Defense · Intermediate

Defensive Read & Dig

Teach defensive base position and reading the attacker's body for shot vs. swing.

How to run it

1
Coach calls 'swing' or 'shot' as they hit, then attacks. Defender reads, moves, digs. Last 5 min: coach NOT calling — defender reads only.
2
Coach emphasis: Stop your feet before contact — you can't read while you're moving.

Teach defensive base position and reading the attacker's body for shot vs. swing.

Keep building

Train the diagonal defensive shift — defender reads the attacker and moves to the gap before contact.

Train the blocker-to-defender peel — pull off the net, find the seam, and play defense.

High-volume cross-court digging — defender works the diagonal between two attackers continuously.

Train the blocker-to-defender transition through a fixed 6-ball sequence covering every common attack scenario.

Train defense through coach tip chase to target with a clear rep structure and game-like feedback.

Train defense through downball dig & catch with a clear rep structure and game-like feedback.

Many of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.

Give us a call, send an email, or just stop by one of our events and chat with a coach.