Hi y’all. Last blog I talked about keys to accurate setting, using what I call the “W” hand positioning. You can find that post here. Today I want to share with you two drills to improve touch; Catch and Toss and Floor Sets. Lets dive right in.
TWO DRILLS TO IMPROVE TOUCH
Drills to Improve “Touch” 1: Catch and Toss
A great way to refine your touch is to do a series of “catch and toss” reps with a coach or teammate. Here’s how it works:
• Hold your hands up with flat wrists and big hands and have your partner toss you the ball.
• Catch the ball and look at your hands. If they look good – nice shape, correct technique – push through the ball with flat palms to target and send it back to your partner.
• Repeat this as many times as it takes to get a good feel. And keep doing this drill until the catch and toss technique becomes second nature. To put yourself in the right mindset, continually think about “ball-shaped hands.”
• Be sure to do this drill with back sets as well as front sets. This will help you get confident setting in either direction. This drill can progress to a catch and release, which would be similar to a regular set.
This simple setting drill will help you develop a good “feel.” Try it with hands shaped in the “W”
or the “Triangle,” whichever you prefer. Here, I am demonstrating the “Triangle.”51
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Drills to Improve “Touch” 2: Floor Sets
“Floor Sets” are great for working on your “feel.”
Here’s how they’re done:
• Grab a ball and either sit with your legs spread apart or on your knees, whichever is more comfortable for you.
• Push your hands into the ball and push the ball into the ground. Once you have a firm grip on the ball, move it up to your forehead, then release and catch to yourself or a partner. Do as many reps as it takes to establish a nice rhythm.
• A good progression for this drill is to move to a wall and set to yourself. Use the same steps as the previous drill: Push your hands into the ball, push the ball into the floor, move it to your forehead, release against the wall, catch.
• A final progression is moving to the court and setting different targets using the same pre-set routine. The more you get used to feeling the shape of the ball, the easier setting will become in drills, scrimmages or matches.
Lindsey Berg founder of “THE CUORE PROJECT”. An all-digital programming network featuring films, editorials, and podcasts with the mission to share stories and information to educate and inspire the next generation of female volleyball athletes.