Perfect Passes

This drill is to practice passing multiple repetitions,

staying low and shuffling.

Setup

1.  Two tossers

2.  Two targets
3.  Two passers
Instructions

1. Tosser uses a double overhead motion to toss ball to passer.

2. Passer attempts to pass ball to target.
3. Target catches ball.
4. Tosser goes to pass, target goes to toss, passer goes to target.
5. Repeat for a set number of perfect passes. (Generally a larger number, 50-100)

Variations

1. Teams get -1 for a non perfect pass.

2. Passer uses overhead pass only.

Coaching Points

 Making sure the players are staying low in ready position

Hitting Drill: Turn-Go-Hit
This volleyball drill will practice defensive movements and transition into
hitting from defensive movements.

Setup

1. One player on right sideline ( will pass and then hit)

2. One tosser
3. One blocker on opposite side of net
4. Line waiting to enter on sideline

Instructions

1. Player starts on right sideline and shuffles twice toward the center of the court.
2. Player turns and sprints toward opposite sideline (left sideline).
3. Player dives and touches ball.
4. Player gets up and gets into hitting position.
5. Tosser tosses ball.
6. Player approaches and attacks.
7. Blocker attempts to block.
8. Blocker shags ball and goes to end of line.
9. Player replaces blocker.
10. Coach replaces ball.
Variations
 Go in the opposite direction to work both sides (from left sideline to right)
Coaching Points
 Encourage players to roll after dive if able to
 Check for players to turn shoulders to passing target

Hitting Drill: Turn-Go-Hit

This volleyball drill will practice defensive movements and transition into hitting from defensive
movements.
Lateral Passing: 3 touch
This drill will teach players how to practice passing using
lateral passing techniques.

Setup

1. Three tossers
2. Three passers starting at a cone
3. Three passers waiting to enter drill at serving line

Instructions

1. Passer starts at cone.

2. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's right.
3. Passer retreats and executes a right side lateral pass back to tosser.
4. Passer returns to cone and touches cone.
5. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's mid-line.
6. Passer retreats and executes a forearm pass to tosser.
7. Passer returns to cone and touches cone.
8. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's left.
9. Passer retreats back and executes a left side lateral pass to tosser.
10. Repeat for a preset number of contacts (use a multiple of three).

Variations

 Change order of passes

Coaching Points

 Watching to see that players are moving the correct direction and staying low
Defense: 4 Corner Pit
This is a defensive drill to help teach aggressiveness with players.

Setup

1. Four marked corners of one side of the court (floor tape)

2. Coach standing on box on opposite side of the net
3. Defensive player in middle of receiving side of court

Instructions

1. Coach or player hits off of a box to any of the four corners.

2. Player must contact each ball before it hits the ground.
3. Continue drill for a set amount of time, a set number of balls, or touches. 
4. Give penalty for any ball that lands within one of the four corners.

Note:  The person on the box has the control of the difficulty of the drill.  Going slow
will focus on the contacts, the faster you go the more conditioning becomes involved.
Variations

 Two Players, with faster ball entry.

 Coach may tip or down ball to corner instead of hitting.

Coaching Points

 Have defense player calling the ball every time they pass

 Ready position, on toes, quick to react and move to ball

Defense: Touch Ten!
This drill will teach aggressiveness while playing a
defensive position.

Setup

1. Three hitting lines and a setter on one side

2. Defender on opposite side, may start where ever they choose
3. Coach tossing balls to setter

Instructions

1. Run hitting lines with all three hitters.

2. Coach tosses balls to the setter.
3. Set can set any hitter, any set.
4. Hitter tries to keep the ball away from the defender.
5. The defender must touch ten balls before rotating out.
6. Defense can start anywhere they want

Variations

1. Add defenders
2. Have two hitters and allow the setter to dump.
3. Beginners can have less then ten to touch, for example...3 if they are just learning

Coaching Points

 Encouraging passer to "Read the hitter."

Passing: Pass and Move!
This drill will practice moving left to right and
passing.

