A free ball is often treated as a simple ball that should be sent safely back to the opponent. The instruction is usually straightforward: get the ball over the net, reorganize and prepare for the next rally phase.

But why should we give the opponent an easy ball?

Even when a team can no longer run a full attack, the third contact can still be used to apply pressure. Instead of sending a harmless free ball, players can learn to play a targeted, difficult and tactically intelligent ball.

John Kessel, an international volleyball coach and FIVB Level 5 instructor, calls this a mean ball: a ball that is played with purpose and makes it harder for the opponent to organize an effective attack.

This idea fits closely with Kessel’s broader coaching philosophy. In our earlier articles, Coaching & Programming for the 99.9 Percent and Please Use the Net, we explored his emphasis on game-like practice, decision-making and letting players solve the situations they actually face during a match.

The problem with traditional free-ball training

In many practices, the coach stands next to the court with a ball cart. The coach hits or throws a ball over the net, after which the team controls the ball and builds an attack.

Although this may appear to be a logical training method, it has an important disadvantage: the coach repeatedly plays the third contact. As a result, the coach gets most of the practice at sending balls over the net, while the players are the ones who need this skill during matches.

The ball also often comes from an unrealistic position. A coach standing outside the court near position 4 sends balls from an angle that occurs much less frequently in a match. These balls are usually cleaner and more predictable than the emergency balls players must handle during competition.

In a match, players may need to send the ball over the net with an off-balance forearm pass, a one-handed save, a standing attack or a controlled roll shot. They may also have to chase a poor pass toward the sideline or end line before finding a way to complete the rally.

These situations are part of out-of-system volleyball and should be trained regularly instead of focusing only on perfect situations.

These are the situations players should learn to solve themselves.

Recognize the situation earlier

Another issue with traditional free-ball training is the moment at which players react.

Many coaches slap the ball as a signal that a free ball is coming. The front-row players then move away from the net and the team takes its defensive positions.

In a match, that reaction is usually too late.

Experienced players often recognize after the opponent’s second contact that a full attack is no longer possible. When the second ball cannot be set toward an attacker, the third contact will probably be sent over with a forearm pass, an overhead pass or a controlled attack.

At that moment, the team should already start adjusting. The front-row players move away from the net, the back-row players adapt their positions and the setter prepares to take the second contact.

The team is no longer simply defending; it is preparing to turn the incoming ball into a transition attack.

Coaches should therefore avoid training players to react only to a verbal command or the sound of a ball being slapped. Instead, players should learn to read the opponent’s body position, the quality of the second contact and the options that remain available.

Turn every free ball into an attacking ball

A ball does not need to be hit hard to be aggressive.

A forearm pass or overhead pass can also be played with purpose. The objective should not simply be to get the ball over the net. Players should try to make it as difficult as possible for the opponent to start the next attack.

Useful targets include:

zone 1 or zone 2;
the setter or the space the setter is moving away from;
the seam between two defenders;
another open area on the opponent’s court.

Balls toward zones 1 and 2 can be especially effective. From these areas, the setter often has to deliver the set at a more difficult angle. When the setter is forced to take the first contact, another player must provide the set, which usually reduces the opponent’s attacking options.

Players should learn to observe the other side of the court before sending the ball over:

Where is the setter?
Which player is still moving?
Where is the largest open space?
Who appears uncomfortable taking the first contact?

This turns the third contact from a technical necessity into a tactical decision.

Let the coach play the second contact

A simple way to make free-ball training more realistic is to change the role of the coach.

Instead of playing the third contact over the net, the coach provides the second contact. The player must then decide how to complete the rally.

The coach can vary the height and quality of the ball. A low ball may require a targeted forearm pass. A medium-height ball gives the player the option of using an overhead pass or controlled placement shot. A higher ball may allow a standing attack, roll shot or even a full jump attack.

The coach should also provide balls from different positions. Move the ball cart around the court instead of always standing next to position 4. Start situations from the backcourt, sidelines and end line. Occasionally force a player to chase a poor pass before playing the third contact.

This creates situations that are much closer to what players experience during matches. You can also use out-of-system volleyball drills to train these broken and unpredictable situations more frequently.

Allow players to make mistakes

When players are first asked to send targeted and difficult balls over the net, they will make mistakes. Some balls will end up in the net, while others will go out or arrive exactly where the opponent wants them.

That is part of the learning process.

If the coach immediately returns to the instruction to simply play the ball safely over the net, players will never develop the confidence or control required to make better choices.

They need repetitions to learn:

which technique is suitable for each situation;
where open spaces are likely to appear;
how much risk is appropriate.

The aim is not for every third contact to be perfectly placed from the beginning. The aim is for players to look, think and gradually make better decisions.

A successful mean ball does not always produce an immediate point. It may simply force the opponent to move, prevent the setter from taking the second contact or reduce the number of attackers available. Those small advantages can make the difference later in the rally.

Train the receiving team as well

The team receiving the ball must learn to treat it as an opportunity.

When the opponent cannot run a full attack, the receiving team should be ready to organize an effective transition. This means creating a high-quality first contact, making several attackers available and selecting the best attacking option.

Good passing and first-contact training therefore remains important, even when the incoming ball appears relatively easy.

However, this becomes more challenging when the opponent has learned to play mean balls instead of easy free balls. A ball directed toward the setter, the back corner or the seam between two players may disrupt the receiving team’s normal organization.

This is exactly why both sides benefit from this method. One team learns to apply pressure with the third contact, while the other learns to maintain its organization when the incoming ball is not as easy as expected.

Use mean balls in game-based drills

The principle can easily be included in six-versus-six play, but it can also be trained in smaller game formats.

Suitable formats include:

King of the Court, Speedball or wash games;
three-versus-three and four-versus-four games;
volleyball tennis or one-contact games.

The coach can award a bonus point when a team:

directs the third contact toward zone 1 or 2;
forces the setter to take the first ball;
prevents the opponent from running a full attack.

Another option is to allow a team to score only when the ball is played intentionally into a target area. This encourages players to look at the opponent’s court before making contact.

The rules should not become so complicated that players focus more on remembering the scoring system than on playing volleyball. One clear tactical objective is usually enough.

From “just get it over” to “put them under pressure”

For young or beginner players, it is naturally important to first learn how to get the ball over the net. When simply completing the third contact is already difficult, demanding precise placement may not be appropriate.

However, once players have developed sufficient control, the instruction should change.

Instead of saying:

“Just get the ball over the net.”

Ask:

“Where can you play this ball to make it difficult for the opponent?”

This may seem like a small adjustment, but it changes the way players approach the game. They learn to observe the opponent, recognize space, make tactical choices and take responsibility for their own decisions.

A free ball does not have to be a gift. Even when a full attack is no longer possible, a team can still maintain pressure and influence the next phase of the rally.

Do not only train players to send the ball safely over the net. Teach them to turn every third contact into a purposeful, uncomfortable and tactically strong ball.

Train these situations in your next volleyball practice

Want to include more game-realistic decision making in your practices? Explore our transition volleyball drills or use VolleyballXL to build a complete volleyball practice around transition, defense and out-of-system play.

Stop teaching free balls