End line scramble

What you need

Players

6 to 15 players

Time

8 to 12 min

Level

Beginner and intermediate

Equipment

Balls, Ball cart

Ball fed by

The coach

Space

A full court

Setup

1. Players in lines along one end line, one group of two or three up at a time.
2. The coach on the other side of the net with a cart of balls.
3. Write the scoring on a whiteboard: free ball 1, down ball 2, jump attack 3.

How it runs

Groups of two or three start on the end line. The coach, on the other side, tosses a ball over and away from them, short or wide. The group chases it down and works together to send it back over the net. How it goes over earns points: 1 for a free ball, 2 for a down ball, 3 for a jump attack, and nothing if it lands out. Every player in the group gets those points, players keep their own score, and the groups are reshuffled after each ball.

Time and reps: Play to a time limit; reshuffle the groups after every ball.

Coaching points

• Go as soon as the coach tosses. Sprint, then slow down to play the ball.
• First player there calls it; the others move to where the next ball will be.
• A high first contact buys time for the second and third player.
• Go for the 3 only when the set lets you. A free ball over still scores.

Ways to change it

• Play in pairs: two contacts to get it over.
• The coach tosses two balls in a row, so the group has to recover and chase again.
• Bonus point when every player in the group touches the ball.

Make it easier or harder

Make it easier

• Start the group on the attack line instead of the end line, and toss higher.

Make it harder

• The coach tosses lower and to the far corners, and only down balls and jump attacks score.

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.

Down-ball

A standing hit with an arm swing but no approach and no jump.

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.

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.