The pair start from the sideline.
On the coach's signal player 1 passes the ball forward using a overhand pass so the ball bounces on the other side of court. Simultaneously, he/she must run forward and set the ball back to player 2 after one bounce.
Player 2 then overhand passes the ball forward and does the same
One repetition of this drill is complete after both players have set, run and returned to the start position.
You can set this drill up so players compete against each other. Each pair start from the sideline. The winning pair is the one who is able to rally the ball the most times during two minutes.
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.