C L I N I C S

Tryout season can be challenging and emotional for most athletes; here at Real Volleyball, we want to help these talented athletes feel prepared and confident when they step on the court for tryouts. Real’s Tryout Prep Clinics will help your athletes gain the confidence they need to be successful at tryouts. Using the same drills they will see during the tryout process, athletes will be familiar with both the coaches and the drills, helping them feel more comfortable. Our knowledgeable coaching staff will help identify player strengths and weaknesses and help athletes focus on the finer details of each skill to improve.

This one-hour clinic is designed to work on all aspects of the MIDDLE BLOCKER/HITTER position.

This spot is known as either the middle blocker or middle hitter. Usually, the team’s tallest athlete tends to play here. Their additional height can help the player excel in this role.

On defense, the middle blocker blocks the net's center area and must be ready for the opponent’s quick middle attacks. But they must also move to either side to help teammates close blocks with the opposite and outside hitters.

On offense, they play near the setter to execute fast attacks. The middle hitter must be able to read the setter and adjust their approach to get the most out of their attack. They can also act as a decoy to help confuse opponents and spread out their blockers.

Responsibilities:

Read the opponent’s hitters to set up blocks.

Block opponent’s shots.

Use quick attacks on offense.

Act as a decoy on offense.

This one-hour clinic is designed to work on all aspects of the Opposite Hitter and Outside Hitter positions.

OPPOSITE HITTER

This position – the right-side hitter – plays near the suitable antenna. Opposite hitters tend to be players with the most versatility and can excel on offense and defense. The opposite hitter also needs to possess solid jumping skills.

Opposite hitters must be able to hit the ball from the front and back rows. They must also be ready to set the ball if the setter cannot do it. Defensively, they line up against the opponent’s outside hitter and need to be able to work with the middle blocker on blocks.

Responsibilities:

Act as a backup setter on offense.

Attack the ball when receiving a set.

Block the opponent’s outside hitter.

Work with the middle hitter on blocks.

Dig for quick attacks.

OUTSIDE HITTER

The outside hitter – also known as the left-side hitter – attacks from the left antenna and requires a player with good jumping ability.

The outside hitter is often the offense's focal point and completes most of the attack hits. They must be able to adjust to sets coming from any location and hit from the front and back rows.

On defense, they often receive the serve. Outside hitters possess good back-row skills and remain in the game for all rotations. They also work with the middle hitter in blocking the opponent’s shots.

Responsibilities:

Play in both the front and back row.

Be the go-to hitter.

One of the primary passers.

Read the opponent’s defense and call out hitters.

Block, often with the middle blocker.

This one-hour clinic is designed to work on all aspects of SETTER/LIBERO/DS positions.

SETTER

This position is essentially the quarterback or point guard of the team. A setter runs the team’s offense. They aim to receive the second touch, setting it for an attacking player. Due to this responsibility, they must have strong communication skills as they direct the offense and make quick decisions on the court. A setter should be able to identify the opponent’s blockers and single out which one is the weakest. Since they can play in either the front or back row, setters must be ready to block, dig, and receive a serve on defense.

Responsibilities:

Run the offense.

Set the ball for teammates.

Use a “dump shot” to keep opponents off balance.

Be a vocal leader.

Dig and block on defense.

Identify blockers.

LIBERO

This position focuses on defense. Liberos only play in the back row and often receive the attack or serve. Players with good passing and defensive skills have the most success in this position.

However, liberos do play a key role on offense. They must turn the first touch into a solid pass to the setter. They also may need to set the ball from the back row if the setter isn’t available.

Liberos can come in and out of the game as needed and do not count against a team’s substitutions. They also wear different colored jerseys to distinguish themselves from their teammates. But there are several things a libero cannot do. They cannot block, set an attack from the front court, or attack the ball above the net's height.

Responsibilities:

Replace certain players in the back row.

Be ready to dig an opponent’s attack.

Receive the opponent’s serve.

Set the ball if the setter isn’t available.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST

This is another spot that’s all about playing defense. Defensive specialists replace a player who may not have the right skills for the back row. Unlike the libero, defensive specialists must make a substitution with the referees. Since teams may only have a certain number of substitutions depending on their league rules, defensive specialists are limited to certain situations.

Another critical difference between the libero and defensive specialists is that defensive specialists can play any spot on the court. While a libero will sub out after rotating through the back row, a defensive specialist can technically stay in and play the front row if needed.

Responsibilities:

Replace certain players in the back row.

Be ready to dig or pursue.

Be prepared to play in the front row if needed.

Play as a back-row hitter.

All hitting positions are welcome - middles, outsides, and opposites. We will work on specific roles of each position, starting with the technical skills of Attacking—the 1-hour clinic is designed to break down the swing, providing hitters with many repetitions. Techniques will be broken down into footwork, jumping technique, arm swing, and landing. Particular focus will also be given to ball control and shot development.

The technical blocking points will be broken down, taught, and reviewed in the clinic while touching on game strategies. A solid block against any attack is a team's first line of defense. We must learn to defend our court by setting solid blocks and understanding our job and responsibility within our team's system.

This clinic is designed to work on all aspects of defense: positioning, ball control, transitional passing, etc. It will also cover and prepare participants for the libero role in team defense. If you want to become your team’s defensive diva, this clinic is for you.

In this clinic, the technical points of jump float and topspin will be broken down, taught, and reviewed while touching on game strategies.

The most essential skill in volleyball is the pass. The first contact can be initiating a kill or the end of a point. Great passers always find a way to earn playing time! Passing is a fundamental skill that helps every team and player achieve their potential. All positions are welcome! During this 1-hour clinic, you will work on serve receive, dig transition, down ball, and free ball defense. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing Volleyball IQ and learning the vital skills of platform passing, overhead passing, and reading a hitter/server.

This 1-hour clinic will teach the basics of footwork, body position, the toss, arm swing, and follow-through. The clinic will also introduce the techniques, skills, and mindset needed to serve consistently and accurately. Participants will be able to learn how to do various overhand and jump serves, including top-spin and float serve.

A setter plays a massive role in the success of any team. This 1-hour clinic will focus on the technical skill of setting and the tactical skill of becoming an effective game manager. This clinic will focus on how to run an offense, leadership, and the keys to effectively executing an overhead set. There will be a particular focus on in-system and out-of-system setting while working on basic sets.