| Many volleyball players don't know how to use the | | | | partner hits the ball which means by the time they |
| Pepper Warm up Drill as a way to improve their | | | | make contact with ball. Because Pepper partners are |
| volleyball game. Below are 5 ways elite volleyball | | | | relatively close together you will automatically be |
| players use "Pepper" as a way to improve their | | | | developing quick reflexes. Here is where you practice |
| volleyball defensive game. | | | | combining your quick reflexes with BALL CONTROL. |
| 1. Improving your ball control is the number one | | | | React quickly...then control the ball. React quickly then |
| reason for mastering the pepper warmup drill. | | | | c-o-n-t-r-o-l the ball. |
| 2. The second reason is to improve your serve | | | | Your Goal--Is to learn and practice how to absorb a |
| receive form and technique. | | | | hard hit ball that has been spiked at you from a close |
| I firmly believe, that pepper is the number one most | | | | distance and then delivering that ball (ever so softly, |
| effective way for indoor volleyball players to improve | | | | ever so accurately people) in control, to your target |
| their ball control. But you must know how to use the | | | | without making them move more than one step. |
| drill effectively. and that starts with understanding | | | | Here's where you learn to fight to maintain control of |
| why you are even doing the Pepper drill in the first | | | | the ball by controlling the movements of your body. |
| place. If you don't understand why you are doing this | | | | 3. The third reason is to increase your range in |
| drill then its just becomes a way to raise your body | | | | volleyball defense. |
| temperature and increase your pulse rate.a. If YOU | | | | By tipping the ball further and further out of your |
| set the volleyball--whoever sets should be working | | | | partner's reach advanced players can challenge their |
| on form and technique. | | | | partners (you both need to agree to make the drill |
| Your Goal--the ball should go right to your partner | | | | work) by tipping the ball further and further out of |
| without them moving more than one step in any | | | | reach - the more of these balls you get in pepper-the |
| direction to chase your ball.b. When Your partner | | | | more you will get in the game. It all transfers. Or by |
| passes the volleyball back-- his/her concentration | | | | hitting a 1/2 to 3/4 speed down ball a foot or 2 to |
| should be on using excellent form for serve receive | | | | the right or left of the defender will increase your |
| and free ball passing, taking advantage of the fact | | | | range of harder hit defensive balls that you dig up |
| that this is an easy ball. | | | | around you. |
| Your Goal--is first to pass the volleyball so she/he | | | | 4. The fourth reason is to narrow your focus and |
| can hit the ball right back to you without taking more | | | | concentration. |
| than one step. Secondly, bump setting practice for | | | | How many times have you gone to a volleyball |
| accuracy is a priority, so each and every ball goes | | | | tournament and had half a court that you could use |
| right back to above the hitters extended hitting | | | | to pepper with your partner? Hardly ever, I'm sure. |
| arm.c. When You spike the ball back. You hit a | | | | That's because Pepper warm ups almost always take |
| controlled 1/2 to 3/4 speed down ball right to your | | | | place in a crowded environment. You may have 25 |
| partner. In this instance you have a controlled | | | | teammates on either side of you trying to pepper, or |
| situation where you can practice the finer points of | | | | you and your partner are near that net divider that |
| your armswing. Before the game here's where you | | | | separates the courts in a tournament, or you have |
| can concentrate on "reaching" --raising your elbow | | | | fans that walk up and down the aisles, team |
| and hitting high while controlling the ball speed. Just | | | | benches, believe it or not this is a great practice |
| because there's no net doesn't mean you can make | | | | opportunity where you narrow your focus and |
| contact with the ball down by your ear. If you hit | | | | concentration so that it doesn't matter what happens |
| low in Pepper it means you are training your body to | | | | around you ...the world can come to an end but your |
| hit low in your spiking warm up line and then you'll be | | | | focus is only on the volleyball. |
| more likely to spike low without reaching high for the | | | | 5. The fifth reason is to increase your reactions and |
| ball in a game. Trust me--it all transfers. Your body is | | | | diminish any fear of the ball |
| recording every movement you make it do in | | | | As your ball control gets better then you and your |
| volleyball practice-so pledge to yourself to do the | | | | Pepper partner should agree to challenge each other |
| movements correctly, so in game everything will | | | | to make each other better players. When you get to |
| happen automatically. | | | | the point when you are exchanging 10 to 12 |
| Your Goal-- To hit the spot you are aiming for which | | | | pass,set,hit combinations in a row, both of you should |
| in the Pepper drill means right to your partner, so | | | | stop and commit to hitting harder at each other. |
| that she doesn't have to move more than one step | | | | About 3/4 the speed of your regular down-ball |
| UNLESS you choose to mix up your attack and | | | | spike-BUT YOUR GOAL is to still work up to as many |
| include a tip to your partner. I highly recommend | | | | pass-set-hit exchanges as you can while controlling |
| mixing up your attack only after you have improved | | | | the ball. Your digs should still be going right to each |
| your ball control.d. Your partner digs--focus should be | | | | other. |
| on being down in your defensive position before your | | | | Remember the ball is in Your hands! |