Outside attack against a double block

Five against five, with a double block that shifts out to the pin properly. Hitting around it is not going to work, so the attacker has to go over it: contact higher and swing all the way through the ball. The defense digs it up and plays it back high, so the ball stays alive and everybody gets time to recover.

10 players 7 phases ± 20 min 6 balls, full court with net Advanced, from U19 upwards

Phase 1 of 7Five on five: our libero has the ball, the blockers are ready

Your own team (P = passer, S = setter, M = middle, L = libero, D = opposite) The opposition: block and defense 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 and block: the setter sets outside, the hitter swings and the opponent puts up a double block. Timing and arm swing.

Height at the contact point as the answer to a closed block.
A full arm swing under pressure, with nothing held back.
Playing on after the attack: the ball stays alive.

Coaching points

Contact the ball at your highest point, not at your fastest point.

Against a double block you win with height, not with power. A few centimeters higher on contact gives you a steeper angle than swinging ten percent harder.

Swing through the ball, even when the block looks big.

Hitters who get startled slow down and tap the ball straight into the block. A full swing at worst still gets you a tool off the block.

The outside blocker sets the spot with the outside hand, the second blocker closes onto it.

Two blockers both picking their own spot leave a gap between them. The outside blocker is in charge, the middle joins on.

The defense plays the ball back high, not fast.

High gives everybody time to recover and keeps the drill turning. A fast ball back looks good but leaves you with half a drill.

Variations

Easier: The block does not jump but holds the hands above the net; the hitter gets used to hands in the field of view.
Harder: Every rally runs until the ball is down, with free choice on both sides.
With six players: Three against three: outside hitter, setter and libero against two blockers and a defender.
As a game: The attacking side scores on a ball on the floor, the block on every touch that lands in the court. First to ten, then switch.

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: the arm swing and the contact point · footwork, timing and hands at the block · defensive systems behind the block