Training Relentless Defenders

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'

Defense is a skill that every coach and team can take pride in. A great defensive team can counter a height differential if one exists with your opponent. With this video from Iowa State University head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, you will understand how she incorporates team drills into every practice to raise the level of play of her team and create a culture of hard work, discipline, communication and speed.

Getting Started + Mantra

Coach Johnson-Lynch begins with a partner throw and dig drill that's a great way to ease into practice. Players should learn to move to and through the ball as opposed to reaching for it and falling forward.

One concept that Johnson-Lynch discusses in detail is the mantra "NO GO / YOU GO." What this means is that players who aren't being aggressive enough defensively will be replaced in the drill with another player. Defenders should be inherently aggressive and this is one way to hold your athletes to a high standard. It also creates a culture of accountability on your team.

Team Drills

You'll get a slew of practice drills that work on training defenders to be their very best. Coach Johnson-Lynch includes pursuit drills to train players to never give up on any ball, no matter how difficult it may seem to track down. She also includes:

• The Wong's Walk Drill - An upbeat, intense passing drill
• The Coach on 3 Drill - Perfect for producing more gritty defenders
• 6 on 6 Pepper - A great way to get athletes moving actively on the court
• Neville's Pepper - Forces defenders to try to keep the ball alive to score points
• 5 on 5 concepts
• Ways to add defensive read and communication skills into drills

Johnson-Lynch understands how to get the most out of her players on defense. The concepts used in this video are a great way to instill the right culture in your team so your players train to become relentless defenders.

50 minutes. 2019.