Around the world 4-3-2

The same player attacks from position 4, 3 and 2 within a single round: a high outside ball, a quick in the middle and a backset. Three different approach directions and three different tempos, straight after each other. Anyone who normally only trains at his own position finds out here how different those three balls feel.

2 players 12 phases ± 20 min 8 balls, half court with net Advanced, from U19 upwards

Phase 1 of 12The coach has the ball on the other side; the hitter is at his base behind the attack line

Your own team (S = setter, M = middle blocker) Coach Ball

This animation comes straight out of the Koach app. In the app you play it at your own pace and the positions carry your players' real names.

Open in the app

How the drill runs

What you are training

Attack from position 4 (high), 3 (quick) and 2 (back set); different approach angles and tempos.

Adjusting the approach direction: angled out wide, straight on in the middle and behind the setter to the right.
Three tempos in one round: a high ball, a first-tempo quick and a backset.
Recovering to the next starting spot while the ball is already on its way.

Coaching points

Toward position 4 you approach at an angle into the net, not parallel along it.

An approach parallel to the net sends your jump sideways. The ball then hangs behind you and cross-court is the only shot you have left.

At position 3 you leave before the set, at position 4 after it.

That is the whole difference between a first-tempo quick and a high ball. On the quick you should already be in the air when the setter touches the ball.

On the backset to position 2 you stay behind the ball, not beside it.

The ball comes from behind the setter and moves away from you. Get alongside its path too early and you have to reach back in the air, losing your hitting arm.

Recover in a curve, not in a straight line.

Running straight back cuts across the approach path for the next ball. A curve also brings you in from the right angle again.

Variations

Easier: Use two positions per round: 4 and 3 first, and only add position 2 once the approach to the middle is right.
Harder: The setter decides for himself which of the three he sets and says nothing; the hitter has to prepare all three approaches every round.
With six players: Three hitters, one per position, rotating one spot after every round so everyone gets all three balls.
As a game: A round only counts if all three balls land in the court. Who is first to complete two full rounds?

Volleyball drills

4 players · 6 phases SafeVolley base round Warm-up 3 players · 5 phases Shoulder activation with band Warm-up 2 players · 6 phases Dynamic movement patterns Warm-up 5 players · 5 phases Core plank with rotation Warm-up

Read on in the knowledge base: attack tempos from a high ball to first tempo · the role of the middle blocker · what the opposite does at position 2