this drill can control the difficulty level of the drill. The tosser can begin by
tossing right at the player and, as the player becomes proficient, increase the challenge by
moving the toss to the left or right.

In a group of three, one person tosses a ball over the net to you. Receive the ball and direct it

using a forearm pass to a third person positioned at the net. The target catches the ball and
returns it to the tosser.
18 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

w5sL
1 Success Goal = 20 accurate forearm
1

passes out of 25 attempts

luccess Check
• Position body
• Platform to target
• Arms parallel to thighs

Net

1
To Increase Difficulty
• Require hard, low tosses.
• The tosser shortens the time between throws.

To Decrease DifflcultyWmm-^
• Allow high, easy tosses.
• The tosser lengthens the time between throws.

5. Pass and Move

Practicing movement to the ball and then passing to a target is the object of this drill. Rarely in
a game setting is the sen^e directed right at a player. This drill requires you to mo\'e into position
before passing the ball.
In a group of three, have two partners stand 20 feet apart on the attack line, facing the end
line. You are to face the net and move laterally (left and right) to the spots directly in front of the
other two players. As you approach one of the spots, the player aligned with it tosses the ball.
You receive the ball by forearm passing it back at least 2 feet higher than the height of the net.
The tosser should not have to move more than one step in any direction to catch your pass.

^. I ^ Success Goal = 20
passes out of 25 attempts
accurate forearm
Net

o o
X x_
^^uccess Check k
I ^ \
• Move to ball
'I II
• Call for ball I II
II
Square
•

• Pass high
to target
II
i

I
I

II
» I /

i
~ / \ J
/ \ t
_j—
•
W To Increase
The tosser throws the
Difficulty
ball lower and sooner.
< X

• Increase the distance between the tossers.

To Decrease Difficultyl
• The tosser throws the ball higher and easier.
• The tosser waits for the passer to get into posi-
tion before tossing the ball.
 Forearm Pass; Attacking Starts Here 19

6. Forearm Pass for Accuracy

Once you have become proficient in the technique of passing, begin working on situations that
are more gamelike. In this drill you receive a toss in the area of the court where you would most
likely receive the serx^e, and you pass to the position on the court where your teammate would be

most likely to receive it.

Have a partner stand on the attack line on the side of the court. You stand near the middle of
the end line in the back third of the other side of the court.
Your partner tosses a ball to either side. Move to receive and forearm pass the ball to a 10-foot
square target area on your side of the court between the attack line and the centerline. The
target should begin 5 feet from the right sideline and extend 10 feet into the center of the court.

Your pass should reach a height of 2 feet above the net.

n Success Goal =
Msii 20 on-target forearm
passes out of 25 attempts

Success Check
• Call for ball
• Move to receive
• Platform to target

Net
To Increase Difficulty
Decrease the size of the target.

The tosser throws the ball farther from the re-

ceiver.

The tosser shortens the time between tosses.

To Decrease Difficulty \

Enlarge the target area. y/

The tosser throws the ball closer to the receiver.

The tosser lengthens the time between tosses.

FOREARM PASS SUCCESS SUMMARY

During serve reception, a trained observer analyzing a bad pass should observe the action of
the ball and be able to identify your performance error. For example, if the ball goes straight up
from your hands rather than forward, it indicates one of two possible performance errors: (a) you
have not transferred your weight forward, or, (b) you have contacted the ball too high. With this

in mind, have a trained observer check your performance for the points listed in the Keys to

Success in Figure 2.1.

 3
SERVE AND SERVE RECEPTION:
CONTROLLING Ttl{ GAM^

I
our team is fighting hard in a long rally during you are consistent in using the underhand sen^e, you
the deciding fifth game of a closely fought volleyball should practice other more effective serves.

match. Finally, after several outstanding plays, the The overhandjloater serve is the next serve to learn.
ball is set to one of your attacking players who ends The name Jloater is derived from the fact that the
the rally with a kill. Your team celebrates. You are ball moves from side to side or up and down as it

the next sen'er and move into the senlce area. You travels across the net. This happens because the ball
toss the ball and serve it out-of-bounds, putting a is hit without spin. Spin stabilizes a ball in flight;

quick end to your team's momentum by giving your without spin, the ball appears to move and jump.
opponent a point and the sen^e. This movement is very similar to the "knuckling" ac-
Your next skill to master is the serve. The ser\T is tion of a pitched baseball.

the only skill used to put the ball into play. In the Once the tvvo basic serves are mastered, you can
nondeciding games of a match, you earn points only begin practicing more advanced serves. Popular ad-
when your team is semng. It is therefore important vanced sen'es include the topspin sen'e. the round-
that you sen^e with consistency— that is. sen'e the house floater serve, and the jump sen'e.

ball over the net into the opponent's court at least 90 When performing the topspin serve, you hit the ball
percent of the time. The serve is the only skill in vol- hard, imparting forward spin that causes the ball to
leyball in which you have total control during the drop quickly into the opponent's court after it crosses
execution: you are solely responsible for the result. the net. This sen'e. unlike the floater serve, travels a
Mistakes in serving are unforced and usually more true course once it is directed because spin stabi-
mental than physical. lizes the ball.
Sen'e reception is more difficult if the serve is pow- The next sen'e for you to master is the roundhouse
erful. Efficient serve reception is the first step in pre- fmd it easy to get this serve
Jloater serve. Players often
venting your opponents from scoring and allowing over the net because it utilizes the larger muscle
your team the opportunity to score. groups of the body. Even so. the technique is not
typical of other overhand sport movements, such as
throwing, and this adds to the complexity of the learn-
The Serve ing process. The ball floats and knuckles the same
way as the overhand floater sen'e. The roundhouse
There are several types of serves in volleyball, four of used extensively by the Japanese.
floater is
which will be covered here. Each has its advantages The most advanced sen'e popular today is the jump
and disadvantages. Ever}^ player should master the serve. This serve is very complex to perform, and be-
two basic serves—the underhand serve and the over- cause of this, players using it sen'e at a lower level of
hand floater. The first priority when serving is con- consistency. In the 1988 Olympics, the United States
sistency—getting the ball over the net and into the men won the gold medal by defeating Brazil in the
opponent's court close to 100 percent of the time. finals after losing to them in a preliminary match.
Any player can easily serve the ball underhand. Once The difference in the two matches was the level of

20
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 21

consistency of the Brazilians in executing the jump along with the unpredictable floating action, make
sei^e. In the first match, Brazil served at a high level this serve effective.

of consistency and won. In the final Brazil's consis- The topspin serve causes the ball to travel very
tency dropped considerably, and they lost. Instruc- rapidly and drop quickly, which means that the op-
tion on how to perform the jump serve is beyond the posing team has little time to react. This catches the
scope of this book. opponent off guard, and the serve may be an ace (a
serve that either is not touched by the receiving team
or is touched by a player in a manner that prevents
Selecting a Serve: Why any further play on the ball). It is also difficult for
and When? defenders to judge whether a topspin serve will land
in or out when it approaches the end line. Serves

The serve begins the game. Your team can continue that appear to be out often drop quickly at the last

to control the play as long as you maintain the serve. second and land within the court boundaries.
The underhand serve is the easiest one to perform. The roundhouse floater serve can often be executed
This serve, although usually easy for opponents to even if you have difficulty performing the overhand
receive, is one that you should perform with total serve: because you use larger muscle groups in this

confidence. You should master the underhand serve serve,you do not need as much strength. You may
with 90 percent consistency before attempting other thus find initial success with this serve before you
serves. are able to execute the overhand serve. A negative
The floater serve is initiated from a higher point aspect of the roundhouse floater is that you do not
than the underhand serve. The straighter trajectory have your eyes on the target area of the opponent's
that results makes the ball more difficult to receive court before initiating the toss.
because it comes with greater force and takes less You will gain an advantage over your opponent if
time to travel the same distance. These two factors, you are capable of executing more than one type of

Serve Summary Chart

Serve Advantages Disadvantages When to Use
Underhand • Easy to execute • Easy to receive • First serve to learn

• High trajectory • Use until you have consistency

with other serves

Overhand Floater • Ball moves in flight • Not as much force • After consistency has been gained

• Difficult to receive • Sometimes ball will

rise and go out

• Straighter trajectory

Topspin • Ball travels rapidly • Ball flight is stable • Mix with other serves '^
and drops quickly to disrupt receivers' timing %
• More difficult to execute • When opponents are receiving
from a deep court position

• Less consistency • When you have a lead or

^^^^K have the game in control

Roundhouse Floater • Uses larger muscle • Body position is not • When there is sufficient space
groups; less strength facing the target area in the serving area
is needed
• Can serve ball from • Form not typical of other
a deeper position on overhand sport
the court movements
 . .

22 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

sen^e with consistency. The timing of each serv^e is level, slightly to the center from your front foot, with
so different that the players of the receiving team are your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Your hit-
constantly wondering what to expect. If each sen'er tinghand swings backward above waist level and then
on a team masters a different type of sen'e. the team forward to contact the ball. As you swing your hand,
may gain a strategic edge by keeping the opponent shift your weight from the rear foot to the front foot.

off-balance. Just prior to contact, your holding hand drops away

from the ball. Your hitting hand swings forward and

up toward the top of the net. You contact the ball

How toExecute the with an open hand, the heel of your hand cutting
into the back of the ball just below its center. Watch
Underhand Serve
the flight of your sen^e and prepare for further action

The starting position for performing the underhand (see Figure 3.1). In beach volleyball, this serve is of-

serve is standing in a stride position with the leg for- ten used with a very high trajectory causing your

ward on the side opposite your hitting hand and opponents to look into the sun and lose the ability to

shoulders square to the net. Hold the ball about waist track the ball.

FIGURE!
3.l[ KEYS TO SUCCESS

UNDERHAND SERVE

b c

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1. Feet in comfortable 1 Swing arm back 1 Swing hand forward to top of

stride 2. Transfer weight to rear net

2. Weight evenly distributed foot 2. Transfer weight to front
3. Shoulders square to net 3. Swing arm forward foot

4. Hold ball at waist height or 4. Transfer weight to front 3. Move onto court
lower foot

5. Hold ball in front of body 5. Contact ball with heel of

6. Use open hand open hand
7. Eyes on ball 6. Contact ball at waist
level

7. Drop holding hand

8. Contact ball below center
back
9. Concentrate on ball
 .

Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game 23

elbow high and hand close your As you swing

How to Execute the Overhand
your arm forward toward the
to

ball,
ear.

keep your eyes on

Floater Serve the ball. Make contact with the heel of your open
hand slightly below the center back of the ball. The
The essential element in executing the floater serve poking action with or no
ball contact is a little fol-
is the toss. The toss must be just in front of your
low-through. As your arm swings through the ball,
hitting shoulder at a height that allows you time to
transferred to your front foot. Con-
your weight is
swing your arm and still contact the ball at full ex-
tinue forward to assume a defensive position. The
tension. The toss must be made with little or no spin
key to consistent serving is the elimination of all ex-
on the ball. Stand with a slight stride position, shoul-
traneous movements, for example, extra steps and
ders square to the net, foot of your noncontact side
unnecessary or tennislike follow-through (see Figure
forward, and your weight evenly distributed. As you
3.2).
toss the ball, bring your hitting arm back with the

FIGUREI
3.2I
KEYS TO SUCCESS

OVERHAND FLOATER

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1. Feet in comfortable stride 1. Toss ball in front of hitting 1 Continue weight transfer
position shoulder forward
2. Weight evenly distributed _ 2. Toss ball with little or no 2. Arm drops slightly in follow-
3. Shoulders square to net _ spin through
4. Noncontact side foot 3. Toss ball with one hand 3. Move onto court
forward 4. Toss ball close to body
5. Use open hand 5. Swing arm back with elbow
6. Eves on ball high
6. Keep hand close to ear

7. Contact ball with heel of

hand
8. Keep arm extended at
contact
9. Track ball to contact

10. Transfer weight forward

 .

24 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

How to Execute the toward a net post. Place the

your hitting shoulder. Contact the
ball toss slightly

ball just
behind
below its
Topspin Serve center back with your arm at full extension; immedi-
ately follow with a wrist snap, causing the fingers to
The topspin sen^e is similar in execution to the other
roll over the top of the ball. The hitting hand forcibly
sen-es. In the beginning position, turn your shoul-
drops down to the waist (see Figure 3.3).
ders slightly to the sideline. Point your forward foot

FIGUREI
3.3 KEYS TO SUCCESS

TOPSPIN

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1. Feet in comfortable 1. Toss ball behind hitting 1 Transfer weight to forward
stride shoulder foot

2. Weight evenly distributed 2. Toss ball with little or no 2. Drop arm forcibly to waist _
3. Shoulders and feet angle to- spin 3. Move onto court
ward sideline 3. Swing hitting arm
4. Eyes on ball toss back
position 4. Keep elbow high and close to

ear
5. Contact ball with heel of
open hand
6. Contact ball with arm fully

extended
7. Snap wrist forcibly
8. Keep eyes on ball until

contact
 . .

Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 25

How to Execute the contact with the ball directly in front of your body.
As you swing your arm, shift your weight forward
Roundhouse Floater Serve onto your front foot, rotate your hips forward, and
immediately follow with your shoulder bringing your
Stand facing the sideline with your forward foot to-
hitting arm into contact with the ball. The contact is
ward a net post. Toss the ball slightly ahead of your
with an open hand just below the center back of the
body, away from the midline and toward your
ball— a "poking" action with no wrist snap and little
nonhitting shoulder. Fully extend your arm through-
follow-through. Turn your body and move toward
out the entire motion of the serve. Drop your arm
the court (see Figure 3.4).
back and then swing it up over your head, making

FIGUREI
3.4I KEYS TO SUCCESS

ROUNDHOUSE FLOATER
D

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Feet in comfortable 1. Toss ball in front of body 1 Transfer weight to forward
stride foot
2. Weight evenly distributed 2. Toss ball between body 2. Arm drops slightly in follow-
3. Shoulders and feet angle to- midline and nonhitting through
ward sideline shoulder 3. Move onto court
4. Eyes on ball toss 3. Toss ball with little or no
position spin
4. Extend hitting arm through-
out action
5. Contact ball with heel of
open hand
6. Keep virrist locked
7. Rotate body into contact
8. Eyes on ball until

contact
26 Volleyball: Steps to Success

SERVE SUCCESS STOPPERS

Underhand serve errors can usually be attributed to your hitting shoulder are critical. A slight deviation
the position of the holding hand. Overhand floater from the proper technique can cause an extreme
and roundhouse serve errors usually are due to bad de\1ation in the resulting serve. You should execute
tosses. Good placement of the ball on the toss is es- the serve with exactly the same form every time,
sential. changing only the angle of your body to change the
The topspin serve is difficult to master because direction of the ball. The elimination of extraneous
proper hand contact with the ball, the amount of wrist movements helps to increase sening success.
snap, and where the ball is contacted in relation to

ERROR CORRECTION
Underhand
1. The ball goes up, more than forward, and 1 . Hold the ball at waist level or lower.

does not travel over the net. Contact the ball just below center back and
swing arm forward toward the net. Transfer
your weight to your forward foot.

2. The ball does not have enough force to 2. Do not swing holding hand; hit a station-
make it over the net. ary ball.Contact must be made with the heel
ofyour open hand.
3. Your weight ends up on your back foot: the 3. Step forward onto your front foot as you
ball trajectory is too high. contact the ball. Your head and shoulders
should end up forward ofyour knees.

Overhand Floater
1. The ball goes into the net. 1 . Be sure toss is close to the shoulder of
your hitting hand.

2. The serve goes off to the right (Note: This is 2. The toss must be in front ofyour body, not
true for both right- and left-handed players). to its right side.

3. The sen'e lacks the power to reach the net. 3. Use your entire body when you serve;

contact the ball with the heel ofyour hand, not

only with the fingers.

4. The ball goes over the end line of your 4. Make contact just below the ball's center
opponent's court. back; make sure you contact the ball in front
ofyour body.

5. You must take steps to reach a toss that is 5. Check for toss accuracy; the toss must be
too far out in front. close to your body, just in front ofyour hitting
shoulder.
•

Topspin
1 . The ball goes into the net. 1. Toss the ball behind the shoulder ofyour
hitting hand.

2. The ball goes to the right. 2. The toss must be in front ofyour body, not
outside your hitting shoulder.
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 27

ERROR CORRECTION
3. The serve does not reach the net. 3. Transfer your weight at contact. Contact
the ball with the heel of an open hand.

4. The ball goes over the end line of the 4. Contact the ball below center back, and
opponent's court. snap your wrist forcibly, rolling your fingers
over the top of the ball; finish by dropping the
hitting hand to your waist.

^i!5. You take two or three steps to serve the 5. Toss the ball slightly behind your shoulder
baU. and transfer your weight forward.

Roundhouse Floater
1 . The ball goes into the net. 1. The toss is too far ahead of your
nonhitting shoulder or too low.

2. The serve does not reach the net. 2. Rotate your body into the contact; contact
the ball with the heel of an open hand.

3. The ball goes over the end line of the 3. Contact the ball to the nonhitting side of

opponent's court. your body, just below the center back of the
ball.

4. You take two or three steps to serve the 4. The toss must be between the midline of

ball. your body and your nonhitting shoulder as

well as close to your body. Steps are extrane-
ous.

termine whether you are the one who is going to re-

Receiving the Serve
ceive it.The sooner you determine that you will re-
By you have learned movement patterns
this point, ceive the serve, the more time you have to get into

in volleyball and the skills of forearm passing and the correct position.

serving. You are now ready to combine these skills

as they would be used in a game situation.
How to Receive Serve
The comes to the receiver with a good
Why Is Serve Reception typical serve
deal of force. Even though the rules do not stipulate
Important? that the serve must be received by using a forearm
pass, volleyball officials tend to accept only this
The reception of serve is the starting point of your
method of playing the serve.
team's attempt to gain a side out. A successful serve
The best means of predicting the direction of the
reception allows your team to begin your attack and
opponent's serve is to concentrate on the server's
hopefully win the rally. Gaining a side out prevents
body. You should look for the angle of the server's
your opponents from scoring and gives your team shoulders, where the forward foot is pointing, and
the opportunity to serve and score. Remember, in a
the direction of the hitting arm. The sooner that you
nondeciding game, you score points only when serv-
can determine the serve direction, the better your
ing. To successfully receive the serve, you must be
chance of executing a good pass. It is even possible
able to anticipate the direction of the ball and to de-
28 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

for you to cover the entire court by yourself and touch crosses the net and arrives in your court. After call-

every sen^e if you pay attention to the server's body ing for the ball, you must quickly move to the correct
cues. You must call for the ball by yelling "I have it- location to receive the serve, set your position, and
er "mine." This call should be made before the ball execute the pass.

SERVE AND SERVE RECEPT

DRILLS
1. Ball Toss
This drill is to improve your ability to toss the ball consistently for the overhand floater serve.
Place a 12-inch-square target on the floor directly in front of and slightly to the center from your
forward foot. Stand in serving position and hold your hitting hand fully extended. Toss the ball
so that it goes higher than your hitting hand and lands on the target.

MSui
[ Success Goal = 9 accurate tosses out of
10 attempts

Success Check
• Concentrate on ball
• Reach high with arm that places ball
• Place ball consistently

-7—5 Net
1
To Increase Difficulty
• Use a smaller target.
X Iil2"
12"
To Decrease Difficulty
• Use a larger target.

12"
12"

2. Wall Serve
This drill gives you the opportunity to work on serving form without being concerned about the
distance needed to get the ball over the net.
Stand in a serving position approximately 20 feet from a wall on which is painted a line at the
proper net height. Toss and serve the ball into the wall above the line.

(iiSu
i Success Goal = 9 good serves out of 10 attempts
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 29

I
To Increase Difficulty
^^uccess Check • Choose a specific target above the wall line.
• Underhand serve: • Move farther away from the wall.
Contact ball at waist
Holding hand does not move To Decrease Difficulty
Follow through to "top of net" (line on wall) • Move closer to the wall.

• Overhand Floater serve:

Shoulders square to net
Place ball into position
Continuous movement of serving arm after ball

toss
Hitting hand points to target
• Topspin/Roundhouse Floater serve:
Make accurate toss
Contact with heel of open hand
Limit follow-through on roundhouse

3. Partner Serve at the Net

This drill allows you to practice your serving form without being concerned about the force
needed to get the ball the full distance required in a legal serve. You and your partner should
stand in opposite sides of the court, each 20 feet from the net. Serve the ball cleanly (not touch-
ing the net) to your partner. Your partner must be able to catch the ball without moving more
than one step.

tiiSu
i Success Goal =
I

10 attempts

%^uccess Check
l accurate serves out of

~f
coo
X
/
X
'
?
x_
/
T"
20'

I I I

• Underhand serve: I I
I
I
I

Accuracy before all else I

I
I
<

• Overhand Floater serve: I

I I
;

I
Consistent toss I I
I

Consistent movement I I

Net
Eliminate excess body movements
1 i

I I

I
• Topspin/Roundhouse Floater serve: 1
I

I 1

Toss ball accurately

u—
I I

1
Make contact at full arm extension » \

Shoulders square to partner at contact

\To Increase Difficulty

k
\

XXX
^
*
V
><
\
x

V
20'

• Increase the distance between you and your

partner.
• The receiver stands without moving to receive

the ball.

To Decrease Difficulty]
• Reduce the distance between partners.
• Lower the net.
30 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

4. Simulated Serve and Forearm Pass

This drill allows you to practice accurate passing when receiving a simulated sen^e from a
gamelike position on the court. It allows you to gain a kinesthetic awareness for the court dis-
tances. In a group of three players with two balls, the tosser is on one side of the net at the attack

line (see Diagram a. below).You and the other player are on the opposite side of the net. You are
the receiver, standing in the backcourt midway between the attack line and the end line. The
other is a target player, standing near the net to your right.
The tosser, using a two-hand method, throws one ball over the net toward you. Call for the ball
and forearm pass it higher than (not over) the net to the target, who should not have to move
more than one step in any direction to catch the ball. Meanwhile, the target has delivered a
second ball to the tosser. The tosser immediately tosses the second ball, then receives and tosses
the first ball, and so on, making the drill continuous.

(usin
li Success Goal = 20 accurate forearm \To Increase Difficulty
passes out of 25 attempts • Increase the force of the toss.
• Shorten the time between tosses.
• Tosser moves to senlce area and senses ball (see
'

Success Check Diagram b, below).

• Anticipate well
• Call for ball before it crosses net To Decrease Difficulty Hhl_
• Move, set, execute • Decrease the force of the toss.
• Toss directly at the receiver.
• Lengthen the time between tosses.
• The receiver may move more than one step in
any direction.

End line End line

Attack
line

Net
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 31

5. End Line Serve

This drill helps you to develop a the amount of force and the angle of direction needed
feel for

to serve successfully on a full court. You and your partner should stand on opposite end lines.
Serve cleanly back and forth to each other's side of the court.

tusu
Success Goal =
.. 9 good underhand serves out of 10 attempts b. 25 consecutive underhand serves
9 good overhand floater serves out of 10 25 consecutive overhand floater serves

attempts 25 consecutive topspin serves

9 good topspin serves out of 10 attempts 25 consecutive roundhouse floater serves
9 out of 10 good roundhouse floater serves out of

10 attempts

Success Check Increase difficulty

with end line serves
Underhand serve:
*-\
Accuracy before all else

Overhand Floater serve;

Consistent toss
Consistent movement
Eliminate excess body movements
Topspin/Roundhouse Floater serve:
Choose direction and position body accordingly
Good toss is essential
Heel of hand must contact ball

Follow through in direction of serve

To Increase Difficulty
• Stand diagonally from partner and serve from
behind the opposite end lines (see diagram).
• The server slightly changes position at the end
line, creating a new angle of serve.
• Serve to only one half of the court, divided across
either the width or the length.

To Decrease Difficulty^^''-'^^^
• Reduce the distance between server and the net.
• Use a lighter ball.

6. Receiving Serve From the Right/Left Back Positions

In this drill the receiver practices receiving serve from the left and right back positions on the
court that correspond to the serve reception positions of traditional team formations. The passer
stands either in the right or left back position, calls for the ball, and passes so that the ball is

higher than the net and falls to the court in a 10-foot-square target. This target is bounded by
the centerline and the attack line, and begins 5 feet from the right sideline. The target person

catches the ball after it bounces, then returns it to the server. The server should serve to the half
of the opposite court where the receiver is standing.
 .

32 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

- 11 Success Goal =
fflStyc To Increase Difficulty
I

a. Right back position • The server senses with a lower trajectory.

6 good forearm passes out of 10 attempts • The sender serves farther away from the passer.
10 legal senses out of 12 attempts • Shorten the time between sen'es.
b. Left back position
6 good forearm passes out of 10 attempts
To Decrease Difficulty]

10 legal serves out of 12 attempts

• The sen'er serves with a higher trajectory.
• The server serves directly at the passer.
• Lengthen the time between serves.
^fuccess Check
• Anticipate well
• Call for ball before it crosses net
• Move, set, execute

Net

Right back position Left back position

7. Serve for Accuracy

You can gain a strategic advantage by being able to serve to your opponent's weak areas. In

this drill, you practice serving accurately to all points of the court. Place a sheet approximately
10 feet square in one of the six rotational positions on one side of the court. Stand in the opposite
serving area (the right third of the court) and sen^e. attempting to hit the target. You should
attempt this drill for all six target areas.
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 33

MSui
li Success Goal - 20 or fewer serves needed to hit a target 5 times, repeating for each target. Record
the number of good serves needed to hit each target:

Target Underhand Overhand Topspin Roundhouse

1

2
3
4
5
6

Success Check
•

•
Underhand/Overhand Floater
Toe

Arm
target
of nonhitting side foot points

to target

Transfer of weight
Topspin /Roundhouse Floater serve:
serve:
toward intended

rt^
Accurate toss
> 4
Heel of hand cuts into ball with arm at full exten-

sion
Quick wrist snap when serving topspin
Net

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Reduce the size of the target.
• Make the drill competitive: Challenge the serv-
ers on one end line to reach the Success Goal
before those on the other end line.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Enlarge the target.
• Increase the number of attempts allowed for
meeting the Success Goal.

8. Call and Serve

This is a competitive drill to practice serving strategically under the type of pressure similar to
an actual game. In a game, the player wants to serve to an area that would give the player's team
an advantage depending on the opposing players' strengths and weaknesses. Each side of the
areas— three by the end line, three along the net. These
volleyball court is divided into six equal
areas are numbered counterclockwise, beginning with 1 in the right back position. Short (net)
areas are numbered 2, 3, and 4, and long areas are 5, 6, and 1.
Indicate the area you are serving to by calling out its number prior to serving. Points are
awarded as follows: 3 points for hitting the target called, 2 points if the target is missed but the
serve hits an adjacent target at the same distance (both short or both long), and 1 point for a
serve at the opposite distance.
34 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

^
senses
I Success Goal = 20 points on 10
t
»\»\
''^:^
Success Check
• Change direction by changing body position, not
ball toss or arm swing
• Short serves as close to top of net as long serves

To Increase Difficulty
TT- Net
• Decrease the size of each target area. I I

• Sen'e only the deep areas— 5. 6. and 1.

f4
• Add a time limit.

To Decrease Difficulty]
• Enlarge each target area.
• Serve only the short areas—2, 3 and 4.

9. Calling the Pass

This drill become accustomed to the team concept of sen^e reception. It helps
allows players to
players to improve both in decision making and communication. In a group of four, two are
receivers in the left back and right back positions, one is a target person in the right one third of
the court near the net, and the fourth is a server on the opposite side of the net.
The server should vary the senTS and hit them into each of the three deep positions. One or
the other of the receivers should call for each sen'e and pass it to the target as in previous drills.

