Block wall along the net (11)

Outside and middle back to back, with no pause in between. In a couple of seconds the trio has to switch from a block that has to travel to a middle block that stays put, and those ask for two very different timings. A line of hitters is waiting on the other side, so the balls keep coming.

11 players 12 phases ± 20 min 6 balls, full court with net From U17 upwards

Phase 1 of 12The blocking trio at base on the net, the line waits on the other side

The blocking trio (M) The attacking side (S = setter, P = the hitters in line, D = opposite) 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

Blocking technique: the hitters swing in turn, a trio of blockers shuffles along the net and the rest wait in line.

Switching between a block that has to travel and a block that stays where it is.
The middle block, where the ball arrives much sooner than it does at the pin.
Two balls in quick succession without losing your blocking posture.

Coaching points

You jump earlier on a middle attack than on an outside attack.

The set is shorter and faster, so the hitter gets there sooner. Choose the same moment for both balls and you are early on one and late on the other.

At the pin: position first, then jump.

Jumping while you are still moving gives you a block that hangs crooked in the air and does nothing at all with one of its hands.

The middle blocker travels along the net, not in an arc behind it.

An arc backwards feels quicker but ends up half a meter off the net. From there you can no longer reach over the tape.

Do not let your hands drop between the two balls.

There is barely any time between them. Drop your arms after the first landing and you come up under the tape on the middle attack.

Variations

Easier: Outside attack only, and the setter announces which side the ball is going to.
Harder: The setter chooses between outside and middle without announcing it, and both hitters approach on every ball.
With six players: Two blockers, a setter and three hitters; the block swaps with the hitters after every series.
As a game: Two blocking trios taking turns, ten balls each. A stuffed ball is a point; a ball that scores without touching the block is a point for the attack.

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: blocking drills for your middle blockers · drills for a big group without a waiting line · getting more ball contacts per player