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Tip by McKenna Skaggs. One of our goals this season was to consistently win in 3 sets (at the Varsity level). We struggled at the beginning of our season with allowing teams to take us to 4 who really shouldn't have, so I created Race to 75.It's is regular 6 on 6 volleyball to 75 points (3 sets of 25). The intention is to make them play through the tiredness.However, to mix things up every now and then I taped index cards randomly throughout our scoreboard that added challenges and advantages to the game such as: "for the next 5...

Tip by Steve Stapay in Gilberts, IL. Sometimes you need to give the players their "soap box" moment. While this is not a physical attribute, the mental side of volleyball is just as or even more important. Give the players a chance to get things off their chest--tell their teammates what they are thinking both positively and critically. If it is criticism, the players have to know it is constructive criticism for the entire team. Do not call out teammates individually (unless it is positive comment), or there will be reciprocating effects. Use a block, a sturdy chair, the bleachers,...

Tip by Scott Reslow, Wheaton College.  This drill/tip is about working on out of system play. Coaches often are so focused on passing well (rightfully so) and in system offense, that they neglect out of system play. Considering that most teams will likely be out of system 50% of the time, it's crucial that it gets worked on almost every day in the practice gym.A nice 6 v 6 drill that utilizes this is a game we call STP Scrim. Here, you have a ball cart and a coach off the court but right behind pos. 6, with the team...

Tip by Brogan Johnson, Salt Lake Academy in Herriman, UT.Nine Man Pepper - This is a good drill to work on ball control, back row defense, and communication while getting a lot of reps and conditioning for setters and hitters.Start with three players fixed in the back row on each side of the net. Have a setter front row in the middle as well as two pin hitters hitting on the left and right on one side of the net. The front row, setter and hitters, will go under the net and switch sides after each attack and will continually...

Tip by Aurora Salas, Horizon Prep in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.  My tip is to make the butterfly drill a competition. It helps you see who is earnings points offensively and defensively. I start out with the standard butterfly drill and have them progress through the drill to warm up. 10 free ball passes (to the tosser) over the net as a group, 10 sets over the net as a group, and finally 10 down balls over the net as a group. Then you move into competition phase. Attackers can earn a point if they can hit the ball without...