Explore by focus

Counter drills

Responding immediately to an opponent’s attack with a controlled block, redirection, or attack of your own.

Drills in this collection

Choose a drill to practise

7 reviewed drills include this focus.See this theme in the glossary.

Dodgeball

Practise clearing the body and letting believable shoulder-high out balls pass.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Lightning

Train a purposeful hands battle: attack down instead of swinging straight through the opponent, defend without offering an easy pop-up, and recognize the chance to reverse who is applying pressure.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Narrate the Ball

Say the height, pace, and intended response to each incoming ball so the read can be reviewed.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Quick Hands Patterns

Expose weaker forehand, backhand, and crossbody volleys by practising each pattern before random play.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

One-Sided Speed-Up Game

Give one player repeated chances to construct a well-timed speed-up while the other reads each attack and chooses whether to counter or reset.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Three-Two-One Block

Block an unpredictable speed-up without turning the defensive contact into a swing.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Tight Spaces

Use narrow down-the-line lanes to train precise dinks and faster reactions without crosscourt margin.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players