Triple Team (Prone Start)

Focus

Passing, Setting (Overhead Pass), Ball Control, Spiking, Dig, Set, Spike (Motion Drill Sequence), Downball (Standing Controlled Hit).

Skills

Spiking, Passing, Setting.

Purpose

Continuous reaction, agility and ball control drill requiring a team of three to play their own hit back over the net. The same as 'Standing Start', but with the initial group of three starting prone on the baseline.

Difficulty

Groups of

Balls/grp

1⁺

Cones

Setup
The feeder starts on the side of the court with the ball. One group of three starts prone on the baseline, chins on their hands.
Step 1
The feeder slaps the ball, which is the signal for the three players to get up ready to receive the ball. The feeder then hits the ball at one of the players.

Ensure that the slap is loud enough for players to hear. Alternatively, use a whistle.

Give players enough time to get up before feeding, but make it fast enough to push them.

For an alternative version, have the players start prone facing away from the net.
Step 2
The player who receives the ball (A) must dig the ball for one of the other two players to set, and then immediately run under the net to the other side of the court.

The player who digs the ball (A) should call the position they are moving into as they run under the net (eg: "SIX!")

Emphasise that the player who digs the ball (A) should completely finish their dig before running under the net.

If either the feeder or the group of three is having difficulty with the hit, use a throw instead.
Step 3
One of the remaining two players sets the ball up for the final player to hit. As soon as the set is made, they run under the net.

Emphasise making controlled, high sets.
Step 4
The final player hits the ball at the first player (A) who is now in position on the other side of the net. The hitter then moves under the net.

The hitter should be listening to the position calls from the first player (A).

Emphasise controlled hits - the aim is to continue the drill as long as possible, not to 'win'.
Step 5
Assuming player (A) managed to dig the ball again, the three players now play out the ball on the other side of the net.

Each player should perform the same skill they did on the first side (digger, setter, hitter)
Step 6
The next group of three players should now be on the court ready to receive the hit. The drill then repeats.

The next group of three does NOT start prone if receiving a hit from the first group. Only if being fed by the feeder.

Give players a target number of rotations - e.g. 3, 5, 10.

Communication is key. The digger must call the position they are in, and the hitter must tell the setter where they want to hit.