Notes & Homework

 Skill: High Slap Volley

• Contact Point: CONTACT POINT is key! Too early (swing too soon) = in the net. Too late (big backswing) = sailing long. Prep. Pause. Swing.
• Weight Transfer: Load and rotate into this shot to provide power.
• Hands: Forehands-reach up with non paddle hand as if you are going to catch the ball.
• Swing: Short to no Backswing. Accelerate through the ball.

Drill: Toss and Attack

• Place cone piles down the line mid court.
• Feeders stand close to basket at T of NVZ to allow room to hit down the line.
• Hitters set up at NVZ. Feeder tosses the ball to partner who attacks with focus on timing with contact point.
• Balls ideally fed shoulder height. 1 min forehand feed. 1 min backhand feed.

Skill: Defending the Pop Up

• Contact Point: Out in front, and typically low.
• Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into shot. Use weight to direct the ball rather than swing at it.
• Body Positioning: Athletic stance with weight forward.
• Hands: Soft hands and wrist to provide shock absorber for ball.
• Swing: Push this ball forward. Avoid swinging up at this ball.

Drill: Pop & Pressure

• Players stand straight on at NVZ.
• Start cooperative dink rally until one player intentionally pops up a dink.
• Opponent cooperatively smashes the ball mid paced allowing partner to step back and attempt to reset the smash.
• Resetting player must stay back until they hit a neutral ball that they can move forward on or until the ball is dead.
• Alternate who is popping and smashing each rally.
• IMPORTANT: this is cooperative - do not smash these hard. Give each other a chance to reset properly and then get more aggressive as you and your partner become more proficient at resetting.