Setup

1. Two tossers
2. A passer in right back with a line waiting to enter

Instructions

1. Start the drill with a toss to the passer in the base position shown.
2. After the pass the passer sprints up and touches the tosser's foot.
3. The passer retreats diagonally back to the next base position, about half way the
second tosser tosses the next ball.
4. Be sure to have the passer focus on squaring up with the tosser.
5. After the second pass the passer sprints to behind the 2nd tosser.
6. The passer then shuffles in a ready position behind the tossers.
7. After passing the the 1st tosser the passer back pedals back into line.
8. Repeat as desired.

Variations

 Go in the reverse direction

 Add in practice blocks while going across the net instead of just shuffeling
Coaching Points

 Make sure passer is squaring up to target before passing

Serve Receive Lines
This drill will allow players to practice serving straight across the court and also help with
serve receive.

Setup

1.  Three servers across end line of one court

2.  Three passers across from the three servers

3.  Three passers ready to rotate in
Instructions

1.  Servers serve straight across from them to their passer

2.  Passers attempt to pass to target and then rotate off court 
3.  Next passer rotates in to passing position
4.  Server serves straight across to new passer
5.  Continue patter of serve, pass, rotate off
Variations

1. Compete between the three groups, first group to a certain number of passes wins.  Be sure to
rotate passing lines between games so passers are receiving serves at different places on the
court.
2. Compete against the clock, between groups or entire group.  The group or groups must get a
certain number of good passes before time runs out.

Coaching Points

1.  Encouraging passers to switch lines to practice serve receive from different areas on the
court.Serve Receive Lines

This drill will allow players to practice serving straight across the court and also help with serve
receive.
Two Way Pepper
This drill is to practice ball control over the net while keeping players focused
on where the volleyball is coming from.

Setup

1.  Two back row players on one side of the net

2.  Two back row players on opposite side of the net

Instructions
1.   Starting players start with a down ball straight across to the player in front of them
2.   Those two players pass to themselves, set to themselves, and down ball hit cross
court to opposite players
3.   The receiving players pass to themselves, set to themselves, and down ball hit
straight across
4.   Repeat pattern of one side doing cross court and one side doing straight across to
players
Variations
1. Players must take an approach and hit a controlled ball to partner.
2. Players must receive the first contact overhead and hit the second contact.
Coaching Points
1.  Encouraging players to call every ball
2.  Calling out loud:  "cross court" may help
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Two Way Pepper

This drill is to practice ball control over the net while keeping players focused on where the
volleyball is coming from.
Cross Court Pepper
This warm up drill practices ball control over the net
with a partner.

Setup

1.  Two players cross court from each other on opposite sides of the net

Instructions

1. One player initiates drill with a down ball to their partner

2.  Partner must pass to self, set to self, and down ball back to their partner
3.  Continue pepper pattern for a set time
Variations

1. Players must take an approach and hit a controlled ball to partner.

2. Players must receive the first contact overhead and hit the second contact.
3. Increase difficulty be spreading the players farther apart.

Coaching Points

1.  Making sure players are going cross court and facing their target

View Count: 29832

Cross Court Pepper

This warm up drill practices ball control over the net with a partner.
Ball Control: 25 Contact Drill
This drill is to practice ball control, communication, teamwork, and
warm up for hitting.

Setup

1.  3 players on each side of the net: Middle back, setter, outside hitter
2.  Players rotate in from middle back where the line is
Instructions

1.  Coach enters free ball to player at middle back position

2.  Middle back passes to setter
3.  Setter sets to outside hitter
4.  Outside hitter hits a controlled hit to middle back on opposite side of the net; approach
and swing or down ball
5. Players follow their ball: Passer goes to setter, setter to hitter, hitter to end of line at
middle back
6.  Count contacts out loud with the goal being trying to get 25 contacts before the other
team does
Variations

1.  Increase goal based on skill

2.  Add a fourth player to the rotation
3.  Set up two courts to have a competition

Coaching Points

1.  Players should be loud and calling every ball

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Tag Team Warm up
This is a good running warm up for teams with large numbers of players.

