Janet Bahr, Head Volleyball Coach, Lake County Lutheran High School (WI)
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OVERVIEW
Tug of War is a high-intensity 6v6 drill that is used daily because players love it and it drives competition. Score starts at 5 — one team tries to push it to 10, the other tries to pull it down to 0.
The coach enters a free ball to the team that wins each rally, creating a continuous tug-of-war dynamic.
SETUP
Two teams of six play in their actual positions. Starters can be split across both sides. The coach serves as the first contact, meaning teams only get two contacts per rally — forcing intentional decision-making on the second ball.
VARIATIONS
- Two contacts only — teaches players what to do with the second ball offensively rather than just keeping it alive
- Tip and roll only — addresses poor tip coverage and teaches the counter (roll shot to deep corner)
- Backcourt only — used as a recovery option after a tough match to limit hitting strain
- Corner bonus — taped corners reward precise placement and challenge defense to cover those zones with two contacts
COACHING FOCUS
Offensively, players work on getting the ball around or over the block into open spaces. Defensively, the emphasis is on lateral movement, playing balls overhead, and preventing kills by getting two contacts on every ball.
DURATION AND INTENSITY
The drill typically runs for five minutes but can be paused at the 2.5-minute mark to let players huddle, discuss what they see, and strategize. Middles in particular can get exhausted quickly if the drill is running hot. It is usually run once or twice per practice and works well as an intensity boost when energy has been low.