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Back Row Attack Drill

Attacking from behind the ten-foot line adds another offensive weapon and teaches hitters the timing and jump technique needed to hit legally from the back row.

Age RangeAges 11+
Duration10–12 minutes
Group Size3+ players
SportVolleyball

Equipment Needed

  • Volleyballs
  • Net

Need a net for this drill?

A portable net lets back-row attackers rep the approach and swing outside the regulation gym too.

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Setup

  • A setter feeds a back-row hitter approaching from behind the attack line.
  • Mark the ten-foot line clearly if it isn't already on the court.
Back Row Attack DrillSHbehind the 10-ft lineTakeoff must be behind the ten-foot line

Instructions

  1. The setter delivers a set to a spot the back-row hitter can attack from behind the line.
  2. The hitter times their approach to jump from behind the ten-foot line, landing can be anywhere.
  3. Attack the ball with a full arm swing, same technique as a front-row hit.
  4. Reset and repeat, rotating hitters and varying set location.
Coaching Points
  • The takeoff foot (or feet) must be behind the line at the moment of the jump — landing on or past it is legal, taking off past it is not.
  • Timing the approach to the set's flight is the hardest part — rep this specifically rather than assuming it transfers from front-row hitting.
  • This is a great tool for a strong hitter who isn't in a front-row rotation to still be an offensive threat.
  • Full arm swing and follow-through matter just as much here as on any other attack.

Variation

Add a block to attack against for a game-realistic look, or restrict scoring to only back-row attacks for a full drill set to build confidence in the weapon.

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