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Library/Passing & Serve Receive/AVCA Video Tip of the Week: Passing the Deep Ball Using the Drop Step
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Intermediate TierPassing & Serve Receive03:09

AVCA Video Tip of the Week: Passing the Deep Ball Using the Drop Step

C
Christy Johnson-Lynch • AVCA Volleyball
Head Coach, Iowa State University

Session Overview

Iowa State Head Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch demonstrates how passers should use a drop step to handle serves driven high and deep over their left or right shoulder, keeping arms straight at shoulder height to angle the ball back to the setter.

Core Biomechanical & Tactical Principles

  • When a serve travels past your left shoulder, drop your left foot back to open your hips and bring your platform up to shoulder height.
  • Keep the elbows locked and arms straight away from the torso so the ball does not crowd the body and pop straight up or behind you.
  • Rehearse over-the-shoulder drop-step reps daily in warm-ups so passers react instinctively rather than backpedaling with a flat chest.
Verbal Coaching Cues for Practice:
"Drop the outside foot and open your hips""Bring straight arms up to shoulder height""Don't let the deep ball crowd your chest"

Why Recommended for Coaches:

Shows coaches how to teach the footwork and high-platform mechanics needed to prevent passers from getting jammed on over-the-shoulder serves.

Up NextVolleyball tips: Passing techniques with John Speraw
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Key Coaching Cues
"Drop the outside foot and open your hips"
"Bring straight arms up to shoulder height"
"Don't let the deep ball crowd your chest"

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