Practising with a small group: drills for 6 or fewer players
Six players calling off and five in the gym: the moment many practices quietly turn into a get-together. A shame — small groups are exactly the chance to run the most intensive practice of the month.
Small is not a problem, it is a different programme
With five or six players the 6-on-6 formats disappear, but you get something in return: more ball contacts per player, more individual feedback time and no lines anywhere. The mistake is 'thinning out' your regular programme; the solution is a small-group programme sitting ready in your library.
Three formats that small groups make better
1. King of the court 2-on-2 (20 min). Half court, two against two, winners stay on. Trains everything — passing, communication, decisions — and the intensity regulates itself. With five players, the fifth rotates in at every change.
2. Technique carousel (20 min). Three stations of two players: serve-and-pass, attack on a toss, defence against the coach's hitting. Rotate every seven minutes. Small group = twice as many repetitions as usual.
3. Washing machine 3-on-3 (15 min). Three-quarter court, three against three with three mandatory contacts. Whoever scores stays; the losing trio rotates one position. The best game-play format that exists for six players.
Structurally small? Then this is your signal
One thin practice is logistics; six players every week is a pattern. Check your attendance numbers to see who is missing and why, and read increasing practice attendance before permanently adapting your programme to a half-empty court.
Name the opportunity, not the shortage. Open the practice with 'today everyone gets twice as many balls' instead of 'shame we are only five'. The tone of the first minute sets the whole evening.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still run a useful practice with four players?
Certainly: a technique carousel with two stations, 2-on-2 on a narrow court and individual serving practice. Anything below four becomes a private lesson — also fine, but then announce it as an optional session.
Should I cancel practice when too few players sign up?
Preferably not: cancelling teaches the team that calling off cancels practices. Run a short, intensive session for those who do show up — that rewards the right people.
How do I adjust match preparation with a small group?
Focus on what is possible: serve-and-pass at match ratio, rotation walkthrough without an opponent, video review of the opposition. Move the 6-on-6 dress rehearsal to the next practice.
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