Line or angle targets

What you need

Players

3 to 10 players

Time

8 to 12 min

Level

Intermediate

Equipment

Balls, Ball cart, Hoop

Ball fed by

The coach

Space

A full court

Setup

1. Two hoops on the far side: one deep down the left side line, one deep in the opposite corner.
2. The coach at the net beside a ball cart, tossing to the left pin.
3. Hitters in a line outside the left side of the near court, behind the attack line.

How it runs

A target hitting drill for outside attackers. The coach tosses a high ball to the left pin and the hitter swings at a hoop deep down the line, goes back off the net, and then swings at a second hoop deep in the cross court corner. A ball that lands in a hoop scores, so hitters learn to steer the ball with the shoulders and the contact point.

Time and reps: 4 pairs of swings each, 2 rounds.

Coaching points

• The turn of the shoulders points the ball: square to the line, turned in for the angle.
• Contact the ball slightly in front of the hitting shoulder for line.
• Contact the outside of the ball to send it cross court.
• Pick the target before the approach and keep the same approach for both.

Ways to change it

• Add a blocker who takes away one of the two shots.
• The coach calls line or angle at the moment of the toss.
• Track hits out of ten and try to beat the score in the next round.

Terms on this page

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.

Attack line (10-foot line)

The line about 10 feet (3 m) from the net. Back row players take off from behind it when they attack.

Approach

The steps a hitter takes before jumping: a slow first step, then quicker steps into the jump.