Ryan Theis: 6v6 Game-Like Drills, Defensive Systems + Lots of Touches & Reps

with Ryan Theis,
University of Florida Head Coach;
Marquette University Head Coach from 2014 to 2024;
led Marquette to the school's first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2018;
2017 Big East Coach of the Year;
2017 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year;
Ohio University Head Coach from 2008 to 2013;
2x MAC Coach of the Year (2009, 2013)

Marquette University head coach (from 2014 to 2024) Ryan Theis lets you inside the doors of a practice with his women's volleyball team. In this video, Coach Theis' focus is on defensive drills and building the skills that will help players find more consistent success.

Defensive & Multi-Skill Drills

Coach Theis shows how he creates drills that focus on a particular skill or system via a high amount of reps. You'll see a drill to defend a back row attack and transition to a second tempo outside or right side hit. Theis runs his players through drills for serve receive, floor defense and defending back row hitters.

You'll get multiple drills that have a defensive goal, but Coach Theis often initiates each repetition with an easy toss to the offensive side of the court to provide those players with a couple of attack options. This allows players to work on a particular defensive skill or strategy, but the first ball they see is "in play" as it would be in a game, which makes each drill more dynamic and realistic.

Structuring Practice

Theis builds practices with a specific goal in mind. He demonstrates ways to create drills that cover related themes and work on different aspects of those skills throughout the session. You will observe a variety of passing techniques, including serve receive, defending multiple hitters, and back row defense.

This video from Coach Theis demonstrates how to make drills game-like and help your athletes develop particular skills with a goal in mind. A high amount of repetitions in each drill will mean rapid improvement for your players and more tallies in the win column for your team!

104 minutes. 2022.