Library/Practice Drills/Become Mentally Tough with the 1-2-1 Drill!

Technique Study Speed:

Become Mentally Tough with the 1-2-1 Drill!

Bond Shymansky • Championship Productions

NCAA Division I Head Volleyball Coach

Session Overview

NCAA Division I head coach Bond Shymansky demonstrates the 1-2-1 Drill, a high-pressure defensive conditioning and mental toughness exercise. An individual defender must dig a hard-driven ball in zone 5, sprint across to dig two consecutive balls in zone 6, and finish with a final dig in zone 1 while maintaining platform control and vocal intensity.

Core Biomechanical & Tactical Principles

Require the defender to stop their feet and establish a balanced low base before each of the four rapid coach-driven attacks
Demand high, playable digs to the center-court target even as lateral conditioning fatigue builds across the 1-2-1 sequence
Have teammates surround the court to provide vocal energy and hold the defender accountable for relentless effort

Verbal Coaching Cues for Practice:

"Sprint to the spot, stop on balance""Keep your platform quiet under fatigue""Finish the fourth ball high to target"

Why Recommended for Coaches:

Challenges individual defenders to maintain technical digging form and mental composure while moving laterally under fatigue.

Up NextHOW TO Build a GROWTH MINDSET in Volleyball | Karch Kiraly

Continue

Key Coaching Cues

"Sprint to the spot, stop on balance"

"Keep your platform quiet under fatigue"

"Finish the fourth ball high to target"

Related in Practice Drills

View all

HOW TO Build a GROWTH MINDSET in Volleyball | Karch Kiraly

Karch Kiraly29:08

Beyond Positive Thinking: Karch Kiraly's Practical Approach to Managing Mental Obstacles

Karch Kiraly112:22

Higher risk = Higher reward 🏐 Karch Kiraly 2-minute take on the benefits of serving tough

Karch Kiraly01:41