Defense · Intermediate
Passing on the Move
The objective of this drill is for the athlete to get practice timing the run through pass, which is essentially passing the ball while on the move. In most cases it is recommended that athletes move early to the ball and get into a stable and relatively stationary position when passing the ball but there are instances in a game when a run through pass is appropriate.
How to run it
- 1
With one athlete at the net blocking angle and one defender positioned in the middle of the court a soft shot is played over the block down the line. The defender then runs to the line and plays the ball while on the move forward and up to their blocker. Once the athlete has mastered the timing of this play the digs are accurate the defender can then play out the ball off the blockers set.
- 2
Coach emphasis: Keep defense reps game-like and technically clean.
Why we run it
The objective of this drill is for the athlete to get practice timing the run through pass, which is essentially passing the ball while on the move. In most cases it is recommended that athletes move early to the ball and get into a stable and relatively stationary position when passing the ball but there are instances in a game when a run through pass is appropriate.
Keep building
More defense drills
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Teach defensive base position and reading the attacker's body for shot vs. swing.
View drill4 Steps to Paradise
Train the diagonal defensive shift — defender reads the attacker and moves to the gap before contact.
View drillPeel and Play Stations
Train the blocker-to-defender peel — pull off the net, find the seam, and play defense.
View drill3 Man Cross Court
High-volume cross-court digging — defender works the diagonal between two attackers continuously.
View drill6 Ball Block Defense
Train the blocker-to-defender transition through a fixed 6-ball sequence covering every common attack scenario.
View drillCoach Tip Chase to Target
Train defense through coach tip chase to target with a clear rep structure and game-like feedback.
View drillMany of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.
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