Volleyball Attack Article

Developing a Horizontal Middle Attack in High School Volleyball
by Larry Jones
Daniel High School

Most high school volleyball teams set the ball high outside to their power hitters a high percentage of the time. If you have established this style of attack and wish to diversify your middle attack or just saw your All-State outside hitter graduate you may want to adopt some of the following ideas. Volleyball has been moving toward a horizontal attack for several years. This type of attack allows girls with basketball experience to use the layup approach steps to hit a slide attack and allows setters much easier sets as well as more options to confuse the defense.

Middle hitters should retreat to one location every attack. This is called the loading zone and is several feet to the left of the center of the 3m spike line. Leaving from the same location does not give away the attack choice. Whether you prefer plays called before the serve or audible calls by the middle hitters is a coaching option. The audible calls, if practiced during every drill and scrimmage situation, allow for better transition attacks. Your middles will gain confidence in knowing which attack option to call and the timing skills during these practice drills (see below for examples.) Assuming the pass is near zone 6 (put numbers on the net, 1 at left antenna and 9 at the right antenna equally spaced apart) and not too far off the net the middles have lots of options. Young middles may only choose to use two of the following options, more experienced middles will use more.

Options Calls (make up your own names for them or let the girls do it):

	2 set in middle ‑ the middle approaches (2 or 3 step approach) and jumps off the setters toes for a set only 3-5 feet above the net (high middle attacks are too slow, allowing the defense to setup for them)
	slide set behind setter - the middle steps toward the setter (faking the quick or 2-set approach) and then cuts toward the right antenna and jumps off her left leg (the same as a layup in basketball) and hits the ball back across court - the hitter must chase the ball parallel to the net (setter should thrust hips forward and hands upward in making the set - the ball will roll softly off her hands without telegraphing a slide set) 4
	3 set to left of center net -this inside shoot set is a lob that travels to the 3 position on the net and never gets more than 3-5 feet above the net - the middle hitter takes one step to the left and approaches straight toward the net 4 1 set (quick) -this "slow" quick is only 1‑2 feet above the net and is the last option choice for most young middle hitters

Right side hitters must be listening for the slide call by their middle hitter. They should run the X route when a slide is called (the right side hitter moves to her left and approaches for a 2-set in the middle of the court.) The first option for the setter is the high outside set. She needs to keep the defense honest by setting the middle and right side hitters. Giving these hitters options, giving setters easier sets, and forcing the defense to single block may make some of these sets worth putting into your offense. Always have a release (safety) set ready to someone. If the pass is short this might be a back row titter. This is also a good time to backset your right side hitter.

The following drill to help develop these skills was first demonstrated to me by Coach Jolene Hoover at Clemson University. Place tall girls, with a ball, on boxes or chair at positions 2 and 8 on the defensive side of the net. The setter has released to her zone 6 position on the net. Your first middle hitter is at her loading zone watching the pass to the setter. Start with 2-sets. The middle hitter calls and hits the 2-set, then immediately transitions to block the ball hit by the girl on the blocks at position 8. The hitter returns to her loading zone and hits another 2-set then blocks a ball hit by the girl at position 2. Repeat. Another middle then hits 2-sets (2 rotations). Then go to the slide sets, 3 sets, and quicks. Your middles will be tired but they are getting all the sets, all the blocks, and lots of transition practice. You can add setter transitions, right side hitters running their X routes, back row attacks, and left side hitters if the middle does not call quickly or if the toss to the setter is poor.

Adding these horizontal options requires that your players believe that the work needed to become comfortable with the system will be worth it in the end. They must attack on every play to make the defense respect their approach. Start the system in your spring workouts. If you go to team camp work on the options there. Pre‑season is usually so busy with conditioning, passing, defense, and serving that offense gets put on the back burner. With your offense already in place the players can start the process of putting it all together as they start their journey to STATE!