6 Back Slide

Question
I am coaching a high school, senior girls volleyball team, and am in need of a good and proper way to teach them the 6 back slide defense.  If possible would you be able to recommend any drills we could use to teach this type of defense and also improve on this defense once it has been learned? Thanks.

Answer
Brent,

The way I teach the defense against the slide is to play the slide the same way you defense if the OPP is hitting.  The most important thing is for the middle to close.  If the MB closes your defense looks great (bring the RB up for tips and your LF to the 10' line to cover rolls).  If the MB does not close you can practice all year long but your defense will not do very well.  One thing I have found to be very effectice is to serve to position 2.  This can do one of three things.  Make the setter turn to face the passer (which would take away the slide) or have a passer up so that the MH could not use her slide approach or force the setter to serve receive because she is coming out of the back row.

Good serving usually prevents teams from running many of their faster tempo sets.  Serve very tough and your team will play most of their defense against the OH.

I hope this was a little help.  Good luck.
Steve