Setup

1.  Three players starting at the ten foot line

2.  Coach tossing volleyballs into play

3.  Three lines at the end line waiting to get tagged into play
Instructions

1.  Coach enters a free ball or down ball to alternating sides of the court

2.  Players pass, set, and tip ball over the net into the ten foot line area
3.  After contact is made, player must run back to their end line and tag a teammate to enter
the game
4.  Only three players are allowed inside the ten foot line at one time
5.  Rally scoring to a specified number of points
Variations

1.  Add a back row defensive player

Coaching Points

1.  Players should be hustling to the ball, using good communication skills

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Tag Team Warm up

This is a good running warm up for teams with large numbers of players.
Back Row Running Warmup
This drill is good for warm up while practicing
communication and ball control.

Setup

1.  Same number of players on each side behind the ten foot line 

Instructions

1.  Coach gives alternating sides free balls

2.  Players dig, set, and back row attack while calling the ball
3.  Each time a player touches the ball, they must run and touch the net before being able to
touch the ball again
4.  Play rally scoring games to a set number of points

Variations

1.  Add a blocker to each side

Coaching Points

1.  The fewer number of players on each side, makes for more movement

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Back Row Running Warmup

This drill is good for warm up while practicing communication and ball control.
Volleyball Hitting: Bucket Ball
This drill practices effective roll shots to a specified target.

Setup

1.  One side of court: right and left side hitters, setter, and middle back passer

2.  Opposite side of court:  right and left side blockers and server near the ball cart
"BUCKET"
Instructions

1.  Serves gives an easy serve over the net to the passer in middle back

2.  Setter transitions to the net

3.  Passer passes ball to setter who sets to either the right or left hitter
4.  Setter alternates hitter each time ball is served
5.  Hitter approaches aggressively and attempts to roll shot the ball into the ball cart
"BUCKET"
6.  Have the left and right side hitters compete against each other to see who can get the
most into the bucket
Variations

1.  Can have teams of two hitters per side working together to get set number of balls into
the bucket

Coaching Points

1.  Encouraging hitters to approach aggressively, to confuse the other team when they do
the roll shot

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Individual Serving Relay
This volleyball drill will practice serving accurately and getting to a
base position as quickly as possible.

Setup

1.  3 servers on the serving line starting with one volleyball each

2.  extra volleyballs at their base defense position (this image shows it for being the three front row
players)
Instructions
1.  Players each have a volleyball on the serving line
2.  Players serve to a zone
3.  Then they sprint to their base defensive position, pick up a volleyball, and sprint back to the
serving line
4.  Repeat as desired with a scoring method from below:
  * 1 point for an accurate serve, -1 point for an error, player is trying to get specified number of points
  * Pre-set a specified time where players have to get a certain number of accurate serves in that time
period
  * Player with the most number of accurate serves wins when a specified time period is up
Variations
1.  Can have other players behind the serving line, waiting for their turn to rotate and switch with
server
Coaching Points
1.  Making sure players get back to the serving line quickly, but still have control and take their time
for a good serve

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Individual Serving Relay

This volleyball drill will practice serving accurately and getting to a base position as quickly as
possible.
Ball Control: Pass, Set, Downball
This volleyball drill teaches how to hit a down ball to a desired
location as well as work on communication skills between players.

Setup

1. Three passers per side

2. One setter per side
3. Coach tossing in free balls
4.  A line in middle back of the court waiting to rotate in

Instructions
1.  Coach initiates drill with free ball toss.  
2.  Players pass and set
3.  If the setter sets to a right or left player, that player down ball hits it to the other side and rotates off
to the line
4.  If the setter sets to the middle player, everyone stays for the next ball, no one rotates off
5.  Other side of net plays the same way

Variations
1.Can do back row attacking instead of hitting down balls
2. Can start with a serve instead of a free ball toss, could also make a serving line too instead of
setting up both sides for passers

Coaching Points
1.  Encourage players to down ball hit to a specific location
2.  Watching players to make a meaningful choice of where the ball should go

Ball Control: Pass, Set, Downball

This volleyball drill teaches how to hit a down ball to a desired location as well as work on
communication skills between players.
Volleyball Ball Control: Two person Four
Square
This volleyball drill increases accuracy in down balls to desired
locations while also increasing communication skills between
players.

