13-14u Boys Defensive Toolkit

What to Expect

This session introduces key defensive principles, helping young athletes develop proper positioning, platform discipline, and effective movement patterns. Players will focus on reading the ball, adjusting to different attack types, and maintaining a low, balanced stance for controlled defensive execution. Training will reinforce shuffle steps, quick drop steps, and recovery mechanics, ensuring athletes can move efficiently while keeping their platform stable. Athletes will also work on serve receive, focusing on clean first contact, platform angle control, and body positioning to create consistent, high-quality passes. Training will emphasize footwork patterns, seam communication, and reading server cues to improve reaction time and positioning. Serve receive reps will be integrated into defensive progressions, reinforcing the importance of a strong first touch in both out-of-system and in-system scenarios. Digging mechanics will also be a key focus, with players working on controlling ball trajectory and reacting quickly to different shots. The session will highlight staying balanced and making clean, controlled first contacts to support offensive transitions. Basic game scenarios will help players understand spacing, improve reaction time, and develop defensive instincts. Early-season training will focus on foundational defensive posture, platform angles, and ball tracking. Athletes will build habits for both serve receive and defensive discipline. As the season progresses, training will introduce more dynamic movement, positioning based on opponent tendencies, and handling unpredictable plays with confidence. Late-season sessions will challenge players to apply their skills in competitive defensive and serve receive scenarios, reinforcing their ability to execute under pressure. Expect high-rep defensive and serve receive drills, reaction-based training, and real-time positioning adjustments, ensuring players leave with a strong foundation and increased confidence in their ability to read and control the game. Session is limited to 6 athletes with 2 coaches.