Goal is to always have 4v3
Zone 4
- Go - set is through the antenna; can be attacked anywhere from the pin to about 5 feet inside
- Shoot - Fast and at the antenna; close run is quick
- Rip - Area of a gap; loopy but below top of antenna
Zone 3
- 1 - At the setter; in the air before it leaves the setters hands; freeball is zero tempo
- Push
- Zip
- Gap - 3 - Run faster during freeball; route is run at the RF blocker's inside hand; turn from RF as opposed to MB
- Back 1/Baby Slide
Zone 2
- Red - Antenna Height
- Boy - back 2
- Flare - At the pin; below the pin. Can be an audible in reception to lefty hitters.
Back Row
- D-ball - land outside the court at anywhere from 5-7 feet off net
- 30/Bic/40
- Flare - At the pin; below the pin. Can be an audible in reception to lefty hitters.
OFFENSIVE SYSTEM
- Stress opponent’s weaknesses with Tempo and Spacing
- Even from 12’, we stay fast
- Stress their blocking system by Overloading and Isolating blockers
- The middle attack is important to all - attacking space, overloading and isolating - and must be up early and always
ATTACKING
- Range
- What it means - hitting high hard to all parts of the court
- What it doesn’t mean - hitting soft to z6, soft to z5 or out of bounds; make them play
- Tips and rolls are best hit after a string of hard hits – use as offensive weapon
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Setters - put up hittable sets
- Attackers - go up do something with it
- All - Create an information feedback loop with your setter with attention to trends and amount
RECEPTION
- Off the net is better than passing tight
Go Zones
COVERAGE;
- Set, Then Slide In: After setting, the setter should immediately slide into cover behind the attacker — hands up, eyes on the block, ready to react.
- Cue the Cover with a Call: Setters can lead the cover effort vocally — a quick “cover!” call engages teammates and sets the tone for second-ball readiness.
- First Layer = Lib, Setter, Offside Pin: The first line of cover should include the attacker, libero, setter, and the opposite pin — hands low, ready to pop the ball up.
- Stay Off the Net: Remind players to give 2–3 feet of space off the net — too tight and you're under the hitter or tangled in the block.
- Make It a Habit: Cover isn't optional — setters and hitters should treat it like part of every swing. Reps in drills should include cover automatically.
Three in close ALWYAS like USAV. Stopped on contact. Eyes on the block.