Free Ball to Attack
The coach sends an easy ball over and the team runs a full pass–set–hit play. Teaches the call, the movement off the net and the first-ball attack.
- Focus
- Transition from defence to attack
- Level
- Intermediate
- Players
- 4–6
- Equipment
- Balls, a net
- Time
- 10–15 min
Bird’s-eye view
Bird’s-eye view: an easy ball over the net, a pass to the setter, a set to the outside and the attack.
📍 Setup
A team of 4–6 starts in base defence. The coach stands on the other side with a cart of balls.
🪜 How to run it
- The coach throws an easy ball over the net.
- Everyone calls “free!”. Front-row hitters drop back off the net to their approach spots.
- A back-row player passes high to the setter’s spot.
- The setter sets an outside or middle hitter, who attacks.
- Reset to base defence; the coach sends the next ball as soon as the team is ready.
🏆 Scoring
One point for a clean pass–set–hit, two if the attack lands in. First team to 10.
🧑🏫 Coaching this drill
What success looks like
Hitters are off the net and ready to approach before the pass is made.
Coaching cues
“Call it early”“Hitters off the net”“Pass high to the target”
Common mistakes
- Hitters stay at the net. Fix: As soon as “free” is called, front-row hitters back up to the attack line.
- Two players go for the pass. Fix: Decide passing lanes first; the libero or a back-row player takes it.
➖ Make it easier
Free balls come straight to one passer.
➕ Make it harder
Mix free balls with down-balls and real attacks, or play it against a second team.
When to move on
When the team scores 7 of 10, run it as a wash drill against another team.