Setup

1.  Volleyball court divided into half longways to make four total squares.

Instructions

1.  Players should understand that square 1 is the desired square and always serves the volleyball.
2.  Teams of two: pass, set, and hit controlled down balls to team on opposite side of net. 
3.  Players should try to keep ball in play by controlling where their down ball goes to.  
4.  If a team makes an error or lets the ball hit their half of the court, they rotate off.
5.  New team of two rotates into to square four, hoping to make it around to square 1, the serving square.
6.  Play for a set amount of time, the team who ends in square 1 when time is up is the winning team!

Variations

1.  Keep score if desired.

Coaching Points

1.  Encouraging team to keep ball in play.

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Volleyball Ball Control: Two person Four Square

This volleyball drill increases accuracy in down balls to desired locations while also increasing communication
skills between players
Volleyball Ball Control Elimination
This elimination drill teaches players how to pin point exactly
where they want their hit to go.

Setup

1.  Three back row passers on each side of the net

2.  Coach tossing balls in

3.  Setter on both sides of net
4.  Passer lines on both sides
Instructions

1.  Coach initiates drill with a free ball toss into one side (should be close to the ten foot line)

2.  Back row passer, moves up to make a good pass to the setter and quickly backs up to get ready to hit the ball
3.  Setter sets to the player who passed them the ball
4.  Hitter hits the ball over the net, trying to hit it to an opposing player (NOT trying to hit the ground, trying to
keep the rally going)
5.  If it's not a hit directly to the opposing player,  that player is out of the drill and a new player slides into their
spot.
6.  The drill continues until there is only one player left.
Variations

1.  You can have one player serve the ball to begin the drill.

Coaching Points

1. Watch for players who are not aiming for their target.

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Volleyball Ball Control Elimination

This elimination drill teaches players how to pin point exactly where they want their hit to go.
Volleyball Back Row Attack: Ping Pong
This ball control drill is designed to teach the pass, set, hit tempo
from behind the volleyball ten foot line.

Setup

1.  Divide into teams of 3 players each

2.  Coach to the side with volleyballs

Instructions

1.  Start with two teams of 3 on each side of the court, with 2 more teams of 3 waiting behind
each serving line.

2.  Coach starts drill with a free ball toss. Teams try to pass, set, hit the ball to the other
team, but MUST stay behind the ten foot line.
3.  If a team of 3 commits an error, they are out of the drill, having been eliminated.
4.  As soon as a team of 3 hits the ball over the net successfully, they rotate off and enter
behind the opposite side of the court.
5.  When there are only two teams of three left in the drill, they play one more ball to
determine who the winning team is. That team earns a point for their team.
6.  Play until a certain amount of points have been earned.
Variations

1.  Can play without the elimination rule, and just have teams rotate back in from the back
row.

2.  Can begin the drill with a serve in instead of a tossed ball from the coach.
Coaching Points

1.  Watch to make sure players are leaving the ground from behind the ten foot line when
hitting the ball.
Volleyball Footwork Drill
This drill will focus on all the necessary footwork to be a middle hitter and
blocker.

Setup

1.  Two lines, one on each side of the court in the left front position

Instructions

1.  Coach will need to demonstrate and call out directions until all players understand the footwork
routine.

2.  Starting at position 1 - Shuffle into hitting position

 2 - Approach the net for a hit
 3 - Block jump
 4 - Crossover step outside and block again
 5 - Transition off the net
 6 - Approach the net for a hit
 7- Go to the end of the line
Variations

1.  Only use one side of the net and put one or two blockers on the other side of the net to practice
fronting the hitter.

Coaching Points

1.  Make sure the players are using the correct foot on the crossover step

View Count: 28380

Volleyball Footwork Drill

This drill will focus on all the necessary footwork to be a middle hitter and blocker.
Coverage Drill
This volleyball coverage drill will teach the team
how to cover their hitters.

