Examples of Defense Drills for Volleyball

Unlike players in other sports, such as football, a volleyball player is responsible for both offense and defense. Therefore, each player must be able to dig the ball (stop it from hitting the ground) when the other team spikes it. Furthermore, players have to be able to block spikes and react appropriately to free-ball situations. Coaches use many defensive drills to teach these skills, and several of the more popular ones are listed below.

  1. No Fear Defense

    • This drill is referred to as the "No Fear" drill because it teaches players to dig balls aggressively on defense. To run this drill, the coach needs to stand on a ladder or box so that she is above the net and in the middle court. The defenders are positioned on their normal lines on the other side of the net. The coach repeatedly spikes balls at the defenders ,and they must dig them out before they are allowed to exit the drill.

    Dig and Roll

    • The dig-and-roll drill helps defenders improve their ability to read an attacker and dig the ball out. For this drill, the coach stands on the other side of the net while the player starts in the middle-back position. The coach hits balls to either side of the court, and the player must read the coach's shoulders, react to the ball and dig it out. After digging the ball, the player rolls to the right and gets back in position.

    Touch Ten

    • The touch ten drill is a very popular drill that works on both defense and offense. You will need one defender on one side of the net in the middle-back position. On the other side of the net, you will need a setter (standing by the net off to the side), a coach (standing in a position where he can lob the ball to the setter), and three lines with three hitters in each line to keep the drill moving fast (one hitter on the left, one in the middle, one on the right).

      The coach lobs the ball to the setter, who then sets the ball to one of the hitters. It is the hitters job to try and hit the ball over the net in a place where the defender cannot reach it. The lone defender must try to dig the ball. The drill is referred to as the "touch Ten" drill because after the defensive player digs the ball 10 times, the players rotate.

    Whole-Team Blocking Drill

    • The whole-team blocking drill allows players to work on free-ball situations and blocking at the same time. To set up this drill, place a six-player team on one side of the net. This team is the side that will be working on their free-ball set plays. On the other side of the net, have seven players stand right on the net in blocking positions.

      To start this drill, the coach lobs a free ball to the six-player team. The team must then run a free-ball play and hit the ball over the net. However, they are not allowed to simply tip the ball over the net (they must find a way through the blockers). The seven players standing on the net attempt to block the ball from going through. If the ball is blocked, play continues until a point is earned.

    Block Jump to Ball

    • The block-jump-to-ball drill is a very simple way to teach proper blocking technique. Have a coach standing on a chair with the ball on one of side of the net. On the other side of the net, the player practicing blocking stands right up on the net. The coach standing on the chair holds the ball over the net. It is the blockers responsibility to jump up to the ball and use the correct technique as they would if they were blocking it.

      This drill is perfect for working on basic blocking technique as well as blocking angles. Simply have the coach move the ball to different positions on the net and instruct the player to react in the correct manner.