W^A
^ Success Goal
' = Success Check
6 good forearm passes out of 10 attempts • Call for ball
10 sen'es into each of the three deep positions out • Move, set, execute
of 12 attempts • Cover for partner
 Serve and Serve Reception: Controlling the Game • 35

To Increase Difficulty ? 1

'I \
• The server uses a lower trajectory and more force. 1 1 \
1 1 \
• The server serves to the space between the backs 1 1 \
1 1 \
(the searri^. 1 1 \
1 \
• Shorten the time between serves. 1 \

1 \
1 \

To Decrease Difficultyi ,

,
\
\
, \
• The server uses a higher trajectory. ,
\

• Serve directly at the receiver.

• Lengthen the time between serves. > \
> \
1 \

Net

M
M/'- X <
it'-
X
LB RB

1 1

10. Team Serving

This drill gives you the opportunity to practice serving as a team and with the pressure of
competition. The drill is more gamelike. In two teams of six each, one team groups in each
service area of the court. Have plenty of voUeyballs at each serving area with an equal number at
each. Place 10-foot-square targets in the same rotational positions on each side of the court.
Two or three servers on each team begin serving at the target all at the same time. After
serving, each player retrieves a ball and prepares to serve again. Meanwhile, other team mem-
bers will step forward to serve. Servers continuously switch places after each repetition. Repeat
this drill for all six target areas.

Msu
Success Goal
r^ = hit each of the target Success Check
areas with 20 serves before your opponent for each
• Accurate toss

of the six target areas:

• Arm swings to target
• Heel of hand cuts into ball
Target area 1

Target area 2

Target area 3

Target area 4

Target area 5

Target area 6
36 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

XXX Service
\To Increase Difficulty XXX, area
• Decrease the size of the target. O 1

• Limit time for trying to hit each target.

To Decrease Difficulty}
• Enlarge the target.
• Serve from anywhere behind the end line.
III It

i 1
o o o
XXX
Service
area

11. Minus Two

This drill also gives you the opportunity to practice serving under the pressure conditions
associated with competitions. In this drill the player must serve the ball into the opponent's
court or lose points, similar to losing the serve for an error in actual competition. This is almost
the same as the previous drill. Here the serve needs to be only within the boundaries of the
opposite court. One person serves at a time on each side. Each person senses only once followed
immediately by the next person. Retrieve a ball after you've served and go to the end of the line to
prepare to serve again.
For each legal serve, your team scores 1 point. For every bad serve, your team is penalized 2
points. The first team to reach 20 points wins.

(liSu
• Success Goal = 20 team points * Success Check
• Take your time
• Aim
• Use an excellent ball toss
 —

Serve and Serve Reception; Controlling the Game • 37

XXX
o o o
To Increase Difficulty
T—r
I

Reach the Success Goal with a time limit.

Serve to only half of the opposing court.

-i
———
» .

o o o
I

XXX

SERVE AND SERVE RECEPTION SUCCESS SUMMARY

Serving and receiving serve are the two most important skills in volleyball. The serve must be
in the opponent's court to force the opponent to play the ball and possibly make an error.
When
receiving,making a good pass is critical to begin your team's offense.
Try master the underhand serve before practicing the overhand floater serve. Practice the
to

more advanced serves only after reaching the Success Goals for the first two. During competition
use the serve that is your most efficient, but continue to practice the other serves. The more
serves you can do consistently, the more effective you will be.
Ask a skilled observer to watch you perform each of the four serves. For the underhand serve,
ask him or her to pay particular attention to your weight transfer (see Figure 3. 1). When check-
ing the overhand floater serve, the observer should be directly behind you to evaluate your toss
(see Figure 3.2). For the topspin serve, ask the observer to watch your contact point in relation to
your body (see Figure 3.3). For the roundhouse floater serve, the observer should focus on hand-

ball contact (see Figure 3.4). The ball must not be spinning when it leaves your hand.

To become an efficient passer on serve reception, you should receive as many serves as pos-

sible. When practicing serve reception, receive different types of serves from different positions
on the court. When evaluating serve reception, your observer should focus on your readiness to
receive the serve. Your success depends on your ability to read the opposing server early, move
to position, and get set to receive.
 4
OVERtlEAD PASS: StITING m ATTACK

our team is ready to receive a free ball from cushioning the ball as you receive it and directing it

the opponent. The ball is coming over the net high, high and easy to the setter.

easy, and directly to you. Your teammates are an- The set is usually your team's second contact of
ticipating a strong attack in transition. Instead of the ball in the three-step offensive effort. The setter
using an overhead pass, you decide to allow the ball must place the ball in a position where the attacker
to drop and use a forearm pass. You shank the ball can hit it aggressively back to the opponent. In most
into the crowd: another excellent opportunity is offensive situations, one player is designated as the
wasted. Whenever the ball is coming to you high setter and is the player who executes the second hit
and easy, your choice should be the overhead pass. or set. The setter should be the best overhead passer
This is the next skill for you to learn. This skill should on the team.
be the one in which you handle the ball with the The set determines where and how well the attack
greatest efficiency and the most control. You use develops. Setters must have outstanding ability in
the overhead pass to direct the ball to a teammate setting the ball. A well-placed set enhances the at-

and, rarely, to return the ball to the opponent. tacking team's ability to gain an advantage over the
The set is an overhead pass that you execute to opponent.
place the ball in a position for the attack. This pass Sets in volleyball are usually identified by a num-
is executed primarily by the setter, but it may be used bering system combining two digits. One digit indi-

by any player. The set can be either a forward pass cates the height of the set above the net: the second
or a back pass. The height of the set depends upon digit indicates the spot, either on the net or in rela-

the type of spike desired. In volleyball today, the tionship to the setter, where the ball will be directed.
setter needs to have the capability of executing a Teams can develop play-calling systems that are quite
variety of set types. A setter should be able to ex- complicated. The United States National teams are
ecute this skill either forward or backward without currently utilizing a three-digit system, the third digit
changing the style of delivery. indicating the set's distance from the net.
For the purpose of this introductory book, only
three basic sets will be discussed: the high outside,
Why Is the Overhead Pass the quick, and the back set. The high outside set is

Important? placed on the left side of the court so that, if left

alone, it would drop on the left sideline. It is set at

The overhead pass can be used to receive any ball least 6 feet higher than the top of the net. In the

higher than shoulder level and coming to the player high set, it is the attacker's responsibility to go to
with little force. You should use the overhead pass the ball.
whenever appropriate. Do not let the ball drop to The quick set is always set in relation to the setter.
forearm pass level, because the overhead pass is the The setter sets the ball directly in front of himself or
most efficient way to handle the ball. herself and 1 to 2 feet higher than the top of the net.
The ultimate goal of a volleyball team on offense is In a quick set, it is the setter's responsibility to set
to complete the three-hit sequence of pass, set, and the ball accurately to the attacker. The attacker ap-
attack. Your team must convert a hard-driven serve proaches in front of the setter and jumps before or
into a ball that is easily manageable. This requires as the setter contacts the ball.

38
 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack • 39

The back set needs less traveling distance than the How to Execute the
high outside set and requires less height (5-6 feet

higher than the top of the net). The back set is per-
Overhead Pass
formed with the same technique as the front set ex-
cept that as the setter contacts the ball, the back is The ready position is a slight stride, your feet shoul-
arched and the ball is directed toward the ceiling. A der-width apart, your knees bent, your hands raised
good setter prepares to execute all sets exactly the in front of your forehead at a distance of approxi-
same way to avoid giving the opponent any indica- mately 6 to 8 inches, and your thumbs pointing to-

tion of the intended set (Figure 4.1). ward your eyes. Form a "window" with your thumbs

High outside set

/
/

Back set

\
/ \
/ \

\
\ /
\ /
\ /
/
Quick set . '

Figure 4.1 Ball paths for the high outside, quick, and back sets. The tape markers on the net are located directly
over the sidelines
 . . .

40 Volleyball: Steps to Success

and pointer fingers in such a manner that your fin- The set is executed in the same manner as the over-
gers are twice as far apart as your thumbs. Watch head pass. When you set the ball to an attacker, it

the ball through this window. Your shoulders should should be 1 to 3 feet off (away from) the net so that
be positioned squarely toward the target. As the ball the attacker can hit the ball hard without contacting
contacts your hands, your hands form to the shape the net. Many beginning setters try to place the ball
of the ball with only the upper two joints of your fin- too close to the net. which does not allow the at-
gers and thumbs actually touching the ball. As the tacker the necessary angles to direct the attack
ball contacts your fmgers. extend your arms and legs, around the opposing block. If a set is not perfect, it

transferring your weight in the intended direction of is better that it be farther than 1 to 3 feet from the
the pass (see Figure 4.2). net, rather than closer to it. A ball away from the net
The setter takes a position on the right side of the can be successfully attacked, but one too close to
court, close to the net and facing the left sideline. the net is generally impossible to hit past the block.

FIGUREI
4.2 KEYS TO SUCCESS

OVERHEAD PASS

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Move to ball 1 Contact ball on its lower 1. Extend arms fully

2. Establish position back 2. Point hands toward

3. Square shoulders to 2. Contact with upper two target
target joints of fingers and 3. Hips move toward target
4. Feet in comfortable thumbs 4. Transfer weight toward
stride 3. Extend arms and legs toward target
5. Bend arms, legs, and hips target 5. Move in direction of set

slightly 4. Transfer weight toward

6. Hold hands 6 to 8 inches target
abo\'e forehead 5. Direct ball to desired height
7. Hold hands in front of

forehead 6. Direct ball to either sideline

8. Look through the "window" or to attacker's hitting
formed by hands hand
9. Follow ball to target
 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack • 41

OVERHEAD PASS SUCCESS STOPPERS

Players have difficulty performing the overhead pass medium body posture for the ball to come down. Body
for two major reasons: (1) they don't position them- position in relation to the net is also critical to good

selves behind the ball with shoulders square to the setting. If the right foot is kept forward in the stride
target before contact, or (2) they try to play the ball position, the set is less likely to cross over the net.

with their arms and legs fully extended. It is best to Also, this position offers full view of the net and the
move to the correct court position, then wait in a attacker when setting high outside.

ERROR CORRECTION
7^r. Vi^
1. The ball contacts your palms and is "held." 1 . Spread your fingers, wrap them around
the ball, and contact the ball with only the
upper two joints of your fingers and thumbs.

2. The ball travels vertically, instead of high 2. Your limb extension and weight transfer
and toward the target. should be forward toward the target. Contact
the ball at its lower back, not its bottom.

3. You have difficulty directing the ball 3. Your shoulders must be positioned
toward the target. squarely toward the target. Equal force should
be imparted to the ball with each of your
hands.

4. The ball spins excessively. 4. You must give the ball immediate impetus;
do not roll it off your hands.

5. The set crosses the net into the opponent's 5. When in position at the right front of the

court. court, you should face the left sideline and

have your right foot forward.

6. The ball travels into the net. 6. When you are in position to set, your
shoulders should be squarely facing the
intended target.

7. The ball does not reach the sideline. 7. You must place the ball so that it will drop

on the sideline. Make sure that you extend

your arms and legs for additional force.

8. You set the ball too low. 8. The highest point of the set's trajectory
should be 6 to 8 feet above the top of the net
for the forward set, 5 to 6 feet for the back set.

Extend arms upward.

42 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

OVERHEAD PASS

DRILLS
f. Pass-BouncB'Pass
This drill is part;icularly good for beginners who are often afraid to injure their fingers. As the
ball rises from the floor, it is easier to hit because it is not gaining as much force as it would
dropping from a height.
Overhead pass the ball at least 5 feet into the air. let it drop to the floor, and pass the ball again
as it rises from the floor. Keep the ball in an area the size of half of one side of the court.

Iti Success Goal = 25 consecutive overhead [To Increase Difficulty

passes Reduce the allowed space.

To Decrease Difficulty
(Si/ccess Check Increase the allowed space.
• Let ball drop
• Contact with upper two joints of fingers
• Extend arms and legs with contact

2. Partner Toss and Pass

In this drill you practice hitting a ball that is coming toward you and dropping from a height.
Have a partner toss a volleyball high and easy toward you. Overhead pass the ball back so
that your partner can catch it without moving more than one step in any direction.

(^m
Success Goal
li = 8 good overhead passes I
To Increase Difficulty
to your partner • Vary the direction and height of the toss.
• Shorten the time between tosses.

Success Check To Decrease Difficulty]

• Let ball drop • Receiver allowed more steps to catch the ball.
• Contact with upper two joints of fingers • Lengthen the time between tosses.
• Extend arms and legs with contact

3. Free Ball Passing

This drill simulates a front row player receiving a free ball in a game situation. A player who
has been at the net anticipating a block hears the free ball call and moves off the net as he or she
would in a game.
In a group of three players, have one be the tosser, standing on one side of the net near the
attack line. You be the receiver, standing on the other side in a blocking position at the net

(standing close to the net, your hands held in front of your shoulders, your fingers spread). The
third player stands at the attack line as the setter.
The tosser yells "free" and then tosses the ball over the net high and to the attack line. You, the
receiver,move off the net to the attack line when you hear "free." Pass the ball overhead to the
 Overhead Pass; Setting the Attack • 43

setter, who has moved to the net on the "free" signal. Your passes should be 2 to 3 feet higher

than the net: the setter shouldn't have to adjust the net position taken by more than one step to
field your pass. The setter catches the ball and returns it to the tosser. You all return to
your
starting positions and practice more.

msi(
ri Success Goal 8 good overhead passes
out of 10 attempts

Success Check
• Square shoulders toward direction of pass x' o "Free"
' X
• Pass ball high
• Transfer weight in direction of target

\To Increase Difficulty

•

•
Vary direction and force of the

To Decrease DifflcultyUmL—
The tosser tosses the
toss.

ball easily.
V \

• Tosser waits until the receiver is at the attack

line before tossing the ball.

• Allow more than one step to receive the pass.

4. Short Pass, Back Pass, Long Pass

This drill gives players an opportunity to practice overhead passing back over their heads and
overhead passing different distances.
In a group of three, stand in a line approximately 10 feet apart, two players facing in one
direction and the third player facing them. The player facing the other two players initiates the
drill with an overhead pass to the middle player, who back sets the ball to the third player, who

then long passes the ball back to the starting player.

fli Success Goal = 15 consecutive three- f Success Check

pass sequences Back pass action is same as overhead pass, except
that back is arched at contact
In back pass, ball is passed more upward than
back
Leg and arm extension for long pass
44 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

To Increase Difficulty
• Lengthen the distance between the players.
,--<-*
To Decrease Difficulty] s
• Shorten the distance between the players.
• Increase the height of the passes.
\ /
If

Y
o
X X X

Net

5. Pass, Move, Pass

This drill allows players to work on overhead back passing footwork and ball control. It is also
a good drill for conditioning.
Start this drill facing a partner Player A overhead passes to player B and runs to a position
behind player B. Player B receives the pass, overhead passes the ball to himself or herself, back
passes to player A, and turns to face player A. Player A receives the pass and, keeping the ball
moving, overhead passes the ball back to player B, starting the sequence over. This drill can
continue indefinitely.

n Success Goal= lO consecutive

(S^u front-
,%
back pass sequences
u
I Success Check <^
^v X
V
\
b
X
• Pass and move quickly
B A
• Higher passes allow more time
• Set position before passing

To Increase Difficulty
• Pass the ball lower
• Player B does not pass to self before back set- Net
ting.

To Decrease DifficultyW^mL^
• Pass the ball higher.
• Player B sets more than once to self before back
setting.
 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack 45

6. Pass Around and Back

This drill forces players to practice passing the ball to greater heights. When practicing this

drill, players soon learn that the higher they pass the ball, the easier it is to continue the drill.

This is an excellent drill for conditioning.

Facing a partner as in the previous drill, player A overhead passes the ball to player B. This
time, though, player A runs all the way around player B and back to the starting position. Player

B, meanwhile, overhead passes the ball to himself or herself while A is circumna\agating B.

When A gets back to the starting position, B overhead passes back to A. Keeping the ball moving,
A starts the sequence over.

(usii
i€ Success Goal= lO consecutive pass-and-
go sequences

%0uccess Check
• Pass and move quickly
• Higher passes allow more time
• Set position before passing

To Increase Difficulty
Pass the ball lower.

Player B does not pass to self before setting to

player A.

To Decrease Difficulty^^m—
Pass the ball higher.
Player B sets more than once to self before set-

ting to player A.

7. High Outside Set

This drill helps you to learn the force and height needed to get the ball to the sideline of the
court. Beginners often develop the tendency to set the ball too close to the net, not high enough,
or not out to the sideline.
With a partner on a regulation court, stand 5 feet in from the right sideline with your partner
standing just outside the left sideline.

Your partner begins the drill by tossing you the ball. You must set the ball to a height of at

least 7 feet above the top of the net, and it should land within 1 foot of the left sideline.

(Sfu,
Success Goal= 15 good sets out of 20 ft^C
tuccess Check
attempts • Move to position
• Square to target
• Set forward and upward
• Follow to coverage
46 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

To Increase Difficulty
I

• Vary the closeness of the toss to the net.

• Increase distance between setter and target area.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Toss from directly in front of setter.

^Jl' 'r^

8. High Back Set

This drill allows the player to develop consistency in distance, height, and placement for a
back set to the right sideline.
For this drill you need two partners. One tosses a high ball to you, the setter, as you stand 5
feet in from the right sideline, as in the previous drill. Your other partner is positioned behind
you, standing just outside the right sideline. You must back set the ball to a height of at least 5
feet above the top of the net, and it must land within 1 foot of the right sideline.

n Success Goal= 15 good

MSui sets out of 20 Success Check
attempts • Move to position
• Square to target
• Setupward while arching back
• Turn to cover
 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack • 47

1
To Increase Difficulty
• Vary the distance of the toss from the net.
• Vary the height of the toss.

To Decrease Difficultyl
• Tosser moves closer to the setter.

• Toss from directly in front of setter.

9. Quick Set
This drill helps to develop the critical timing needed between the setter and the attacker for an
efficientquick attack. The attacker needs to recognize that the higher the pass to the setter, the
more time the attacker has for the approach.
This drill requires one partner. The attacker begins at the attack line; the setter stands close
to the net.

The attacker overhead passes the ball to the setter and quickly runs to the net. The setter

quick sets the ball 1 foot in front of himself or herself and 1 to 2 feet higher than the top of the
net. The attacker jumps just before or as the setter contacts the ball, raising the hitting hand as
a target for the set. The attacker catches the ball, lands on both feet, and returns to the attack

line. After several practice attempts switch places.

tusu
li Success Goal = complete 5 sets out of 10 Success Check
attempts • Setter's hand up as pass target
• Setter calls for pass
• Attack with quick approach and quick, shortened
arm swing
• Attacker swings hitting arm high as set target
 48 Volleyball: Steps to Success

Net
\To Increase Difficulty
• Pass lower to the setter.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Pass higher to the setter.

10. Setting a Bad Pass

The previous drills have all been based on a perfect pass to the setter. In this drill the setter
practices moving to an imperfect pass and positioning to make
The game philoso-
a perfect set.
phy of players should be to always improve on the previous player's ball contact.
all

In a group of three players, one of you be the tosser. another the setter, and the third a target
player. The tosser stands in the backcourt; the setter begins in the right back position: the
target stands on the left sideline 1 to 2 feet off the net.
The tosser calls "go" and tosses the ball high and at least 10 feet away from the net, simulating
an inaccurate pass. The setter has run to the setting position at the net on the signal "go." The
setter reacts to the toss, moves off the net. squares shoulders to the left side of the court, and
sets high outside to the target person. The set should be at least 7 feet higher than the net. and
the target should not have to take more than one step to catch it.

d^i
Success Goal
ri = 8 high, outside sets
caught out of 10 attempts

Success Check
• Establish position before setting ball
• Setter's shoulders square to target
• Set ball 1 to 2 feet off net

\To Increase Difficulty

• Toss lower to or farther from the setter.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Toss closer or higher to the setter.
 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack • 49

11. Serve, Forearm Pass, and Set

serve and pass it to a
This drill simulates a game situation in which a player must receive a
setter who has moved into the target area. The setter then sets a
high outside ball to an attacker.
at the net, at
Assemble a group of four: a receiver in the left back position: a setter in the front
a target person just outside the left sideline; and, in the
least 5 feet in from the right sideline:

opposite court, a server in the service area (see Diagram a, below).

receiver forearm
The server makes an underhand serve to the left back on the other side. The
the setter, who should not have to move more than a step to play the ball. The
passes the ball to
setter sets the ball high outside, at least 6 higher than the top of the net and landing within
feet

a foot of the left sideline. The target person lets the ball bounce to check its accuracy, then
returns it to the server.

Setter Option: When the receiver takes the serve in the right back position, the setter back sets
foot of the right sideline (see Diagram b,
the ball at least 5 feet higher than the net to within 1

below).

ms^(
~li Success Goal = I To Increase Difficulty
12 legal serves out of 15 attempts Sen'e away from the receiver.
10 good forearm passes out of 12 attempts Pass away from the setter.

8 good sets out of 10 attempts

To Decrease Difficulty
Serve higher and with less force.

v^uccess Check Lengthen the time between serves.

• Anticipate Serve directly at the receiver.

• Call for ball before it crosses net Permit only an underhand serve.
• Move, set, and cover

i:

V,'
 =

50 Volleyball: Steps to Success

12. Reception Decision

This drill helps the two receivers begin to develop their decision making process of who should
receive the serve. The two receivers are in positions similar to the deep positions used by many
teams.
In a group of five, have a server in the service area of the court, two receivers on the opposite
side in the back
and right halves, a setter in the front of the court at the net at least 5 feet in
left

from the right sideline, and a target person standing just outside the left sideline.
The ball is served underhand alternately to each back quarter of the court. The receivers
determine who will play the ball and call for it before it crosses the net. The ball is forearm
passed to the setter who, as always, shouldn't have to move more than a step. The setter sets the
ball high outside, at least 6 feet higher than the net and within 1 foot of the left sideline. The

target person returns the baU to the server after letting it bounce.

ms^
Success Goal
6 legal serves to each back quarter of the court out
of 10 attempts
5 good forearm passes by each receiver out of 6
attempts
8 good sets out of 10 attempts

^^uccess Check
• Team decision making is critical
• Communication is essential
• Accuracy is the goal

/2
To Increase Difficulty
• The receiver passes off the net.
• The receiver passes lower.

To Decrease Difficulty] /
• Serve high and easy.
• Serve directly at a receiver.
• Pass high and easy.
• Lengthen the time between serves.

13. Serve, Pass, and Set Game

This drill is competitive. It puts the players under gamelike pressure.
Teams of four players compete in this drill. Each team has its server on one side of the net and
its forearm passer, setter, and target person on the opposite side of the net.

Both teams hit the balls at the same time. A team scores 1 point each time they complete the
combination of a legal serve, a good forearm pass, and a good set. A legal serve is a serve that
crosses the net without touching it and lands within the boundaries of the court. A good pass is

any pass that allows the setter to set without moving more than one step in any direction. A
good set is a ball that goes at least 6 feet higher than the net and lands on or within 1 foot of the

The target person catches the

left sideline. set after it bounces and returns it to the serving

teammate on the opposite side.

 Overhead Pass: Setting the Attack • 51

(uSui
li Success Goal = be the first team to make
20 points

Success Check
• Call early for ball
• Receiver moves toward every serve
• Pass to setter 4 to 5 feet higher than net
• Setter calls for pass and indicates target

To Increase Difficulty
• Vary the type of serve.
• Server does not indicate target area to receiver.

To Decrease DifflcultyUmu^
• Serve only underhand.
• Serve directly at the receiver.
• Increase size of target area for the pass or the
set.

OVERHEAD PASS SUCCESS SUMMARY

You should feel confident in your ability to handle successfully any high, easy ball by using the
overhead pass. Realize that the force imparted to the ball during execution uses your total body,
especially when the pass needs to cover a large distance. Apply this force to the ball by extending
your arms and legs and transferring your weight forward.
It is often said that an excellent setter makes an average attacker look good and an excellent

attacker makes an average setter look good. You should be able to set the ball to the desired
attack area regardless of the position of the pass. (Your job as a setter is made easier, of course,
by excellent passing.) You must have a strong desire to set every ball well; set with the forearm
pass only as a last resort.
When receiving a ball from the opponent, whether a serve, an attack, or a free ball, your team's
goal is to receive the ball efficiently and to set your attack. You have now practiced the skills

necessary to accomplish this transition. Have an instructor or another skilled volleyball player
check your technique using the Keys to Success checklist in Figure 4.2.
 m
5
ATTACK: MAKING m KILL

|ou have been making kills efficiently and the You attack the ball off-hand when the setter is on
opposing team is desperate to stop you. Your team the opposite side from your hitting hand. If right-
receives a sen-e, makes an excellent pass, and the handed, you hit an off-hand spike when in the right
setter sets you a high outside set. The opponents forward position: if left-handed, you hit an off-hand
are deep in the court and ready to dig another hard- spike when in the left forward position.
driven spike. As you jump, you obsen^ their defen-
sive alignment and decide not to confront the block
but to tip the ball along the net. The attack lands on Why Is the Attack Important?
the court for another kill.

There are three methods of attack in volleyball, each The attacking team should have many options. When
of which can be very effective. The first of the three your opponents have mastered the timing of your
methods to learn is the tip. It is often looked upon power attack, the tip can catch them off guard. It is
as a defensive maneuver to be performed when the much more difficult to cover the court defensively
conditions are not right for a more powerful attack. when a team mixes the speed of their attack. A well-
However, the tip is also an effective offensi\'e tech- placed tip often "breaks the back" of the opposition
nique since it disrupts the timing patterns of the and may help improve the momentum of the offense.
defensive team. The off-speed spike is similar in effect to the tip,
The off-speed spike is a second opdon for the at- but it is hit deeper into the opponent's court. When
tacker. As indicated by its name, less than maximum the off-speed spike is executed, placement rather than
force is imparted at contact. Like the tip. it is used to power is emphasized. The attacker hopes to force
disrupt the timing patterns of the defensive team. the defensive player to move from the starting defen-
A third attack method is the hard-driven spike, the sive position and make an error in attempting to play
most exciting play in volleyball. It is also one of the the ball.
most difficult of all sports skills to learn. To make a The hard-driven spike is the primar\' offensive
successful spike, you must jump into the air and weapon in volleyball. Most teams gain a majority of
sharply hit a moving object (the ball) over an obstacle their points on successful spikes. The spike takes
(the net) so that it lands within a bounded area (the very little time to travel from the attacker's hand to
court). Due to the many variables associated with the floor; therefore, there is little time for defensive
spiking, its timing is difficult and its success requires players to move to the ball, and the defensive team
hours of practice. must locate its players on the court in strategic posi-
When executing any attack, the position of the set- tions before the ball is contacted on the spike.
ter in relationship to the attacker is important. You Whichever attack you utilize, it should be easier
hit the ball on-hand when the setter is on the same foryou to perform from your on-hand side. Also,
side as your hitting hand. This means that the set your hard-driven spike is more powerful from the
does not have to cross in front of your body before on-hand side.
you make contact. If you are right-handed, you hit The off-hand attack is important due to the rota-
on-hand when in the left forward position; if left- tion of positions in volleyball; you are required to
handed, you hit on-hand when in the right forward attack efficiently from both sides of the court. Off-
position. hand and on-hand considerations often determine

52
 Attack: Making the Kill 53

the lineup. A coach would like to have the left-

How to Execute the Tip
handers specialize as right-side attackers and the
right-handers specialize as left-side attackers. At contact gently direct the ball by using the upper
After learning the attack, you will have the skills two joints of the fingers of your hitting hand, slightly
necessary to complete the three-part sequence of fore- in front of your hitting shoulder at full arm exten-
arm pass, set, and attack. The purpose of this se- sion. Contact the ball slightly below the center back.
quence is to convert the opponent's attack or sen'e Direct the ball upward to barely clear the block but
into your own attack. This conversion is referred to still drop quickly to the floor. Return to the floor

as a transition. After you receive your opponent's with a two-footed landing (see Figure 5. 1).

sen'e by cushioning it and passing it high to your

setter, the setter places the ball in position for the
attack. There are several types of sets, which are How to Execute the
usually classified according to their placement and Off-Speed Spike
height. However, for the purposes of this first step-
combining the three parts of the sequence— use only At contact in the off-speed spike, hit the ball with

high outside sets. the heel of an open hand cutting into the center back
Your team must be able to receive your opponent's of the ball. Immediately snap your wrist and roll

sen^e and quickly and efficiently change from defense your fingers over the top of the ball, imparting top-

to offense. If your team is unable to make this tran- spin, which causes the ball to drop. The follow-

sition, you will be forced to return a free ball to your through is the same as for the tip (see Figure 5.2).

opponent. A free ball is any ball that is returned

over the net in a manner other than an A
free ball is easy to receive by the opponent,
attack.
who can
How to Execute the Hard-
quickly gain an advantage by making a perfect pass Driven Spike
and completing the transition into their own attack.
In the hard-driven spike, contact the ball with the
Teams that are continually forced to return free balls
to their opponent find themselves constantly on de- heel of an open hand cutting into the center back.

fense.
At contact, forcibly snap your wrist and drop your
arm toward your waist. The wrist snap imparts top-
spin, causing the ball to drop quickly to the floor.