Setup

1.  6 players in normal set on one side of the court (receiving the ball)

2.  2 blockers in EACH of the three blocking zones on the opposite side

Instructions

1.  Coach tosses a ball to receiving side who plays the ball.

2.  With so many blockers (6) chances are the return will be blocked.
3.  Receiving side covers the hitters and passes up the blocked ball.

Variations

Can encourage team to get three in a row before rotating positions. 

Coaching Points

Look to see where holes are on coverage or in block.

Warm-up with Wall
A warm-up time for each player to warm up arms and shoulders before practice
begins and at the same time be working on basic skills and ball control.

Setup

Each player has their own volleyball and finds a space on the wall where they will have room to move and
practice alone.

Instructions

Players are given a number for the entire warm-up time. For example, "10." They will go through each skill that
number of times each.  Coaches can list skills on a board until players have learned the routine. They work on
these alone, not with a partner. 

Example:  Number is 10
10 - two arm throws against the wall
10- right arm throws against the wall
10- left arm throws against the wall
10- backwards above the head throw against the wall (players back will be to wall)
10- passes to wall
10- sets to wall
10- short serves to wall
10- hit to floor (down ball motion)
REPEAT
Variations

*Coaches can change and/or add different drills or skills for the warm-up pattern

Coaching Points
*Coaches can change numbers for different players based on ability
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Warm-up with Wall

A warm-up time for each player to warm up arms and shoulders before practice begins and at the same time be
working on basic skills and ball control.
2 Player Down Volleyball Passing Drill

This is a fun passing drill to teach players how to quickly move and pass a ball
to a specified target .

Setup

1. Start with a basket of volleyballs for the coach to toss.

2. Two lines of players in middle back.
3. The first two players start on their stomachs with eyes down.

Instructions

1. The drill starts with two lines of players in the middle back area of the court. 
2. The first player in each line starts on their stomach looking down at the ground. 
3. When the coach signals (a slap of the ball, whistle, etc) the players quickly get to
their feet in ready position and calls the tossed ball, then passing it to the target. 
4. The player who passed the ball, shags the ball and returns to the end of the shortest
line.
5. The player who did not pass, gets back down and ready for the next turn. 
6. Have the player stay until they pass.
7. When they pass, they shag and return to the line. 
8. Players should be encouraged to call the ball!

Variations

1. To take it to the next level, have the players on their belly turn around to where they
are facing the line of waiting players. This makes it harder for them to hear the
signal, jump up, and find the ball before having to make a pass.
2. You can also run this drill by having the first player who passes the ball to pass it
straight up in the middle of the court, then the second player should then pass it over
the net.  TEAMWORK.
3. Coaches can also run this drill by hitting down balls at the players when they are in
ready position.
4. You can also have the first one to pass the ball using their arms, and then have the
second player do an overhead pass to incorporate both skills.
Coaching Points

 Coaches are watching for correct form. Players should be able to move and position
themselves to where their shoulders are facing the target.

 Coaches also need to make certain the players are calling the ball loud, talking, using
teamwork skills.

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2 Player Down Volleyball Passing Drill

This is a fun passing drill to teach players how to quickly move and pass a ball to a specified
target.
"W" Passing Drill
This is a great passing drill for beginners to learn to move to the ball and pass
to the setter position.

Setup

Volleyballs for coach to toss

Line of players at the right back (server) position

5 poly spots markers to show them where to pass from

Instructions

1. The coach is at the front of the net tossing balls to the players in five different
positions.
2. The line of players starts at right back (server) position.
3. When the coach signals, they toss a ball to the passer.  The passer passes the ball
to the target, then quickly runs to right front for a short toss from the coach.
4. The player then quickly back pedals to middle back for a third pass, then quickly to
left front for a short toss from the coach.
5. The player then moves quickly to the left back for the last toss. 
6. Each player should pass five volleyballs in one turn, shag 5 volleyballs, then return to
the passing line.
Variations

Coaches can make the players pass to the first five positions, then double back.  Making a
W and then a second W back to the starting position. This would give each player 9 passes.

