Volleyball is a game of runs; the more point runs you create, the better chance you have of winning the match. Studies show that if you can score THREE runs of THREE points your chances of winning the set are over 60%.

  • If you can score TWO runs of FOUR points your chances of winning the set are over 70%
  • If you can score TWO runs of FIVE points your chances of winning the set are over 90%

6 WAYS TO CREATE MORE RUNS OF POINTS

Create the scouting report

Chart a team and focus primarily on First Ball Kill serve receive formations. Secondary to FBK would be to chart attacking routes and third would be to track setting tendencies and likely hitters using a directional shot chart.

  • Also note common free ball plays, plays after time-outs, and go-to plays
  • Chart opponent’s serve. Note type of serve, direction and speed of serve, and where server plays defense
  • Note types of defenses used in each serving rotation and defenses versus common sets
  • Note common blocking schemes used versus common sets
Game Plan
  • Have the team watch opponent rotations and focus on any three areas that you choose
  • Have players watch a team play and have them point out adjustments they can make if something isn’t
    working
  • What is the purpose to certain substitutions that you make and be clear that players know why they are
    subbing so they know the importance of their job
  • Have set plays that you call out of timeouts so there is clarity and confidence coming from your time out
  • Know what your time out is all about before you call it. Write down one thing to focus on in 30 seconds and
    give them a specific way to make it happen immediately after the time out.
Determine Player Matchups

Look for opportunities to maximize run scoring opportunities as well as finding ways to prevent your opponents from scoring runs. Think about the following:

  • You need to win 4 of the 6 rotations, and be neutral or slightly behind in the others
  • Which players on your team need to score in order for you to win?
  • Which opposing players do you need to stop in order for you to win?
Most common match-up ideas
  • Start your setter in the right back position
  • Start your best hitter in left front
  • Start your best blocker in the front row
  • Start with your best server serving
More advanced OFFENSIVE match-up ideas
  • Your best left side hitter against their weakest right front blocker
  • Your best cross court left side hitter against their weakest middle blocker
  • Your best slide hitter against their weakest left front blocker
  • Your opposite hitter against their weakest left front blocker
  • Your weak left side hitter against their weakest right front blocker
More advanced DEFENSIVE match-up ideas
  • Your strongest right front blocker against their best left front hitter
  • Your best cross middle blocker against their left front cross court hitter
  • Your best left front blocker against their best slide hitter
  • Your weakest blockers in their weakest attacking rotations
Other important things to consider:
  • Make sure you have the ability to start in any rotation
  • How many rotations you can go before you run out of subs?
  • Make sure you finish with the best line-up possible
  • The average set only goes 2 and 2/3 around (rotate 12-14 times) so schedule your subs with that stat in mind

KEYS TO MAKING GAME-TIME CHANGES

Coin Toss
  • 60% chance of winning the receive rally
  • 40% chance of winning the serve rally
  • The math does not lie, so choose to receive

Exceptions: You have a physically dominating server to start with, or your opponents tend to start in a statistically weak rotation and therefore side-out poorly.

Tracking Match Trends
  • Keep simple stats on the bench to help make decisions
    • ROTATION+/
    • Where the opponents serve in each of your rotations
    • Opponents First Ball Patterns and Shot Charts
Make Critical Adjustments
  • Use your match trend tracking stats to make adjustments
  • Often change starting rotation after the first set to get a better offensive match up as a counter to what
    opponents are trying to do

    • Change so that your best three rotations come up more often
When to change the Match ups
  • When your critical offensive players are having a hard time scoring
  • When your opponents have found a rhythm against certain blockers
  • When your opponents are more than +3 or +4 in two rotations or more
Time-Out Strategies
  • Try not to trail by 5 points before point 16 in a set
  • Try to still be in the lead after a time-out and don’t let an opponent tie the game
  • Call a timeout after losing a long rally if you haven’t used one yet
  • Call a timeout if you give up a run of 4 points
  • Absolutely call a timeout if it appears like the team’s confidence is shaken
Game 5 Strategies
  • Game 5 is about scoring points and eliminating errors
  • Get a lead of three points and just keep siding out from there
  • Keep it very simple and stress free
  • Practice playing a 15 point game EVERY WEEK and play several 13-12 or 13-11 games every day in practice

Game management resources

Premier Academy (Maumee, Ohio) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, a nonprofit organization with over 1,600 member clubs, that is committed to improving the junior volleyball experience for directors, coaches, players and fans.