Hard-Driven High Balls

How to run it

1. 1

   The athlete starts with their back to the net. A Coach or athlete hits the ball at the athlete within one to two feet of their face and the athlete attempts to catch the ball. One way to describe this technique is to get the athlete to imagine that they are a soccer goalie preventing the ball going past them. After catching the ball they can give it back to the attacker for another repetition. The drill is done at the net so that any balls that are missed land directly in the net. The athlete then advances to catching and throwing the ball up in one movement. For the final advancement the athlete starts directly in front of the hitter and as the hitter slaps the ball the defender moves back towards the net and digs a ball that is hit at their face. One indicator of a good play is if the defender can catch their own dig as this probably means the ball is high and in front. DRILL

2. 2

   Coach emphasis: Hands should be relaxed and in front of the body. For more information on technique refer to drill 6.4