Base, read, react

What you need

Players

5 to 8 players

Time

8 to 10 min

Level

Intermediate

Equipment

Balls, Ball cart, Coach box

Ball fed by

The coach

Space

A full court

Setup

1. The coach on a box across the net on the side opposite the near team's right back, with a ball cart beside it.
2. Three defenders in a three-back base on the near side: right back on the line, middle back deep in the center, left back cross court.
3. A target player at the setter's spot near the net, catching the digs.

How it runs

Three back row defenders hold base while the coach attacks from a box across the net, playing the opposing outside hitter. Each round the coach mixes a hard ball down the line, a tip into the middle and a cross court swing. The defenders read the coach's arm, the right player digs to the target, and everyone goes back to base before the next ball.

Time and reps: 5 balls a round, 4 rounds, swap positions each round.

Coaching points

• Be low and still in base as the coach swings, weight on the balls of the feet.
• Read the shoulder and the arm: a slow arm means a tip, so call it and go.
• Dig high to the middle of the court so the setter can get there.
• Get back to base before the next ball.

Ways to change it

• Switch to a base with one defender up for the tip.
• Put a blocker in front of the coach so the defenders read around the block.
• Score a point for every dig the target can catch without moving.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

• The coach hits the same shot three times before mixing it up.
• Start with easy tosses instead of hits.

Make it harder

• Mix the shots faster, with less time between swings.

Terms on this page

Outside hitter

The attacker who hits from the left side of the net.

Target spot

The spot by the net, just right of center, where the setter stands.

Base position

Where a defender stands before the ball is hit: knees bent, weight forward, ready to move in any direction.

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.

Tip

A soft shot the hitter pushes just over the block with the fingertips.

Dig

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