Email Campaign Archive

A Target Serving Drill With a Twist

By Mike Tully

When your team has worked exceptionally hard and
you feel it's time to reward them, try a serving
drill with the coach (or coaches) as targets. This
drill is not only a strong practice-brightener,
but it will help your players focus on a target.  

Caution: This drill is only for those coaches who
have the respect of their players. It's not a
drill where the inmates run the asylum. It's meant
to fun, with a team spirit, and if it gets out of
hand then it's time to stop. 

Start off by reminding the players that they have
worked hard and deserve a reward. And their reward
will be to serve at coaches who are sitting either
in chairs or on the floor. 

Their eyes will light up as they get a chance to
have some fun at the expense of the coaches. And
they will zone in on the target in a way that you
wish you would see all the time. 

Set an amount of time. Let's say three minutes.
Tell them the first one to hit the coach with a
serve is the winner. If someone scores a direct hit
early, then start over. 

I try to add fun with this drill by taunting. I
yawn as if bored, as the balls go whizzing past. I
tell the players that I feel very safe with them
serving at me; this only increases their
determination to crash into my safe zone. 

As with all serving drills, there should be a
strong ritual, and no rushing. If the servers
begin to get overly excited or careless, tell them
you'll stop the drill unless they do it right. 

Depending on the skill level of your team, you can
increase the degree of difficulty. For beginners,
I would place the coaches right in the middle of
the court. 

As the servers grow sharper, you can move the
players to more strategic serving targets, such as
the corners.

You can add some focus by saying anyone who fouls
on serve is out. 

I once used it on a warmup court before we played
for a league championship. When we were finished,
everyone wore a big smile. The players were nice
and relaxed, and they went out and won the title.

Remember, use this drill wisely and not too
often. You can dangle it as a reward. And make
sure they do it right.

-Mike Tully is a member of the "Yes, I Can!"
coaching staff. You can hear him now on his "Pep
Talk" hotline at (973) 773-2151.