Attack Approach The follow-through is the same as for the off-speed

spike (see Figure 5.3).

The approach to all three types of attack is the same.
For a high set, you, the attacker, begin on the attack
line, wait for the set to be half the distance to you
How to Execute On-Hand
from the setter, and then move toward the set. Ap- and Off-Hand
proach the net, covering the distance with as few steps
as possible. The last two steps are the most impor- All attacks can be executed on-hand or off-hand. The
tant. Make a two-footed takeoff by planting your right only difference is the location of the ball in relation
foot heel first and closing with your left foot (bring- to your arm and body. When you perform on-hand
ing the left foot to a position even with the right foot) (see Figure 5.4), contact the cross-court attack di-

or by taking a hop onto both feet. As you plant both rectly in front of your hitting shoulder and direct it

feet heels first to change forward momentum into toward the long diagonal part of the court. The down-
upward momentum, swing your arms to prepare for the-line attack is contacted at the midline of your
a jump. Swing both arms forward and reach high body.
toward the set as you jump straight up into the air. When you perform off-hand (see Figure 5.5), con-
Draw your hitting arm back, your elbow high and tact the cross-court attack toward the midline of your
your hand close to your ear. As you swing at the body. In the down-the-line attack, contact the ball

ball, drop your nonhitting hand quickly to your waist. in front of your hitting shoulder. It is important that
 . . .

54 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

you recognize the difference between hitting on-hand down-the-line spike. If the player contacts the ball
and hitting off-hand. You must understand where in front of the hitting shoulder instead of more to-
the ball should be to successHilly direct it either cross- ward the midline of the body, the spike will go to-
court or down-the-line. For example, a right-handed ward the center back of the court.
left forward player hitting on-hand desires to make a

FIGURE!
5.11
KEYS TO SUCCESS

TIP

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Begin approach when set is 1 Contact ball with arm at full 1 Eyes on ball through
half the distance to you extension contact
2. Last two steps are step right 2. Contact ball in front of 2. Return to floor
and close left or step to hitting shoulder 3. Bend knees to absorb
jump 3. Contact ball with upper two force
3. Swing both arms back to joints of fingers
waist 4. Contact ball on lower back
4. Plant heels half
5. Transfer weight 5. Direct ball over or past
6. Swing arms forward and block
up 6. Direct ball so that it

drops
 . 1 .

Attack: Making the Kill • 55

FIGURE
5.2
I
KEYS TO SUCCESS

OFF-SPEED SPIKE

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Begin approach when set is 1 Contact ball with arm at full 1. Eyes on ball through
half the distance to you extension contact
2. Last two steps are step right 2. Contact ball in front of 2. Return to floor

and close left or step to hitting shoulder 3. Bend knees to absorb

jump 3. Contact ball with heel of force

3. Swing both arms back to hand 4. Drop hand to hip

waist 4. Contact ball on lower

4. Plant heels back
5. Transfer weight 5. Roll fingers over top of
6. Swing arms forward and ball

up 6. Flex wrist as fingers roll

 . . .

56 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

FIGUREI
5.;
KEYS TO SUCCESS

HARD-DRIVEN SPIKE

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Begin approach when set is 1 Contact ball with arm at full 1 Eyes on ball through
half the distance to you extension contact
2. Last two steps are step right 2. Contact ball in front of 2. Return to floor

and close left or step to hitting shoulder 3. Bend knees to absorb

jump 3. Contact ball with heel of force

3. Swing both arms back to open hand 4. Drop hand forcibly to

waist 4. Contact ball on center hip

4. Plant heels back
5. Transfer weight 5. Snap your wrist forcibly
6. Swing arms forward and 6. Direct hand over top of
up ball
 Attack: Making the Kill • 57

FIGUREl
5.4I
KEYS TO SUCCESS

ON-HAND
Cross-Court Down-the-Line

1. Contact cross-ddurt attacks in front of hitting 1. Contact down-the-line attacks toward midline
shoulder of body

RGUREI
5.51 KEYS TO SUCCESS

OFF-HAND
Cross-Court Down-the-Line

1. Contact cross-court attacks after ball crosses 1. Contact down-the-line attacks in front of
midline of body hitting shoulder
58 Volleyball: Steps to Success

ATTACK SUCCESS STOPPERS

Two common errors in executing the attack are (a) Most tip errors are associated with improper hand
beginning the approach too soon and (b) contacting position in relation to the ball and poor timing dur-
the ball behind the hitting shoulder. If you approach ing the approach. The off-speed spike is often re-
the ball too soon, two results are possible: (a) you ferred to as a roll shot. This is because your hand
have to stop, wait for the set, and thus lose the ben- rolls over the top of the ball as you flex the wrist.
efit of the approach; or you have to back up to
(b) Balls contacted behind the hitting shoulder during
attack the ball because you have approached too far. the hard-driven spike consistently go out-of-bounds.

ERROR CORRECTION
1. The ball goes into the net on a tip, an oif- 1. Contact the balljust in front of your
speed spike, or a hard-driven spike. hitting shoulder; the greater the distance the
ball is in front of you, the lower it drops before
contact and the greater the chance of its being
hit into the net.

2. On a tip or off-speed spike, the ball does 2. Make contact on the back lower half of the
not clear the block. ball with your arm fully extended.

3. On a tip, off-speed spike, or hard-driven 3. Do not begin your approach until the ball
spike, you stop your approach and wait for the is half the distance to you from the setter.

ball.

4. You contact the net during a tip or an off- 4. The set must be at least 1 foot from the
speed spike. net; you must execute a heel plant to change
horizontal momentum into vertical momen-
tum.

5. On a tip or an off-speed spike, you hit the 5. Contact the ball in front of your hitting
ball too high, and it takes too long to hit the shoulder.
floor.

6. On a tip. off- speed spike, or hard -driven 6. When you hit on-hand, the ball must pass
spike, the ball does not stay within 2 feet of the your hitting shoulder and be contacted more
sideline and parallel to it in the down-the-line toward the midline of your body. When you hit

attack. off-hand, the ball crosses the midline of your

body and is contacted in front of your hitting
shoulder.

7. Off your tip, the ball does not go diagonally 7. When hitting on-hand, you should hit the

along the net to the middle of the court. Off ball in front of your hitting shoulder. When
your off-speed spike, the ball does not go hitting off-hand, you should hit the ball after it

toward the center of the court close to the crosses the midline of your body.
attack line.

8. Off your hard-driven spike, the ball goes 8. You must contact the ball in front of your
out-of-bounds over the end line. hitting shoulder; your wrist snaps your hand
over the top of the ball.

9. You lack height on the jump during your 9. You must plant your heels to convert

hard-driven spike. horizontal momentum into vertical momen-

tum; both arms must swing forcibly upward.
 Attack: Making the Kill • 59

ERROR CORRECTION
10. You prepare for a hard-driven spike, but 10. You must wait at the attack line until you
the set goes by you. know where the set will be.

AHACK 1

DRILLS
1. Tip to Target Drill
This drill allows you to practice tipping to the two areas of the opponent's court that are
usually most vulnerable during competition. The better area to choose would be based on your
opponent's defensive alignment. A tip over the block and in front of the attack line is more
successful against a 2-4 defensive system; a tip along the net toward the center of the court is

more effective against the 2-1-3 defensive system.

This drill requires a group of three players—you as attacker starting at the attack line, another
at the net as the setter, and the third standing on a chair on the opposite side of the net as a
blocker A 5-foot-wide target is located on the floor directly behind the blocker from the centerline
to the attack line. A second target, 10 feet wide, is between the centerline and the attack line,
beginning 10 feet from the sideline.

The setter tosses the ball high to the outside of the court. You approach and tip over the
blocker's hands, which are extended over the top of the net. During your practices as attacker,
tip onto each target.

1 M Success Goal =

5 tips landing in the 5-foot wide target area out of

10 tosses
5 tips landing in the 10-foot wide target area out of
10 tosses

^/uc
tuccess Check
Disguise approach
Arm fully extended
Direct ball to target
Land on both feet

I To Increase Difficulty
• Reduce the size of the targets.
• Use a two-person block.

To Decrease Difficulty I

• Enlarge the targets.

• Do not use a blocker.
• The setter stands closer to the attacker.
60 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

2. Off-Speed Spike to Center Court

you practice placing the ball to another vulnerable area of the opponent's court. If
In this drill
placed in an open area, the off-speed spike is usually effective because of its change in speed.
This is almost the same as the previous drill. Your target here is a 10-foot square placed 5 feet
from the net (extending 10 feet toward the end line). Place the target starting 10 feet in from each
sideline.

As attacker, hit off-speed spikes over the blocker and onto the target from both the left and
right sides.

n Success Goal =
(iTsui lO good off-speed spikes
out of 15 attempts

Success Check
• Use same approach for every attack method
• Contact ball with heel of hand
• Roll fingers over the top

Ji
\To Increase Difficulty
• Reduce the size of the targets.
• Use a two-person block.
/

To Decrease Difflcultyl
• Enlarge the targets.
• Do not use a blocker.

3. Spike Hit Against Wall

This drill helps you to practice control contacting the top of the ball to direct it downward.
Stand by yourself with a ball 10 feet away from a wall. Spike the ball on an angle so that it

contacts the floor about 5 feet in front of you. The ball should bounce sharply off the floor,

rebound off the wall, and come back to you on the fly. Spike the ball again and continuously.

{^u,
I Success Goal
[ 25 consecutive sharp % Success Check
spike hits • Snap your wrist with arm fully extended _
• Hit ball hard into floor
• Follow through by snapping arm to waist
• Position for a rebound off wall
 Attack: Making the Kill • 61

\To Increase Difficulty

• stand farther from the wall.

To Decrease Difficulty
• stand closer to the wall.
• Place a mark on the floor to indicate the ideal
ball contact spot.

4. Spike Hit for Direction

The corners of the court are usually the more vulnerable areas of your opponent's defense.
This drill allows you to practice the correct body and shoulder position needed to direct the ball
into one of the back comers of the court.
With a partner, you begin as a spiker at the attack line near either sideline. Your partner is a
setter near the net. Mark two lO-foot-square target areas in the back corners of the opponent's

court.
Pass the ball high to your partner. Your partner sets the ball back to you. Without jumping,
spike hit the ball over the net to either of the two large target areas.

ii Success Goal =
5 spike
area
hits out of 10 landing in the left

5 spike hits out of 10 landing in the right back

back target

U" 10'
"\

target area

/3
Success Check
• Square shoulders to target
• Get to ball
• Hit at full extension ^,--^x
• Snap hand over ball to impart topspin
SET
c,
I To Increase Difficulty
• Decrease the size of the target areas.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Enlarge the target areas.
62 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

5. Approach and Throw

TTiis drill allows you to practice the correct approach and body position for any attack.
With a partner on the other side of the net, begin with a ball at the attack Approach the
line.

net carrying the ball, jump, and throw the ball forcibly over the net using a two-hand overhead
motion with a wrist snap. Attempt to hit the front two thirds of the court. Your partner retrieves
the ball and rolls it back to you.

n Success Goal
(^u. 10 good tosses out of 15 \To Increase Difficulty
attempts • Decrease the size of the target.

To Decrease Difficulty
*^c
>uccess Check • Enlarge the target to include the full court
Snap the wrist
Square shoulders to target
Hit floor as close to net as possible

6. Bounce and Spike

In this drill you practice positioning your body for the attack based upon the position of the
ball. This is gamelike in that the hitter should always approach the high set based on its loca-
tion.

You and a partner set up as in the previous drill. Begirming at the attack line, bounce the ball

forcibly into the floor, jump, and spike the rebound over the net. The ball must land within the
boundaries of the opponent's court. Your partner retrieves the ball and rolls it back to you.

MSui
n Success Goal = lO good spikes out of 15
bounces .

( Success Check
• Bounce ball so that it rebounds straight up
• Get to ball before jumping
• Hit ball forcibly and with wrist snap

\To Increase Difficulty

* Set up specific targets for the attacker to spike
toward.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Lower the success goal.
 Attack: Making the Kill • 63

7. Spike Hits to the Comets

In this drill you practice directing the ball with a spike but without jumping off the court.

Right-handers can practice from both their on-hand and off-hand sides.
With a partner near the net as a setter, you be a spiker at the attack line near either sideline.

Place two 10-foot-square targets in the back corners of the opponent's court.
Pass the ball high to the setter. The setter sets the ball back to you. Without jumping, spike
the ball over the net to either of two large target areas.

(Usu
Success Goal =
5 spike hits out of 10 landing on the left back
target area
5 spike hits out of 10 landing on the right back
target area

Success Check
• Square shoulders to target
• Get to the ball
• Hit at full extension
• Snap hand over ball to impart topspin

\To Increase Difficulty

Reduce the target areas.

To Decrease Difficulty
Enlarge the target areas.

8. Spiking From a Set

In this drill you will practice spiking down-the-line and cross-court from the left forward posi-
tion on the court. Right-handers will be practicing on-hand spiking. Left-handers will be prac-
ticing off-hand.

Get together a group of four: a tosser on one side of the net and a receiver, a setter, and an
attacker on the opposite side. Set up a 2-foot-wide target parallel to the right sideline.
The tosser throws the ball hard over the net to the receiver, who is standing in the backcourt.
The receiver forearm passes the ball to the setter at the net right of center front, who sets the ball
high outside along the net for the attacker waiting at the attack line. The attacker should try
spiking the ball over the net both down-the-line into the target and cross-court into the back
one-third comer of the opponent's side.
64 Volleyball: Steps to Success

I L
I ft Success Goal =
4 accurate down-the-line spikes out of 5
attempts
4 accurate cross-court spikes out of 5
attempts

t Success Check
• Attacker wide off court in preparation for
approach
• Attacker waits until set drops before beginning
approach
• Heel plant
(:
• Powerful arm swing

To Increase Difficulty
• Throw the ball harder and lower
• Throw the ball 3 to 4 feet away from the receiver.

To Decrease Difficuityl
• Throw the ball easier and higher.
• Throw the ball directly at the receiver.

9. Spiking From a Back Set

In this drill you will practice down-the-line and cross-court spiking from the right forward
position. Right-handers will be practicing their on-hand attacking. Left-handers will practice

off-hand.
This is the same as the previous drill, with the following exceptions: The setter is right of center

front and must back set the ball at least 5 feet higher than the net to the attacker, who must be
at the attack line on the right sideline.

III Success Goal = l^uccess Check

4 accurate down-the-line spikes out of 5 Attacker wide off court in preparation for
attempts approach
4 accurate cross-court spikes out of 5 Attacker waits until set drops before beginning
attempts approach
Heel plant
Powerful arm swing
 Attack: Making the Kill • 65

•
I

Throw the
Throw the
To Increase

To Decrease
ball easier
Difficulty
Throw the ball harder and lower.
Throw the ball 3 to 4 feet away from the

and
Difficultyl
higher.
ball directly at the receiver.
receiver.
M
)

10. Pressure Spiking

In this drill you are put in a pressure situation of having little time to prepare for your ap-
proach. It simulates a game situation where you spike, are blocked, and immediately are set

again.
Have three spikers line up one behind the other at the attack line on the left sideline. A tosser
stands at the net, and additional players are needed as ball retrievers and feeders for the tosser.

The tosser continuously tosses balls high to the sideline. The first player approaches, spikes,
and returns to the end of the line by making a circle in the clockwise direction. The second
player immediately follows and spikes, followed by the third player. Action is continuous with
minimal time between tosses until 30 tosses have been made. Retrievers and feeders must get
balls back to the tosser quickly.

This drill can be executed by using either a down-the-line spike or a cross-court spike to a 10-
foot-square target in the opposite comer of the court. The spikers should practice approaching
from both sidelines.

Iti Success Goal = lO good spikes by the Success Check

group into the designated target out of 30 Be ready for attack every time

attempts Attack with force

Recover quickly after attack _
 I

66 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

•
To Increase
Set the ball lower.
Shorten the time between

To Decrease
Set the ball higher.
Lengthen time between
Increase the number
Difficulty

sets.

Difficulty

sets.

of spikers.
I
rm
1 \
T X
X r— =—
OOO
X OOP

1 1. Serve, Forearm Pass, Set, and Attack

In this you are working as a team to receive your opponent's serve and convert it to an
drill

offense on your side of the net. You need a group of four players. One serves from the senlce
area on one side of the court. On the other side, you have a receiver in the left or right back
position; a setter in the front court at the net, at least 5 feet in from the sideline; and an attacker
standing on the attack line at the sideline on the same side as the receiver.
The ball is served underhand to the receiver, who accurately forearm passes the ball to the
setter. The setter sets the ball to the attacker at least 6 feet higher than the net, if forward (at

least 5 feet higher than the net, if back) and within 1 foot of the sideline. The attacker hits the

ball over the net using any one of the three attacks.

UTsm
I Success Goal =
[
I
To Increase Difficulty
12 legal serves out of 15 attempts Use an overhand floater serve.
10 accurate forearm passes out of 12 attempts Serve away from the receiver.
8 good sets out of 10 attempts
To Decrease Difficulty \

5 successful attacks out of 8 attempts

Serve ball higher.
Serve with little force.

I Success Check Serve directly at the receiver.

• Receiver calls for ball
• Passes as accurate as possible
• Set high and slightly off net
• Attack approach begins when set reaches highest

point
 .

Attack: Making the Kill • 67

? 1

4! 1
* ^ 4

X
f

;
'
,
1
I
1
'

/
/
/
/
/
/
/ '2

' /
^'
X X

Receiver in left back position Receiver in right back position

12. Continuous Three-on-Three

This drill is competitive and continuous. It allows teams of three players to compete using

regular volleyball rules. It is gamelike and players can begin to experience the strategy of best

attack placement.
Three-player teams line up one behind the other on the end line of one side of the court. Each
team has a volleyball. Another team begins on the court on the opposite side of the net without
abaU.
The first team in line serves and runs out onto their court. The ball is rallied until play is over.
The team winning the rally scores a point. The winning team position themselves on the far
court. The players of the losing team return to the end of the line. The next team of three serves
immediately, and the game continues.
The purpose of this game is to make it to the far side of the court and remain there as long as
possible by winning rallies. On the reception of serve, the team must complete the three-hit
combination— pass, set, and attack—for the rally to continue. After serve reception, the ball may
be returned with less than three hits. No tips in front of the attack line are allowed.

n Success Goal = be the first team to

(XiSui Success Check
obtain an agreed-upon number of points • Call early for ball
• Pass ball high and easy
• Set ball high
• Cover for each other
68 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

_f To Increase Difficulty
Use teams of two players each.
Vary the placement of the serve.
Have a team receive a point only if they complete
the three-hit combination, even after the initial
service return.

To Decrease Difficulty
Ser\^e only underhand.
Serve only to the back two thirds of the court.
Increase the team size to four players.

:^^ \^.

13. Attack Line Tip Game

This is a competitive gamelike drill which forces players to be aware of their opponents' loca-
tion on the court to make the best strategic decisions on placement.
Get together two teams of three each, one team on each side of the net. Play a game with the
attack lines as the end lines.
Play is initiated with an overhead pass over the net. The receiving team must execute a three-
hit combination of pass, set, and tip. The team that wins the rally wins a point. The team that

loses the rally initiates the next rally with an overhead pass.

(l^u.
Success Goal = reach an agreed-upon ^fuccess Check
number of points before your opponent • Call, move, set position for every ball
• Move to ball
• Set yourself
• Play ball
• Dig ball high
• Place ball to open area
 Attack: Making the Kill 69

1
To Increase Difficulty
Enlarge the court area lengthwise and set up only
one game on each court.
Use two-person teams.

To Decrease Difficulty
Use four-person teams.

^ 6 \ J
X

X --- -A 4

' 7 '
X

14. One-Third Court Game

This drill allows players to practice control and attack placement. Attacks will be straight
ahead which simulates a down-the-line attack. It encourages the players to use the pass, set,

and attack combination by giving more points for this achievement.

Place yourself and three other players into two teams of two each. Play a regular volleyball
game, except that the court boundaries consist of the length of the court but only one third of its
width.
Play is initiated by a serve from the end line. The rally continues until an error is made and a
point is won. Two points are awarded for each three-hit combination. One point is awarded for

winning a rally.

(itsui
li Success Goal = be the first team to earn __r To Increase Difficulty
a set number of points • The server may use a variety of serves.

To Decrease Difficulty
Success Check • Use three-person teams.
• Total communication • The server uses only an underhand serve.
• Control and placement of attack • Play only two games per court, using the two

• Teamwork side thirds and allowing the players to move into

• Read opponent's play the middle third to play the ball.

70 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

ATTACK SUCCESS SUMMARY

The attack in volleyball is one of the most difficult sports skills to perform. The most impor-
tant element of good execution is proper timing. Begirmers are often so anxious to complete the
attack that they begin their approach much too early. You must watch the setter and follow the
set to the highest point of its trajecton,^ before initiating the approach.
When performing the tip, keep in mind that your attack must go over or by the opponent's
block to be successful. Your body must be behind the
ball so you can direct it to the most
advantageous area of the opponent's court. Also, be aware that officials will usually call you for
improper technique if you attempt to change the direction of the ball during tip performance.
Attempting to change direction causes your hand to be in contact with the ball too long, and a
held ball is called.

For successful hard-driven spikes, you need to concentrate on three areas of performance: (a)
timing your approach, (b) keeping the ball in front of your hitting shoulder, and (c) forcibly
snapping your wrist to impart topspin to the ball. Due to the complexity of the hard-driven
spike,you should practice parts of the skill indi\idually prior to putting them together For
example, you can approach and jump without using a ball.
Have another skilled volleyball player use the Keys to Success in Figures 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 to
evaluate your tip. off-speed spikes, and hard-driven spikes. Use the Keys to Success in Figures
5.4 and 5.5 to help recognize the difference between hitting on-hand and hitting off-hand.
Some coaches feel that the transition part of your game— recei\1ng a serve or an attack from
your opponent and converting it to your own attack—is the most important aspect of game
strategy. It takes efficient play by two or three players for a successful transition to attack. Your
team must make a good pass on sen^e reception, a good set, and a successful attack to put the
opponent on defense. If there is a breakdown in any of these, the opponent will earn a point or
a side out or receive a free ball for an easv transition.
m
'-
INDIVIDUAL mmm skills:

NOTtlING HITS THE fLOOR

^he opponent has received your serve and made recover when your body contacts the floor after dig-

a perfect pass and set. The attacker leaves the floor ging the ball. It is similar to a forward roll and is

with a powerful jump and is about to crush the ball. done such a way that padded body parts (those
in

You are set in your defensive position outside the protected with extra layers of muscle) cushion your
blocker's hand anticipating an awesome spike and contact with the floor. The roll is not a method of
hoping that you won't have the ball's brand name digging, but rather a method of recovery.

imprinted on your forehead. The ball is spiked past The sprawl is a recent defensive technique prob-
the block and directly at you. You place your fore- ably coming into existence because players lack the
arm platform in the ball's path and pop it up per- strength to execute the dive. Female players espe-
fectly to your setter. Your team is now ready to set cially are often more comfortable executing the
its offense in transition. sprawl. It is used mostly to play a ball in front of

The dig is the reception of the opponent's attack. you, but you can also use it to play balls to either

It can be performed with either one or two hands. side. Like other defensive techniques, you use the
However, you should use a one-handed dig only in sprawl when you need to move quite a distance to

emergencies.When you dig with two hands, you have play the ball. It is most frequently used to receive a
much more control and ability to direct the ball. Many spiked ball.

people believe the spike is the most exciting part of

volleyball, but it is the dig that generates the great-
est amount A match in which two
of fan appeal.
Why Are Individual Defensive
evenly matched teams continuously dig the Skills Important?
opponent's spikes creating long rallies is exciting to

watch. The dig is the only skill that can successfully be used
The essential element for successful digging is read- to receive an attack. Players use other skills in emer-
ing the opponent's attack to gain clues as to the di- gency situations but generally with limited success.
rection of the upcoming spike or tip. A hard -driven Strong digging not only has great spectator appeal,
spike travels so fast that it takes less than a half but also tends to frustrate powerful spikers. If the
second to hit the floor. You must be in the correct attack is consistently dug, attackers begin to feel that
defensive position to play the ball before the spike is they must change their strategy, which often results
made because there is not enough time to move after in errors.

the ball is hit. The rolling technique is important because it aids

Two additional skills needed for individual defense you in quickly returning to your feet. It is also a
are theroll and the sprawl. The roil is the preferred method of falling that allows you to cushion the land-
method because it allows you to return to your feet ing: thus, it helps to prevent injury. You would be
more quickly than the sprawl. The roll is used to likely to use the roll after you have had to chase the

71
72 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

ball from your starting defensive position some dis- force from a hard-driven spike, and direct it high and
tance to either side. toward the general vicinity of the center of the court,
The sprawl allows you to dig balls that under nor- making it easier for your setter to play it. You should
mal conditions would not be receivable. It also is an flick your wrists or flex the elbows at contact to en-
option for playing the ball without resorting to the sure height and to ensure that the ball will remain
dive, which is difficult for players who have weak on your side of the net (see Figure 6.1). The dig is

arms. The sprawl allows you to dig the ball from a often combined with other defensive skills, such as
low posture, contacting the floor with a sliding mo- the sprawl and the roll, to enhance recovery and pre-
tion, thereby defusing the force of impact and pre- vent injury.
venting injury.
Once you have learned to receive the ball using
the various indi\1dual defensive skills, you are ready How to Execute the Roll
to practice changing from defense to offense by us-
There are several different methods of performing the
ing the dig as the first contact. The transitional phase
roll in volleyball. Current thought is that what is
is important. If your team cannot return your
important is not the method of roll but the body po-
opponent's attack by converting it into your own at-
sition from which you execute it. The primary as-
tack, you will constantly find yourselves returning
pect to successful rolling is to get as close as pos-
free balls to your opponent. A free ball is easy to
sible to the ball, let it drop low, and dig close enough
convert into an attack; therefore, your team will con-
to the floor so that your body contact with the floor
stantly be on the defensive.
does not come from a great height.
The most common method of rolling is this: Let

How to Execute the Dig the ball drop to approximately 1 foot from the floor

and then hit it high into the air. Contact the floor
The performance of the dig in volleyball is somewhat with your hips and thighs and roll onto your back,
similar to that of the forearm pass. The main differ- bringing your feet and legs over the shoulder on the
ence is that in the forearm pass, you have time to opposite side of your body from where you hit the
move, set your position, and play the ball. In the ball. Then roll back up onto your feet. You can also
dig, however, you must react and play the ball with execute the roll with your feet going over your head
little time to strategically position yourself When or by rolling side to side on your back. You should
digging a ball, you should allow it to drop as low as be able to rofl to either side. Determine which
possible, increasing the amount of time you have to methods of rolling feel most comfortable (see Fig-

play it. You must cushion the ball, absorbing the ure 6.2).
 Individual Defensive Sl<ills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 73

FIGURE I

6.1
KEYS TO SUCCESS

DIG

1, 2

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1. Feet in easy stride 1. Heels of hands together 1. Watch ball contact arms _
2. Thumbs parallel 2. Forearm platform to
position
Reach toward ball target
2. Feet shoulder -width apart 3.

