2 Offensive Volleyball Drills Are How We Practice Tactics Setters Run

Watch how I run two offensive volleyball drills in practice training sessions to review tactics, plays and hitting strategies setters run in games and matches.

Some teams run a slow attack which means setters set higher, slower sets (like high balls known as "5s" to Zone 2 or "4s" to Zone 4) to their hitters. Photo by Dan Morgan

I run certain offensive volleyball drills in semiprivate and private training sessions in order to review game tactics, volleyball plays and hitting strategies that setters run during their upcoming matches.

Some teams run a slow attack which means setters set higher, slower sets (like high balls known as "5s" to Zone 2 or "4s" to Zone 4) to their hitters.

Then other teams, especially collegiate ones, will "speed up" their attack by running quicker sets (like front ones and back "ones" and "threes" to their middle blockers, "31s" and "Go" sets to their left side attackers.. .that get to their hitters with a much faster pace.

Some teams run a slow attack which means setters set higher, slower sets (like high balls known as "5s" to Zone 2 or "4s" to Zone 4) to their hitters. Photo by Dan Morgan

Higher slower sets give outside hitters time to jump and reach high over the opposing block relying on power to put the ball on the floor to score points.

Faster sets mean attackers work on developing and using quick arm swings to beat the block with speed by swinging faster at quicker lower sets that setters deliver to their hitter before the opposing team's block can get fully set up block and penetrate their arms over the net.

Hitting Lines

Running hitting lines is one of the most popular offensive volleyball drills used in pregame warmups.

A coach tosses the ball to their setter so the setter can run their fast and slow sets with their hitters before the game so during the game both setter and hitter have their timing on point. 

Watch as Tehani sets Jacob a "3" set also known as a "31" which travels parallel along the net about two or three feet above it ...and starts to drop between the setter and the left outside hitter. 

This is a quick and fast set located 4-5 feet in front of the setter to a specific spot on the net....The 3 and/or 31 is a "location" set which means the hitter always goes to a specific location on the net and that's where the setter has to deliver the ball. 

Another way of doing hitting lines is for the setter to start with a controlled hit to the outside hitter who digs the ball back to the setter who sets the ball requested by the hitter.

Hitting Lines With A Down Ball

Watch as Alex starts with the ball and hits a controlled down ball right to his hitter who digs the ball back to him, then swings outside about three feet outside of the side line.

For high balls which are "A shaped" sets that're 8-10 feet above the net, the hitter, ...before starting their spike approach...waits for the ball to reach its peak..then as it changes direction and starts to come down..the hitter takes the first step of their four step approach..which launches them in the air on their way to spike it. 

This is the timing for a high ball which is also called a "4."

Offensive volleyball drills are done in practice so that players work on

• their spike approach timing with faster sets, 
• their reach and hand placement on the ball in order to direct the ball to an open spot on the opposing team's floor
• court vision used to help you stay behind the ball and see the block so you can hit around it
• learn how to attack against and beat big blockers and good defenders
• timing between the hitter and the setter

And as you can guess, the faster sets give shorter smarter outside hitters a chance to "beat the block."

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Volleyball Drills: 
Where Do You Go From Here?

Your three options are: 

1. You can learn more about Drills by visiting the Related Links below.  
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 

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