Defense

6 back

•  This defensive strategy requires the player in position 6 to play defence close to the end line in a lateral motion.

•  The player will move left or right depending on where the attacked ball is coming form.

•  If the attacked ball is being hit from the middle of the court the player in position 6 will have to move slightly left or right depending on which way the attackers shoulders are facing.

Advantages

•  Gives the player in 6 more of an opportunity to read where the attacker will place the ball.

•  Provides more room for error for the switching setters as the player in 6 is better positioned to help play any ball that will go to the right side of the court.

Disadvantages

•  This defensive strategy creates an open space in the middle of the court.

•  Places more responsibility on the left and right side players to cover the middle of the court.

6-up

•  This defensive strategy requires the person who plays in the 6 position to play defense in the middle of the court on the attack line.

•  This player is responsible for any ball that will land shallow, in the center of the court.

•  This player will do some lateral movement however, will be somewhat permanently positioned.

Advantage

•  This defensive strategy eliminates the "hole" that may be formed in the center of the court by other defensive strategies.

•  This defensive strategy places more pressure on the left and right side players to play deep balls hit towards the corners of the court.

•  This defensive strategy eliminates time the 6 player will have to read the shot to be made by the attacker.

Drill 1

•  Begin with the students set up in the 6 up defensive strategy.

•  The teacher will hit balls to the defensive side so all students will be active in playing the ball.

•  The trouble area for the 6 up defensive formation will be the center back of the court. Be sure to put lots of balls in that area.

•  This same drill can be used for the 6 back defensive formation as well. The trouble area for the students in this defensive formation will be the center of the court close to the attack line.

Drill 2

•  Again place students in the defensive formation of either 6 up or 6 back on one side of the court.

•  On the other side of the court have 3 hitters and a setter. While tossing a ball to the setter on this side of the court have the defensive side ready to play the ball once it is hit.

 Have the setter set the ball to either hitter and then have the ball attacked to the defensive side. The students will be given the opportunity to practice their defensive strategies under a somewhat controlled environment.