Art of Coaching Defense Tips

Terry Liskevych   (USA Women’s Team Coach)

Stop

• Feet stopped at hitter's contact

Low

• Contact the ball from a low body position

 • Come up to meet the ball

Arms

• Play the ball with both arms as much as possible

Chris Catanach (University of Tampa)

 • Low-medium body level, feet a little wider than the shoulders

 • Arms at mid-body level ready position (able to go overhand or underhand)

 • Drive step to dig point

• Deflect the ball to intended target

• Give on a soft hit, receive (cushion) on a hard hit

 Courtney Draper (St. Pete Volleyball Club)

• Bend at their ankles and keep their hips low as a starting point - then the athlete can move in any direction (under the ball, laterally, or explode up to play).

 • Hands should start in a neutral position so player can dig with their platform OR their hands.

• First line of defense is ALWAYS to stay on their feet to play the ball, but a good floor extension is needed to increase the range of the defensive player.

• When contacting the ball with forearms, it is important that the ball does not get too tight to the body, because it is hard to create angles with your arms too close to your body.

Russ Rose (Penn State University)

• Be low-balanced and see the attacker (some balls you hit, others you get under)

• Play the ball before you absorb the momentum on the floor

• Every ball is in play. Will over skill sometimes saves the day

Mike Lingenfelter  (Munciana Volleyball Club)

• "Stopped on Contact" and "Be seen"