Volleyball Drills

Pick a drill by the skill you want to improve, your level, and how many players you have. Every drill page tells you how to set it up using court zone numbers, what to say while it runs, the mistakes to watch for, and how to make it easier or harder. If you are planning a whole practice, scroll down for a simple structure and a sample 90-minute plan you can copy.

Drills in the library

14

Skills covered

9

Levels

Beginner and intermediate

Group sizes

Solo to full team

Sample plan

90 minutes

How to use this library

1. Start with the skill. Use the skill filter to see drills for passing, setting, serving, hitting, blocking, defense, team play, warm-up or conditioning.
2. Match the level. “Beginner” drills work for players still learning the basic movement. “Intermediate” drills assume players can keep a ball going with control and add speed, reading or pressure.
3. Check your numbers. Filter by solo, partner, small group (3–6 players) or team (7+ players). Most drills list a way to run them with more or fewer people.
4. Read the progressions. Each drill page ends with ways to make it easier (regressions) or harder (progressions), so one drill can grow with your players for a whole season.
5. Keep score when you can. Players focus better when a drill has a clear goal, such as “10 good passes in a row” or “first group to 15 points.”

Drill categories

• Passing drills — Drills for forearm passing, from first contact with the ball to receiving real serves.
• Setting drills — Hand-contact drills that build a clean, repeatable overhead set.
• Serving drills — Ways to make your serve more consistent and then more accurate.
• Hitting drills — Approach, arm swing and shot choice for attackers.
• Defense drills — Digging, reading the hitter and getting the ball up to target.
• Blocking drills — Footwork along the net, timing and hand position.
• Team drills — Game-like drills that connect several skills and teach players to work together.
• Conditioning drills — Movement and fitness work done with volleyball footwork in mind.
• Beginner drills — A starting set for new players and new coaches.
• Drills for kids — Games-based activities for ages 8–12.
• Solo drills — Drills you can do at home with a wall or a rebounder.

All drills

Each card shows the drill's name, a one-line description, the skill, level, group size and time.

How to run a good practice

• Plan the session around one or two main goals. “Better serve receive” is a goal; “work on everything” is not. Pick drills that serve the goal and drop the rest.
• Warm up with the ball, not just running laps. A short dynamic warm-up followed by ball-control drills like pepper prepares the body and the hands at the same time. See Warm-Up.
• Keep lines short. If more than three or four players are waiting for a turn, split into two groups or add a second ball. Players learn by touching the ball, not by watching.
• Go from simple to game-like. Start a skill with tossed balls, then live balls, then a scored game. Each step should look a little more like a real rally.
• Give one cue at a time. Short phrases (“platform to target,” “freeze your finish”) stick better than long explanations. Save details for a water break.
• Keep score often. A goal or a score turns repetition into competition and shows players they are improving.
• Finish with play. End most practices with a game such as Queen of the court or Six-on-six wash so players leave having used their skills in rallies.
• Cool down and check in. A few minutes of easy movement and stretching, and a quick question (“what went well today?”), close the session well.

Sample 90-minute practice plan

For about 10–12 players, intermediate-beginner level, one court. Focus: serve receive.

Shorter practice? Cut the serving block to 5 minutes and the game to 15 minutes for a 75-minute session.

Frequently asked questions