Bench block reaction

Hitting off a bench, the attackers are above the net from the very first moment, so the ball arrives earlier and steeper than the blockers are used to. That takes away the approach as an announcement and leaves nothing but reaction time. And because the libero has to drop with them, the block is working with its own coverage right away.

8 players 8 phases ± 20 min 6 balls, a sturdy bench, a full court with net From U17 upwards

Phase 1 of 8Hitters on the bench at the net, blockers ready in the base line

Your own team (M = blockers, L = libero) Attackers on the bench and the tosser Equipment 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

Reaction blocking: hitters attack from a bench just above the net while the blockers have to time their jump and recover right away.

Reacting to an attack that arrives earlier than you are used to.
Closing the double block with barely any time to move.
The coverage behind the block: the libero drops with it instead of staying on her feet.

Coaching points

Start lower in your base position than you normally would.

The attacker on the bench does not have to jump, so your preparation has to be shorter. From a low stance you get up faster than from a straight one.

Hands stay at chin height, the whole time.

There is no time here to lift them first. This is the drill where a player finds out for herself what the habit of waiting with hanging arms costs her.

The libero drops in straight behind the block shadow.

A ball that deflects off blocking hands almost always lands in the first three meters behind the block. Stay standing at six meters and you never get there.

Two blockers, one decision.

Whoever gets to the ball first sets the spot; the second one closes to it. Two players both deciding the spot leaves a gap exactly where the attacker is looking.

Variations

Easier: The player on the bench throws the ball down with two hands instead of hitting it, and calls the side.
Harder: The tosser plays the ball while the block is still moving, so there really is no time left to close neatly.
With six players: Two blockers, one libero, two attackers on the bench and a tosser. Rotate one spot on after every five balls.
As a game: Block and coverage score a point together when the ball comes up under control on their side. Fifteen balls, then the teams switch sides.

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: organizing the defense behind the block · defending: low, early and back off the floor · landing safely through a lot of jumps in a row