Whenever I’m working with attackers, I want them to be able to hit three shots each time they jump to attack. One, is a line shot, two is a shot inside the block crosscourt, third is a shot high off the blockers hands. Shots to the 1 or 5 corners are always good. One of the strengths of a 6 back defense is the middle back area coverage. So attacking away from center back is always good, but obviously more challenging. Also, good defensive team line up around the block and are quite good at defending the predictable shot. In that regard, the shot I wish more coaches would invest more time is the shot off the hands of the blocker. This creates deflections that will challenge the best defensive team, along with being a high percentage shot. Too many times attackers will hit the ball out of bounds trying for a sharp angle or a line shot. One of the things my players on the Youth National Team learn quickly when playing internationally is to not always try to avoid the block. Many times the block is too big to avoid, so they learn to hit shots off the edge or the top of the block. You can’t go wrong working with your players to hit high, hard and deep on the court.
Jim Stone
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