Keys to Developing a “Slide” Attack

In a previous post, we looked at the fundamentals of attacking a 1 or 31 set (terminology can vary) with the middle attacker. These sets are designed to provide a quick middle attack in front of the setter. In this article, I’ll examine keys to facilitate your middle attacker attacking the zones behind the setter.…

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Essentials for an Effective Middle Attack

We are going to dive into developing a middle attack. First, the coach needs to be comfortable with what is desired from the middle attack, who can accomplish the task, and the keys for implementing a middle attack into your offense. The type of middle attack you implement is based on the following factors: Too…

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Fixed vs. Floating Attack Zones for the Middle Hitter

Whenever I’m in the development phase of an offense, I have two primary goals. First, I want to develop the offense from the middle one-third of the court, then work to the outside. The attack from the middle of the court is not restricted to the middle hitter. The backrow attack from the center-back player…

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It’s Easier to Move If You’re Already Moving

Volleyball is a game of movement. The entirety of the game involves moving from Point A to Point B, then executing a skill. The faster you can move to the ball, the chances of a successful contact are increased. At all levels, volleyball is being played at a faster tempo. Players are serving at an…

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Additional Thoughts on Serve-Receive

As a follow-up to my recent article on serve-receive, I’ll present some additional items I value. Why the continued focus on this component of the game? In conversations with coaches, serve-receive is the one component of the game that is a never-ending challenge for players. Part of the challenge is the improved ability of the…

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A Good Approach is Essential to an Effective Attack

Coaches will agree that attackers are most effective when the attacker implements a quality attack approach. One of the positives of running an offense with high sets at every position is that it is easier to implement a dynamic 4-step approach to attack. However, when running a quicker tempo offense with middle and outside attackers,…

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Thoughts on Serve-Receive

My recent post on serve-receive initiated significant responses, directly or on various venues. The article aimed to encourage coaches to be creative in organizing serve-receive patterns. The straight 3-person pattern isn’t necessarily the best way to deal with the challenges of receiving a short or deep serve, which is statistically the most difficult for the…

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Being Balanced More Important Than Being Stopped When Passing

I spent much of my early coaching days preaching to my athletes to be stopped when passing or defending. As with many of my earlier coaching cues, I’ve reshaped what I value in both serve-receive and defense. In recent years, the increased velocity of the serve and attack places a lot of pressure on the…

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Managing Your Posture to Pass the Low Ball

Have you noticed that many club players wear their knee pads on their shins? I haven’t quite figured that one out because going to one or both knees is essential to expand both players’ range and ball control. Having the knee pads actually protecting the knees might be a good idea? I used to be…

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