Coach tosses the ball anywhere on the court (or off the court) and calls out a number between 1-3. Players have that many contacts to get the ball back to Coach.
Preliminary: Play for 3 minutes or so.
Player Focus: Focus on one player and have them return one-contact back to you (shout "1") - short, long, tip, rolls. After ~10 of these, have them assume a defensive position to dig a hard-hit ball. When they dig a playable ball, they are out and you can focus on the next player.
New players fill in to replace when they get out of the drill.
If you do not have a ball in hand, count down from 3. If you reach 0 without a ball, there is a team consequence.
Should be tiring.
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.
The back row attack adds a powerful offensive dimension that stretches the opposing block and creates scoring opportunities from unexpected positions. This guide covers the rules, approach footwork, setter-hitter timing, and progressive training methods for introducing back row attacks to developing teams.