Dan Fisher: 'Next Ball' Mentality - Drills to Establish Streaks in Momentum/Scoring, Break Out Skill Sessions + Game-Speed Drill

with Dan Fisher,
University of Pittsburgh Head Coach;
5x Final Four (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025);
2024 AVCA Division I National Coach of the Year;
6x ACC Volleyball Champions (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024);5x AVCA East Coast Region Coach of the Year (2017, 2018, 2022, 2024, 2025);
3x ACC Coach of the Year (2017, 2018, 2024);
Concordia -Irvine University Head Coach from 2011 to 2012;2012 NAIA National Championship;
2012 NAIA Tournament Coach of the Year;
2011 NAIA National Championship Runner-up;
2011 NAIA/AVCA National Coach of the Year;
US Women's National Team Head Coach;
2015 Pan American Games - Toronto (Gold), 2016 Pan-American Cup (Bronze), 2023 Pan American Cup, Mexico (Gold)

Pitt's Dan Fisher, the 2024 AVCA Division I National Coach of the Year, showcases his coaching style during this 90-minute practice as he gets his team geared up for their next match. Coach Fisher does an excellent job explaining what his team should focus on during practice and why that focus is so important to their success on the court. He encourages his players to use their game routines during practice so that they constantly work to be consistent and effective.

Ball Control Drills

Fisher begins practice with multiple ball control drills that focus on streaks and have a time limit. Players have many opportunities for frequent touches of the ball while focusing on the streak goal set by Fisher. While moving through the drill progressions, players are continually challenged to execute under pressure. Fisher emphasizes that by presenting players with pressure-paced drills, it prepares them to have a mindset that the next play could change the pace of the match.

Break Out Sessions

Coach Fisher implements breakout sessions during practice that challenge athletes physically and mentally. Each drill has a time or a skill goal so that players stay focused on how to beat the drill.

Drills such as a 30-second positive pass drill and high-paced blocking drill emphasize solid fundamental skills while creating urgency. One of Fisher's serving drills stresses consistency while also challenging players to execute a flat serve. Throughout the exercises, Fisher constantly encourages his athletes to execute at a higher level by giving them productive feedback.

Game-Speed Drills

Multiple game-speed drills are shown that focus on the "run" mentality. Fisher encourages his players to always expect the ball in order to be ready for anything on the court.

6-on-6 and 5-on 5 drills shown can be altered to change the focus of the drill to fit the needs of your team. Fisher asks for input from his team as to what they want to work on and then implements that into that practice drill strategy. He also purposely puts players in stressful situations in practice that will help them to positively react to stressful situations in games.

Coach Fisher does an excellent job in presenting his approach that challenges his team on a daily basis. The drills in this video will encourage your players to work hard and increase their understanding of why it is so important to have a "next ball" mentality.

91 minutes. 2021.