Christy Johnson-Lynch: Maximizing Team Practice, Strategy-Based Games + Error Correction & Serving

with Christy Johnson-Lynch,
Iowa State University Head Coach;
2018 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) Champions;
2009 Asics/Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year;
2009 AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year;
2009 Big 12 Coach of the Year;
2011 & 2008 Elite Eight appearances;
coached 9 of 10 'Big XII Libero of the Year' award winners from 2008 to 2017;
also coached the 2021 'Big XII Libero of the Year'

Take a peek inside the gym of a mid-season practice for the Iowa State University volleyball team! Coach Christy Johnson-Lynch and her athletes demonstrate great drills that are used to improve team offense and defense.

This video introduces you to a warm-up routine which allows hitters a chance to redeem themselves if an error is committed. One of the main focus areas for this practice is to attack zone one. The zone one attack creates a target for the hitters because it forces the opposing setter to play defense and takes them out of the play. This can be a useful tool to create out of system offense for the opponent.

Prior to a break in the practice, Coach Johnson-Lynch lays out a challenge - everyone is given three tries to complete three short serves in a row. Failure to meet the challenge results in a 10 sit-up penalty. This creates a fun way to transition to a water break while pushing your players to meet a specific goal.

Matrix Drill

You will learn how Johnson-Lynch works on three specific offensive attack systems to improve her team's attack. The Matrix Drill pits your offensive timing up against a full defense. The defense carefully watches the setter, while the offense works on running three plays. Coach Johnson-Lynch explains identifying the offensive plays and the blocking schemes based on the initial pass in serve receive.

Defense

The team defense segment of ISU's practice will help you gain an understanding of the aggressiveness required to compete at the collegiate level. You'll see how to focus your blockers on the block-recognize situation. This starts with understanding how the pass affects the play. Off the net passes create more opportunities for the outside and right side hitters to attack. The use of the back row attack is also more predominant with passes that are off the net.

Coach Johnson-Lynch again uses a water break to create a fun serving drill aimed at hitting specific goals. Each player is challenged to hit hard serves consecutively prior to the water break. Oftentimes in matches, players are forced to serve when they are tired and exhausted, so this drill is a great way to practice serving when fatigued.

Xenia Drill

The Xenia drill focuses on two specific offensive attackers. The two Xenias must get a kill for the point to count. This forces the blockers to key in on those players. The setter also keys in on the Xenias to try to score a point. The great part about the Xenia drill is it works at all levels and brings in the element of playing with joy and energy.

Coach Johnson-Lynch is great at motivating her players and encouraging elements of fun at practice. This video will give you valuable insights on how to prepare your team using 6v6 drills during practice!

114 minutes. 2021.