1st Kill Game

Setup:

Players will form two teams, 6 players on each side of the court, in their proper positions
2 coaches will also be on the court, deep on the left sideline, each with a ball or two

Purpose:

This next drill is designed to get players reps in a game-like situation, working on getting that 1st pass to the setter and getting a kill off the set

Execution:

The coach will lob a serve to the other side of the court
The team will attempt to get a 1st kill – passer to setter, setter to attacker, and point
Otherwise, the rally will continue

Coaching Tips:

Scoring is as follows: +2 if they can get the 1st kill, + 1 if they just win the rally
This is a great game to run in early in practice after you’ve put some work in on passing drills, as it gives players a chance to use the skills they’ve just worked on in a live situation
The goal is to get a 1st kill on every ball that comes into play
Game ends when one team has reached +20

Tips for Younger Athletes:

Highlight the importance of communication between the passer, setter, and attacker to ensure smooth transitions and successful plays. Use drills that focus on vocal cues.
Start with basic positioning and movement patterns to ensure young players understand where they need to be on the court and how to move efficiently.
Reinforce the fundamentals of passing and setting with emphasis on form and technique, using drills that isolate these skills before integrating them into more complex game situations.

Tips for Older Athletes:

Introduce more advanced strategies for the first pass, such as aiming for specific zones on the court to challenge the setter and attacker to adjust and make more precise plays.
Incorporate drills that simulate high-pressure scenarios, teaching players to maintain composure and execute under stress.
Emphasize the importance of analyzing the opposing team’s formation and tendencies, encouraging players to make smarter decisions on the fly based on their observations.