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Read and Release

Read the hitter arm and shoulders, then release to the ball, staying on your feet.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Start in your defensive spot.

Core: Medium. Beat your own best out of 10.

Ages
14 and up
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Volleyball, net, hitter
Level · skill
Advanced · Digging

The steps

How it works

  1. Start in your defensive spot.
  2. A hitter on a box or the other side swings line, cross or tip.
  3. Read early and move to the ball.
  4. Do 15 reps.

Coaching point

Read the shoulder, then go.

Safety: Stay on your feet; no diving or sliding. Play on a clear, non-slip floor.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Dig-and-save: a partner tosses to your sides and you dig it up to the setter spot. The pair counts digs, then swaps.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (a soft toss), Core (medium), More (to your sides). Beat your own best out of 10.

Story

You are a superhero saving balloons before they touch the floor: every save keeps the party going.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

Free for families and teams

Save this drill to your child or team, free

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Does your child's coach know about this?

An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.