About Steve Hagenlocher Expertise I am a Division I women`s vollegball coach. I have been coaching at the college level for the past eleven years. I am also teaching and coaching at the high school level and I have been doing so for the past sixteen years. In my spare time I;ve coach 11-12 year old girls in the CYO. I am also a certified high school referee for both varsity boys and girls. I have over 250 drills in my drill book and I believe I can be most helpful answering questions about running certain offenses and defenses.
Experience BS in Physical Education St Francis College 83
MS in Physical Education Brooklyn College 93
Expert: Steve Hagenlocher Date: 6/6/2001 Subject: Defense
Question Hi Steve,
I am a Womens Volleyball Coach in New Zealand. I coach a Club Side as well as a High School side.
Both sides have trouble getting Balls up in Defense to run Attacks.
In Both cases I run a 6 Back Defense (with the person in 6 sweeping and covering in the seam of the Block. We generally Block for Line, adjusting to angle if the hitter warrants it).
What ideas can you give me to develop our Back Court Defense?
Regards
Wayne Stringer
Answer Wayne,
This is a tough question. I'm sure you do pleny of passing drills but the more reps the better. I came up with a passing drill that I enjoy (and so do the women on my team). I have 3-4 players line up in a row (each of them with a ball). I stand at the net (they are somewhere around the end line) and I hit down balls to them. If they do not give me a pass that I can hit I sent the ball behind me so they have to run after it. I then start with the next player.....the other player must get back on line before it becomes her turn again. This drill helps make everyone accountable for everyone else (if the next two girls do not pass the ball the first one has to run laps), it gets them running as well as works on their passing. The players enjoy this because they want to do well to "beat" the coach.
I would also work your middle backs when players are going through their hitting drills. Double block BUT tell your blockers to screw up their blocks....leave a seam or don't jump. You need to watch to make sure that your players are in the ready position and not still moving when the hitter makes contact with the ball. I believe that is the main reason for bad passing (along with a poor platform).
I hoped this helped a little. Just keep up the reps... it's boring but effective. If I can help in any other way please feel free to email me.
