5-Push Friday

Variations on a common theme

Webinar Update: On June 30 I’ll host another subscribers-only webinar. This time we’ll be talking In-System Offense, to match the theme of this month’s posts. If you didn’t catch the previous one on Reception Systems, check it out. And if you’re not yet a Premium Subscriber, this is a great time to join!

Yesterday I shared some analysis of the Push route and here’s a few more examples. Note that not all of these are from teams I coached or worked with personally, so some of these are my interpretations of what they are trying to do or what I liked about the effect of the play. They might have different terminology, etc from what I’m using. Okay, enjoy!

(Final note: This is gif-heavy so it might play better in your browser than your email.)

Super-Dynamic

I loved the way that 2021 Nebraska ran Caffey on these pushes. She gets pinned a little by a dropping serve to zone 1, but it actually ends up forcing her to have a ton of right-to-left motion here which is really tough to stop.

Give And Go

This team here looks like they have more of a fixed/Gap concept than what most people think of as a Push, but I really like this play. I think it’s actually because she has to pass that, similar to the Caffey clip above that ends up creating the big left-to-right movement.

Depth Of Approach

I’ve been showing this clip for like 6 years because it’s a great example of the Push concept done brilliantly at the high school level. This is more of a linear approach where the onus to responsibility to turn the ball is more on the hitter. In this case it’s eventual-GT standout Kayla Kaiser turning and cranking the ball to z1.

If you run this style of push, the depth of approach is huge. Her 3rd step is almost on the attack line and the ball is set off the net enough to allow her the space to turn the ball into open court. This is important generally, but especially if you’re running a more linear route like she is here.

Know Your Leverage

An important concept with lateral routes is knowing the leverage your attacker has. Usually, when you run Push, you have leverage toward zone 1 because the blocker is diving with you. The hitter has to be disciplined when the set is imperfect and use the leverage on the outside hand of the blocker. If she punches this back into the big part of the court, she’s going to hit into the heart of the block and get stuffed.

The setter hangs this ball a little slow and the timing and rhythm is off. The hitter must know that she can’t bounce the ball in this situation. When middles’ rhythms are off, they tend to just hit the ball dead center of the court. Resist that urge! Just tappppp it off the block.

Sometimes They’re Great

As I mentioned yesterday:

Give the offense the advantage and put the burden on the defense to be great.

Well guess what, sometimes they’re going to be great. Here’s what it looks like when a blocker reads correctly and sells out to block the Push angle.

And a reminder that I unpack this and a lot more at my Offensive Concepts seminars. Dates are almost filled, but I still have a weekend or two open where you can bring me out, plus a couple events that are open to the public.