Coaching Tip: Serve Receiver

Steve Shondell, Muncie Burris High School Girl's Volleyball Coach

The goal of the serve receiver is to direct the ball accurately to the setter so that the setter can have all offensive options available. To run a fast, precise offense, the serve receiver needs to pass the ball no higher than the top of the antennae. A ball passed consistently at that height will allow the setter and hitters to develop an offensive rhythm and precise timing for their attack.

Courtesy of "The Volleyball Coaching Bible," edited by Don Shondell and Cecile Reynaud.

Drill for Success: Six at the Net

Joan Powell, PAVO

Purpose: To cause a team to play out of system; to force players to make the best of a chaotic situation

Setup: Players play six on six with one team at the net facing the same direction and holding onto the bottom of the net.

Execution: A coach hits the ball to the floor, and the team at the net scrambles to get to the ball and play it three times. Opponents respond to their play, and the game continues. The coach changes sides and has the other team scramble from the net. Play to a set number of points (see figure).

Coaching Points: This drill calls for considerable communication and effort. Be sure to vary the bounced ball — low, high, far, on the court, off the court, and so on.

Variation: allow the scrambling team only two hits. The Bounced ball simulates an errant pass, and the team gets two more hits to get the ball over the net. Or set the score at 20 to 20 and play to 25.

Rules Trivia

By Marcia Alterman, NCAA Women's Rules Interpreter

FACT or FICTION? At the moment she contacts the serve, the server cannot be in contact with either the end line or the short hash mark that indicates the side boundaries of the service zone.

FICTION! NCAA Rule 1-3-2 states: "(The hash mark lines at the sides) are extensions of the sidelines and are included in the width of the zone". A server cannot contact the end line at the moment of contact. But the server may contact the hash mark at the side of the service zone as long as she does not contact the floor outside the service zone.

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