4. Play ball from low body 3. Keep arms below shoulder

3. Bend knees
position level
4. Lower body toward floor
Play ball away from 4. Transfer weight toward
5. Keep hands and arms 5.

body target
together
6. Keep forearms nearly parallel 6. Cushion force of the ball 5. Eyes follow ball to target _
to thighs 7. Drop shoulder closest to

7. Position platform to face target

target 8. Transfer weight forward

9. Extend body toward
target
10. Direct ball high to center of
court
11. Flick wrist(s) to gain

height
12. Flex elbows to gain
height
 . .

74 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

FIGUREI
6.2I
KEYS TO SUCCESS

ROLL

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1. Move feet to ball 1 Contact ball before body hits 1 Return to feet quickly _
2. Keep body in low posture floor 2. Locate ball
3. Allow ball to drop as low as 2. Use two hands whenever 3. Get ready for next play _
possible possible
3. Flick wrists or flex elbows for
height
4. Direct ball to center of
court
5. Contact floor with padded
body parts
6. Roll to spread force of
contact

How to Execute the Sprawl hind you while you bend your front leg at the knee
and keep it out to the side, the side of the knee con-
In a low body position and with your feet in a wide tacting the floor (see Figure 6.3).

stride, one foot ahead of the other, let the ball drop It is more difficult to return to your feet after ex-
to about a 1-foot height, reach for the ball, and dig it ecuting a sprawl than after executing a roll. You can
high to the middle of the court. Continue to move make a similar sliding action with your body on its

forward, contacting the floor with your arms and side, particularly after a dig using one hand.
chest in a sliding action. Extend your back leg be-
 . . .

Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 75

FIGURE
6.3
I
KEYS TO SUCCESS

SPRAWL

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Place feet in wide stride _ 1 Push weight off back 1 Quickly return to feet

2. Take a giant step toward foot 2. Locate the ball

ball 2. Play ball in low position 3. Resume low defensive

3. Play ball, then contact position

floor 4. Prepare for next play

4. Flick wrist or flex elbows for
height
5. Keep eyes on ball until

contact
6. Contact floor to break
force
7. Slide on chest in direction of
ball

8. Extend back leg

9. Bend front leg to the

outside
10. Contact floor with inside of
knee

INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE SKILLS SUCCESS STOPPERS

The greatest cause for dig errors is a poor beginning first. Roll errors should be corrected as soon as pos-
defensive position.As a backcourt defensive player, sible because they are likely to cause injury eventu-
you must begin near the sidelines or end lines of the ally.

court. This helps you keep the ball in front of you With the sprawl, the contact of the ball can be on
and on the court. Every effort should be made to get your forearm, your hand, or the back of your hand.
both arms, or at least one arm, on the ball to keep it You may use one or both arms, although using two
in play. is preferred because it allows more control. As with

There are three major errors in performing the roll: the roll, the greatest concern is to play the ball high
(a) not getting low enough to the floor before digging to the middle of the court in the most efficient man-
the ball, (b) attempting to roll before the dig, and (c) ner, while preventing injury.

contacting the floor with the wrong parts of the body

76 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

ERROR CORRECTION
Dig
1 . The ball goes straight up or back over your 1. Try to stop your arms on contact by using
head. a "poking" action on the ball. Let the ball drop
to waist level or lower before contact.

2. The ball is low and fast as It leaves your 2. Bend your knees, keeping your back
arms. straight, as you move under the ball; touch the
floor with your hands to stay in a low position.

3. You do not transfer your weight toward the 3. Check to see that your weight ends up on
intended target. your forward foot and that your body is

inclined fonvard.

4. The ball does not go hi^ (2 or 3 feet above 4. To make the ball go high, flick your wrists
the net) and toward the center of the court. or flex your elbows at contact.

5. The ball does not remain on your side of 5. At contact, flick your wrists or flex your
the net. elbows.

6. The ball hits your arms and continues in 6. Drop the shoulder closer to the target to
the same direction it was already going. change the platform angle so that it faces the
target.

Roll
1. You contact the floor hard, resulting in 1. Take a large step toward the ball and
discomfort. assume as low a position as possible.

2. You contact the floor before hitting the 2. You should complete the dig before the rollj
ball. begins.

3. You take too long to return to your feet 3. Once the roll begins, make the action
and are not ready for the next play. as quick as possible to get back on your
feet.

4. You play the ball too high (more than 1 1/ 4. The lower you let the ball drop, the better
\
2-2 feet) above the floor. the dig.

Sprawl
1. You play the ball at a height greater than 2 1 . Take a big step toward the spot where the
feet. ball will be played, at the same time lowering
your body.

2. You contact the floor before contacting the 2. Contact the ball before the floor so that
ball. your hands are available to aid in breaking the
fall.

3. You do not rapidly return to your feet. 3. You must quickly return to your feet and
assume a low, defensive position.
 Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 77

INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE SKILLS

DRILLS
f. Pepper
This drill gives you the opportunity to practice digging a hard-hit ball with control and height.
With a partner, player A tosses the ball to himself or herself and spikes it toward player B.
Player B digs the ball back to player A. who sets it to B. B then spikes the ball back to A, who
digs it back to B. This nonstop action can continue indefinitely.

Ill Success Goal = 5 digs within a nonstop

^''3 ^X
X
sequence / \
/ \
/ \
/ \
1 \
wccess Check 1 \

Low body posture ix^-x2 \

Platform to target
:-.x^ ^
Consistency A"^ ^"A B

I
To Increase Difficulty
Increase the force of the spike.
Increase distance between partners. Net
Direct the spike to either side of the dig

To Decrease Difficulty}
Reduce the force of the spike.
Decrease distance between partners.

2. Digging Left Bacli, Middle Back, Right Bacli

This drill allows you to work on digging a spike in a more gamelike setting. The spiker does not
use an approach, so you can concentrate on positioning yourself based on the shoulder position
and arm swing of the spiker.

The location of this player simulates the left back, the middle back, and the right back defen-
sive positions.
For the left back position, begin on the left sideline approximately 20 feet from the net with
your back to the sideline. A partner stands on a box, chair, or official's stand in the left forward
position on the opposite side of the net.

Your partner self-tosses and spikes the ball to you. You must dig the ball 2 to 3 feet higher
than the top of the net and toward the center of the court. Repeat this drill with the digger in the
middle back position just outside the end line, and again with the digger in the right back
position, 20 feet from the net and on the right sideline.

tliSu
€ Success Goal = 6 out of lO successful digs in each position
78 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

w Success Check
• Back to boundary line
• Low body posture
• Platform to target
• Cushion

\To Increase Difficulty

• Shorten time between spikes.
..fi
• Increase force of the spike.
• Spike to the left, to the right, or In front of the

digger.

To Decrease Difficulty \ < 4 1

• Lengthen time between spikes.

• Decrease force of the spike.
• Spike directly at the digger.

3. TwO'Person Digging
This drill simulates a game situation where two backcourt defensive players are working to-

gether to receive an attack that Is directed between them. Both players must move toward the
ball. The height and speed of the ball determines who should receive it.

With a partner as another defensive player, take starting positions in any of the following

combinations: left back and center back, right back and center back, or left forward and left

back.
Another partner, on the other side of the net as in the three previous drills, spikes the ball
between your two defensive players. The defender closer to the net always crosses in front of the
defender farther from the net as you both move to dig the ball.

msii
li Success Goal = 5 out of lO successful (Success Check
digs by each digger • Call for ball
• Move through ball
 .

Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 79

1
To Increase Difficulty
• Shorten the time between spikes.
• Increase force of the spike.
• Direct some spikes toward the sidelines.

To Decrease Difficultyi
• Lengthen time between spikes.
• Decrease force of the spike.
• Spike the ball closer to one player.

/'X

7—1-
/ y

LB %/
xCB

4. Roll Without a Ball

In this drill you practice rolling without having to play a ball first. This allows you to develop
a level of comfort on hitting the floor.

Get into a low position, make sure that your padded body parts contact the floor first, and
return to your feet as quickly as possible.

n Success Goal = complete

wfsJ/. 10 roUs to To Increase Difficulty
either side • Increase distance to cover before rolling

To Decrease Difficulty
Success Check A partner helps you perform the skill
• Long striding step Begin in a low position.
• Low body position
• Padded body parts contact floor
• Roll and quicldy return to feet _
80 Volleyball: Steps to Success

5. Dig to Roll
In this drill you practice mo\1ng to a ball that is hit away from you. The easy toss allows you
time to move and play the ball. This permits you to develop the skill of rolling before you need to
receive a hard-driven spike.
Have a partner near the net. facing the end line. You stand in the left back position. Your
partner tosses a low, easy ball alternately to either side of you. Let the ball drop low, dig the ball,
and roll, quickly returning to your feet.

li Success Goal =
5 successful dig-roll combinations out of 10 tosses
to the right

5 successful dig-roll combinations out of 10 tosses

to the left

I Success Check
• Long striding step
• Low body position
• Play ball before contact with floor
• Ball drops as low as possible before contact
• Dig ball higher than top of net
• Direct ball back toward tosser

[To Increase Difficulty

• Toss the ball farther from the digger
• Toss the ball lower

To Decrease Difficulty I

• Toss the ball closer to the digger

• Toss the ball higher

6. Sprawl Without Ball

This drill allows you to become comfortable hitting the floor It helps you to decrease the fear
of injury often associated with the sprawl.
Working indindually. practice the sprawling skill without a ball. Take a large step forward,
slide forward as your body contacts the floor, and return to your feet as quickly as possible.

Msu
i Success Goal
i =
5 sprawls forward
5 sprawls to the right
5 sprawls to the left
 Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 81

Success Check I To Increase Difficulty

Long striding step forward Cover more distance before sprawling.
Body as low to floor as possible
To Decrease Difficulty
Push off rear foot
Player begins on one knee.
Slideon stomach and chest
Practice on a smooth, nonstick surface.
Bend one knee
Reach forward with arm

7. Dig to Sprawl
This drill allows you to practice receiving a ball which is far in front of you. You must move
quickly forward, dig the ball, and then sprawl as you recover.
Stand on the end line in the center back position. Have a partner near the net facing you.
Your partner tosses a low ball so that it would drop 3 to 4 feet in front of you. Step forward,
reach, and play the ball in a low position, digging it high to the center of the court and sprawling.

Net

ti^t
Success Goal = 5 successful dig-sprawl
combinations out of 10 attempts

Success Check
• Long striding step toward ball
• Long slide to dissipate force
• Ball drops as low as possible
• Dig ball high
• "Break" wrists to improve dig height

I To Increase Difficulty
• The tosser makes the defensive player move a
greater distance.
• The tosser throws the ball with more force.
• The defensive player must dig the ball to a speci-
fied height for it to be counted toward the Suc-
cess Goal.

To Decrease Difficulty I

• Toss the ball closer to the defensive player.

• The defensive player starts on one knee.
82 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

8. Roll or Sprawl Decision

This drill helps develop good decision making when you are receiving a ball on defense. Your
choice of the correct defensive recovery skill is based on the location and direction of the oncom-
ing ball. When movement is fonvard, the sprawl should be your choice. When mo\1ng to the

sides, the roll is more appropriate. Remember, use the sprawl or roll only when it is absolutely
necessary.
Stand in any of the defensive positions on the court. Have a partner stand at the net facing
you. Your partner tosses the ball to either side of you or in front of you. You must decide which
defensive skill to use, dig the ball, and execute the roll or sprawl correctly.

Net
o
ms^.
li Success Goal = 5 correct defensive plays
T

out of 10 attempts
1 ». N.

iuccess Check
• Quick movement and decision making
• Ball drops low before contact
• Contact ball before hitting floor
• Dig ball high and toward center of court

1 To Increase Difficulty
• Toss the ball with more force. 1

• Toss the ball farther from the defensive player.

To Decrease Difficulty m
• Toss the ball closer to the defensive player.
• Toss the ball uith less force.
• Tosser indicates the direction of the throw be-
fore tossing.

9. Spike Hit, Dig, Sprawl, or Roll

In this drill the ball you are receiving is hit with more force than in the previous drills. Remem-
ber the higher you dig the ball, the easier it is for a teammate to execute the next play.
Position yourself with a partner as in the pre\1ous driD. Your partner tosses the ball to himself
or herself and spike hits it at you. Dig the ball higher than the height of the net to the center of
the court; use a roll or sprawl when needed. Your partner catches the ball.

(^,1
Success Goal = l successful digs out of 10 attempts
 Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 83

Net

%^UC
tuccess Check
• Anticipate direction of ball and react
• Let ball drop low
• Dig ball high
• Recover quickly for next play

To Increase Difficulty
Spike the ball lower.
Spike the ball farther from the receiver.
Spike the ball with greater force.

To Decrease Difficulty]
The spiker indicates the direction of the ball be-

fore spiking.
Spike the ball with less force.
Spike the ball higher.

10. Spike, Dig, Roll, or Sprawl

In this drill you practice receiving a spike from an opponent. You need to watch the spiker's

shoulders for clues as to the direction of the spiked ball. Remember to use a roll or a sprawl only

if necessary to reach the ball. Stay on your feet if possible.

Get together a group of four players, two of you on offense and two on defense. On one side of

the net, a setter stands close to the net, and a spiker starts at the attack line in the left front

position. On the other side, one defensive player is positioned in the center back on the end line;

the other defender stands on the left sideline, about 20 feet from the net.

On the offensive side, the setter sets the ball to the spiker, who spikes the ball on the diagonal
to the left back quarter of the opponent's side. The defenders both move toward the ball, quickly
deciding who should play it. One of them digs the ball, using a roll or sprawl if necessary.
The attackers receive a point for each spike not dug. The defensive players receive a point for
each successful dig going higher than the top of the net and to the center of the court. A ball not
spiked to the left back quarter of the opponent's side does not count.

ms^<
I Success Goal = be the
.J
Success Check
[ first team to reach

an agreed-upon number of points • Watch arm of spiker

• Move toward ball and react
• Defensive player should not decide early who will

play the ball

• Call for ball if time allows
84 Volleyball: Steps to Success

\To Increase Difficulty

Spike with greater force.
'"H
Spike the ball in any direction.

To Decrease Difficulty
'
/ /
'3
The spiker indicates the intended direction of the
spike.
The players practice one direction for a number
of trials before changing the direction. M/
Spike with less force.

The spiker hits the ball directly at one of the de-

fensive players. .-^s

c .' 1

11. Serve, Forearm Pass, Set, Attack, and Dig

The drill is gamelike because it starts with serve reception and is followed by an attack that
must be dug by a player on the opposite side of the net.
In a group of five, have a server and a digger on one court and a passer, a setter, and an
attacker on the opposite court. The server underhand serves the ball to the passer, who is in the
left back position of the other court. The passer forearm passes the ball to the setter, who
shouldn't have to move more than a step. The setter sets high (at least 6 feet higher than the net)
and outside to the attacker, positioned on the attack line at the left sideline. The attacker spikes
the ball over the net to the left back area of the opponent's court. The digger plays the ball so
that it is 2 to 3 feet higher than the top of the net and to the center of his or her own court.

(ust
Success Goal = W^uccess Check
12 out of 15 legal serves • Call for ball
10 out of 12 good forearm passes • Pass with control
8 out of 10 good sets • Accurate set
6 out of 8 legal spikes • Vary speed of attacks
4 out of 6 good digs
 Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 85

\To Increase Difficulty

• Shorten the time between serves.
• Use an overhand floater serve.
• Increase the force of the serve.

To Decrease Difficulty I
4/ /
• Lengthen the time between serves.
• Decrease the force of the serve.
• Increase the trajectory of the serve. ^ 3
^/
/"

/2

\ >

12. Serve, Forearm Pass, Back Set, Attack, and Dig

This drill is similar to the previous one except that the attack is from the right side of the court.
The passer is in the right back position; the setter back sets the ball at least 5 feet above the
top of the net and toward the right sideline: the attacker is positioned on the attack line at the

right sideline; and the digger is in the right back position.

tlisu
^ Success Goal = (Success Check
12 out of 15 legal serves • Call for ball

10 out of 12 good forearm passes • Pass with control

8 out of 10 good sets • Accurate set
6 out of 8 legal spikes • Vary speed of attacks
4 out of 6 good digs
 .

86 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

1
To Increase Difficulty
• Shorten the time between sen'es.
• Use an overhand floater ser\'e.
• Increase the force of the serve. x-Sk.

To Decrease Difficultyl
• Lengthen the time between serves.
• Decrease the force of the serve.
• Increase the trajectory of the serve.

13. One Setter Three-on-Three

This is a competitive drill in which the rally continues under regular volleyball rules until an
error is made. There is only one setter, however, who must set the attack for both teams. This
drill gives the setter many contacts on the ball and lots of movement for conditioning.

For this drill you need three players on each side of the court— a server a digger, and an
attacker A seventh player acts as a setter, alternating sides of the net, depending upon the
location of the ball.
The game is initiated with a sen^e, and the ball is rallied, generally according to regular game
rules.The setter, though, always assumes a position right of center front on the side of the court
where the ball is being played, changing sides of the court as the ball goes over the net. The
setter sets the hitters at the attack line to increase the other side's digging opportunities. The
team winning a rally scores a point. The team losing the rally makes the next serve.

ms^.
^ Success Goal = be the
[ first team to reach (^Success Check
a predetermined number of points • Read the position
• Prepare for attack
• CaU for serve reception _
• Vary the speed of attack
 ,

Individual Defensive Skills: Nothing Hits the Floor • 87

\To Increase Difficulty

• Decrease the number of players per side.

• Use a variety of serves.

• Attack from any distance from the net.

To Decrease Difficulty \

• Use only underhand serv-es.

• Use two setters instead of one.

• Add one or two attackers to each team.
• No tips may land in front of the attack line.

14. Diggers and Receivers

This drill allows each team to practice both setting an attack from serve reception and digging
an attack for transition.

For this drill you need two teams of five players each on opposite sides of the net. Team A has
a server, three diggers, and a setter. Team B has two serve receivers, two attackers, and a setter.

Team A serves; team B receives, setting up an attack with the set being made to the attack line.
Team A digs the ball and sets at least 7 feet higher than the top of the net so that the ball lands
on or within 1 foot of the left sideline (no further attack).

Team A serves 5 times, and then the two teams reverse roles. The receiving team gets 1 point

for a successful attack, and the digging team gets 1 point for a successful dig and set.

n Success
(Usin Goal = be the first team to reach W'Si/ccess Check
a predetermined number of points Read the opponent's attack
Read the opponent's defense
Call every ball
Aggressively send ball to opponent
88 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

o
I
To Increase Difficulty X 1

• Use a variety of sen'es. 1 X

• Attack from any distance from the net.

To Decrease Difficulty\ X ;
X
• Use only an underhand sen-e. •^ 1

• Enlarge the target area for the set.

• Allow no tips in front of the attack line. 1 ' ®

1
/'i 3^x

X 1 / X
'.
/2
w
u
»

f
X X

INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE SKILLS SUCCESS SUMMARY

To dig successfully you must read your opponent's attack. You should concentrate on the
opposing attacker's approach, location of the set. position of the shoulders, and arm swing. All

defensive players should use these obsen'ations to determine their best starting locations.
If the result of digging and rolling is a ball played high and to the middle of the court so that a
teammate can set the attack, the play has been successful. The form of the roll is not critical as
long as you prevent yourself from being injured and quickly return to your feet for the execution
of the next play. Make sure that your body is in a low position close to the floor and that the ball
is played before you attempt to execute a roll.

The essential aspect of a good sprawl is the large step toward the ball that allows you to
assume a position low to the floor. The closer your body is to the floor, the easier it is to perform
the sprawl and the less the chance of injury.
Another skilled volleyball player should use the criteria found in the Keys to Success Figures
6.1, 6.2. and 6.3 to assess your individual defensive skills.
 7
BLOCKS: LIAITING m OPTIONS

19
B^l our opponent has a powerful attacker in the
Why Are Single and Multiple
leiuorward position. You are the blocker in the right
is perfect and the attacker
forward position. The set Blocks Important?
is making her approach. You set the block on her
If your block prevents the ball from entering your
hitting hand and the middle blocker joins you to
side of the court, your opponent must set the attack
form a double block. You both jump together just
a second time. This is important because the longer
after the attacker. Your arms penetrate over the
your opponent plays the ball, the greater the chance
net. The ball rebounds off your hands and back
for error. Even though you deflect the ball into your
into the attackers face. The attacker cannot react
own side of the court, if it is deflected high enough,
quickly enough and the rally ends in a point for your
the block is considered successful because it allows
team.
the defensive players behind you time to play a less
The block is the first line of defense against your
forceful ball.
opponent's attack. The purpose of the block is to
The greater the territory that can be eliminated from
take a portion of your court away from the oppo-
the attacker, the easier it is to defend the remaining
nent. A block can be considered successful if the
court. If time allows players to get into position, you
ball rebounds off the blocker's hands directly back
should always employ at least a double block. It is
into your opponent's court, if the blocker deflects the
difficult to use a multiple block when defending the
ball so that it goes high in the air on your team's side
quick attack, which usually occurs near the middle
of the court, or if the block forces the opponent to
of the court. Teams often use a single block in the
direct its attack to a waiting defensive player on your
middle of the court and a multiple block near the
team.
sidelines.
In a single block, only one player blocks at a time.
The sequence of serve, forearm pass, set, attack,
Single blocking in volleyball is often not enough to
and block or dig is the basis of the game of volley-
stop the opposing attack. The purpose of the block
ball. Each time a team receives the ball from the
is to take away as much court as possible from
opponent, it attempts to make the transition to of-
the attacker. Therefore, the wider the block, the less
fense with a forearm pass, a set, and an attack. At
court the remaining defensive players must cover.
the same time, the opposing team is setting its de-
Teams often join two or three players together, form-
fense, consisting of blocking and backcourt play. In
ing double or triple blocks, referred to as multiple
order for the game to flow, teams must master this
blocks.
sequence of play.
Once you have practiced the block, you have mas-
tered the basic skills of volleyball and you can begin
to move into gamelike situations. During the actual How to Execute a Single Block
competition, one play sequence can include a serve,
which is forearm passed to the setter, who sets to As the blocker, begin by standing within 1 foot of the

the attacker, who attempts to hit into the opponent's net. facing the opposite court. Your hands are out to

court, where the opponent defends with a block, a your sides at shoulder level, palms facing forward
dig. or both. This sequence happens continually with fingers spread v^de. Watching the opposing
throughout a game. setter, wait until the ball is set to the hitter across

89
90 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

the net from your position on the court, then change difference is that two or three players join together
towatch the attacker until the ball comes into view. to block (see Figure 7.2). When the block is on the
Attempt to line up one-half body width toward the outside of the court, the outside player sets the block
opponent's hitting side. and the middle player joins the outside player. When
Immediately after the attacker jumps, bend your moving to join the outside player, the middle player
knees and jump. Reach over the top of the net, your should watch the outside player moving to that posi-
hands penetrating into your opponent's court, and tion; then both players can jump at the same time.
position your hands to both sides of the attacker's The outside player's hands are directly lined up with
hitting arm. Attempt to make the ball rebound off the ball, and the middle player's hands take away
your hands back into the opponent's court. Return the cross-court angle.
to the floor with a two-footed landing. Immediately When the middle blocker is blocking and the
turn off the net to locate the position of the ball (see opponent's set is high enough, both outside players
Figure 7.1). move to join the middle player, forming a triple block.

During this block, the middle blocker's hands directly

up with the ball, and the outside blockers take

line
How to Execute Multiple Blocks away the angles.

The execution of the double and triple blocks are simi-

lar to the execution of the single block. The main
 . . .

Blocks: Limiting the Options • 91

FIGUREI
7.1 f
KEYS TO SUCCESS

SINGLE BLOCK

Preparation Execution Follow-Through

1 Focus on setter 1 Jump just after attacker 1 Bend knees to cushion
2. After set, focus on jumps landing
attacker 2. Penetrate into opponent's 2. Turn away from net
3. Position one-half body width to court 3. Look for the ball

attacker's hitting side 3. Withdraw hands 4. Return to original

4. Wait with hands at shoulder 4. Return to floor position

level 5. Land on two feet 5. Prepare for next play
5. Spread fingers
6. After setter contacts pass,
bend knees and raise
hands
7. Keep high position during
movement
 .

92 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

FIGUREI
7.21 KEYS TO SUCCESS

MULTIPLE BLOCK

Preparation
1 Focus on setter
2. After set, focus on
attacker
3. Position one-half body width
to attacker's hitting side

4. Wait with hands at shoulder

level

5. Spread fingers
6. After setter contacts pass,
bend knees and raise
hands
7. Keep high position during
movement
8. Focus on player setting the
block

^HS
f% ^UfR \ i\ \ 1 1

1 J^^K9 \ \
\ \\ \ ; 1 -
\ :^ l U" i__i—-»-
1
~
,

,
1

ill!
\A
Vv ki
'

M\\\
1
\i\
i_
i
' 1
'

/T^-n II \
-
[f'^\ ]\
&:d!^Jj 1

Execution Follow-Through
1. Jump just after attacker jumps 1. Bend knees to cushion landing
2. Penetrate into opponent's court 2. Turn away from net
3. Jump simultaneously with other blocker 3. Look for the ball
4. Withdraw hands 4. Return to original position
5. Return to floor 5. Prepare for next play
6. Land on two feet
 Blocks: Limiting the Options • 93

BLOCKING SUCCESS STOPPERS

Mistakes in blocking can be grouped in two catego- block completely. Errors in technique often result in
ries—errors in technique and errors in timing. Er- the ball being deflected in such a manner that it is

rors in timing usually result in players missing the difficult for the backcourt defensive players to react.

ERROR CORRECTION
1. You, the blocker, jump before the attack is 1. Watch the opposing setter until you know
complete. where the set will be placed; then watch the
attacker until the attacker's hand and the ball

are both in view.

2. You return to the floor while the attacker 2. Wait to jump until just after the attacker
is contacting the ball. jumps.

'3. The fingers of your hands are closed. 3. Spread the fingers of your hands wide so
that your thumbs are pointing at the ceiling.

4. You land with straight legs. 4. You must bend your knees upon landing
for cushioning.

5. You line up body-to-body with the at- 5. Line up one-half body width on the
tacker. attacker's hitting side.
1
6. The ball contacts your hands and remains 6. You must square your shoulders to the net

on vour side of the net. before jumping.

Multiple Block

1. As the joining blocker, you move into the 1. You should focus on the player setting the
teammate setting the block. block, not on the ball.

2. As the joining blocker, you reach toward 2, As the joining blocker, you are protecting
3ting~l
the attacker's hand. the angle only he
and should not reach for the
ball.

BLOCKING

DRILLS
1. Toss to Block
In this you practice blocking a throvm ball. It allows you to learn how to reach over the
drill

net (penetrate) into your opponent's court and direct the ball downward.
Have a partner be a tosser on one side of the net; you be a blocker on the opposite side. The
tosser, using a two-handed overhead throw, jumps and throws the ball over the net in a down-

ward motion. Jump and attempt to block the ball before it penetrates the net. The blocked ball
should land within the boundaries of the opposite court.
94 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

li Success Goal = 6 out of lo good I

To Increase Difficulty
blocks Vary distance of throw from the net.
Throw the ball slightly to the left or to the right.

