Volleyball: defense

Attacking efficiency measures kills minus errors divided by attempts. Top attackers maintain high efficiency by varying their shots, reading blocks, and selecting appropriate attacks for each situation. Power alone doesn't create elite attackers.

Shot Arsenal

Versatile attackers have multiple options:

Line shot: Down the sideline, often against cross-court blocking.

Cross-court: The high-percentage angle shot to the opposite corner.

Cut shot: Sharp angle shot that lands short in the court.

Tip: Soft placement over or around the block.

Roll shot: Controlled placement with topspin to open areas.

Reading the Block

Block position: See where hands are and hit where they're not.

Timing: Late blockers can be hit through or around.

Single vs double: One blocker offers more options than two.

Tool shots: Use the block - hitting off hands for kills.

Decision Making

Set quality: Tight sets limit options - adjust expectations.

Approach angle: Your angle determines available shots.

Game situation: When ahead, be aggressive. When behind, reduce errors.

Opponent tendencies: Know where defenders are and hit elsewhere.

Technical Foundation

Approach consistency: Same approach for all shots hides intention.

Arm swing variety: Adjust contact point and wrist action for different shots.

Late decision: Read the block in the air before committing to a shot.

Contact point: High contact gives more angles and power.

Key Coaching Points

  • Shot variety is as important as power
  • Reading the block determines shot selection
  • Same approach for all shots maintains deception
  • Situational awareness improves decision making
  • Practice all shots, not just the comfortable ones

Drills for Attack Development

VIEW ALL ATTACK DRILLS

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 300+ volleyball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
defense DRILLS
View All
Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
defense ANSWERS
View All

My daughter is in 8th grade and has made the team this?

My daughter is in 8th grade and has made the team this year as she did last. We have a new coach this year who doesn't allow the girls to use their knee pads. What is the purpose of this?   Does it help at all with development of the sport?  It seems sadistic to me and I can't understand how causing the girls pain will help them to "dig" a ball or encourage them to dive for anything. Thank you

Archived User Coach

Defensive passing drills when moving from base to defense

Does anyone have any suggestions to improve the transition from base to defense?

Linda Eleftheri Coach, United Arab Emirates

strengthen my team's service reception

I'm really finding it hard to strengthen my team's service reception and the over all defense. They can't retrieve hard balls, drop balls and balls going to the corners. Can you help me out? Thanks!

Archived User Coach

Volleyball newbie, please help

What is floor defense and hitting in volleyball?

Archived User Coach

Defense positioning.

Has anyone heard of middle middle 2 by 2 defense? If yes, do you like it?Thanks.

Steve Batten Coach, Canada

defense

how is the best way to teach transition to defence

Dennis Warren Coach, Canada

triangle defense

how do you defend properly against triangle passing .. any drill suggestions

Brittany angelica Coach, United Arab Emirates

pre planned sessions

Why can't I open the Team Defense Progressions session on my iPad? It loads great on my laptop. Actully, I am having trouble browsing all drills on the ipad. It wont load them.

Christine Cowden Coach, United States

defense | Sportplan

how is the best way to teach transition to defence

Dennis Warren Coach, Canada

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 300+ volleyball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of volleyball coaches plus 300+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT