Players work in pairs and stand across the court from each other. One player starts with the ball and overhand passes the ball high in the air to their teammate.
The teammate then sets the ball in the air above their head, digs it on the way down, and then sets the ball back to their teammate who does the same thing.
During this exercise, the players must adapt from being in a position to set to being in an underhand body position, and this can be done easily with correct footwork. Players must be able to adjust quickly with their arms to go from setting to digging quickly.
When passing underhand, ensure the player looks forward to take a look at their teammate's 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.
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