Oct 19

Volleyball Drill: Free Ball Wave

Free Ball Wave volleyball drill. Why do we call it that? Well, it’s simple really. Donnie tosses a free ball to the passer (she passes it perfectly because it’s a free ball and those are easy). Then the setter and hitters run the combination plays he calls out. After the hit, the next group/wave steps up. This drill is convenient for transitioning and running plays in a controlled setting.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. Have 2 groups of hitters: 1 outside, 1 middle, 1 rightside
2. Before starting the drill, determine 3 different plays and name them 1, 2 and 3 (e.g., Play #1: outside hits a shoot, middle hits a 1 and rightside hits a slide. Plays 2 and 3 should include different sets for all the hitters).
3. Just before throwing in a free ball, call out “1, 2 or 3.” The players are responsible for remembering each call.
4. After one group hits, the next group runs right up to the net (as if preparing to block).

Have an interesting combination play? Feel free to share it in the comments below!

Aug 17

Jump higher and hit harder with 2 simple moves

The fall volleyball season is upon us and everyone’s thinking about how they can be the best player this season. Wanna jump higher and hit harder? That’s a silly question. Of course you do! I know we just did a post on jumping higher, but come on, don’t we all want that?

Check out this great video I found from Performance Corps. Seems so simple!

Enjoy your pre-season workouts. I know Donnie will! :)

May 24

Tornadoes on the horizon; Makin’ it rain on the court

I haven’t seen much storming here yet so I decided to post this video where our girls demonstrate the second progression of tempo hitting. They’re still learning to make it rain. Not bad for 14-year-olds, eh?

If you haven’t already, check out Progression 1.

Comments? Please share!

May 18

Volleyball: Blocking/Transition warmup

Volleyball hitters and blockers: 8 steps to get those feet moving along the net.

1. Get a partner. 1 blocker/hitter.
2. Position yourself on the opposite of the net from your partner.
3. Partner has two balls helping blocker keep arms wide on block.
4. Half block; then transition.
5. Repeat 5 times.
6. Switch.
7. Partner does 5 reps.
8. Move to different blocking position and repeat steps 1-7.

As always, feel free to let us know if you have a question or comment (below).

May 11

Volleyball hitting how-to: Tempo Timing Progressions

Volleyball how-to: 1-foot hitting – Tempo Timing Progressions

Here’s something a little new. In this how-to, Donnie’s club team is learning how to run his quick-tempo offense. Using volleyball players who have rarely (if ever) run these plays before can give you an idea of what it might be like for your youths when they first start hitting these quicks. Take a look… and… let me know if you have any questions (in the comments section below).