Hi Coach Houser, I am currently coaching a well-skilled 14U girls team in Ontario, Canada. I would like to find some more drills specifically for our 3 setters. Also any suggestions that would help the girls stay low instead of going low would also be helpful. At what age do you suggest introducing the "quick" set and "step-around"?
Hey Coach:
a) Setter drills I don't have many specific setter drills. If my setters are fundamentally sound, then I allow my setters to set and set and set at practice. If my setter(s) doesn't get 500 sets every practice, then she's not getting enough touches. If the setters aren't fundamentally sound, then we work on that during warmups, stations, or at specialty practices that occur before or after regular team practices.
b) Staying Low Jeeeeze, this is a hard one. I also tell my 15's players to "cover your shoes before the hit is made, not during the hit." "But what if it comes at my face?" "Then you use your hands. Understand that your hands are designed so that they can protect your face. But your arms weren't designed to protect your shoes. So you must force yourself to cover your shoes with your arms, then let your hands do what nature has taught them."
c) When to start quicks and step arounds (or slides). I want my kids to start doing it whenever they're ready. Right now I'm coaching 15's. My taller MB's are presently concentrating on quickening their attack, and the smaller ones are focusing on hitting 2's as quickly as possible. But we haven't run the first slide, not even in practice. If you know you've got good passers, a good setter and athletic & teall MB's, then you should start forcing quicks & slides on them early..........13's and 14's is just fine.
Now, I want to tell you how I would create the habits in my players that you've mentioned. (Sure does beat fussing at them!) It happens at practice! I can make nearly anything a habit at practice!!
We ran a drill similary to this at practice on Wednesday Jan 16th. I split my team into 2 mini-teams of 6-on-6. I told the 1-spot girl on team A to serve 3 consecutive times, regardless of the outcome. We'd play out each rally. After those 3 serves, and with no rotation on either side, I then told the 1-spot girl on team B serve 3 times. We'd play out each rally. But there were no points for winning the rally. The points came this way:
Rotation #1: 1 point for a middle attack that's in the court. 2 points if that attack creates a shank dig or is a kill. After a goal is reached, there may be consequences for the losing team, then both teams rotate one spot.
Rotation #2: Same thing, except now it's for the right sides. After a goal is reached, there may be consequences for the losing team, then both teams rotate one spot.
Rotation #3: 1 point for a kill by an OH. 1 point for a setter dump that creates a shank pass. 2 points if that setter dump is a kill. After a goal is reached, there may be consequences for the losing team, then both teams rotate one spot.
Now let's say I'm coaching your team.
Rotation #4: 1 point if, at the time of the opponents attack, every back row player is covering her shoes. After a goal is reached, there may be consequences for the losing team, then both teams rotate one spot.
Rotation #5: 1 point if, at the time of the set, the setter had right foot forward, hand were early and still, and she's facing her outside hitter. After a goals is reached.........you get the picture!
Rotation #6: 1 point for a slide that is successfully hit in the court. 2 points if that slide becomes a kill.
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To see more drills, please visit me at http://www.coachhouser.com/. There are 4 drills that are free to download. If you like them, you may want to considering buying the "I Can't Wait" Drill Collection". It has over 120 drills that I created that make my teams better instantly. I think they'll work for you also. Let me know if you have any questions.
Have a great season!!
Tom Houser
