The drill you’ll see here, taught by Australian women’s national team coach Mark Barnard, helps hitters understand approach timing. It’s important for hitters to be able to adjust to varying set heights and locations and be at the peak of their jump when contacting the ball.
This drill involves a setter and an outside hitter. The coach tosses 3 balls in a row to the setter, who delivers 3 sets at varying tempos and locations. Hitters have to adjust to the sets in ways that don’t diminish their approach speed or jump height.
Mark offers variations for less-advanced and more-advanced hitters.