Defense · Intermediate
Two-Person Defense Drill
The objective of this drill is to allow 2 athletes who have no other individuals to train with the opportunity to get defense and transition play practice.
How to run it
- 1
In this drill an athlete attacks the ball over the net off their own throw towards their training partner who is positioned in defense on the other side of the net. After spiking the ball at their training partner the attacking player sprints under the net and sets up the transition play off their training partners dig. For intermediate players a spike directly at their training partner may be appropriate. More advanced athletes may want to attempt this drill with attacks to all area of the court.
- 2
Coach emphasis: The defender must focus on digging the ball up in front of them at such a height that it gives their
Why we run it
The objective of this drill is to allow 2 athletes who have no other individuals to train with the opportunity to get defense and transition play practice.
Keep building
More defense drills
Defensive Read & Dig
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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