When an opposing team gives your team a free ball it is vital that you take this opportunity to terminate on them.  A team that terminates a high percentage of free ball at any level will be successful.  The first step to developing a good free ball offense is getting your players in position to pass the ball to the target accurately.
   There are two different positions for free ball passing, and they are

dependent on whether or not the setter is front row or back row.  The Diagrams to the right show the Base, Release and Position for both.  The goal of this position is to divide the court up as evenly as possible while still getting the front row players in position to hit.
   A good key to point out to the players is to make a W with the players on the court, three in front a little behind the 10' line and two players filling the hole between the three front row players.  Players should not turn their backs to the net when coming off.  This will cause them to lose sight of the ball.  Shuffling back off the net should be fast enough to get them into position, while keeping the players in better position to play the ball.
   Below are some key points that you will want to stress in training your players for the transition to free ball passing.

• Players move to their spots on the court as quickly as possible, while still paying attention to the ball.
  
• Setter YELLS free--because the setter has to release to target it is important that they are the player determining what is a free ball and what is not.
  
• Encourage and train the use of the overhead pass of free balls--for teams with quick offenses it is vital to get the ball to the net quickly.
  
• Work on the area between the setter and right front, when the setter is back row--this area can prove troublesome with the movement of the setter through the area.