Success Check To Decrease Difficulty

• No arm swing Blocker stands on a chair.
• Fingers spread wide, thumbs point to ceiling
• Penetrate net with hands
• Bend knees to cushion landing

2. Blind Blocking
This drill forces the blocker to focus on the attacker rather than the ball. This is difficult for

beginners to learn.
For this drill you need a group of three—the blocker (yourself) and a tosser on one side of the

net. and a spiker on the opposite side of the net. From a position behind you. the tosser throws
the ball over the net, high and relatively close to the net. The attacker jumps and spikes the ball,
aiming at you, the blocker. Jump and attempt to block the ball back at the attacker: it should
land inbounds.

n Success Goal =
msii 4 good blocks out of 10
attempts

I Success Check
• Line up on attacker's hitting side
• Jump after attacker jumps
• Penetrate o\'er net
• Bend knees to cushion landing

To Increase Difficulty
1

• Tosser moves the toss around, making the

blocker adjust.
• Tosser throws lower.

To Decrease Difficultyl
• Tosser tosses close to the net.
• Toss to the same spot every time.
• Blocker stands on a chair.
 Blocks: Limiting the Options • 95

3. Double Blocking
In this drill the middle blocker practices joining the outside blocker. The middle blocker must
recognize that it's the outside blocker's responsibility to set the block and take the ball. The
middle blocker is responsible for the angle.
Have a group of four take the roles of a tosser and an attacker on one side of the net, and two
blockers on the opposite side. One blocker should be near the middle of the court, the other near
the sideline.
The tosser tosses the ball high and outside to the attacker, who is near the sideline at the
attackline. The attacker approaches and spikes the ball over the net. The middle blocker joins

the outside blocker, who has set the block, to form a double block.

(us^
Success Goal = 4 out of lO successful
blocks

Success Check
Outside blocker sets by lining up on ball
Middle blocker joins and takes angle
Blockers jump after attacker jumps
Penetrate over net
X /< ^x
\T loool
OOP
I To Increase Difficulty
I I

• Toss the ball lower.

• Vary distance of toss.

To Decrease Difficulty \

• Both blockers start at sideline.

• Toss the ball to the same spot every time.
• Have attacker spike in only one direction.

4. Endurance Blocking
In this drill the blockers practice blocking and then immediately mo\1ng off the net to the

attack line, getting ready for a transition attack. If the block is successful in putting the ball
down, there will be no transition play and the drill begins again. Transition occurs only when
there is no block or when the blockers direct the ball upward.
This drill requires a group of eight players— two combination blocker -hitters, one setter, and
one overhead passer on each side of the net. Passers should have a supply of balls (at least 10)

readily available. On one side of the net, team A's two hitters begin on the attack line (see

diagram), and the setter begins at the net. On the opposite side of the net, team B's two blockers
are in a ready position, and the setter is in the right back position. Both passers are in their
respective backcourt areas.
 = I

96 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

The passer on the (team A) begins the drill by passing the ball high to the setter,
hitter's side
who sets either hitter. The blockers on team B react with a single block if it is a quick set, or a
double block if it is a high outside set or back set. The blocked ball should land in the attackers'
court: the attackers don't need to return it.

The team B passer immediately overhead passes another ball high to the penetrating setter,
who sets one of the team B hitters (in the role of blocker just seconds before). The team A
blockers (earlier, hitters) react to the attack with a good block. The drill continues indefinitely,
the hitters and blockers constantly changing roles like this.

n Success Goal
(^u, 5 successful blocks by
your team

T |ooo
Success Check
• Blocker penetrates net /3
• Cushion landing by bending knees
• Turn off net and look for ball
• Quick transition from defense to attack
X
'M-l
,'-<-

:s
K 7b Increase Difficulty
• Lower overhead passes to the setter. (f
• Allow less time between passes.
• Setter sets low to the attacker. /I

To Decrease Difficulty^
• Overhead pass the ball high to the setter.
T joooj
joool
• Allow more time between passes.

5. Combining Six Skills

The next two drills allow you to practice receiving your opponent's spike and digging it well
enough to allow for a possible offense on transition.
In a group of six, have a
server, a blocker, and a digger on one side of the net; and a passer, a
setter,and an attacker on the other side. The server serves an underhand serve to the right back
of the court. The passer forearm passes the ball to the setter, who sets high and outside to the
attacker. The attacker spikes the ball over the net on the diagonal toward the digger. The
blocker and the digger each attempt to play the ball. The blocker tries to keep the ball on the
opponent's side. If this fails, the digger should place the ball high to the center of the digger's
side of the court.

tiisu
Success Goal Success Check
10 out of 12 good sen'es • Call for pass
8 out of 10 successful forearm pass-set-spike • Pass high to setter
combinations • Block one-half body width to hitting side
5 out of 10 successful blocks or digs
 Blocks: Limiting the Options • 97

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Vary the serves.
• Serve to any location on the court.
• Blocker varies positioning, taking the line or tak-
ing the angle.

To Decrease Difficultyl
4X7^
• Toss instead of sen'e the ball over the net.
• Serve directly at the receiver.
• The blocker takes the line.

X '
-•.»>

*'

\\2
\ \

6. Combining Six Skills, Back Set

This is the same as the previous drill, with the exception that the serve goes to the left back of
the court, the setter back sets, and the attacker hits from the right sideline on the diagonal.

tusu
Success Goal =
10 out of 12 good serves
8 out of 10 successful forearm pass-set-spike
X,
combinations
5 out of 10 successful blocks or digs

5\ \ 4

Success Check
^ K
• Call for pass
• Pass high
\ 3
to setter
• Attacker calls for set
• Block one-half body width to hitting side
'2

\To Increase Difficulty

Vary the serves.
Serve to any location on the court.
Blocker varies positioning, taking the line or tak-
ing the angle.

To Decrease Difficultyl
Toss instead of serve the ball over the net.

Toss or serve directly at the receiver.

The blocker takes the line.

98 Volleyball: Steps to Success

7. Five-Player Reception
This drill allows you to practice six on six. It simulates actualgame play, but you continue
serving from the same position and side for a given number of serves. The ball is not played out
in transition.

Six players setup on each side of the court. The server on one side serves underhand. The
receiving team—inthe W-formation— attempts a pass-set-spike combination, the set going al-
ternately to the left fonvard and right forward and the spike going on the diagonal. The serving
team attempts to block with a double block. Any ball not successfully blocked should be dug
high to the center of the digger's side.

MS^
Success Goal =
10 out of 12 good serves
8 out of 10 accurate forearm pass-set-spike
combinations
5 out of 10 successful blocks or digs

/4
Success Check
•

•
Call for sen^e early
Open up to (turn and face) receiver
'v3
T
• Set ball high to outside of court
• Outside blocker sets block, middle blocker
joins

r /
To Increase Difficulty /
• Vary the serve's force and direction.
• Vary the set direction, to the left front and right
front.
• Vary the height of the set.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Toss rather than serve the ball.
• Serve directly at the receiver.
• Indicate which attacker will receive the set.

8. Six-Player Modified Game

This drill simulates regular game play with the exception that rotation is delayed until 10
serves have been made to allow players to learn one position well before rotating. The scoring
system encourages teams to work toward the three-hit combination.

Six players set up on each side of the court. The player in each center front position is the
team's setter The W-formation is used for serve reception. Each team makes 5 consecutive
serves. After 10 serves, the players on both teams rotate one position clockwise.
The ball is rallied as in a regular volleyball game. The team that wins the rally scores a point.
When a team successfully completes a pass-set-spike combination, it scores an additional point.
For a bad serve, subtract a point from the team's score.
 Blocks: Limiting the Options • 99

ffSsif
ti SUCCBSS Goal = be the team earning the
greater number of points after six rotations (60

total serves)
\4

^^uccess Check
• Call for the serve early
• Open up to receiver
• Set ball high to outside of court
• Outside blocker sets block; middle blocker
joins

1 7b Increase Difficulty
Vary the serve's force and direction.
Vary the set direction.
Vary the height of the set.

Subtract 2 points for a bad serve.

To Decrease Difficulty I

Toss rather than serve the ball.

Serve directly at the receiver.

Indicate which attacker will receive the set.
Add 3 points for every successful three-hit com-
bination.

BLOCKING SUCCESS SUMMARY

As with the dig, successful blocking is based on your ability to read your opponent's attack.
The biggest error committed by a beginner is following the trajectory of the ball rather than
concentrating on the attacker for whom he or she is responsible. An indication that you may be
doing this is if you often attempt to block even when the attacker does not complete the attack.
Unnecessarily blocking and touching the net is an extremely costly error.
Have another skilled player or volleyball person evaluate your blocking form with the Keys to
Success checklist in Figures 7.1 and 7.2.
 m
» SIAPLt OFFENSE: ATTACKING WITtI TWO
fRONT ROW PLAYERS

he ball is sensed into your court by the oppo- center front position. In the International 4-2, the
nent. Three players call for the ball and collide as setter assumes the right front position. When cov-
they all attempt to play They all look at each other
it. ering the International 4-2, only the implications of
in frustration, each feeling that it was her ball to play! this difference will be discussed.
It is essential to organize your play so that a differ-
ent formation is used for each situation that occurs
during a rally. The organization of your court move- Why Are the 4-2 and Interna-
ment into different formations is referred to as of-
tional 4-2 Offenses Important?
fense or defense.
There are two categories of offenses in volleyball-—
The 4-2 offense is usually the first offense a team
simple and multiple. Generally, the simple offenses
learns. It is called a simple offense because the set-
are used at beginning levels of play, while the mul-
ter is one of the front row players. Only front row
tiple offenses are employed by higher skilled teams.
players may spike from in front of the attack line;
Simple offenses, including the 4-2 and International therefore, one of these players serves as the
if setter,
4-2, will be discussed in this step.
the team is limited to only two front line attackers.
Many teams do not have more than four highly skilled
attackers, so these teams find the 4-2 offense ad-
Simple Offenses equate. Teams often select an offensive system which
is too complicated for the skill level of their available
Once you master the basic skills and begin to com-
athletes.
pete in actual game situations, you should learn and
use various offensive and defensive strategies. TTiis en-
Many teams prefer the International 4-2 over the
regular 4-2 because the location of the setter (right
hances communication between you and the other
forward position) means that both attackers, if right-
players, and helps maintain organized patterns of play.
handed, are hitting on-hand. This implies that the
The first strategy that you should learn is the 4-2
team is attacking from the most powerful position.
offense, considered to be the easiest offense to execute.

Offensi\'e alignments are usually titled numerically;

A disadvantage of the International 4-2 comes when
the first number refers number of players who
to the
your setter is small in stature, because the setup

serve primarily as attackers and the second number

dictates that the setter blocks the opponents strong
side attacker.
refers to the number of players who serve primarily
as setters. Therefore, in the 4-2 offense, four players
are attackers and two players are setters.
The International 4-2 offense is similar to the
How to Execute the 4-2 and
regular 4-2 offense in that four players function pri- International 4-2 Offenses
marily as attackers and two players are primarily set-
ters. The difference is the position the setter takes When examining each offense, this text discusses

at the net. In the regular 4-2, the setter assumes the three areas: sen'e reception, covering the attacker.

100
 ,

Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 101

and free ball formation. Serve reception is when your according to their specialization.
team is receiving the serve from the opponents. Cov- The International 4-2 is similar to the regular 4-2;
ering the attacker is the action taken to efficiently therefore,your team should find it easy to move from
cover the court during a spike by your team that may one to the other. Because there are attackers in the

be blocked by the opponents. A free ball formation is left forward and center forward positions, your team
the position taken by your team to receive a ball com- can become accustomed to using a middle attack.
ing from your opponent that is neither a sen'e nor a This prepares you for advancing to a multiple offense.
spike. In the serve reception and free ball situations,

your team is receiving the ball and is in transition

from defense to offense. Serve Reception
Over the years, many serve reception patterns have
In the 4-2 offense, a setter always sets from the
been introduced. The current thought in this area is
middle of the court close to the net. Two players
that the fewer people assigned to receive the serve,
serve as setters. In the lineup, the setters should be
the better the result. Many teams therefore employ
in opposition to one another; that is, left forward
two-person, three-person, or four-person serve re-
and right back, center forward and center back, or
ception formations.The traditional W-formation re-
right forward and left back. Initially the setters are
mains the most prevalent serve reception pattern at
positioned in the center forward and center back
the beginning levels of play. For purposes of this
positions. The setter who is the center forward is re-
book, we will concentrate on the W-formation because
sponsible for the setting duties until rotating into
when it is employed, all players have the opportu-
the right back position. At that time, the second set-
nity to experience serve reception.
and assumes
ter rotates into the left forward position
In any serve reception formation, the setter does
The W-formation is dia-
the active role of setting.
not want to receive the serve under any circum-
gramed here for three rotations (see Diagrams 8. 1
stances. The setter, therefore, assumes a position
8.2, and 8.3). The remaining three rotations repeat
either near the net or behind another player (hides).
the patterns demonstrated in the three diagramed,
Until the ball is actually contacted on the serve, all
with the exception that the players will be in oppos-
players on both teams must be aligned on the court
ing positions.
in their correct rotational positions. Rotational posi-
Note in the diagrams that the setter always "hides"
tions are the positions that players of both teams
at the net and begins in the correct rotational posi-
must be in during the serve. These positions are
As soon as the serve is contacted, the setter
tion.
indicated on the lineup submitted by the coach be-
moves to the center front of the court, gaining two
fore the game. Playing positions are the positions
assumed by players on the court immediately after
the serve is executed. Players can assume any posi-
Net
tion on the court at that time, with the exception
that only the forwards may attack or block from in
front of the attack line.
Because players are allowed to play any position
on the court after the serve is initiated, specializa-

tion has become very popular. When a team em-

ploys specialization, each player basically plays two
positions: one while in the front line and one while in

the back line. Because teams rotate each time they

gain a side out, players would need to master six
different positions on the court if teams did not
specialize. Obviously, specialization facilitates the
learning process. When the W-formation for serve
reception is diagramed, the players are indicated
according to their rotational positions and their H Diagram 8.1 W-formatlon, serve reception, 4-2
functions—for example, attacker or setter— but not offense, setter in the CF position.
102 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

\
Net the same side of the court as the setter and is pre-
paring to become an outside attacker.
\ RF Teams must be aware of the potential for overlap
\
\ drawn in the dia-
in these t\vo alignments. Lines are
\
grams to indicate the problem areas of overlap (Dia-
\
grams 8.2 and 8.3). The center back must remain
A\
"-^^CF \ behind the center forward, and the setter must be
A A sure to remain closer to the sideline than the center
LF CB forward when the ball is served.
To receive serve efficiently, a team must utilize cer-
tain guidelines. The back line players always posi-
S A
LB RB tion themselves so that they have a clear \iew of the
sender as they look between the front line players.
1 The player receiving sen^e must call for the ball be-
fore it crosses the plane of the net. All players must
H Diagram 8.2 W-formation. serve reception, 4-2 turn and face the player who has called for the ball;
offense, setter in the RF position.
this action is referred to as opening up to the ball.

No players should receive any sen^e that is chest high

or above: the front row players should allow the back
Net row players to receive this serve, and the back row
s-a^ players should allow this serve to go out.
LF'
/I The setter and center back players should signal
/|
/ 1
theirteammates if a serve is short. The right and left
' .
back players function as a team, helping each other
A call "out" on any ball that is long: one player calls for
;a .'' RF
the ball,and the second watches and decides whether
iCF^-' A to call it out. The left forward with the left back, and
1^^ CB
the right forward with the right back, act as teams to
call the left sideline and the right sideline. When

any player calls for the ball, the matched player de-
A S
cides whether the serve is good or out-of-bounds.
LB RB
Any "watcher" must call "out" as soon as possible, so
1
that the receiver does not attempt to play the ball.
The player who calls for a ball should move to the
H Diagram 8.3 W-formation, serve reception, 4-2 best position to receive it. No player who calls for a
offense, setter in the LF position. ball should call it out unless on the line when mak-
ing the call.

options for attack—a front set or a back set. The Serve reception is a total team effort and requires
setter always faces the left sideline, ha\1ng the right concentration and communication. If only one mem-
foot forward (the foot closer to the net). The setter ber of the team does not assume the responsibility
remains in this position directing the attack until given, the entire team may fail.

the next serve. When the team is comprised of all Diagram 8.4 indicates the areas of responsibility

right-handed players, the left side of the court is the for each of the five players during serve reception.
strong side because the left forward is attacking on- Sen^e reception formation for the International 4-2
hand. is close to the W-formation for the regular 4-2. The
In Diagram 8.1, the setter is the center forward only differences are based upon the location of the

and no switch is necessary. In Diagrams 8.2 and setter. The setters begin in the right forward and left

8.3, the setter must switch from an outside position back positions. In the initial W-formation, no switch
to the center of the court. In each of these last two by the setter is necessary. It is the right back who
cases, the center forward attacker is in position on moves toward the attack line and appears to be a
 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 103

Net

RF
CB
'' A
/

RB
I
LB I

I Diagram 8.4 Areas of serve- reception responsibil- H Diagram 8.5a Serve reception when setter is RF,

ity for all players when using the W-formation. using the International 4-2.

Summary of Player Responsibilities for Successful Serve Reception

All Players

decide who will receive the ball as soon as possible after contact by the server,

call for the ball before it crosses the plane of the net,

open up to the player playing the ball, and

help call the ball out-of-bounds for other players.

Front Row Players

allow balls that are higher than chest level to be played by back row players,

do not move more than one step back to play the ball,

call the ball out on the sideline for the back row player on the same side of the court, and

are ready to move forward quickly on short serves.

Back Row Players

allow a ball that is at chest height or higher to go out-of-bounds,

call the ball out on the sideline for the front row player on the same side of the court,

are more aggressive from the left back position in receiving when the ball is between the left and
right backs,

call the ball out over the end line for the other back, and

always position themselves between the front row players.

Setters

never receive serve,

call short serves,

call for the pass and extend the hand closer to the net high as a target for the passer, and

face the left sideline with the right foot forward in the stride position.
104 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Net becomes dead and play is completed. The results

that end in a dead ball are (a) the attacker spikes the
ball to the floor for a point, (b) the attacker spikes
the ball out-of-bounds or makes an error, or (c) the
blocker blocks the ball out-of-bounds or makes an
error.

In the fourth and fifth attack outcomes, the ball

remains in play. Either the defensive team digs the
ball and prepares for a counterattack, or the
blocker(s) successfuUy blocks the ball and it remains
on your side of the court. If the opposing block is

successful, the ball remains in play, falling quickly

to the floor in an area directly behind the attacker.
Therefore, this is the critical area for your team to
coven
H Diagram 8.5b Serve reception when setter is CF,
In the 3-2 coverage, three of your players make a
using the International 4-2.
semicircle behind the attacker, while the remaining
two players position themselves in the spaces be-
Net tween them (see Diagram 8.6a and The person
b).
1 F 1 ,. .k-
closest to the sideline is the back row player on the
(s)/
r same side of the court as the attacker. The person in
f
the middle of the three is always the center back.
1
1 The player closest to the net is always the setter, who
1

sets the attacker and follows the set by moving to

iCF
1 the coverage position. These three players must be
1
1 in a low defensive position to have as much time as
t
possible to react to the ball. They should be looking
LB cb\ at the blocker's hands when the ball is contacted by
your spiken
t
The two offensive players toward the sideline op-
posite the attacker's side shift toward the attack side
and align themselves in the spaces between the three-

Hi Diagram 8.5c Serve reception when setter is LF,

using the International 4-2. Net

forward line player as illustrated in Diagram 8.5a.

Diagrams 8.5b and c illustrate ser\'e reception posi-
tioning when the setter is the center forward and the
left forward. Notice that the players always align
themselves so that the two attacking forwards re-

ceive in the left court area and the setter moves to

the right forward position.

Covering the Attacker

Once your team has received the serve and has
passed to the setter, you attempt to complete an of-

fensive attack. There are five possible outcomes of H Diagram 8.6a Spike coverage when your LF is

every attack. In three of these outcomes, the ball spiking.

 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 105

H Diagram 8.6b Spike coverage when your RF is H Diagram 8.7a Spike coverage, LF spiking,
spiking. International 4-2.

Net
player semicircle. Diagram 8.6a illustrates the 3-2
coverage when your left forward is attacking; Dia-
gram 8.6b illustrates the 3-2 coverage when your right
forward is attacking.
If the ball goes by or is deflected by the block and
is dug by the defense, your team must quickly as-
sume the base defensive formation. This formation
will be covered during the discussion of defense.
In the International 4-2, the coverage of the at-
tacker is similar to that used in the regular 4-2. The

same 3-2 formation is used: three people form a semi-

circle around the attacker, and the remaining two

players shift and fill the spaces between those three.

The differences are in which players assume which
positions in the formation and that the two attack- H Diagram 8.7b Spike coverage, CF spiking,

ers are now coming from the center forward and left International 4-2.

forward positions rather than the left forward and

right forward positions. Refer to Diagrams 8.7a and

8.7b for proper coverage in the International 4-2. Free Ball

When the attacker is the left forward, the left back,
center back, and right back are in the same posi- Any time the opposing team is playing the ball and
tions and have the same responsibilities as in the attempting to set its attack, your team's blockers are
regular 4-2. The center forward and right forward at the net anticipating their next action to be a block.
are also in the same positions, but the center for- When it becomes obvious that the opposing team does
ward is now an attacker, and the right forward the not have enough control to complete their attack,
setter: this is reversed from the alignment in the regu- your team must prepare to receive a free ball. Lack
lar 4-2. In the coverage for an attack by the center when the first pass does
of control is often indicated
forward, the left forward, center back, and setter (right not go toward the net, when a player other than the
forward) form the semicircle around the attacker, setter must handle the second ball, when the set is
while the left back and the right back align them- made to a distance of more than 10 feet off the net,
selves in the spaces between those three players. or when the attacker is out of position.
106 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

The free ball formation is very similar to the W- diagram indicates the direction of the attackers' first

formation. The only difference is that the setter is movement straight back to the attack line. The num-
already in position at the center front of the court. ber 2 on the diagram is the wing out, or second move-
The setter usually calls "free" to communicate with ment, by the attacker to a position outside the side-
the team that no block is necessary. Your team lines in preparation for the attack. Once the free
should immediately move to free ball formation. The ball is received, your team sets its own attack and
setter remains at the net, the two attackers move proceeds with appropriate coverage.
straight back to the attack line, and the center back In the International 4-2, the free ball formation is
moves close to the attack line at the center of the the same W used in the regular 4-2. The difference
court. The remaining two backs fill in the spaces is that the setter is the right forward. This implies
between the forwards. that the two attackers moving off the net are now in
The attackers" first priority is to receive the ball; the left forward and center forward positions, the
their second priority is to prepare to attack. As soon setter remains at the net, the right back must move
as the two attackers are sure that they will not have forward into what appears to be a front line position,
to receive the free ball, they move to the sidelines of and the center back must move right and fill the right
the court and prepare to receive the set. It is critical point of the W. Diagram 8.9 illustrates the move-
that the attackers do not "wing out" like this (see ment of the players from base defense to free ball
Diagram 8.8) until they are positive that the free ball position in the International 4-2.
will be passed by a teammate. The number 1 on the

Net Net
LF CF RF
(s)

v
k^
CB

LB — RB

HI Diagram 8.8 Movement from base defense to Diagram 8.9 Base defense to free ball, Interna-
free ball. tional 4-2.

SIMPLE OFFENSE SUCCESS STOPPERS

Errors in the execution of the 4-2 offense can be cat- free ball are more frequently found in the second
egorized into three main areas; (a) not assuming the category. Serve reception errors are most commonly
position indicated by the play situation; (b) moving found in category three.
toward the correct position, but not arriving at that Errors made when using the International 4-2 are
spot soon enough; and (c) assuming the correct po- similar to those indicated for the regular 4-2. The
sition, but executing poorly. Errors in all three of- main difference is in the location and movement of
fensive formations— serve reception, covering the at- the setter and the right back player. Often it is the
tacker, and free ball—can be included in the first failure of the right back to adjust to the setter's loca-

category above. Errors in covering the attacker and tion that causes errors.
 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 107

ERROR CORRECTION
1. The setter receives the serve. 1. Setter should hide at net and not receive

the serve under any circumstances.

2. A free ball falls between a front row player 2. The two forwards must move quickly off
and a back row player. the net to the attack line andassume a ready
position prior to the opponent making contact
with the ball.

3. The ball rebounds off the opponent's block 3. Three players must assume a coverage
and falls to the floor on the attacker's side. position around the attacker.

4. A player in the W-formation gets hit on the 4. All players must open up to the receiver by
back by a passed ball. turning and facing that player.

5. The serve falls to the court between two 5. Receivers must call for the serve prior to

players. the ball's crossing the net.

6. The ball rebounds off the block and falls to 6. The player covering the line should have
the court between the coverage and the the outside foot on the sideline and should not
sideline. play a ball that rebounds off the block beyond
the sideline side of the body.

7. The attacker prevents the coverage from 7. The attacker should not play a ball that

playing the ball. rebounds off the block unless it stays between
the attacker and the net.

Errors Specific to International 4-2

8. A free ball falls to the court in the right 8. The setter is the right forward and remains
forward position. at the net; therefore, the right back must
adjust and cover this area of the court.

9. The setter attempts to back set. 9. The two eligible attackers are in the center
forward and left forward positions; there is no
right forward attacker to whom to back set.

SIMPLE OFFENSE

DRILLS
1. Wing Out
In this drill you practice free ball movement as an attacker. Movement should be in two phases-
straight back to the attack line, then, after receiving the ball, winging out to get ready for your
approach.
Place a chair at the attack line at the left sideline (see Diagram a. next page). You need two
partners for this drill. One is a setter, positioned at the net in the middle of the court. You are
a left forward in blocking position on the same side of the court as the chair. Your other partner
is a tosser on the opposite side of the net.
108 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

The tosser yells "free" and tosses the ball high and easy to the attack line. You. the left
forward,move straight back to the attack line, overhead pass the ball to the setter, wing out
around the chair, and approach to complete the attack. The setter sets a high outside set.
Repeat this drill on the right side of the court (Diagram b. below). The same drill can be used for
the International 4-2 with you as a center forward. When practicing this drill for the Interna-
tional 4-2, the setter should be positioned closer to the right sideline (Diagram c, below).

1 li Success Goal = —^70 Increase Difficulty

8 out of 10 successful attacks from the left forward • Place the chair farther from the net.
position • Toss the ball lower.
7 out of 10 successful attacks from the right • Toss the ball to various locations.
forward position • Setter makes lower sets.
7 out of 10 successful attacks from the center '

forward position To Decrease Difficulty

• Place chair closer to the net.

^/
''
Success Check
•

•
Toss the
Toss
ball at only

to the
one height.
same spot every time.
• Move to attack line quickly • Setter sets the ball high.
• Set position before passing
• Pass ball high and wing out
• Begin approach when set reaches highest point

4\
\1
-J. -3
\±Li:ii.
^TS s \ X ^ ^s
NX ^ I
/-J

•*\r
 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 109

2. Serve Reception
In this drillyou practice receiving serve as a team, setting up your attack, and covering your
attacker. Make sure that you practice all the rules of good serve reception— calling for the ball,
calling the ball out and short, playing balls only at the correct height, etc.
A team of six lines up on one side of the court (see Diagram a, below). A server on the opposite
side of the court serves the ball underhand to the receiving team. The team goes into a W-
formation with the setter in the center forward position. The team receives the serve, executes
an attack either forward or back, and covers the attacker correctly.
The team receives five good serves, then rotates one position. Continue this drill until all
players have rotated around to the original starting positions. This drill can also be used for the
International 4-2 (see Diagram b, below).

msii
i Success Goal =
[ 24 out of 30 successful 'To Increase Difficulty
attacks with the correct coverage • Vary the serves.
• Serve the ball anywhere on the court.
• Setter sets either front or back.
success Check
Call loudly for ball To Decrease Difficulty
Pass high to setter • Serve to a designated person.
Nonreceivers open up • Decide in advance who will spike.

