Library/Practice Drills/Hitting drill: Line shots for points

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Hitting drill: Line shots for points

Nabil Mardini • The Art of Coaching Volleyball

Los Angeles Volleyball Director & Pierce College Head Coach

Session Overview

Coach Nabil Mardini introduces a competitive 5v5 drill where teams can only score points by terminating the ball down the line into Zones 4 and 5. Because the defense knows the line shot is coming, attackers are forced to develop deceptive wrist-away swings, high-line roll shots, and block tooling.

Core Biomechanical & Tactical Principles

Restrict offensive scoring to Zones 4 and 5 down the line so outside and opposite hitters must practice turning the ball to the sideline.
Because the defense is cheating toward the line, attackers must use varied speeds—hard high-line swings, deep corner rolls, and block wipes—to score.
Score the drill as short games to 5 or start at 15-15 to build late-set shot-making confidence.

Verbal Coaching Cues for Practice:

"Keep the ball in front to turn it down the line""High line over the block or wipe the outside hand""Be creative when the defense knows your target"

Why Recommended for Coaches:

Breaks club and high school hitters of their predictable cross-court habit by rewarding only creative line terminations against a loaded defense.

Up NextVolleyball tips: Passing techniques with John Speraw

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Key Coaching Cues

"Keep the ball in front to turn it down the line"

"High line over the block or wipe the outside hand"

"Be creative when the defense knows your target"

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