Cover The Hitter Volleyball Tactical Drill

To teach players to be alert, to be aware of their surroundings, and to prepare to play a blocked attack.

Set-up 6 players on one side of the court.
Set-up 3 coaches or players on the opposite side in blocking positions.
Have each one stand on a stool or chair with players on the side to hand them balls.

To start the drill a coach or player will send or toss a free ball to the 6 players on the other side of the net.
The players will receive the ball and turn it into a play and attack it over the net.
The back row needs to make sure they rotate to ‘cover their hitter’.
Once the ball clears the net, the blocking coach on the stool will throw a ball down at the defenders (simulating a blocked ball).
The team will then try and form a play and get an attack off a blocked ball.
Continue this so that each group of 6 gets the chance to complete this at least 8-10 times.

Make sure that all of the players know where they are supposed to be standing when covering a hitter.
Play this drill until the players are all continuously going to the right positions and are consistently making a play off the ball.