Quick look
15 minutes 12–16 playersAdvancedChoose up to three drills, then let the builder complete and time your practice.
What players are learning
Learn how often your team actually wins the first ball.
Set it up
- Six on six with one team designated as receiving.
- Servers on the other side.
Run the drill
- The receiving team can only score by siding out.
- If the serving team wins the rally, they simply serve again.
- Switch after 10 serves and compare percentages.
What to say
- First ball wins matches.
- This is the most important number on the court.
- Every serve is a chance.
How to score it
Count side-outs out of 10 serves. A good middle school team should be over 50 percent.
Make it harder
- Require the side-out to come from a completed attack, not from an opponent error.