Players be set low in cover positions before contact

by attacker

/"'a^V

r^
110 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

3. Free Ball
In this drillyou practice receiving a free ball as a team. The setter should repeat the "free-
signal of the tosser. The team covers the attacker every time.
A team of six lines up on one side of the court, with the three forwards at the net in blocking
position (see Diagram a. below). The center back is in the center of the court, and the left and
right backs are on their respective sidelines 20 feet from the net. A tosser is on the opposite side
of the net.
The tosser yells "free." delays for a couple of seconds, then tosses the ball over the net high and
easy. The team of six quickly moves into the W-formation. They receive the ball, set an attack,
and cover the attacker
The team receives five balls, then rotates one position. Continue this drill until the players
have rotated to their original starting positions. This drill can be adapted to suit the Interna-
tional 4-2 formation (see Diagram b, below).

Success Goal =24 out of 30 successful To Increase Difficulty

attacks with the proper coverage • Toss to various heights and locations.
• Toss quicker after yelling "free."

Success Check To Decrease Difficulty

• Move to attack line quickly • start in free ball position.
• Set position before playing ball • Toss to a consistent height.

• Square shoulders in direction of pass • Toss to designated receivers.

• Low position on coverage
 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 111

4. Cover and Dig

This drill allows the covering team to react and play a blocked ball and attempt an attack in

transition, making sure to cover the second attack. As long as the block is successful, the drill

will continue.
A team of six stands on one side of the court in the same starting positions as in the free ball

drill (see Diagram a. below). Two blockers stand on a box on the right side of the court on the
opposite side of the net.
A tosser, on the same court as the blockers, yells "free" and throws a high ball over the net.
The team receives the free ball, sets the attack to their left forward, and covers. The blockers
block the The attacking coverage attempts to set up with a successful dig to initiate a
ball.

second attack. The drill can be varied by having the second attack come from the right forward.

In this case, the drill would end after two attacks.

The team receives five tosses, then rotates one position. Continue the drill until players have
returned to their original positions. Diagram b, below, shows how to adapt this drill for the
International 4-2.

MSu
Success Goal
li = 18 out of 30 successful To Increase Difficulty
digs off the opposing block Vary the height and direction of the tosses.
Shorten the time between calling "free" and toss-
ing.
Success Check
• Cover in a low position To Decrease Difficulty i .

• Dig ball high Toss high, easy, and directly at the receiver. j

• Cover second attack Lengthen the time between calling "free" and toss-
ing.

The setter sets high.

The attacker hits the ball directly into the
blockers' hands.
112 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

5. Serve and Free Ball

you practice receiving serve, setting up your attack, covering your attacker, and
In this drill
moving into a blocking ready position. Next you receive a free ball and repeat the same action.
Have a team of six on one side of the net. and a tosser and a sender each with a ball on the
opposite side. The sender senses. The recei\1ng team, positioned in the W-formation. receives
serve, sets the attack, and covers (see Diagram a, below).
Then the team immediately assumes starting positions as in the free ball drill (see Diagram b.
below). The opposing tosser calls "free" and tosses a ball high over the net. The receiving team
passes the free baU. sets an attack, and covers. Play continues with another serve and attack
immediately followed by another free ball.

The team receives five good serves, then rotates one position. The drill continues until all

players return to their starting positions. See Diagrams c and d, next page, to adapt this drill for

the International 4-2 formation.

Id Success Goal = SS To Increase Difficulty

24 out of 30 successful attacks off sen'e Use any method of senlng.
receptions Serve the seams between potential receivers.
24 out of 30 successful attacks off free balls Vary the free ball toss in height and force.

Shorten the time between yelling "free" and toss-

ing the ball.
Success Check
• Quick mo\'ement off net To Decrease D/7f/cu/fy|^^_
• Set in coverage positions before attacker contacts Sen'e underhand.
ball Sen'e directly to the recei\'er.

• CaD ball as soon as possible Wait longer between yelling "free" and tossing
the ball.

a. Attack off serve reception b. Attack off free ball

 Simple Offense: Attacking With Two Front Row Players • 113

c. Attack off serve reception, d. Attack off free ball, Interna-

International 4-2 formation tional 4-2 position

SIMPLE OFFENSE SUCCESS SUMMARY

To be successful as a team, all players need to understand the complexities of each position
that they will have to play.They also need to know and understand the responsibilities of their
teammates. In competition, you must be organized in your approach. This organization is
accomplished by employing situational formations in which all players understand their respon-
sibilities. The simple offenses give teams an opportunity to work on player positioning in the

least complex manner.

Have a skilled observer refer to the diagrams of each formation for serve reception, free ball,
and coverage of the attacker (Diagrams 8.1-8.9) for the offensive system you have selected (the 4-
2 or the International 4-2) to determine if your team is correctly moving into the appropriate

positions.
 9
2-1-3 DEftNSE: TRANSITIONING
TO ATTACK

ue to a bad forearm pass on serve reception, sents the blockers, the 1 is a player who is positioned
your team is unable to set up for a spike and must behind the block, and the 3 indicates the backcourt
send a free ball to the opponent. The opponent re- players. When using the 2-1-3 defense, the team
ceives the free ball and immediately sets to its best assumes that the block will protect at least the deep
attacker who jumps into the air ready for the kill. area of the court behind it. The off-blocker and
You fmd yourself standing in the middle of the court backcourt players must be strategically positioned
with the ball headed for your face! You succumb to to cover the remaining court.
your natural reaction and duck. The ball hits the
floor for the kill. You must cover the court by setting
up a defense. Why Is the 2-1-3 Defense
There are two major defensive alignments in vol- Important?
leyball. The 2-1-3 (covered in this step) is stronger
against a team that uses tips and off-speed spikes, When your opponent is playing the ball, your team
and the 2-4 is more effective against a powerful at- wishes to be in the most advantageous position to
tacking team. Other defensive systems—strong or react quickly when the ball is returned. An attack
counter rotational—have been developed and are takes ver^' little time to travel from the hitter's hand
generally adaptations of these two basic formations. to the floor: therefore, you must be in a position such
Three general principles are always in effect regard- that your primar\' action is reacting to the ball rather
less of what defensive system you are employing. than covering much ground. The base defensive for-
First, your team must read what your opponent is mation places the blockers close to the net, ready to
plaiming to do. Second, all players must use this block, and the backcourt players near the areas they
information to decide where to best position them- will cover behind the block.
selves. Finally, the players must receive the The strength of the 2-1-3 defensive formation is
opponent's attack and set their own attack in transi- that it affords good protection against a team that
tion. makes use of many off-speed attacks and tips. The
When the ball goes over the net to the opposing player behind the block is in position to receive these
team, your team should immediately move to the base types of attack easily. To be successful in using the
defensive formation. This formation is used until 2- 1 -3, a team must have strong blocking. If the block
the type of ball to be returned from the opponent is weak, a large portion of the court behind the block
becomes e\1dent: the two possible plays are either a is \ailnerable. Another important aspect of this de-
free ball or an attack. The free ball formation was fense is that each backcourt player is generally re-
described in Step 8. sponsible for recei\1ng only one type of attack, either
When the opposing team executes an attack, the a hard-driven spike or a soft attack (off-speed spike

most effective way of defending it is with a block and or a tip). This makes the backcourt player's role
backcourt coverage. In the 2- 1 -3 defense, the 2 repre- easier.

114
 2-1-3 Defense: Transitioning to Attack • 115

How to Execute the 2-1-3 De- everyone is in the same formation. If, however,
some players block and others move to free ball, some
fense areas on the court will be very vulnerable. Dia-
gram 9.2 shows base defense to free ball formation.
The 2-1-3 defensive formation is usually the first

defensive system learned by beginning teams. Be-

Net
cause each player has the responsibility of receiving
only one type of attack, the roles are clearly defined
and easier to execute. This defense is also strong
against other beginning teams because at this level
the opponents are more likely to use off-speed at-

tacks and tips than hard-driven spikes.

Base
When using the 2-1-3 defense, in the base formation
the center back player remains in the middle of the
court. The two attackers and the setter stay at the

net, anticipating a block. The remaining two defen-

sive players position themselves 20 feet from the net

and close to their respective sidelines (see Diagram H Diagram 9.2 Movement to free ball from base
defensive formation.
9.1).

Net Block
LF CF RF
(s)
If the opponent spikes, your team should attempt to
block; you must align yourselves behind the block in
the most strategic manner. Your team should ex-
ecute a double block against each spike attempt. The
CB outside blocker decides where to set the block. The
blocker should line up half of a body width to the
attacker's hitting side. The middle blocker moves to

LB RB the outside blocker and joins to make a double block.

The blocker's hands must be far enough apart to
protect as much court area as possible, yet close
enough together to prevent the ball from going
through the block. The outside blocker's responsi-
bility is the ball. The middle blocker is responsible
H Diagram 9.1 Base defensive formation for the 2- for the angle.
1-3 defense.
Once the block is formed, the remaining four play-
ersmove to positions to cover those parts of the court
The base defensive position is held until a team not protected by the block. Diagram 9.3 indicates
leader determines whether the team should block or the movement of players from the base defensive
move into a free ball formation. It is extremely im- formation to a blocking formation using the 2-1-3
portant that all players on the team move into the alignment against an attack from the opposing right
same formation. Even if and
the team leader errs forward.
calls "free ball" only to have the opposing team at- The center forward joins the left forward to form
tack, the team is still capable of receiving the ball if the block. The off-blocker, the right forward, drops
116 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Net Net
LF < CF RF

\ CB
/
t J!
LB RB

H Diagram 9.3 Blocking an attack by the opposing H Diagram 9.4 Blocking an attack by the opposing
RF, using the 2-1-3 defense. CF, using the 2-1-3 defense.

off the net to the attack line and moves into the court Net
LF CF - RF
about 10 feet. The off-blocker"s responsibilities are
handling sharp-angled spikes toward the sideline,
tips to the middle of the court close
"junk" off the net (balls that hit the top of the net,
roll,and fall to the court).
The right back is in the part of the court referred
to the net, and

CB-'
/
/

to as the power alley because any spike that passes

the block is likely to go into this area. The back

right t
lines up with his or her back to the sideline and with LB RB
a line of \1ew to the ball along the center forward's
inside shoulder and the attacker's hand. The center
back moves to a position immediately behind, and to
the middle of, the block in a low defensive posture.
The center back's responsibility is any off-speed spike
or tip directed over the block, down-the-line, or to Diagram 9.5 Blocking an attack by the opposing
LF, using the 2-1-3 defense.
the center of the court. The left back is positioned
on the sideline 20 feet from the net and has the re-

sponsibility to receive any attacks directed down-the- join the center forward to form a double or a triple

line. block. The responsibifities of each player on defense

Diagrams 9.4 and 9.5 show the movement of play- are similar for all positions, even though the attack
ers when defending against an opposing attack irom is from a different area.
the center forward and left forward, respectively. Note When the ball is directed between two defensive

that when the opposing center forward is attacking, players, both players move laterally toward the ball,

the team is using a single blocker and both off- with the player closer to the net crossing in front of

blockers move to the attack line to play defensive the deeper player If all players follow this concept,

roles. This attack is usually a quick attack; the out- there should be no collisions between them (see Dia-

side blockers find it difficult to have enough time to gram 9.6).

 2-1-3 Defense; Transitioning to Attack • 117

Net

I Diagram
directed
9.6 Player
between two players.
movement to dig attacks

Summary for Successful Defense

All Players

should anticipate play of opponent by attempting to read what the opponent will do, and

move to the defensive position, set, and be ready to react before the bail is contacted by the

attacker.

Front Row Players

should have hands at shoulder level or higher in starting position,

should move along the net left and right but, if blocking, never away from the net and back to the

net,

should have no arm swing,

must penetrate the net with hands on the block, and

when playing the off-blocker, move to the attack line ready to play defense.

Backcourt Players
'

keep low body posture with weight fonward on the toes, and
'
move through the ball toward the target.

Off-Blocker
'
plays tips to the center of the court and close to the net,

'
plays junk off the net, and

>
plays hard-driven spikes at the sharp angle to the sideline.

Center Back
•
plays in a low posture behind the block, ready to receive tips over the block.

Defensive Players on Line

•
must play any spike down-the-line.

Power Alley Player

• aligns so that the inside shoulder of the middle blocker, the ball, and the attacker's hand are all in

view, and
• receives spikes or off-speeds into the power alley
 = .

118 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

2-1-3 DEFENSE SUCCESS STOPPERS

When discussing errors in the execution of the 2- 1 -3 attacker. The ability of players to read the actions of
defense, we are mainly emphasizing the incorrect po- the opponent greatly enhances defensive success.
sition of players. In defending an opposing attack, This ability allows players to move efficiently into the
the defensive alignment has to be ready in a set ini- correct initial position low and ready.
tial position by the time the ball is contacted by the

ERROR CORRECTION
1. The ball goes through the block. 1. The middle blocker must close the block.

2. The attacker hits successfully down-the- 2. The right or left backs must stay on the
line. line when defending deep behind the block.

3. An attacker successfully tips over the 3. The center back must move into position
block. behind and close to the block.

4. The ball rebounds off the player in the 4. The power alley players— the left back and
power alley and continues out-of-bounds. right back—position themselves with their
backs to the sidelines so that the dig is in front
of them and stays on the court.

5. The ball goes off the blockers' hands and 5. The outside blocker should turn the hand
out-of-bounds. closer to the sideline in toward the court to
keep the ball inbounds.

2-1-3 DEFENSE

DRILLS
i. Digging a Tip: Left Forward Attacker
In this drill the center back and the left forward work together to cover the court against a tip

by the opposing left forward. As they practice digging the tip, they begin to understand their
area of responsibilitv'.
On one side of the net. there is a setter and an attacker in the left forward position. On the
opposite side, there are three blockers and a center back.
The attacker tosses the ball to the setter, who sets the ball back to the attacker. The attacker
tips the ball over the block, either down-the-line or to the center of the court. The center back
covers tips down-the-line. and the off-blocker covers tips to the center of the court.

III Success Goal ^

Success Check
on defense, successfully digging 8 of 10 tips Attacker approaches as if to spike

on offense, successfully tipping 10 out of 12 Blockers yell "tip" every time

sets Diggers read attacker to determine tip direction
Defensive player moves quickly to ball and digs it

high
 2-1-3 Defense: Transitioning to Attack • 119

I To Increase Difficulty
Vary the height of the set.

Attacker occasionally spikes a hard-driven ball.

To Decrease Difficulty
The attacker does not vary the direction of the

tip.

_,-r
..'1
c oX ^•'

2. Digging a Tip: Rigtit Forward Attacl(er

In this drill the center back and the right forward work together to cover the court against a tip
by the opposing right forward. As they practice digging the tip, they begin to understand their
areas of responsibility.
This is the same as the previous drill, except that the attacker is in the right forward position.

Another player is needed to toss the ball to the setter, who back sets to the attacker.

(Ts^
Success Goal = I Success Check
on defense, successfully digging 8 out of 10 Attacker approaches as if to spike

tips Blockers yell "tip" every time

on offense, successfully tipping 10 out of 12 Digger reads attacker to determine tip direction

sets Defensive players move quickly to ball and dig it

high
120 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

[To Increase Difficulty

The setter varies the height of the set.
The attacker occasionally spikes a hard-driven
ball to keep the defensive player honest.

To Decrease Difficulty Ahl--

The attacker does not vary the direction of the
tip.

3. Digging Down-the-Line Spilies: Right Back

In this drill the right back practices digging down-the-line spikes. The center forward, setter in
the 4-2 offense, practices setting the dig in transition.
On one side of the net. there are three blockers and a right back defending the line. On the
opposite side, there are a left forward and a setter.

The attacker tosses the ball to the setter, who sets high and outside. The blockers give the
attacker the line (they line up to block only the angle). The attacker spikes the ball down-the-
line. The right back digs the ball high to the center of the court, and the center forward sets an
attack.

It I Success Goal = Success Check

10 out of 12 down-the-line spikes by the Anticipate and read attack
attacker Move to position

6 out of 10 successful digs by the right back Be low and ready

4 out of 6 completed attacks on the transition Dig ball high
 2-1-3 Defense: Transitioning to Attack • 121

To Increase Difficulty
• Do not use a block.
• The setter varies the height of the set. RB
To Decrease Difficulty
• The setter sets the ball a greater distance from
the net. \4
• The blockers attempt to take the line away from
the attacker.

r 5--_ X \ X J
V^2 ,Vs
•'
1

4. Digging Down-the-Line Spikes: Left Bacli

In this drill, the left back practices digging down-the-line spikes. The center forward, setter in

the 4-2 offense, practices back setting to the right forward in transition.
This is the same as the previous drill, with the exception that the attacker is in the right
forward position, and the left back digs the spiked balls. Another player should toss the ball to

the setter, who back sets to the attacker.

Iii Success Goal = ' Success Check

10 out of 12 down-the-line spikes by the • Anticipateand read attack
attacker • Move to position
6 out of 10 successful digs by the left back • Be low and ready
4 out of 6 completed attacks on the transition • Dig ball high
122 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Do not use a block.
• Vary the height of the set.

To Decrease Difficulty ! LB
• Set the ball farther from the net.
4/
• Blockers try to take the line away from the at-
tacker.

5/

5. Digging Cross-Court: Left Back

In this drill the left forward attacker spikes cross-court. The left back and left forward of the
defending team practice digging the cross-court spikes and converting the dig into their own
attack in transition. The setter can be either the center forward, as in the 4-2 offense, or the
right forward as in the International 4-2.
On one side of the net, there are three blockers and a left back defensive player. On the
opposite court, there are a setter and an attacker in the left forward position.
The attacker tosses the ball to the setter, who sets high and outside. The attacker spikes
cross-court. The left back or off-blocker digs the ball, and the forwards attempt to complete an
attack on transition.

msi
Success Goal = I
Success Check
10 out of 12 successful attacks • Backcourt defensive player and off-blocker start
6 out of 10 successful digs with backs to the sideline
4 out of 6 completed attacks on the transition • Power alley player lines up outside middle blockers
inside shoulder to see attacker and ball
• Low position, with weight forward
• Once forward movement begins, move through
ball
 2-1-3 Defense: Transitioning to Attack • 123

_(
•
To Increase Difficulty
Set the ball close to the net.
• Vary the height of the set.
LB
• The attacker varies the direction of the cross-
court spike.
y^
To Decrease Difficulty
• The setter sets the ball farther off the net.
• The attacker spikes directly at defensive play
ive player. I

>o/^e= NX ^^^ X *

L .,''1

6. Digging Cross-Court: Right Back

In this drill the right forward attacker spikes cross-court. The right forward and the right back
on the defending team practice digging cross-court spikes and converting the digs into their own
attack in transition. The setter can be either the center forward, as in the 4-2 offense, or the
right forward, as in the International 4-2. The center forward would set in either offense if the
right forward digs.

frsui
Success Goal = Success Check
10 out of 12 successful attacks Backcourt defensive player and off-blocker start

6 out of 10 successful digs with backs to the sideline

4 out of 6 completed attacks on the transition Power alley player lines up outside middle blocker's
inside shoulder to see attacker and ball
Low position, with weight forward
Once forward movement begins, move through
ball
124 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

I To Increase Difficulty
• Set the ball close to the net.
• Vary the height of the set.

• Vary the direction of the cross-court spike. RB

To Decrease Difficultyl
'x3
• Set the ball farther off the net. 4\
• Spike directly at the defensive player.

^ X
/ 5/' X *?A

'o
T

7. Attack and Counterattack

In this drill the toss can be either to the center forward, setter in the 4-2, or to the right
forward, setter in an International 4-2 offense. The defending team should react by blocking,
using a 2-1-3 if the opponent spikes, or by moving off the net if the result is a free ball. In either
case players attempt to attack and cover in transition.
A team of six on one side of the court sets up in base defensive position. A tosser, setter, and
two attackers are on the opposite side.

The tosser overhand tosses the who sets either attacker for a spike. The
ball to the setter,

defending team must block the spike, or receive and attempt to execute a counterattack. If the
it

attacking players are unable to spike, the defending team should move to a free ball position to
receive the third hit over When the team executes the attack, it must cover the attacker.
The defending team should complete successful counterattacks, then rotate one position.
Continue this drill until the players have rotated back to their original positions.

It Success Goal = Success Check

10 out of 12 successful attacks • Read attack
6 out of 10 successful digs and completed attacks • Assume correct defensive position
on transition • Be low and ready
• React to ball
• Dig high to center of court
 2-1-3 Defense; Transitioning to Attack • 125

\To Increase Difficulty

Occasionally toss the ball over the net Instead
of to the setter.
Vary the attack as much as possible.
Direct the attack between two defensive players.
Setter plays the ball over the net.

To Decrease Difficulty ^ml-

Set the ball off the net.
Select one type and direction of attack and prac-
tice it for six attempts.

2-1-3 DEFENSE SUCCESS SUMMARY

During a scrimmage a skilled observer should watch your team's movement from the time the
ball goes over the net to the opponent until the time your team sets its attack in transition. The
first movement should be Once in base, you want to see what will develop. If
into base defense.
your opponent fails to attack and sends your team a free ball, you quickly move to free ball
formation. If your opponent attacks, then you use the 2-1-3 defense. The observer should check
to see if your team selects the correct formation and also if all team members are assuming the

correct court positions (see Diagrams 9. 1 through 9.6).

 1

10
MULTIPLE OFfENSE: INCREASING
OPTIONS ON ATM
I
ou have six players on your team who have the If your team specializes, it is beneficial to use a
ability to spike consistently. Your setters get little left-hander as the off-side attacker because this
chance to demonstrate their attacking ability, how- player would be hitting from the right front position,
ever, because you are using a simple offense and they which is a left-hander's strong side. The setter can
are setting when they are in the front row! You de- become extremely deceptive and effective in attack-
cide that you need more options when you are on ing the second hit and sending it to the opponent as
attack. a hard-driven attack, a tip, or an off-speed attack.
When your team has at least six players who can This allows the team to attack from all three posi-
attack with efficiency, you are ready to employ a tions. Furthermore, it is advantageous to have a left-

multiple offense. If you do not have six players with handed setter because it is easier for such a setter to
this ability, it is better to play successfully with a attack on-hand.
simple offense than to fail with a multiple offense.
The 6-2 and 5- 1 offenses are more powerful than
either the 4-2 or the International 4-2. The main rea- Why Are the 6-2 and 5-1
son for this is that the setter is a back row player for Offenses Important?
all six rotations in the 6-2 and for three of the six in
the 5- 1 . When the setter is a back row player, a team The 6-2 offense is important because it allows a team
can attack from all three forward positions— left, cen- an additional option for its attack. This means that
ter, and right. The two setters are still opposite each teams can formulate and run a system of plays that
other in the lineup. The setter in the back row per- includes various combinations of players and move-
forms the setting duties, whereas the setter in the ment of players to different parts of the net. This
front row is an attacker. All six players attack, and concept of developing a system of plays is very ad-
two players have the primary responsibility of set- vanced and beyond the scope of this book. Most of
ting. The 6-2 is considered a multiple offense because these combination plays are based on the ability of
the setter penetrates to the net from the back row. the middle attacker to hit a quick set. A quick set is
This characteristic is indicative of all multiple of- set immediately in front of the setter and only about
fenses. 1 foot above the top of the net.
The 5-1 offense is the system that is used most The 5-1 offense is the best offense for any team
frequently at the international level of play. The 5- that has only one setter. Many coaches feel that this
offense uses only one setter. This means that during offense is the best and most efficient because every
three rotations, the setter is in the front row; during attacker hits the sets of only one setter. Attackers do
the other three rotations, the setter penetrates to the not have to worry about a second setter who has dif-
net from the back row. The other five players are ferent timing in the sets.
attackers, with the player opposite the setter being The setter can also attack when in the front row:

called the off-side attacker. therefore, more options are available on the second

126
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 127

contact.The setter must also be an extremely good other offenses, actually using each one for half of the
blocker.Teams with a short setter are at a disadvan- total rotations. During three rotations, the setter is a
tage when the setter Is In the front row. Shorter play- back row player, and formations are the same as in

ers can be very effective spikers if the ball is set off the 6-2. During the other three rotations, the setter
the net. but it is very difficult for them to block un- is a front row player, and the formations are the same
less they are excellent jumpers. as the International 4-2.
When using the 5- 1 offense, a team can also em-
ploy a variety of serve reception patterns that attempt
to hide the front row or back row status of the setter. Serve Reception
Some opposing teams forget to watch for this and
are surprised when the setter attacks the ball on the The W- formation for serve reception can be used with
second contact as a front row player, because they the 6-2. The setter is a back row player and there-
are thinking that the setter is in the back row. This fore must initially hide behind a front row player
option can often be extremely effective. rather than in a position close to the net. When the
setter is the right back or center back player, the

movement to the net is easy because the distance is

How to Execute the 6-2 and short. However, when the setter is in the left back
5-1 Offenses position, the movement is difficult because the dis-

tance is rather long. The setter should initiate move-

The main differences between the serve reception W- ment to the net the instant the ball is contacted on
formation for the simple offenses and for the mul- the serve. The remaining five players assume fairly

tiple offenses involve two players. In the multiple of- normal positions, with the three forwards as the front

fenses, the setter is a back row player and does not line of the W and the two backs as the back line.

receive serve—all three front row players are involved Refer to Diagrams 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 for the align-
in serve reception. The center back player receives ments used when the setter is in the three back row
serve in the deep court rather than in frontcourt (Dia- positions.
gram 10.1). The setter moves to the net, taking a position to
Once a team has mastered the International 4-2 the right of center front between the right forward
and 6-2 offensive systems, learning the 5- 1 is fairly and center forward attackers. The setter faces the

simple. The 5-1 combines the actions of these two left side, the strong side, of the court. Refer to the

Net Net

! I
RF
\
1 CF \ S RF
^' CF
K LF RB
(s)

- - \ CB
LB
CB
i
LB
I
»

H Diagram 10.1 Serve-reception responsibilities, H Diagram 10.2 Serve reception, W-formation,

W-formation, setter is RB, 6-2 offense. setter is RB, 6-2 offense.
128 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Net ter then directs the offense and follows the set to
cover the attack. After covering, the setter returns to
the right back position on the court and prepares to
defend against an attack by the opponent.
When the setter is a front row player, the serve
reception is the same as that used in the Interna-
tional 4-2. The setter can take a position at the net
or in such a manner that it appears as if the setter is
penetrating from a back row position to the net. Dia-
grams 10.5, 10.6. and 10.7 show the second method
of lining up when the setter is a front row player and
the team attempts to disguise that fact.
When the setter attempts to disguise his or her
location, the setter must make sure not to overlap

Diagram 10.3 Serve reception, W-formation,

setter is CB, 6-2 offense.

H Diagram 10.5 Serve reception, setter is RF, using

5-1 offense.

Diagram 10.4 Serve reception, W-formation,

setter is LB, 6-2 offense.

diagrams to view the pattern of movement for the

setter coming from each of the three back row posi-

tions. Note that when the setter is the left back, the
distance to move is the greatest. When moving to the
net from this position, the setter must keep his or
her eyes on the receivers as the ball is passed (see
Diagram 10.4).

