When the setter is behind the 10-foot line, running the middle can be challenging. With practice, however, your team can learn to run this play with ease. Use this drill to train the proper technique to your players.
Run the middle drill
Purpose: To train your team to run the middle from center court.
How it works: Setters line up in the middle right of the court, hitters on the middle left side. A setter starts at the 10-foot line, just to the right of center court. She tosses a ball in the air and pushes an antenna-high set to the middle of the net. The hitter takes an approach, timing each step with the position of the ball. Just before the ball reaches the setter’s hands off the toss, the hitter takes a step with the right foot. When the ball is in the setter’s hands, the hitter steps with a hard left. Once the ball is set, the hitter completes the remaining two steps of the approach, jumping and hitting the ball. The cadence will be soft right, hard left, step, close, jump, hit.
Variation: Once players have demonstrated the proper footwork and timing a few times, instruct them to start calling for the ball by shouting “push” during their approach.
equirements: Four or more players, a cart of balls, a coach and a full court
