BASE Drill (Build All Skills Efficiently)
The basic passing drill below is designed to be easily adaptable to all levels of ability. It also allows athletes of differing ability levels to participate in the same drill while each is improving his/her specific skill needs.
Description
One player will be stationed at each position A, B and C. The remaining players will form a line off the court behind position A.
- The ball is tossed over the net from Player A to Player B. (Since every ball comes from over the net, the sooner you begin teaching this drill, the sooner your athletes will develop the correct habits.)
- Player B passes the ball to Player C with either an overhead or a forearm pass, and then approaches the net.
- Player C bump sets the ball to Player B, who is standing 2 meters (6 feet) from the net. Player B catches the ball and rolls it under the net to the next Player A in line.
- When the drill has been executed and the next player in line moves to position A, the player previously in position A moves to position B, the player previously in position B moves to position C, and the player previously in position C moves to the last position in line behind position A.
Variations
Using the variations below, you can build ever increasing challenges into the core drill, keeping it as game-like as possible. This drill should be run from the right side as frequently as it is run from the left side.
Before beginning the drill, you must determine how long each player is in this position. It can be for:
- Just one rotation, then each player "follows the ball," jogging to the new spot.
- A certain number of attempts, then the group rotates.
- A certain number of successes, then the group rotates.
- A certain amount of time, then the group rotates.
This drill can be enhanced by varying the difficulty of the task each player performs (listed in order of increasing complexity):
Player A:
- Tosses the ball over the net underhand.
- Tosses the ball over the net overhand.
- Tosses the ball over the net flat and hard overhead.
- Hits the ball over the net underhand.
- Hits the ball over the net overhand.
Player B:
- Catches the ball any way possible.
- Catches the ball in a "basket catch," cradling the ball between the forearms and upper arms.
- Passes the ball to the setter with a forearm pass.
- Passes the ball to the setter with an overhead pass.
Player C:
- Catches the ball any way possible.
- Catches the ball in a "basket catch," cradling the ball with the elbows bent.
- Catches the ball in a hand setting position.
- Bump sets the ball to Player B.
- Hand sets the ball to Player B.
This drill can be further varied by adjusting other factors, including:
Distance
- Player A can vary his/her distance from the net when initiating the drill. At the most basic level, Player A may only be 2 meters (6 feet) from the net, while advanced players will begin behind the endline, as if serving.
- Player A can send the ball directly to Player B or to an area nearby, forcing Player B to move his/her feet to execute the pass. At the most basic level, Player B may not need to move at all, while advanced players may be expected to run a short distance or even dive/roll to get balls more than 3 meters (10 feet) away.
- Player A can vary the height of the ball that is sent to Player B. At the most basic level, Player A may send the ball over very gently, while advanced players should expect to see balls coming from 10 meters (30 feet) high or very flat and sharply hit.
Court Position
- Player A can initiate the drill from anywhere on his/her side of the court, including from behind the service line.
- Player B can be positioned in a variety of positions on his/her side of the court to simulate a specific spot in the rotation.
Introduce Scoring
- Player B must accurately catch or pass the ball X number of times in a row.
- Player B must accurately pass the ball to the setter X out of Y times.
Accuracy
- The pass from Player B must land within 1 meter (3 feet) of Player C to be considered "accurate."
- The pass from Player B must be high enough that the setter can easily hand set the ball.
- The set from Player C must land within 1 meter (3 feet) in front of Player B at the end of the approach to be considered "accurate."
Conclusion
This drill is flexible enough that all three players could be working at the same ability level in the drill or each athlete could be working at a different level. An example would be: Player A is performing a very basic underhand toss while Player B is performing a more complex overhand pass away from the body at the same time Player C is practicing getting his/her feet to the right position to hand set the ball.
As a coach, you should work to have the players themselves run this drill as soon as possible. You can be more effective as a coach when you can move independently of the drill, offering corrective suggestions and encouragement.
