Attacking · Intermediate

Shoot Away From Defense

This drill works on developing the attackers' ability to either hit or shoot the ball away from defenders.

How to run it

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This drill is similar to drill 4.9 except in this drill the focus is on the attacker sensing where the defender is moving to in back court with the objective of playing the ball away from them. The drill is initiating by either a coach or athlete throwing (or serving) the ball into the court to two receiving players. The defender who is initially positioned in the centre of the court moves left or right directly after ball is set. The athlete attacking the ball focuses on trying to take a quick look at the defender before jumping and attempts to play the ball away from them. If the player does not have time to take a look at the defender then they should try to sense where the defender is in order to play the ball away from them. Lines can be drawn in the sand (examples in red) designating areas that the ball should be played into and points can be given out for successful shots.
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Coach emphasis: Keep attacking reps game-like and technically clean.

This drill works on developing the attackers' ability to either hit or shoot the ball away from defenders.

Keep building

Lock in the 3-step beach approach and a full high-contact arm swing.

Teach the two highest-percentage beach shots: short cross (cut) and deep line.

Use slow-mo partner video to fix approach flaws and add cross-body / wrist-away swings.

Train the attacker's read on the setter — go on the setter's hand release, not on the ball flight.

Bridge from warm-up swings to live attacking against a free ball — pass, set, hit cycle with limited misses.

Apply the scoop-throw torque pattern to live swings off a tossed ball.

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

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