Why & How we Prioritize our Training & Systems

TRENT UNIVERSITY POSSESSION VOLLEYBALL

Possession Philosophy

1.Bulk of our points scored with possession of the ball

2.Opponents cannot affect execution of our possession

3.Our ability to improve possession quality determines our success

4.Simply: win the points we have control over & apply pressure to our opponent’s possessions

Possession Philosophy

Win the points we have control over & apply pressure to our opponent’s possessions…

1.Gain Possession with Quality

2.Maintain Quality of Possession

3.Aim of Turnover of Possession

4.Serve & Block to re-Gain Possession

P O S S E S S I O N

4Support Systems to re-Gain Possession- Serving – low opponent Gain quality = low % of scoring- Blocking – force low % attacks to weaker players1Gain Possession with

Quality- 1st Touch quality

determines outcome of rally

- Quality improvement in a possession is limited

3Maintain Quality of Possession- 2nd Touch maintains / improves the scoring opportunity

How To:

2Aim of Turnover of Possession- Attacker

Decision Sequence

- Force opponent to transition without high % attacks

How Are Points Scored?

One T

eam

sco

res

76%

Th

e o

ther

lose

s 24%

Data from 2 W and 2 M University Teams

14.3

1.9

2.8

2.6

3.0

0.4

6pts

19pts

Skill Prioritization

One T

eam

sco

res

76%

Th

e o

ther

lose

s 24%

Data from 2 W and 2 M University Teams

14.3

1.9

2.8

2.6

3.0

0.4

6pts

19ptsControlled Skill:

Attack = 14.3 pts or 57.2% of total ptsAces = 1.9 pts or 7.6% of total ptsBy controlling our Attacking Quality we control 85% of needed points (16.2 of 19)

Un-Controlled Skill:Opp Errors = 6 pts or 24% of total ptsReaction Skill:Blocking = 2.8 pts or 11% of total pts

Opp will give us 24% of needed points (6 of 19)

Win the pts we have

control over 65%

Skill Types

Attack / Setting / Serving

Controlled

ContestedServe Receive / Defense

ReactionBlocking

The better

the controlled skills…

the better

the other skills!

PERIODIZATIONOF

SKILLS

4Support Systems to re-Gain Possession- Serving / Blocking / Feet Movement / Reading- Point of Intersection (hands)

1Gain SKILLS (1st touch)- Digging- Serve Receive – Jump

Serve- Serve Receive – Jump

Float- Free Ball2Maintain SKILLS (2nd touch)- High Ball Setting- Outside “Go” Sets- Quick Sets (1st

Tempo)- BIC balls (2nd Tempo)

TrainWha

t?

2Aim SKILLS (3rd Touch) - Jump Serving- High Ball Attacks- Outside “Go”

Attacks- Tempo Sets

(Quick/BIC)

System Training Priority

1.Offense- in system offense- non system offense

2. Serve Receive3. Serve4. Block5. Defense

…an integrated system is like a fist!

POW

Offensive System: In System

Best chance of scoring: 70-80%

PatternsOverload = 2 hitters vs 1 blockerSpread = isolation for 1 on 1 attacking

Gap Control3 blockers create 4 gaps4 attackers each with a gap to occupy

Set Distribution SequencingBlocker moves feet = widened gapSet attacker into extended gap

Tempos1st Tempo Sets (middle quick) = 50% 2nd Tempo Sets (slide / bic) = 40%3rd Tempo Sets (“Go” Outside) = 30%4th Tempo Sets (High Ball) = 20%

Offensive System: Non System

Contested Points Separate Good Teams from ChampionsAttacker Decision Sequence

-Kill Shot – quality set, block instability = high % of scoring-Recycle – replay off block keep possession-Setter Take Out – 50/50 chance of regaining possession-Pattern Take Out – eliminate one third of court-Put ball in play – put opponent out of system

High Ball Set QualityAll players able to deliver quality high ball

Block Stability Identification-1v1 = beat defender cross court-Edge blocker late = wipe line-Middle blocker late = wipe cross court-Block Stable = Attacker Decision Sequence

Serve Receive System

Reception System increases Gain Quality Court Coverage

-Seam communication-Short serve coverage by Middle & Opposite-Tape serve coverage by Middle & Setter

Offensive Option Protection-Bic attacker-Front Row Outside Hitter-Middle pinched to sideline

Gain Quality increases Scoring %4 GQ = 4 option offense = 80% chance of scoring3 GQ = 3 option offense = 70% chance of scoring2 GQ = 2 option offense = 50% chance of scoring1 GQ = High Ball Offense = 30% chance of scoring0 GQ = Management Offense = 20% chance of scoring

Serve System

Serve is to allow us to Gain a Possession with Quality

Serve Risk Sequence1st Serve = 80% intensity = 2 Gain Quality2nd Serve = “Best Serve” – both intensity & %3rd Serve = Tactical Serve = eliminate offensive option4th Serve = “In” = opponent offense predictable = increased block %

Scoring on serve is a luxury

Reward vs Risk-take as much risk on serve as needed to generate a 2 GQ reception

Opponent Offensive EfficiencyServe Risk = Opponent Offensive Efficiency

Block System

Block System designed to aid in Gaining PossessionBlock Do’s

-take away high % attacks-make weakest hitter score-align on attackers hard shot

Block Do Not’s-get wiped on edge-guess read late don’t guess wrong-give up when beat

What do you see & how do you move?

Key Elements1. Alignment 2. Protect the Edge 3. Stability4. 3 as 1

“Do or Do Not, there is no Try”

Defensive System

Defense is to Gain Possession not to stop opponent from scoring. Poor Balance = no digs

Defensive Balance-on ball = primary hard driven defender-off ball = tip coverage & long court wipe defense-half off = secondary shot defense

Every Shot has a Predictable Outcome

High % Digs = High Percentage Attacks -tips, slow downs, roll shots

Low % Digs = Possession-hard driven & scramble

Quantifying Possession

Don’t Rely on Old Statistic Structures-Kill Efficiency -Blocks -Aces-Digs

Evaluate EVERY touch on how it Improves Possession+/- vs Give Away/Take Away

Conclusion

Scoring Happens when we have Possession-65% of points from Kills/Aces

Training Focus on Skills that Lead to Improved Possessions-controlled skills vs contested/reaction

Systems Integrated to Gain Possession & Apply Pressure-be the better team with Possession-apply pressure when don’t

Evaluate Skills/Systems from Possession Perspective-non scoring skills are a part of the Possession too

Acknowledgments

This presentation is adapted from an AVCA seminar by:

Ben Josephson, Head Coach, Trinity Western University, Langley, B.C.

Possession Volleyball: How & Why to prioritize your training & systems 

Presented at the:AVCA Annual Convention

Dec. 18 – 22, 2013

Seattle, Washington

Feedback:Athlete thoughtsCoach’s thoughts

Mike Hubickicoach.hubicki@gmail.com