1. Back Row Attacking! By: Coach Dede Bodnar Played competitively since I was 5 years old. Coached 28 years USA Olympic Committee: “ Developmental Coach of The Year” (1998) USA Volleyball: “Outstanding Female Coach of the Year” (1998) All-American (California Polytechnic State University) Professor and Head Volleyball Coach San Diego City College Coaching Experience - Coached Professional Beach Volleyball(6 years), Liz Masakayan & Elaine Youngs Liz Masakayan & Angela Rock - Collegiate (17 years), - High school (5 years), - Club (23 years), - Junior high (4 years), - Elementary school players (3 years). *email address: dbodnar@sdccd.net Page 1

2. Page 2 Evolution of the Back Row Hitter • Japanese System of Attack: • Developing a multiple-timed attack • Developing the multiple-approach attack • Olympic Teams Incorporated the Back Row Attack • (Steve Timmons-1988 and women’s USA team-1988) and then from there it moved down through collegiate, club, high school etc… • Back Row Attacker Became a Part of Team Offense • As an outlet • As the primary hitter • Part of the play action

3. Page 3 Bodnar What Are Your Teams Needs? • Will your team benefit from having a back row hitter? • Does your setter know when to set the back row? • Do you have a “weak” setter who can’t push the ball the length of the court? • Do you have a “star” or “power-player” that your team should give more sets? • Other opportunities?

4. Page 4 Bodnar Evaluating Your Players • Ball control • Back row attacker should be able to use lot of top spin on attacks. • Your team can have a greater advantage on back row attacking if you back row attacker can put the ball into right back (setter’s) corner or deep left back corner. • Other keys elements to ball control for the back row attack are the following: • The attacker can attack the ball all the while keeping it in front of them. • The attacker can “keep the ball in play.” • Jumping ability • This helps because it becomes more intimidating for the opponent; however, if the attacker has great ball control it can be just as important. • The Setter • The setter can “lead” the back row attacker. The setter has accurate location in order to set the ball in each of the designated areas: A, B, pipe- C or D. • The setter knows who your strongest player is and knows when your team may need to get the ball to them when they are in the back row.

5. Page 5 Bodnar Basic Offensive Plays Incorporating the Back Row Attack 4 3 5 4 3 C or D B-Pipe Note: the backrow “names” can vary. Some other common names are Red, White Blue, etc…

6. Page 6 Bodnar More Offensive Plays Incorporating the Back Row Attack 1 5 4 slide A B-Pipe

7. Page 7 Bodnar Back Row Hitting Summary • Find an open gap for the back row hitter • Lead the hitter – set on or in-front of the 3 meter line • Broken plays • The setter needs to know when to push the outside sets or when to set a back row attack. Setter should know their own limitations as well as the limitations of their team. • If another player must step in to set the ball they need to know when how to set the back row attack and who to set for the back row attack. • Hitters should attack with “TOP-SPIN” • Hitting Options: • Tip/off-speed to the middle of the court • Hit to Right back (Setters Corner) • Keep it in • How to incorporate the back row attack • When your team runs a 5-1 and your setter is front row