Dig, set, attack

What you need

Players

7 to 9 players

Time

10 to 15 min

Level

Intermediate and advanced

Equipment

Balls, Ball cart

Ball fed by

The coach

Space

A full court

Setup

1. Six players start in defensive base. The coach stands in the far middle court with a cart.
2. Rotate defenders and hitters every four balls. With more than six players, rotate extras through between rounds.

How it runs

A coach sends a controlled standing attack across the net. A defender digs, the setter finds the ball, and the outside hitter recovers off the net to attack. Count sequences only when the dig leads to an attack in bounds. Reset before the next feed.

Time and reps: 10 to 15 minutes.

Coaching points

• Read the arm before the coach contacts the ball.
• Lift the dig off the net so the setter can get there.
• Recover to the approach spot before calling for the set.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

• Use softer, predictable coach attacks until the dig reaches the setter.

Make it harder

• Vary line, angle and tip feeds; call a backup setter when the setter digs.

Terms on this page

Outside hitter

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

Dig

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

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.

Setter

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

Base position

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

Approach

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