Coaches can insist that the players at least get "a hand" on the volleyball.  At least touching
it if a good pass is not able to be done. 

Use this drill with the overhand pass too.

Coach can positon themself across the net from the players also.  In higher levels of ability,
coaches can do down ball hits instead of tosses.

Coaching Points

Slap the ball to signal the beginning of the drill.

Encourage players to get on the floor for the short passes in left front and right front.

Players should be "calling the ball" on each and every pass.

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"W" Passing Drill

This is a great passing drill for beginners to learn to move to the ball and pass to the setter
position.
Triangle Pepper Drill - Over the Net
This volleyball pepper drill will focus on the rhythm of passing,
setting, and hitting over the net to a specific target.

Setup

1. Position 3 players on each side of the court in a triangle (left back, left front, and a
setter).
2. The coach is at the net off the court with a supply of balls.

Instructions

1. The coach throws a free ball into the left back.

2. The left back passes to the setter.
3. The setter sets a ball to the left front.
4. The left front hits a ball to the opposing left back and the pattern is repeated.
5. After the hitter hits the ball over, the left back and left front switch positions.

Variations

 After the hit over the net have all 3 players switch.
 Start off with no jump for the hitter and add jump as hitting control is improved
Coaching Points

 Insure proper technique for all aspects of the digging, passing, setting and hitting.

Triangle Pepper Drill - Over the Net

This volleyball pepper drill will focus on the rhythm of passing, setting, and hitting over
the net to a specific target.
Over the Net Pepper Drill
This warm-up will focus on ball control of a ball coming over the net. This
volleyball drill will focus on digging, setting, and returning a controlled ball to
their partner on the other side of the net.

Setup

1. Split into groups of 2 with a ball each.

2. One player on each side of the net.
Instructions
1. One player starts with a ball played over the net in a downward flight.
2. Player two must dig the ball to themselves, set the ball to themselves, then return a
ball on a downward flight to the other player.
3. Continue this pattern until players become comfortable with each of the hits.
Variations
 Spread the players farther apart while continuing to focus on getting the ball to their
partner.
 Only allow a overhead set, then hit on the next touch.
Coaching Points
Focus on:
 good digging technique
 good setting technique
 good spiking technique
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Over the Net Pepper Drill

This warm-up will focus on ball control of a ball coming over the net. This volleyball drill will
focus on digging, setting, and returning a controlled ball to their partner on the other side of
the net.
Setting and Overhead Passing Warm-up
This volleyball setting and overhead passing warm-up focuses on
setting and passing with the overhead pass. This is a great setting
drill that focuses on movement after the pass and looking for open
areas of the court.

Setup
1. Split the team into two teams of 6.
2. The coach should have a supply of balls outside the court near the net.
Instructions
1. The coach will begin the play by tossing a ball into play alternating sides each time.
2. The players can only use the overhead pass during this game.
3. After the player passes the ball using the overhead pass, they must sprint to the end line and
return before they can make another pass.
4. Play rally scoring to 10.
5. Players can return the ball on their first, second or third contact.
Variations
 Limit players to only return the ball on their 3rd contact to encourage passing to their
teammates.
Coaching Points
Players must be encouraged to use proper technique when setting the ball such as:
 Moving to the ball before setting
 Feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider with one foot slightly ahead of the other
 Knees bent slightly & weight evenly distributed on the balls of feet
 Hands are cocked in anticipation of the set with your fingers firm and elbows out at a 45 and
90 degree angle.
 When setting use the fingers using the ring and pinkie to stabilize the ball. The more surface
area touched the better control.
 Take the set around the forehead and use entire body to push it towards the hitter.
 Follow through with your hands after the ball is released.
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Setting and Overhead Passing Warm-up

This volleyball setting and overhead passing warm-up focuses on setting and passing with the
overhead pass. This is a great setting drill that focuses on movement after the pass and looking for
open areas of the court.