Community | Dig, Dive, & Drive

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

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Harry Hendon Coach, United States of America

DESCRIPTION

This is a great combination drill that gets players moving and works on digging, moving quickly to get up a tipped ball, and then driving hard to chase down a deep ball. Split team into two groups - players and hander / shaggers. Coach hits a downball to player in position one. Player attempts to dig ball to target. Same or different coach tips a challenging ball to position two and the player attempts to get up a playable ball. Then first coach tosses / throws a ball to the deep corner in position three. Player attempts to run down that pall and play it back to the court. During the drill shaggers need to keep the court clear of balls if possible without interfering with player running down balls. Hander needs to hand to first coach so coach can quickly move from downball to tossing deep ball.

COACHING POINTS

Main focus - EFFORT & ENERGY Players must give maximum effort every attempt. Hander / Shaggers and players waiting their turn must be loud and give active player support and encouragement during the drill. Coaches should really challenge their players in this drill. The idea is not to complete everything perfectly, but instead to work hard to get quality touches. When a player cannot get to a ball, the player should be making some kind of athletic attempt or floor move to try, especially on the dive and drive portions. Stress good, playable ball locations on each touch, especially for more advanced players.

This practice has no coaching points

PROGRESSION

This practice has no progressions

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  • or access our tried and tested plans
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