Advanced 1: connect the middle attack

The practice, block by block

1. Minutes 0 to 88 min

   Dynamic warm-up

   Drill, 1 to 24 players

   Warm up together. Start at a walk, build to a jog, and leave room between players in each lane.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
2. Minutes 8 to 102 min

   Today’s focus

   Note

   Look for on-time middle approaches. A good decision can be a pin set when the pass takes the middle away.

3. Minutes 10 to 2010 min

   Control the warm-up ball

   Drill, 2 players

   Pairs with one ball. Increase the pace only while contacts stay controlled. Switch partners midway so players adjust to a different touch.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
4. Minutes 20 to 3212 min

   Meet the quick set

   Drill, 4 to 12 players

   One setter-middle group works; extras shag and rotate in every four attacks. Switch setters midway. Count contacts met at full reach without waiting in the air.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
5. Minutes 32 to 353 min

   Water break

   Break

6. Minutes 35 to 5015 min

   Keep the right pin available

   Drill, 2 to 3 players

   Pairs or trios work along the net with room between groups. Extras catch at the right pin. Count catchable back sets, then vary the toss so the setter must move first.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
7. Minutes 50 to 533 min

   Water break

   Break

8. Minutes 53 to 6512 min

   Make the block read

   Drill, 5 to 8 players

   One attacking group faces two blockers; extras feed and shag. Rotate blockers after four attacks. Mix the setter’s middle and pin options in the harder version.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
9. Minutes 65 to 8520 min

   Use the middle when it is available

   Drill, 10 to 14 players

   Five a side, rotating extras after each round. Play to five wash points. Ask setters to find the middle when the pass makes it available and choose a pin when it does not.

   Watch it in 3DSetup and coaching points
10. Minutes 85 to 905 min

    Cool down and review

    Note

    Walk, drink water and stretch comfortably. Which passes made the middle available? Ask setters when a pin set was the better choice.