Players start by lying on their back on the baseline. When the coach whistles, they quickly get up and overhand pass the ball to themselves while moving forwards and backwards from the net.
The faster a player overhand passes the ball, the more time they have to prepare for the next pass.
Have the drill performed with players starting in different body positions such as sitting backwards or in a squat position.
Most teams win the dig and then hand the point straight back with a slow, predictable transition swing. The best 2026 sides treat the moment after the dig as their sharpest scoring chance, feeding the middle in transition and running first-tempo attacks off a defensive ball.
When the first pass breaks down, most teams collapse into a high ball straight into the opposing block. The best 2026 sides are building structured out-of-system offences that turn broken plays into scoring chances using libero sets, left-side options and disciplined hitter routes.
The modern pipe attack has evolved from a high middle-back set into a flat, fast weapon that arrives at quick tempo. Coaches at every level are now drilling it as a primary scoring option, forcing blockers into impossible decisions and unlocking four-hitter offences.