Rufio Stats

Hit, tip, roll

Hitting drill for 4 to 8 players. Focus: same approach every time; change the contact; shot selection.

The Hit, tip, roll drill on the 3D court in Rufio Court
Watch it in 3D in Rufio Court Browse all drillsHow to use drills

What you need

Players
4 to 8 players
Time
8 to 12 min
Level
Intermediate
Equipment
Balls, Ball cart, Cones
Ball fed by
The coach
Space
A full court

Setup

  1. A coach with a ball cart in the right back of the near court, handing balls to the setter.
  2. A setter at the target spot, setting high to the left pin.
  3. Hitters in a line outside the left side of the near court, behind the attack line.
  4. Cones on the far side: one short behind the net, one in the middle, one deep.

How it runs

Outside hitters practice the three shots every attacker needs. Each hitter takes three sets in a row from the left pin. The coach calls the shot as the ball goes up: a hard swing deep, a tip just over the net, or a roll shot that loops into the middle of the court. The approach stays the same for all three, so only the arm and the contact change.

Time and reps: 3 turns of 3 shots each.

Coaching points

  • Use the same full approach and arm swing for every shot so the defense cannot read it.
  • On a tip, keep the fingertips firm and push the ball just over the block.
  • On a roll shot, brush up the back of the ball for topspin and an arc that drops fast.
  • Listen to the call, then decide late with the arm.

Ways to change it

  • The hitter picks the shot and the coach guesses which one is coming.
  • Add a blocker so the tip and the roll have to go over or around the hands.
  • Score each shot that lands near its cone and play to a team total.

Terms on this page

Outside hitter
The attacker who hits from the left side of the net.
Pin and antenna
The pin is the end of the net where outside hitters attack, and the left pin is on your left as you face the net. The antenna is the striped rod above each sideline; the ball has to cross the net between the two.
Roll shot
A slower shot hit with topspin that arcs over the block and drops into the court.
Target spot
The spot by the net, just right of center, where the setter stands.
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.
Tip
A soft shot the hitter pushes just over the block with the fingertips.