3 v 3 on a narrow court
Team drill for 6 to 12 players. Focus: three contacts every time; more touches for everyone.
What you need
- Players
- 6 to 12 players
- Time
- 10 to 20 min
- Level
- Beginner and intermediate
- Equipment
- Balls, Tape
- Ball fed by
- Not needed
- Space
- A full court
Setup
- Split the court down the middle, end line to end line, with tape or cones. One game per half.
- Three players on each side of the net: one starts serving, two wait in the court.
- Keep balls handy at each end line so the next serve goes quickly.
How it runs
Teams of three play on half the width of the court, split down the middle with tape or a line of cones. The smaller court means every player touches the ball on almost every rally. Rallies start with a serve, and each side must use three contacts before the ball goes back over. Play to 11 and rotate the server each time your team wins the serve back. With 12 players, run two games side by side.
Time and reps: Games to 11, rotate the server on every side out; switch opponents between games.
Coaching points
- Use all three contacts: pass, set, then send it over.
- Talk on every ball. With only three players, someone always has to say "Mine!".
- Pass to the middle of your half, not tight to the net.
- After the serve, the server runs straight into the court to play defense.
Ways to change it
- Bonus point for a rally won with a jump attack.
- Winners stay on; the losing team steps off and the next three come on.
- Play 4 v 4 on the full width when the group is bigger.
Make it easier or harder
Make it easier
- Start each rally with an underhand serve or a toss over the net, and allow one catch per side.
Make it harder
- Narrow the court further, and the third contact must be an attack off a set.
Terms on this page
- 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.
