Attacking · Intermediate
Short / Deep Shot Attack
The objective of this drill is for athletes to develop the ability to play the ball either short or deep away from the opposition. This drill also helps develop communication between teammates. DRILL DESCRIPTON Two lines are drawn across the court (as per the red lines in the diagram) one about 4 feet in front of the players in defensive position and one about 4 feet behind. The ball then gets thrown over the net to initiate the drill (either by a coach or one of the athletes) and the athletes receiving the ball play out a pass set and spike. Immediately after the ball is set the athletes on defensive either drop back together or move forward together. (this should be decided on before the drill is initiated to avoid confusion) The attacking team attempt to play a soft shot either deep or short away from the defenders. The setter should look after setting and communicate to the attacker as to what shot they should play. The attacking team would get a point if they managed to play the ball into the area that the defenders moved away from. There are several options on how this drill could run. Teams could gain points after alternating on each attack or a rally could be played out after each ball is introduced. DRILL VARIATIONS / MODIFICATIONS To make it much more difficult to earn a point defenders could move back and forth independently of each other. 76
How to run it
- 1
Run the FIVB attacking activity with athletes rotating through the described attacking pattern and coach feedback between reps.
- 2
Coach emphasis: Despite the fact that the athletes are required to play a soft shot they should still maintain strong approach
Why we run it
The objective of this drill is for athletes to develop the ability to play the ball either short or deep away from the opposition. This drill also helps develop communication between teammates. DRILL DESCRIPTON Two lines are drawn across the court (as per the red lines in the diagram) one about 4 feet in front of the players in defensive position and one about 4 feet behind. The ball then gets thrown over the net to initiate the drill (either by a coach or one of the athletes) and the athletes receiving the ball play out a pass set and spike. Immediately after the ball is set the athletes on defensive either drop back together or move forward together. (this should be decided on before the drill is initiated to avoid confusion) The attacking team attempt to play a soft shot either deep or short away from the defenders. The setter should look after setting and communicate to the attacker as to what shot they should play. The attacking team would get a point if they managed to play the ball into the area that the defenders moved away from. There are several options on how this drill could run. Teams could gain points after alternating on each attack or a rally could be played out after each ball is introduced. DRILL VARIATIONS / MODIFICATIONS To make it much more difficult to earn a point defenders could move back and forth independently of each other. 76
Keep building
More attacking drills
Approach + Standing Swings
Lock in the 3-step beach approach and a full high-contact arm swing.
View drillCut Shot & High Line
Teach the two highest-percentage beach shots: short cross (cut) and deep line.
View drillApproach Video & Cross-Body Swings
Use slow-mo partner video to fix approach flaws and add cross-body / wrist-away swings.
View drillAttacker Go, Coach Throw
Train the attacker's read on the setter — go on the setter's hand release, not on the ball flight.
View drill3 Chance Free Ball Hitting Lines
Bridge from warm-up swings to live attacking against a free ball — pass, set, hit cycle with limited misses.
View drillLearning Torque with Swings
Apply the scoop-throw torque pattern to live swings off a tossed ball.
View drillMany of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.
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