3 vs D

What you need

Players

10 players

Time

5 to 10 min

Level

Advanced

Equipment

Balls

Ball fed by

The coach

Space

A full court

Setup

1. Put three hitters and a setter on one side and six defenders on the other. The coach feeds from outside the sideline.
2. Start each attempt with a coach toss, then pass, set and attack.
3. Keep a running dig total and a separate count of consecutive kills.

How it runs

Three hitters and a setter attack a six-player defense from coach-tossed free balls. Defense wins by collecting 10 total digs before offense gets three kills in a row. A dig counts only when a teammate catches the second contact. A dig, block or error resets the kill streak to zero; the dig total stays.

Time and reps: 5 to 10 minutes.

Coaching points

• The middle closes with the pin blocker against outside and opposite attacks.
• A teammate must catch the ball after the dig before it counts.
• Toss the next free ball as soon as the dig happens.
• Reset the kill streak after a dig, block or error. Keep the dig total.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

• Use controlled downballs so the defense can dig and catch the second contact.

Make it harder

• Vary the attack targets while keeping the same scoring rules.

Terms on this page

Free ball

An easy ball the other team sends over without attacking it, usually a pass or a set. It gives you time to set up your own attack.

Pin and antenna

The pin is the end of the net where outside hitters attack, and the left pin is on your left as you face the net. The antenna is the striped rod above each sideline; the ball has to cross the net between the two.

Setter

The player who usually takes the second contact and sets the ball to a hitter.

Attack

Any hit that sends the ball at the other team, other than a serve or a block. A spike, a tip and a roll shot are all attacks.

Dig

Playing a hard-hit ball up off the floor, usually with a platform.

Kill

An attack the other team can’t return, so it scores a point.