Looking at search results here at About's Volleyball site, the biggest thing volleyball enthusiasts are looking for is drills. Our mailboxes are full of emails asking about drills and where to find them. Volleyball drills are the quintessential thing in any volleyball camp or practice; however, you don't always have to go looking for a drill that will fit your needs.
When I was younger, I used books that can easily be bought in order to develop my drill routines. After all they had some great drills and some of the drills that I read about I still use. I never played volleyball until I was an adult and as such never had the benefit of being taught by a coach as a junior player. However, after a couple of years of coaching, I found that it is sometimes a lot easier if you just create drills that emphasize exactly what you want your players to learn rather than searching around for drills to fill your practices.
For example, my 14's all know their 3-step approach, but they will not use it in a game situation...consequently, we are not a good hitting team. So, I needed a drill to MAKE them do their approach, no matter the circumstances. To teach this, I split the 12 girls into 2 even teams. One team goes onto the court and sets up in "base." My assistant coach tosses a ball to them. If the spiker on the 3rd hit could do a 3-step approach, then I holler "ONE." I didn't care where the spike went..... in, out, net, swing & miss. Then that team got another ball. Then another ball. The goal: the girls had to get 7 correct approaches in 10 balls or there were consequences.
Another example. My setters are young and our OH's are not very good. So you know what happens..... our OH's never get a set. So, we play "OH vs. OH." I set them up in equal teams and give the teams alternating free balls. The only way a team can score a point is for their OH to kill the ball on the 3rd hit (or 2nd hit!). Teams cannot score on a setter dump, MB hit, back row hit, block, anything. Now if a team can dig the attack, they will try to set their OH and score on the other teams ball! The first team to win 3,5,7.... whatever.... "OH" points wins the drill!! Loose the drill and there are consequences.
These are just a couple examples to emphasize the fact that often the best drill for your team is not on a website, or in a book. It is on your notepad. Use the drills around the web as a learning tool, but ultimately, good coaches should break away and start developing uniquely tailored drills for their teams.
Got a good drill? Share it with us by posting in the clubhouse.