When the setter is in the back row in the 5- 1 . the

W-formation serve reception pattern is exactly the
same as in the 6-2 offense. The setter hides behind a
front row player and moves to the net as soon as the
ball is contacted on the sen'e, remembering to keep
the eyes on the receivers at all times. The must
setter Diagram 10.6 Serve reception, setter is CF, using
be in a set position when receiving the pass. The set- 5-1 offense.
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 129

Net the player next to that position. Once the ball is

contacted on the serve, the setter assumes the right

- forward position and remains there until the next

serve.

X LF
(s)
RF
•
/
/ RB Covering the Attacker
In the 6-2 offense, covering the attacker can be
accomplished with the same three-player semicircle
CB
and two players back, as used in the simple offenses.
LB
However, the alignment of these players is much dif-

ferent from the previous offenses. When covering in

the 6-2, the setter is in the middle of the three-player
semicircle. The center forward is the player closest

Diagram 10.7 Serve reception, setter is LF, using to the net.

5-1 offense. Refer to Diagrams 10.8, 10.9, and 10.10 for the

Summary of Player Responsibilities for Successful Serve Reception

All Players
decide who will receive the ball as soon as possible after contact by the server,

call for the ball before it crosses the plane of the net,

open up to the player playing the ball, and

help call the ball out-of-bounds for other players.

Front Row Players

allow balls that are higher then chest level to be played by back row players,

do not move back more than one step to play the ball,

call the ball out on the sideline for the back row player on the same side of the court, and
be ready to move fonward quickly on short serves.

Back Row Players

allow a ball that is chest height or higher to go out-of-bounds,

call the ball out on the sideline for the front row player on the same side of the court,

are more aggressive from the left back position in receiving when the ball is between the left and
right backs,

call the ball out over the end line for the other back, and

always position themselves between the front row players.

never receive the serve,

call short serves,

call for the pass and extend hand closer to the net high as a target for the passer, and
face the left sideline with the right foot forward in the stride position.

Setters (Back Row)

move to the net as soon as the ball is contacted on the serve,
hide behind a front row player to prevent server from serving at them, and

keep eyes on the receiver and the pass when moving from the left back position.
130 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

alignment of players covering the attacker in all three

attacking positions when the setter is the right back.
When the setter is in the left back and center back
positions for serve reception, he or she— after pen-
etrating to the net, setting, and moving to cover the
attacker—returns to the right back position and re-

mains there until the next serve. The setter special-

izes as a right back because it is easiest to move to
the net from this position. It is also an area less likely
to be attacked by the opponent because it is the power
alley for their weak side. If the setter does not have
to dig the ball defensively, the setter is available to

Net

Diagram 10.10 Spike coverage, CF is spiking.

multiple offense.

direct the attack.

The center forward covers in a position close to the
net because it is assumed that this player is moving
to the net for a quick set on every sen'e reception. If

the center fonvard does not go to the net for a quick

attack, the setter finds it difficult to move to a cover-
ing position without running into that player.
In the 5- 1 offensive system, covering the attacker
is the same as it is for the 6-2 offense when the set-

H Diagram 10.8 Spike coverage, LF is spiking,

ter is in the

tional 4-2 offense

back row, and
when
identical to the Interna-
the setter is in the front row
multiple offense.
(refer to the 6-2 and International 4-2). The 3-2 cov-
erage is used, with the three-person semicircle
Net
around the attacker and t\vo players filling the spaces
in the backcourt.

Free Ball

In free ball movement in the 6-2, all three attackers

move off the net to the attack line, and the setter
quickly penetrates to the net from the right back
position. The center back must adjust positioning to
the right back point of the W. The setter must com-
municate the free ball call to all teammates but par-
ticularly to the center back. If the center back is un-
aware that a free ball has been called and does not
H Diagram 10.9 Spike coverage, RF is spiking, adjust positioning, the right back area of the court is
multiple offense. open and extremely vulnerable. When passing a free
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 131

Net
ball to the setter, the receivers should use an over-
head pass, whenever possible, and turn their shoul-
ders in the direction of the pass (see Diagram 10. 1 1).
As for free ball and covering the attacker, the pat-
tern continues; The free ball formation in the 5-1
offense is identical to the formation used in the 6-2

offense when the setter is in the back row, and iden-

tical to the International 4-2 when the setter is in

the front row (refer to the 6-2 and the International

4-2). When the setter is a front row player, the right

back player must always remember to move toward

the attack line as if playing a forward position. The
right back position seems to be the one that is most
difficult to learn.

H Diagram 10.11 Base defense to free bail, multiple

offense, setter back row.

MULTIPLE OFFENSE SUCCESS STOPPERS

Most of the errors occurring in serve reception, cov- Because the 5- 1 offense is a combination of the
erage of the attacker, and free ball formations are International 4-2 and the 6-2, the errors associated

due to players either leaving a position prematurely with these two systems are the same as the errors
or not adjusting position soon enough. The three most for the 5-1. During the three rotations when the set-

common problem areas are (a) the front line players ter is a front row player, the errors would be the same
not moving off the net quickly enough on a free ball, as the errors found in the International 4-2. When
(b) the setter penetrating to the net too soon when the setter is penetrating from the back row for the
anticipating a free ball, and (c) the center back not other three rotations, the errors would be the same
adjusting to the right back area when the setter pen- as found in the 6-2.
etrates to the net.

ERROR CORRECTION
Setter in Front Row
1. The setter receives the serve. 1 . Setter should hide at the net and not
receive the serve under any circumstances.

2. A free ball falls between a front row player 2. The two forwards must move quickly off
and a back row player. and assume a ready
the net to the attack line
position before the opponent makes contact
with a ball that is being sent over the net.
i
3. The ball rebounds off the opponent's block 3. Three players must assume a coverage
and falls to the floor on the attacker's side. position around the attacker.

4. A player in the W-formation gets hit on the 4. All players must open up to the receiver by
back by a passed ball. turning and facing that player.
132 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

ERROR CORRECTION
5. The serve falls to the court between two 5. Receivers must call for the serve prior to
players. the ball's crossing the net.

6. The ball rebounds off the block and falls to 6. The player covering the line should have
the court between the coverage and the the outside foot on the sideline and should not
sideline. play any ball that rebounds off the block
beyond the sideline side of the bodv.

7. The attacker prevents the coverage from 7. The attacker should not play a ball that
playing the ball. rebounds off the block unless it stays between
the attacker and the net.

8. A free ball falls to the court in the right 8. The setter is the right forward and remains
forward position. at the net: therefore, the right back must
adjust and cover this area of the court.

9. The setter attempts to back set. 9. The two eligible attackers are in the center
forward and left fonvard positions; there is no
right fonvard attacker.

Setter in Back Row

1. A pass or dig reaches the net before the 1. In receiving senlce. the setter must move
setter. to the net as soon as the serve is contacted;
defending against an attack, the setter must
move to the net from a defensive position as
soon as it is evident that the attack will not be
to the right back area.

2. The attack lands in the right back position 2. The setter must realize that the primary
with no one to receix'e it. responsibility is defense and that the second-
ary responsibility is to direct the attack.

3. The setter and the center forward collide 3. The center forward must charge to the net
when trying to cover an attacker. for a possible quick attack on each offensive
series. If the center forward does not charge to
the net, the setter will coUide with this player
as they both move to cover.

4. A free ball falls between the front row 4. All three fonvards must move quickly to
players and the back row players. the attack line, set themselves, and be pre-
pared to play a free ball.

5. A third ball over the net lands in the right 5. The setter must communicate the free ball
back position with no one to play it. call to all teammates. The center back must
adjust when the setter penetrates to the net.

6. The sen^ falls to the court between the 6. The left back player should be the aggres-
two back row players in the W. sive player on serve reception when the sen^e
is between the two back players.
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 133

MULTIPLE OFFENSE

DRILLS
1. Serve Reception and Attack
In this drill you practice receiving serve, setting up, and covering your attacker. The setter can
use any of three options.
A team of six lines up on one side of the court, with a server on the opposite side of the court
(see Diagram a). The sender serves underhand to the receiving team. Using a W-formation with

the setter in the right back position, the team receives the serve, executes an attack with any of
the three front row attackers, and covers the attacker (see Diagram b). The ball must land within
the boundaries of the opposite court for the attack to be considered successful.
The team receives five good serves, then rotates one position. Drill continues until players
have rotated around to their original starting positions.

riff
li Success Goal = 24 successful receptions I
To Increase Difficulty
of serve to a completed attack out of 30 serves Serve harder and lower.
Vary the serves.
Serve the seams.
^^uccess Check The setter is told whom to set as he or she re-
• Call ball early ceives the pass.
• Set position before playing ball
• Setter should indicate location to which receiver To Decrease DlfficultyU^L^
should pass ball Serve directly to the receiver.
Serve high and easy.
Set to only one person for all five serves in rota-
tion.
134 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

2. Free Ball and Attack

In this you are to practice your movement off the net in preparation for recei\1ng a free
drill

ball from your opponent. The movement should first be straight back. Then, after recognizing
you will not pass, you should vving out to prepare for your approach.
Three attackers, asetter, and a passer set up on one side of the net. and a tosser stands
on the
opposite side. The three attackers begin in the three front row positions in the base
defensive
formation. The setter begins in the right back of the court. The passer begins in the left
back
position.
The tosser yells "fi-ee" and tosses the ball to the passer. The passer passes to the setter, who
has penetrated to the net. At the free ball call, the attackers drop back to the attack line and
prepare to hit. The setter sets to one of the three attackers, who makes a successful attack. All
players should cover as appropriate. The team receives 15 free balls.

n Success Goal = 12 completed attacks m

(^u.
15 attempts

Success Check
• Quick movement to attack line
• Angle shoulders toward direction of pass
• Wing out after pass is completed
• Setter moves to net as soon as free ball is
called

\To Increase Difficulty

• Toss low and hard.
• Shorten time between the free ball signal and
the toss.
• Tosser indicates the attacker as the ball is being
passed to the setter.

To Decrease Difficulty Hh__

• Increase time between the free ball signal and
the toss.
• Toss high, easy balls to the receivers.
• Tosser indicates to whom the toss will be made.

3. Setter Penetration and Right Back Covering

In this drill the setter practices penetrating to the net from a back court, defensive position
after calling "free ball." The center back must move from the base defensive position to cover the
area vacated by the setter.

A middle and an outside attacker, a setter, and a center back player set up on one side of the
net. A tosser stands on the opposite side of the net.

The tosser yells "free" and tosses the ball to the right back corner of the opposite court. At the
"free" signal, the setter repeats "free," penetrates to the net, and the center back moves quickly to
cover the right back area of the court. The center back passes to the setter, who sets to the
middle or outside hitters to complete the successful attack. The team receives 15 free balls.
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 135

li Success Goal =
the center back must pass 12 out of 15 free balls
to the setter

the group must complete 10 out of 12 attacks

» Success Check
• Setter's free ball signal is essential 1\
• Center back moves quickly to position
• Accurate passing and setting

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Vary the direction and location of the toss within
the right back area of the court.
• Toss the ball hard.
• Shorten time between the free ball signal and
the toss.

To Decrease Difficultyl
• Lengthen the time between free ball signal and
the toss.
• Toss the ball higherand easier.
• Toss to the same spot every time.

4. Setf Cover, and Recover

In this drill the setter practices penetrating to the net from a defensive position, setting the
high outside set, moving to cover the attacker, and quickly returning to the defensive position.
Outside hitters practice attacking.
Have three setters in the right back position, a passer in the left back position, and three
hitters in the left front position on one side of the court. A tosser on the opposite side of the court
yells "free" and tosses the ball over the net to the passer. The passer passes the ball to a setter
who has penetrated to the setter's position at the net. The setter sets the ball high outside to the
attacker. The setter must follow the set by moving to the coverage position, arriving there before
the attacker contacts the ball. As always, the ball must land within the boundaries of the other
side on the attack.
After the ball is attacked, the setter quickly returns to the end of the setting line in the right

back position, and the attacker goes to the end of the attack line. The tosser immediately tosses
the next ball to the passer, and the play is repeated with the second setter and second attacker.
The team receives 15 tosses.
136 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

(^U
Success Goal =
12 good sets and coverages out of 15
12 successful attacks out of 15

Success Check
• Indicate target
• Set ball and follow to coverage
• Touch floor with hands
• Backpedal to right back position

I To Increase Difficulty
• Vary the direction and force of the toss.
• Set the ball lower to the outside hitter.

To Decrease Difficulty
• Toss directly at the passer.
• Setter starts at the net.
• Setter sends higher sets to the attacker.

5. Free Ball
The purpose of this drill is to work as a team to develop total court movement during the
reception of a free ball. All members of the team must move in unison for success.

A team of six lines up on one side of the court. The three forwards are at the net in blocking
position. The center back is in the center of the court, and the left and right backs are on their
respective sidelines 20 feet from the net.
A tosser on the opposite side of the net yells "free." delays for a couple of seconds, then tosses
the ball over the net high and easy. The team of six quickly moves into the W-formation. receives
the ball, sets an attack, and covers the attacker.
The team receives five balls, then rotates one position. Continue this drill until the players
have rotated to their original starting positions.

t^ui
r^ Success Goal = 24 out of 30 successful Success Check
attacks with the proper coverage Move quickly to attack line

Set position before playing ball

Square shoulders to direction of pass
Keep low posture on coverage
 Multiple Offense: Increasing Options on Attack • 137

I To Increase Difficulty
Toss vailous heights and locations.
Toss the ball quicker after yelling "free.

To Decrease Difficulty]
start in the free ball position.
Toss to a designated receiver.

Toss at a consistent height.

6. Cover and Dig

In this drill the team moves to cover the attacker and practices playing a ball after the block.

This drill can be continuous as long as you have successful attacks, blocks, and digs. See how
long you can keep it going for each attack.
A team of six sets up on one side of the court in the W-formation, with the setter in the center
forward position. On the opposite side of the net, two blockers stand on a box on the right side of
the court.
A tosser on the same court as the blockers yells "free" and throws a high ball over the net. The
team receives the free ball, sets an attack to their left forward, and covers. The blockers block the
ball, and the coverage attempts to dig successfully, which means being able to set up for a

second attack.
The team receives five tosses, then rotates one position. This drill continues until the players
have returned to their original positions.

msL-
Success Goal = 18 out of 30 successful Success Check
digs off the opposing blocks • Cover in low position
• Dig ball high
• Cover second attack
• Blockers must keep ball in play
138 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

_i To Increase Difficulty
• Toss with various heights and directions.
• Shorten the time between the free ball call and
the toss.

To Decrease Difficulty'^ ^3_

• Toss high, easy, and directly at the player.
• Lengthen the time between calling "free" and toss-
ing.
• The setter sets higher.

7. Serve and Free Ball

This drill simulates a game situation of recei\Tng sen^, making a successful attack, covering
the attacker, rnonng quickly to base defense. recei\ing a free ball from the opponent, and attack-
ing again. This movement happens continuously in a game setting.
A team of six starts in a W-formation. A tosser and a ser\Tr are on the opposite side of the net.
each with a ball.

The sen-er sen-es. The recei\1ng team passes the sen-e. sets an attack, and covers (see Dia-
gram a, next page).
The team immediately assumes starting positions, as shown in Diagram b. next page. The
tosser calls "free" and tosses the ball high over the net. The recei\1ng team passes the free ball,
sets an attack, and covers.
Play continues with another ser\-e. followed by another free ball. The team receives five good
sen'es alternating with five free balls, then rotates one position. The drill continues until all

players rotate around to their starting positions.

(St
Success Goal = WSuccess Check
24 out of 30 successful attacks off serves with the • Cover entire court
correct co\'erage • Call ball as soon as possible
24 out of 30 successful attacks off free balls with • Set coverage before attacker contacts ball
the correct coverage • Move to base defense
 Multiple Offense; Increasing Options on Attack • 139

I
To Increase Difficulty
Use any method of serving.
Sen'e the seams.
Vary the height and force of toss.

Shorten the time between yelling "free" and toss-

ing the ball.

To Decrease DifficultyWtmL^
Ser\'e underhand.
Sen'e directly to the receiver.
Wait longer between yelling "free" and tossing
the ball.

8. Setter Attacks Second Ball

When using the 5-1, the setter is a front row player for three rotations and is an eligible

attacker. An attack by the setter is very effective in catching the opponents off guard. In this drill

the setter practices attacking the pass.

On one side of the court place a passer in the left back position and a setter in the right front

position. A tosser and a blocker (left front) are on the opposite court.
The tosser tosses the ball over the net to the passer. TTie passer passes the ball to the setter,
who attacks the ball using an off-speed spike, a hard-driven spike, or a tip. Off-speed hits should
be directed past the blocker toward the center of the opponent's court; tips should go toward the
center of the court close to the net or to the sideline behind the left front blocker. Setter attacks
15 passes.
140 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

~ Success Goal = lO out of 15 successful

attacks

Success Check
• Disguise setter intent
• Vary attack
• Go over or past block
• Make off-speed attack drop quickly \3
• Be prepared for opponent's blocking
:.x

1 70 Increase Difficulty
Vary the throw's force and height. .'2
Pass with varying heights to the setter.

To Decrease Difficulty \

Toss the ball high and easy to the passer.

Allow sufficient time between tosses.
Pass the ball high to the setter.

MULTIPLE OFFENSE SUCCESS SUMMARY

If your team has at least six players who can attack effectively, you can use either a 6-2 or a 5-
1 multiple offense. Using a back row player as setter allows you to have more options with three
front row players eligible to attack.

Have a skilled observer analyze your team's movement on free ball, serve reception, and at-
tacker coverage to determine if all players are moving into the correct formations based on
Diagrams 10.1 through 10.11.
 m
2-4 mmi: STOPPING m MULTIPLE

OPTION ATTACK

I
ou are playing your arch rival, a powerful spik- block high to the backcourt as well as balls that go
ing team that loves to attack the ball with great force through the block. This added protection is especially
and seldom uses off-speed spikes or tips. The setter needed against opponents who utilize a quick middle
is good and uses all the attack options available to attack. Often a middle blocker, due to the threat of a

her. Your block is not closing well and the middle middle attack, does not have time to close the block,
back portion of the court is vulnerable. You decide to thus leaving the middle backcourt vulnerable. The
change to a 2-4 defense to better cover the court. extra backcourt player covers this area.
The 2-4 defense is one of the two most frequently
used defenses in volleyball, along with the 2-1-3 de-

fense. The 2-4 defense is more difficult to execute How to Execute the 2-4
because each player is required to receive two differ-
Defense
ent types of attacks, both the tip and the hard-driven
spike. The success of this defense thus relies heavily
As in the 2-1-3 defense, there are two basic posi-
on the ability of the players to read the play of the tions to take when executing the 2-4 defense. The
opponent. The 2-1-3 defense is often the first one
base defensive formation is used when your team is
used by a team. Many teams are capable of execut- waiting to see what play the opponent will execute. If
ing both of these defensive systems and employ the the opponent is able to execute a spike, your team
one that proves more successful against a given op-
can counter with a block. If the opponent is unable
ponent. However, it is better to be able to execute
to attack, your team should drop back into the free
one defensive system effectively than to try to use ball formation (discussed in Steps 8 and 10 on of-
both before either is mastered. fense). All players on your team must move into the
same formation. Usually the setter indicates whether

Why Is the 2-4 Defense your team should block or move

Sometimes the
to receive a free ball.

setter calls a free ball and the oppo-

Important? nent, in fact, completes a hard-driven spike. If this
happens and all members of your team have assumed
Generally, as the level of play in volleyball improves, the same formation, the court is still sufficiently cov-
teams are capable of executing more powerful attacks. ered.
The 2-1-3 defense becomes less efficient as the at-
tack becomes more powerful. The 2-4 defense allows
a team to cover the deep court more completely and Base
thus is usually employed against a team with a more
powerful attack. The base defensive formation with the 2-4 is slightly
In the 2-4 defense, a player is positioned in the different from that with the 2-1-3. The center back
backcourt behind the block. Protecting this area al- player remains deep in the court and the left back
lows a team to dig balls that are deflected by the and the right back players remain 5 feet from the

141
 142 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

sidelines. In the 2-4 alignment, the center back player

Net
is positioned on the end line. The starting position
for the centerback must be deeper than in the 2-1-3
to enhance the ability of this player to attain that
deep position. The left and right backs adjust their
positions about 3 to 5 feet in from the sideline to
cover the center of the court. If this adjustment isn't
made, the center of the court is \Tjlnerable to a setter
dump— a. ball placed over the net by the setter on
second contact. Refer to Diagram 11.1 for the cor-
rect base defensive position for using the 2-4 defense.

Net
LF CF RF

Diagram 11 .2 The 2-4 defense against the spike

by the opposing RF.

Net

H^LB RB-^

CB
1

H Diagram 11.1 Base defense used for 2-4

defense.

Block
As soon as the location of the opponent's attack is
H Diagram 1 1 .3 The 2-4 defense against the spike
by the opposing CF.
determined, the defending team sets the block and
defensive coverage. In the 2-4 defensive system, lo-

cation of the four backcourt players and their re- gram 1 1.2 and 1 1.5). The left back takes a position
sponsibilities are different than in the 2-1-3. Refer on the line and is responsible for tips over the block,
to Diagrams 1 1.2, 1 1.3, and 1 1.4 for correct defen- spikes down-the-line, and off-speed attacks toward
sive positioning for attacks from all three opposing the center of the court. The left back should be more
forwards. aggressive than the right back in defending this cen-
In the 2-4 defensive alignment, each player has to ter court area. The left back can cover two thirds of
be prepared to receive any kind of attack. This makes the court width. lea\1ng the remaining third to the
reading the opponent's play extremely important. right back.
Reading is the ability to intelligently anticipate what The center back remains deep on the end line and
the opponent is going to do. The responsibilities of is responsible for spikes over the top of the block,
all players are now described for the defense against spikes deflected by the block, and high, easy balls to
a right forward attack from the opponent (see Dia- either deep corner of the court.
 2-4 Defense: Stopping the Multiple Option Attack • 143

Net The right back is in the power alley and is re-

sponsible for hard-driven spikes that go by the block.

The right back lines up with the inside shoulder of

the center blocker, with the attacker's hand and ball

in view. The right back is also responsible for off-

speed attacks to the center of the court and toward

the right third of the court.
The right forward moves off the net to the attack
lineand 10 feet in from the sideline. This player is
responsible for tips to the center of the court close to
the net, sharp-angled spikes, and junk off the net.
The responsibilities of all players in aligning to
defend against the left forward attacker are basically
the same. The players' roles are determined by their
positions on the court. The right back takes a posi-
H Diagram 11.4 The 2-4 defense against the spike tion on the line and is responsible for tips over the
by the opposing LF. and off-speed attacks
block, spikes down-the-line,
toward the center of the court. The left back is in the

Net power alley and is responsible for hard-driven spikes

that go by the block and off-speed attacks to the cen-
ter of the court. The center back remains deep on

LB
F^ RB
the end line and is

high, easy balls to either deep

responsible for spikes over the
top of the block, spikes deflected by the block,
comer
The left forward moves off the net to the attack line
and 10 feet in from the sideline. This player is re-
sponsible for tips to the center of the court close to
and
of the court.

^,/ ^--r the net. sharp-angled spikes, and junk off the net.
In the defense against the center attack, because

CB only one blocker is used, five players cover the

backcourt. Both off-blockers move to the attack line

and have the responsibilities just described.

H Diagram 11.5 The 2-4 defense against the spike

by the opposing RF, showing player responsibilities for
each position.
 144 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Player Responsibilities Summary for Successful Block Defense

All Players
' should anticipate play of opponent by attempting to read what the opponent will do and
' move to the defensive position, set, and be ready to react before the ball is contacted by the
attacker.

Front Row Players

'
should have hands at shoulder level or higher in starting position, '

' should move along the net left and right but never away from the net and back to the net,
'
have no arm swing,
put hands across net on the block, and
when playing the off-blocker, move to the attack line ready to play defense.

Backcourt Players
keep low body posture with weight forward on the toes and
move through the ball toward the target.

Off-Blocker
plays tips to the center of the court,

plays junk off the net, and

plays hard-driven spikes at the sharp angle to the sideline.

Center Back
must stay deep in the court on or behind the end line,

is responsible for any ball that hits the block and rebounds deep into the court,

plays any high balls to the corners of the court behind the two line players, and

must react by moving forward to cover the middle of the court if the blocker does not close the
block.

Defensive Players on Line

must play any spike down-the-line and
must be ready to move forward and dig any tip over the block directed down-the-line.

Power Alley Player

aligns so that the inside shoulder of the middle blocker, the ball, and the attacker's hand are all in

view and

receives spikes or off-speeds into the power alley

2-4 DEFENSE SUCCESS STOPPERS

The most common errors a team makes when ex- away that when two of you move to the ball at the
ecuting the 2-4 defense are associated with the play- same time, one should always be in front of the other,
ers' inability to determine who should play the ball. and you should cross rather than collide. Concern
You should not decide in advance who should play about colliding with a teammate may cause you to
the ball; you should simply react to the play as it stop rather than play through the ball.
develops. Players are positioned on the court in such
 .

2-4 Defense; stopping the Multiple Option Attack • 145

nnpRprTinM
1. The center back player attempts to dig an 1 The center back player must remain deep
off-speed attack to the middle of the court. on the end line; the left back or right back is

responsible for off-speed attacks to this area.

2. A ball dug by the setter does not get set. 2. The setter, after digging the attack, is not
eligible to make the second contact or set; in
this situation the player in the right forward
position assumes the setting role.

^Trhe tip over the block falls to the court 3. The player on the sideline on the same
^thout being dug. side of the block is responsible for spikes
down-the-line and tips over the block. ™-__
4. The line player behind the block ducks 4. The line player must play this bpike, even

when a spike down-the-line is chest high or if just by raising the arms and blocking it.

higher.

Bl. A deep tip falls to either back corner of the 5. The center back is responsible for covering

court. deep, easy balls to both corners of the court.

6. A spiked ball goes through the block and 6. If the middle blocker doesn't close the

hits the floor. block, the center back must move forward in

anticipation of a spike to the center of the

court.

24 DEFENSE
DRILLS
f. Six-Player Defense
team defends using a 2-4 defense against an attack from any of the three attack-
In this drill a
ing positions— left, center, or right. The defending team reacts according to the position of the
attack and also according to the type of attack— spike or free ball. The defense tries to complete
an attack in transition.

A team of six sets up on one side of the court in base defensive position. A tosser, setter, and
three attackers set up on the opposite side.
The tosser overhand tosses the ball to the setter, who sets any of the attackers. The setter
should disguise which attacker will be set, so that the defense must react to the attack as though
in a game. The attacker spikes, tips, or off-speed spikes over the net.
The defending team must either block the spike, or receive it and attempt to execute a counter-
attack. If the attacking players are unable to spike, the defending team should move to a free ball
position to receive the third hit over. When the defending team successfully makes the transition
and executes the attack, they must cover the attacker.
The defending team should receive five attacks, then rotate one position. Continue until all

players are back in their original positions.

 .

146 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

(uSui
[| Success Goal = 20 successful blocks or
digs and counterattacks out of 30 spikes

success Check
• Watch for direction of set
• Move to appropriate beginning defensive
positions X / X
/1
• Read attack and react to ball
• Prepare for attack on transition
ft ! *. j»-
LF CF RF

To Increase Difficulty
• Vary height and location of the toss.
• Set the ball lower to the attacker.

To Decrease Difficulty\
LB RB
• Toss high, easy, and directly at the setter.
• Attackers tell the defense who will spike.

• Defenders tell attackers where to spike.

