Handicap Drills
By: Coach Houser - CoacherHouser.com
Special Skill Handicap Drill!
Start with the score tied, maybe around 20-20. Announce that the stronger team can only score when a rally ends after they make a particular set: back row, 51, back set, etc. The hit doesn't have to go down for the starters to get the point, but if the ball goes over to the weaker team without the specified hit, then the starters cannot score! If the stronger team does win such a rally, then a replay is called. Once again, the weaker team can earn a point by ending the rally in any way in their favor, even by an opponent error. There are consequences for the loser of each "game."
Variation: Change the requirement. At our April practice, the 2nd handicap drill was a requirement for the stronger team to jump set in order to win a rally.
Note: These two handicap drills may create a drill that is too "handicapped" for your stronger team.
For example, maybe the stronger team can be required to do the following:
- tip;
- jump serve;
- make the opponent's line digger make the dig, etc.
