Defense · Beginner
Shifting Over Defense
This drill assists in the development of court awareness in beginner athletes. In particular it focuses on how the position of the set affects where the ball can attack and therefore where the defensive players position themselves.
How to run it
- 1
In this drill the coach randomly sets ball to either side of the court to positions (1) or (2) for hitters to hit. Initially, with beginner athletes, it may be that the attackers hit the ball while still on the ground. 2 1 2 On setting the ball defenders are then required to shift either left or right in relation 1 to the position of the set. To check correct positioning on defense the coach could initially have the athletes freeze when the hitter makes contact with the ball. Athletes could then move to catching the attacked ball before it hits the ground and finally play out the ball. The coach could set 4-6 balls for one side then switch to the other.
- 2
Coach emphasis: Keep defense reps game-like and technically clean.
Why we run it
This drill assists in the development of court awareness in beginner athletes. In particular it focuses on how the position of the set affects where the ball can attack and therefore where the defensive players position themselves.
Keep building
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View drillDefensive Read & Dig
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View drill4 Steps to Paradise
Train the diagonal defensive shift — defender reads the attacker and moves to the gap before contact.
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View drillMany of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.
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