CB

2. Digging ttie Power Attack

In this drill the spiker attempts to simulate agame situation by using a variety of directions
and speeds The defensive team practices successfully receiving these attacks.
of attack.
A team of six sets up on one side of the court. On the other side, a spiker in the left front
position stands on a box with a feeder alongside.
The spiker self-tosses the ball high enough to allow the middle blocker to join the outside
blocker, then attacks cross-court. The team attempts to dig the spike and complete an attack
transition. The ball must land inbounds on the attack.
As usual, the drill is run with five spikes, followed by the team rotating one position.

n Success Goal =
(iTsui Success Check
20 good digs out of 30 spikes Watch block form
15 completed attacks out of 30 spikes Position outside block
Keep ball and opposing attacker's arm in \1ew
Back to sideline

Read attack and react

 .

2-4 Defense: Stopping the Multiple Option Attack • 147

I
To Increase Difficulty
Spiker self-tosses the ball lower.
Vary direction and speed of the spike.

To Decrease Difficultyl
Spiker indicates direction of attack.
Spiker self-tosses the ball higher.
The middle blocker begins in a joined position.

3. Setter Digs and Right Forward Sets

The back row setter on defense is often required to play the first ball over the net. In this case,
the right forward should assume the setting role. This drill allows players to practice this situa-
tion.

Use the same formation as the previous drill. Here, though, the left forward on the box spikes
down-the-line. This forces the right back (setter) to dig the ball, which means that another player
must set. It is preferable that the right forward sets in this situation.
This drill is run with five spikes before the team rotates one position.

(Usi
Success Goal = Success Check
20 out of 30 successful digs • Setter digs ball high

15 out of 30 completed attacks _ • Setter signals he or she has played first ball

• Right forward or closest player calls for ball

• High, easy sets used in transition
• Complete transition attack by covering
148 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

I
To Increase Difficulty
1

• The spiker uses a lower self-toss to force receiv-

ers to react more quickly.
• The spiker varies the direction and force of the
attack.

To Decrease Difficulty]
• The spiker tells the setter what type of attack
will be executed.
• The spiker indicates the direction in which the
attack will be executed. ___3__ x
• The spiker uses a higher self-toss. X X XI

it

"^x

X
1

4. Covering Cross-Court Tips

In this drill the team practices receiving tips to the center of the court by the opponent and
setting up an attack in transition. The left forward needs to practice moving in to receive the tip
and then quickly winging out to prepare for an attack.
This drill uses the same formation as the previous two drills. Now. though, the left forward on
the box tips the ball toward the center of the court close to the net. The left forward of the
opposing team should dig this tip.
This drill runs with five tips followed by the team rotating.

litSL
tl Success Goal = % Success Check
20 out of 30 successful digs • Quickly move to ball

15 out of 30 completed attacks _ • Get into low position

• Dig ball high and to center of court
• Cover every time
 =

2-4 Defense: Stopping the Multiple Option Attack • 149

I
To Increase Difficulty
• Shorten the time between tips.

• Tip the ball with less height and distance.

To Decrease Dlfficulty\
• Tip the ball higher and farther.
• Attacker self-tosses the ball higher.
• Lengthen the time between tips.

5. Digging Deep Tips to the Right Back Corner

In this drill the team practices digging deep tips by the opponent to the right back corner. The
deep defensive player is responsible for moving to the comer to receive this ball behind the right

back. In a multiple offense, the right back is the setter and should quickly move to the net to set

the ball in transition.

This drill uses the same formation as the three previous drills. However, the left forward tips or
passes the ball high to the right back corner of the opposing court. The center back defensive
player should dig this ball as the setter penetrates to the net.
This drill is run with five tips or passes; then the team rotates.

HiSui
Success Goal ^ Success Check
20 out of 30 successful digs • Move to ball

15 out of 30 completed attacks • Set position

• Dig ball high toward center of court
• Follow set to cover
150 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

iTo Increase Difficulty

• Tip the ball lower.
• Shorten the time between tips.
• Mix in more hard-driven spikes.

To Decrease Difficulty I

• Attacker tips the ball higher.

• The attacker lengthens the time between tips.

2-4 DEFENSE SUCCESS SUMMARY

During a scrimmage, have a watch your team practicing the 2-4 defense. The
skilled obsen'er
obsen^er should check to see your team assumes the base defensive formation as soon as you
if

send the ball over the net to the opponent. It is helpful if a team leader is selected to call the
formation. "Base" is called as soon as the ball is returned to the opponent, "free ball" is called if

the opponent does set up for a spike, and "block" will be called if the opponent spikes. The
obsen'er should check first for the selection of the correct formation and then to be sure every
player assumes the correct position (see Diagrams 11.1 through 1 1.5).
 m
12
GAAE SITUATIONS: fOCUSING YOUR

EfFORIS

1^^ ow that you have mastered all the basic skills should begin in either the right forward or right back
an^everal options for offensive and defensive strat- position, and your best passers should always be in

egies, you are ready to play a legal game against an the back row.The strongest setter should be the first
opponent. Of course, your team needs to make sev- one to assume the setting role.
eral decisions before the competition begins. You must select a court leader to direct the play on
the court (refer to "Signaling for Success" later in
1. What offensive system are you going to use?
this step). The person should be a natural leader and
2. What defensive system will you try? ready to direct the attack and defense in an aggres-
3. Who will be your setters? sive manner.

and Once decisions have been made on these organiza-

4. Who are your strongest attackers, servers,
tional aspects of play, you are ready to begin the
defensive players?
game. The choice of taking first serve, receiving first,
5. What are the strengths of your opponent?
or picking the starting playing area goes to the team
6. Who will be your court leader to call and direct that wins the toss; the other team chooses from the
play? remaining selections.
Once the game is under way, all players have to
Your choice depends on the equality and
of offense
make decisions constantly about where they are sup-
type of players that make up your team. If you have
posed to be and the nature of their responsibilities.
only four strong spikers, then a 4-2 offense is the
Volleyball is a game of constant movement and deci-
best choice. If you have six, then a 6-2 offense would
sion making. With each contact of the ball by your
offer more options. If you wish to use a 6-2, your
own team or by your opponent, you must anticipate
setters must be quick and mobile.
the upcoming result and position yourself strategi-
Defensively, you need tall, good blockers to use a
cally.
2-1-3. If you have a weak defensive player or a slow
If you do not do this, weak or open areas will exist
setter, the 2-1-3 an excellent choice because the
is
on your court, and you will be vulnerable to the
weak player or setter can be placed behind the block
opponent's attack. Your team is only as strong as its
and will not have to receive a spiked ball.
weakest player; as soon as an opponent discovers
The setters must have exceptional setting ability
who that player is, they will play the ball to that
and must be able to assume leadership roles. A set-
player's court area. Your team must try to play all of
ter is often selected as the player who will call the
its players in positions that enhance the strength of
court movements for the team.
the entire team.
The coach should submit a lineup with all the play-
ers in strategic starting positions. You would like to
have your best server serving first. You also want Specialization
your best attacker in the left forward or left back

position because someone starting there would be a Rotation differentiates volleyball from other sports.
forward for the longest time. The best defensive player All players rotate to a new position on the court each

151
152 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

time their team earns a side out. This means that player moves as if to receive a ball, the back line
each player must learn the characteristics of six dif- player behind who observes this will assume that
and uses much prac-
ferent positions. This is difficult the forward will receive the ball even if the front line
tice time because new formations must be practiced player does not call "mine": the back player will stop
in all six rotations. mo\1ng toward the ball. This usually results in no

Specialization of players is a method that allevi- reception, which immediately gives a point or a side
ates this problem. Players are required to remain in out to the opponent. A player who moves to play a
their correct rotational positions only until the ball ball should complete the action.
is served. Then they are allowed to move to any posi- On the other hand, nonverbal signals can often be
tion either on or off the court, with the exception used to your team's advantage. For example, a front
that back row players cannot spike or block from in row player who opens up to the backcourt indicates
front of the attack line. As soon as the ball is con- a plan not to receive the ball.
tacted on the serve, all players may switch to their Every team must have a series of verbal signals to
playing positions. This is usually done by the defen- communicate their intentions. The following verbal
sive team as soon as the ball is contacted on the signals will help your team to play as a unit. All play-
serve and by the offensive team either after the pass ers must know the signals and follow them:
or after the ball is returned over the net.
1. Call "mine," "ball," or "I have it" when you are
When players specialize, they each play only one
going to play a ball. Team members should call
position while they are in the frontrow and only one
for every ball, but it is especially important to
position while they are in the back row. Some teams
call for the reception of the first ball over the
like to keep the players on the same side of the court
net.
in both the front and back rows; players might play
2. Call "out" to indicate that the ball is outside the
only on the left side, only in the middle, or only on
court boundaries. It is difficult for the player
the right side. Each one of these positions has cer-
tain important characteristics. The setter usually
who has called for the ball to judge whether the

plays on the right side and must be a leader, an ex-

ball is in or out; a nearby teammate should make
cellent blocker, quick, and perceptive. The left side
the call. Players should move toward the line
before calling a ball out.
player must be a strong, dependable hitter and a
strong digger. The middle player must be a strong 3. Call "deep" or "short" to indicate whether the
blocker, capable of excellent lateral movement, and ball should be received by a front line player or

able to hit a quick, low set. a back line player.

Specialization allows a coach to place players where 4. Call "tip" when the opponent indicates it will
their strengths best help the team. Specialization use that type of attack.
makes it easier for players to learn court positioning
5. Call "over" when the next hit must go over the
because they have to learn only two positions instead
net to the opponent.
of six. It also enhances efficient use of practice time
6. Call "touch" when, as a blocker, you contact the
because each new formation has to be practiced in
opponent's spike, but it remains on your side to
only two rotations. Most highly skilled teams use
be played by your backcourt defense. Backcourt
specialization.
players then realize they must play a ball which
is going out.

Signaling for Success In addition to the above signals that are used by
all team members, the setter will use the following
Communication among players is essential to suc- specific signals. These signals are essential in help-

cess. Realize that actions speak louder than words; ing all team members execute the same formation at

an action by a player signals an intent to a team- the appropriate time. If the setter does not signal the
mate. If a player does not complete an action, then a play, teammates may choose to move into different
teammate cannot be expected to either. A good ex- positions causing areas of the court to be insuffi-
ample of this is during serve reception. If a front line ciently covered.
 .

Game Situations: Focusing Your Efforts • 153

1 Call "setter" when you receive the first ball over tion—pass, set, and attack— each time you receive

the net and, thus, cannot make the second con- the ball. The first contact is important because if you
tact or set. This tells your teammates someone control the ball on the pass, you can easily achieve a
else must set. This should be the right forward good attack.
if possible. Usually it is a disadvantage to return the ball to
the opponent on the first contact. However, if the
2. Call "help" when you cannot make the second
teammate should opponent returns the ball to you high, easy, and close
contact or set. The closest
to the net (a free ball), your team should immedi-
make the second contact.
ately spike it back. This is a high-percentage play
3. Call "free" when it becomes evident that the op-
and usually results in a point or a side out for your
ponent will not complete its attack.
team. If your team returns that type of ball to the
4. Call "block" when you need to defend against opponent, you can expect the same response. Re-
the opponent's attack. turning the first contact to the opponent in an easy
5. Call "cover" after each set to remind your team- manner is ill-advised unless you place the ball deep
mates to cover the upcoming attack. to either back corner of the court.
The second contact can be effectively returned to
The setter should also signal either verbally or with
the opponent as a spike if the setter is a front row
a hand signal what attack will be used. There are
player or if an attacker has good position on the
many systems of attack and no standard numbering
ball and can spike the pass. The attacker should
system in the United States. The net can be divided
communicate this intent to the setter so that a col-
into seven, eight, or nine areas. The type of set is
lision between the two does not occur. The setter
often described with two numbers. The first number
can also effectively send the second contact over the
refers to the area or zone of the net where the set will
net by tipping it. This can be done whether the set-
be placed, the second number to the height of the
ter is a front row or a back row player. The back
set. A team can establish its own play-calling sys-
row setter must not cross the plane of the top of
tem. In this book, we have concentrated on high sets
the net in playing the ball over because this is an
so the setter would need to communicate only which
illegal play.
attacker is about to be set.
Completing the three-hit combination is the most
The attacker(s) who will not be attacking must not
and is used the majority of the time.
effective offense
move to coverage before the set is actually made be-
A smart setter can constantly keep the opponent
cause sometimes the setter needs to change the di-
guessing by varying the attack and occasionally send-
rection of the set due to a poor pass. Every attacker
ing the second contact over the net. If this play is
must be ready to receive a set until the ball is actu-
used too often, however, it becomes ineffective.
ally set; then they can move to the appropriate cov-
On the next page is a list of options available for
erage.
each of the three contacts, with the choices listed in

order of preference.

Game Play Choices Your team can enhance its ability to make the cor-
rect game choices by anticipating the action of your
Each time the ball comes to your team from the op- opponent. If you read the opponent well, you will

ponent, you have to make a decision about the best seldom be caught You and your teammates
off guard.

method of playing the ball to complete the transition need to communicate constantly about any clues that
efficiently from defense to offense. The decision on you read from your opponent's play. Your team must
how to receive the ball depends on the type of ball be in position by the time the ball is contacted on the
that is returned to your team by the opponent. You third hit by the opponent. If not in a set position at
want to be able to execute the three-hit combina- that time, you may be too late.
 . . . . .

154 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

Offensive Skill Options

First Contact— Receiving
Serve Free Ball Spike Tip

1 Forearm pass 1. Spike 1. Dig with two arms 1 Forearm pass

2. Dig with one arm 2. Overhead pass 2. Dig with one arm 2. Dig with two arms
3. Overhead pass 3. Forearm pass 3. Dig and roll, or dig 3. Dig with one arm
(often illegal) and sprawl 4. Dig and roll, or dig
and sprawl

Second Contact— Setting the Attacit or Attacit Options

1. Settoaspiker
2. Spike over the net
3. Tip over the net
4. Forearm pass to a spiker

Tliird Contact— Attack Options

1 Spike over the net
2. Tip over the net
3. Off-speed spike over the net
4. Spike hit with no jump and good placement
5. Overhead pass to deep corners
6. Forearm pass over the net (not recommended)

Defensive Skill Responses

Receiving a Spike
Front Row Options Back Row Options
1 Three- or two-person block 1 Dig the ball and keep it on your own side
2. One-person block 2. Dig the ball and send it over the net
3. No block and inbounds
4. Free ball position

GAME SITUATIONS

1. Converting Free Balls to Points

Often it is to a team's advantage to modify the game situation to emphasize practice and
improvement in specific aspects of strategy. Several examples of this are used in the drills pre-
sented in the offensive and defensive steps. For instance. Drill 3—setter penetration and right
back covering in Step 10— is set up to practice the idea of player movement and court coverage
during a free ball situation. In this drill only the key players in the movement are used. This same
game aspect can be practiced by modifying a typical game situation utilizing two teams of six
players. This can be accomplished as follows:
Two teams line up on either side of the net. A tosser will be positioned outside the boundaries
of the court on one side of the net with a generous supply of volleyballs. Both teams will begin in
base defensive formation with the setter in the right back position. The tosser will yell "free,"

tossing the ball over the net to the right back comer of the opposite side. The team receiving the
 Game Situations: Focusing Your Efforts • 155

toss quickly moves into the free ball formation with the setter moving to the net and the center
back moving to cover the right back area of the court. Game play will continue until the ball

becomes dead. Another toss is initiated to the same team. The tosser makes a given number of
tosses to one team, changes sides, and repeats the same number to the opposite team. Score can
be kept by awarding 1 point to the team winning the rally.
By keeping players in the same rotational positions for an extended time, they have the oppor-
tunity to perfect their responsibilities of the rotation. This enhances learning more than a regula-
tion game in which one team rotates with every side out.

2. Free Ball— Efficient Movement

The same procedure as in the previous game can be followed to emphasize two other aspects of
the team reception of a free ball: (a) slow movement of the attackers off the net and subsequent
failure to get into position soon enough to receive the free ball and (b) movement of the forwards

directly into the wing out position rather than movement straight back and then winging out. To
correct situation (a), the tosser would direct the ball to the attackers at the attack line; to correct
situation (b), the tosser would direct the ball to either the right or left forward but more toward
the center of the court than the sideline.

3. Consecutive Serve Reception

Serve five consecutive serves from one side of the net regardless of the result of the rally; then
five serves by the opposite team. This process can continue for each of the six rotations. Score
can be kept by awarding 1 point to the team winning the rally.

4. Defending All Attacks

To practice defense, a teacher, a coach, or a player who has excellent control of the spike hit

can stand on a box in one of the two outside attack positions spiking the ball at one of the teams.
The person on the box can either spike the ball to a designated position for a given number of

trials or can vary the attack, direction, and type with each trial. After every five attacks, the team
rotates one position. Score can be kept by awarding 1 point to the team winning the rally. The
setter should avoid setting the position where the box is located.

Beach Volleyball The skills involved in beach volleyball are the same
as the skills used in the six-player game. One major
In recent years the game of beach volleyball has risen difference in the beach game is that players need to
tremendously in popularity. Volleyball has always be able to perform at a high level in every individual

been a beach activity, but now sand courts are being skill, so specialization is eliminated. Teams are com-
set up all over the world. The best opportunity for prised of either two or four players, and there are no
United States volleyball players to compete profes- substitutions. Whether playing two-person or four-
sionally is in the beach game. Professional leagues person games, players play both at the net and in
for the six-player game have not been successful, the back court.
but the formation of new leagues continues to be a The strategies involved in two-person beach vol-

possibility. Two-person beach volleyball will be added leyball are different than the six-player game. The
to the Olympic program in Atlanta in 1996. two-person game demands close communication
156 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

between players so that each knows what to expect The size of the court in beach volleyball is the same
of the other.Opponents will know the strengths of as it is in the six-player game. A key attribute of suc-
each player and try to use this knowledge to their cessful beach volleyball teams is the ability of both
advantage. For example, the player who is forced to players to read the actions of their opponents. Read-
receive serve will also be the attacker. If one partner ing their opponents' play allows a team success in
is weaker at attacking, the opponent should focus covering the entire court area.
on this weakness by serving to that player. Partners The nature of the two-person game requires strong
should also communicate what part of the court will communication between players at all times. The best
be protected by the blocker so that the back court way to enhance communication is to practice two on
player knows how to cover. Another way beach vol- two. Two-on-two practice improves overall skill abil-
from the indoor game is that players
leyball differs ity because each player contacts the ball frequently.
must contend with the elements, including the sun, Many coaches of the six-player game use the two-
wind, and general court conditions. The rules take player game to strengthen the reading ability of their
these factors into consideration by ha\1ng players players.
change sides after every five points.

GAME SITUATIONS SUCCESS SUMMARY

These modified game situations allow teams to work at a more concentrated level than pos-
sible in a regular game situation. The action is quicker and more intense. Other possibilities are
limited only by creativity. When practicing offense, concentrate on serve reception, free ball
reception, and spike coverage. On defense work on base defensive formation and blocking.
At this stage, you have mastered the skills and strategies of volleyball at a level that permits
you to successfully participate in a competitive situation. We hope that this knowledge will help
you to enjoy playing the game and stimulate your desire to continue to improve through addi-
tional practice and playing experience.
ATING YOUR GAAE SUCCESS
|he best place to test your new skills is within a game. Rating can be done either by
yourself or by a teacher, coach, or trained partner. Included below are two recommended
means of evaluation.

Self-Evaluation
Reflect back on three game performances to rate yourself. Using the checklist below, choose
the response for each question that best describes your performance.

1. 1 typically serve 5. 1 compliment other players' good hits

a. to the most strategic place on the and efforts

opponent's court. a. at all times.

b. to the seam between two players. b. most of the time.

c. to the opponent's weakest player. 0. seldom.

d. into the opponent's court. d. not at all.

2. 1 score percent on a written test 6. 1 spike

covering the basic rules. a. to open areas ofthe opponent's court.

a. 90 b. between two opponents.
b. 80 c. right at the opponent's block or right

c. 70 at the opponent's back row defen-

d. 60 sive players.

3. I score percent on a written test d. out-of-bounds or into the net.

covering concepts, techniques, and 7. When am going to play the
1 ball, I call

strategies. for it

a. 90 a. always.
b. 80 b. most of the time.

c. 70 c. seldom.
d. 60 d. never.

4. When receiving serve, 1 typically pass 8. If a teammate calls for the ball, 1 let

the ball that person play it

a. to the target area. a. always.

b. to the center of the court, not per- b. most of the time.

fectly, but to a location where it can c. seldom.

be set. d. never.

c. so that it cannot be set, causing my 9. When playing the second contact, 1

team to send the opponent a free a. set the spiker.

ball. b. forearm pass to the spiker.

d. so poorly that the opponent is c. send the ball over the net.

awarded an ace. d. make an error.

157
158 • Volleyball: Steps to Success

10 When receding a free ball. I b. quickly move to cover the spike and
a. spike it if possible. set myself in a medium or high po-
b. pass it with an overhead pass to the sition before the ball is spiked, ready
setter. to play the ball off the block.
c. pass it with a forearm pass to the c. move to cover the spike, but I am
setter. not set before the ball is spiked.
d. send it back over the net. d. stand in my initial position and ap-
11 Any time I dig a spike, I plaud when my teammate makes a
a. stay on my feet and use two hands. good spike.
b. stay on my feet and use one hand. 16. When sening, 1 make
c. dive or roll only when it is needed. a. 9 successful serves out of 10 at-
d. roll or dive whether I need to or not. tempts.
12 When my team is on defense. I b. 7 successful serves out of 10 at-
a. read the opponent's play and set my- tempts.
self in the best defensive position. c. 6 successful serves out of 10 tries.

b. set my position at the same spot ev- d. 5 or fewer successful serves out of
ery time. 10 efforts.

c. get into my position late and have 17. When passing a free ball. I make
difficulty making the play. perfect passes to the target area out of
d. watch the opponent's play and never 10 attempts.
get into position. a. 9
13 When a teammate is receiving sen^e, I b. 8
a. open up to the ball and then get c. 7
ready for the next play. d. 6 or fewer
b. watch the ball over my shoulder and 18. When receiving sen^e, 1 make
then get ready for the next play. passes to the target area out of 10 re-

c. don't watch the ball, but immediately ceptions.

get ready for the next play. a. 8
d. don't watch the ball and never get b. 7
ready for the next play. c. 6
14 When 1 am a forward and my team is d. 5 or fewer
recei\1ng a free ball, 1 19. When blocking an opponent's spike, I

a. move straight back to the attack line. am successful times out of 10.
play the ball, or wing out to the side a. 4
to get ready to hit. b. 3
b. move straight back to the sideline. c. 2
play the ball, or remain in that posi- d. 1 or
tion. 20. When spiking, 1 successfully place the
c. move off the court to be ready for ball into the opponent's court times
the attack, not being concerned out of 10 tries.

about playing the ball. a. 8

d. remain at the net, turn, and watch b. 7
my teammates play the ball. c. 5 or 6
15. When a teammate is spiking, 1 d. 4 or fewer
a. quickly move to cover the spike and
set myself in a low position before
the ball is spiked, ready to play the
ball off the block.
 .

Rating Your Game Success • 159

Choice a is always the best selection, and choice d is the least preferred. After you have
completed the 20 items, calculate your total score by awarding yourself 3 points for every
a selected, 2 points for every b, 1 point for every c, and points for each d. Your final score
is the total number of points. Your overall rating is then figured by the following scale:

50-60 points = Excellent player

40-49 points = Very good player, but there's still room for improvement
30-39 points = Good player—keep practicing
20-29 points = Weak player, with lots of room for improvement
19 points or less = Need to return to learning the basics

Player Evaluation
Now ask your teacher, coach, or a trained partner to watch you perform at least three
times. The evaluator should record your game responses on the scoresheet below.

Game Scoresheet
Name
Place a tally mark by the skill the player performs within a game situation. Add a slash
mark across the tally mark if the student was also accurate. In the last column, total the
scores for all three dates.
For example, say the player serves six times in a game. If four of those serves land in the
opponent's court, then the tally marks would look like this: -i- + + -i- I I

Skill Date Date Date Total of

Serve

Pass

Set

Attack

a. Tip

b. Off-Speed

c. Hard-Driven Spike

Block

Dig

Individual Defense

a. Roll

b. Sprawl
 UGGfSItD RESOURCES

Books
Beal, D.. Peppier, M.J., & Kessel. L. (1990). Coaching tips for the 90's. Evanston, IL; The
Sports Group.
Bertucci. B. & Paterson, J. (1992). Volleybcdl drill book: Individual skills. Indianapolis: Mas-
ters Press.

Dougherty, N.J. (Ed.) (1993). Principles of safety in physical education and sport. Reston.
VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Dougherty, N.J. (Ed.) (1993). Physical education and sportfor the secondary school student
Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Eraser, S.D. (1988). Strategies for competitive volleyball. Champaign, IL: Leisure Press.
Hebert, M. (1991). Insights and strategies for wirming voReyball Champaign, IL: Leisure Press.
McGown. C. (Ed.) (1994). Science of coaching volleyball Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Neville, W. (1994). Serve it up. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.

Neville. W. (1990). Coaching volleyball successfully. Champaign, IL: Leisure Press.

Scales, A.E. (1988). Winning volleyball (3rd ed.). Dubuque, lA: Wm. C. Brown.
Stokes, R., & Haley, M. (1992). Volleyball everyone. Winston-Salem, NC: Hunter Textbooks.

Periodicals
Coaching Volleyball is the official technical journal of the American Volleyball Coaches
Association. It is published six times a year (October, December, February, April,
June, and August). Coaching Volleyball is a membership benefit of the AVCA.

Videos
Championship Books and Video Gimmillaro. Spiking: Step by step
Productions: Ames, lA. development.
DeBoer, Attacking. Haley, Texas team defense.
DeBoer, Individual defense. Hebert, Quick and combination attack.
Dunning, Team drills. Mealer, Team offensive systems.
Dunning, Training a setter Pettit, Serving and serving strategy.
Gimmillaro, Defense and passing drills. Shaw, Blocking.
Gimmillaro, Jump, quickness and Shaw, Passing.
conditioning drills.

CD-ROM
The interactive guide to volleyball (1994). Renton, WA: Sisu Software.

160
'IBOUT m AUTHORS

Bonnie Jill Ferguson Barbara L. Viera

Barbara L. Viera has coached and taught volleyball at all levels for more than 30 years.
She is a professor of physical education and the head volleyball coach at the University of
Delaware.
Barbara's teams at Delaware have competed successfully at the Division 1 level, achieving

a win/loss record that places her in the all-time top 10 of active Division 1 winning coaches in

the country. Her teams have won more than 600 college matches, and Barbara has been
selected three times as Conference Coach of the Year. Barbara also has established a suc-
cessful junior volleyball program for high school and junior high school players in Delaware
and continues to serve on its executive committee.
The author of several articles and chapters in books, journals, and newsletters, Barbara
has made presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. She has taught
volleyball in Argentina. Barbados, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Mexico, working

with teachers, coaches, national teams, and players of all ages. Her teams have competed in
St. Lucia and Barbados.
Bonnie Jill Ferguson is an associate professor of physical education and the head coach
of the women's softball team at the University of Delaware. In addition, she is the NCAA
Compliance Coordinator.
For more than 14 years, BJ's responsibilities have included teaching the skills, techniques,
and analysisof volleyball to students preparing to be physical education teachers. Together,

BJ and Barbara have established a competency-based model for teaching volleyball. Through
fiveyears of competitive playing experience at the collegiate and United States Volleyball
Association levels, BJ developed a unique perspective on volleyball, giving her insight into the
various aspects of the game from a player's point of view.

161
 :

. *
»
L««

You'll find
-JRi^
"^^^
'
other outstanding
volleyball resources at

www.HumanKinetics.com
In the U.S. call

1-800-747-4457
Australia 08 8277 1555
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Europe +44(0)113 255 5665

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(Y ^^ The Premier Publisher for Sports & Fitness
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 ST€PS to SUCCGSS
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Steps to Success
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