Hitter Coverage
When the attacker gets blocked, teammates should already be crouched around them to keep the ball alive. This drill makes coverage a habit.
- Focus
- Covering the hitter after a block
- Level
- Intermediate
- Players
- 5+
- Equipment
- A box or a tall blocker, balls, a net
- Time
- 8–10 min
Bird’s-eye view
Bird’s-eye view: the hitter is blocked and teammates move in around them to keep the ball up.
📍 Setup
A hitter attacks from the left side; a coach on a box (or a tall blocker) blocks every ball back. Three teammates cover.
🪜 How to run it
- The setter sets the outside hitter.
- As the hitter approaches, three teammates move in and crouch low in a half-circle around them.
- The blocker blocks the ball back down.
- The covering players dig the blocked ball up and the team plays it out.
- Rotate positions after 5 attacks.
🏆 Scoring
One point for every blocked ball kept alive; two if the team attacks it again.
🧑🏫 Coaching this drill
What success looks like
Coverage players are low and still before the hitter contacts the ball.
Coaching cues
“Follow the set”“Low, hands ready”“Eyes on the block”
Common mistakes
- Standing tall and watching the hitter. Fix: Get low as the setter releases the ball — blocked balls come down fast.
- Covering too far away. Fix: Stand about 1–2 m from the hitter; blocked balls drop close to the net.
➖ Make it easier
The blocker drops balls softly onto your side.
➕ Make it harder
Mix covered attacks with real ones so players must react to both.
When to move on
When the team keeps 3 of 5 blocked balls alive, play it with a full 6 v 6 rally.