“W” Drill

Setup:

• The players will form a line at the back right corner of the court.
• 3 coaches will start on the floor – one where the right sideline and the attack line meet, one at the net next to the ball rack, and one at the net on the other side of the ball rack.

Purpose:

This next drill is a great opportunity for players to participate in a fun drill that will teach them the importance of hustle.

Execution:

• The coach who is designated the passer will throw a series of balls, all of which the player running through the drill at that time must attempt to return.
• The 1st ball will be to the right sideline a couple feet short of the baseline.
• The 2nd ball will be a tip ball just over the attack line near the middle of the court.
• The 3rd ball will be a high toss forcing the player to chase it down to the middle of the baseline.
• The 4th ball will be another tip to the center of the attack line.
• Lastly, the player will head over to the left sideline, get low, and attempt to get a perfect pass to the coach at the net on a spiked ball.

Coaching Tips:

• This is a great high-energy team drill, that will give them a chance to work on defensive skills in a fun environment.
• You can either do this drill for a set amount of time, or work until the team gets to +20, with each successful run netting a +1.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

• Emphasize the importance of keeping their eyes on the ball at all times. This helps in developing their tracking and anticipation skills, which are crucial for effective play.
• Teach them the fundamentals of proper stance and footwork. Encourage them to stay on their toes and use short, quick steps to move efficiently across the court. This will help them react more quickly to the balls.
• Focus on the technique of passing, particularly on using both arms and hands together to control the ball. Reinforce the idea of ‘platform’ – keeping arms straight and hands together – to create a stable base for accurate passes.

Tips for Older Athletes:

• Introduce advanced footwork techniques like crossover steps for covering more ground quickly. This is particularly useful when chasing down balls that are far from their initial position.
• Stress the importance of transition speed – from moving to the ball to getting into position for the next play. Older players should work on quickly resetting after each pass to be ready for the next ball.
• Encourage them to focus on precision and power in their passes. For more experienced players, it’s not just about getting to the ball, but also about directing it accurately to the target with the right amount of force.