Approach Footwork Drill

The approach footwork drill teaches a hitter the steps that turn a run into a high, controlled jump. A right-handed hitter uses left-right-left for a 3-step approach or right-left-right-left for a 4-step approach, with the last two steps quick and close together. Lefties use the mirror pattern. Practice it with no ball first, then add a toss.

Focus

Footwork, arm swing, jump

Level

Beginner and up

Players

1 or more

Time

10–15 minutes

Equipment

None (later 1 ball)

Print this drill

Purpose

Build a repeatable approach so the hitter arrives behind the ball, jumps straight up (or slightly forward) and contacts the ball high in front of the hitting shoulder. A good approach adds height and makes the arm swing easier to time.

Players and equipment

• 1 player can do it alone. A group can work in lines.
• No ball needed for the first stage. Later: 1 ball and a tosser.
• Optional: floor tape or small flat markers for foot placement. Use flat markers only, never cones, where players will step.

Setup

Players start at or just behind the attack line, about 3 m from the net, in line with zone 4 (front left). Leave at least 2 m between players working side by side. With a large group, form two lines: one at zone 4 and one at zone 2 (front right).

How to run it

Right-handed hitter; lefties mirror.

1. Ready stance. Stand tall, weight on the balls of the feet. For a 4-step approach (right-left-right-left), start with the left foot slightly forward. For a 3-step approach (left-right-left), start with the right foot slightly forward. Lefties mirror.
2. First step (4-step only): right foot. A short, slow step to start moving toward the ball.
3. Direction step: left foot. A medium step that sets the direction of the approach.
4. Power step: right foot. The longest and fastest step. Both arms swing back behind the body, hips drop.
5. Closing step: left foot. Plant the left foot quickly next to and slightly ahead of the right foot ("right-left" should sound like a fast double beat). Toes point slightly toward the right antenna.
6. Jump. Swing both arms forward and up, push off both feet, and jump.
7. Arm swing. At the top, draw the hitting arm back with the elbow high (bow-and-arrow position), reach the non-hitting arm up toward the ball, then swing through.
8. Land. Land softly on both feet, knees bent, on your side of the center line.
9. Walk back to the line and repeat. Add a tossed ball once the steps are smooth (see the progressions below).

Watch it

How to Attack a Volleyball for Beginners: The Approach (Includes Footwork for Lefties!)

Video: Sarah Pavan Volleyball on YouTube. This video teaches the 3-step approach; the page also covers the 4-step. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching cues

• "Slow to fast." The steps speed up as you go.
• "Big step, quick close." The power step is long; the last step is fast.
• "Arms back on the big step."
• "Jump up, not into the net."
• "Elbow high, reach for the ball."
• "Two feet down, soft knees."

Common mistakes

• Goofy foot: a right-hander finishing right-left instead of left-right. Fix by walking the steps slowly and saying them out loud.
• Steps all the same size: the approach has no speed-up. Fix with tape marks for a short, medium, long pattern.
• Arms late: the arms are still in front when the player jumps. Cue "arms back on the big step."
• Broad jump into the net: too much forward drift. Start a little farther back and aim to jump up.
• One-foot landing: often after reaching too far. Toss the ball closer to the hitter and cue a two-foot landing.

Make it easier or harder

• Regression: walk the steps without jumping. Then walk the steps and do a small jump. Then jog the steps.
• Regression for young kids: use the 2-step version (the last two steps only, right-left for right-handers, then jump).
• Progression 1: add a self-toss or a coach toss and catch the ball at the top of the jump with two hands.
• Progression 2: coach tosses from zone 3; hitter swings and hits the ball over the net.
• Progression 3: start the approach after first backing off the net from a blocking position (transition footwork).
• Progression 4: approach from zone 2 and from zone 3 as well as zone 4.

Time

10–15 minutes, inside a hitting session. Example: 3 sets of 6 approaches with walk-back rest.

Safety

Do a full warm-up first (see warm-up). Keep the landing area free of balls. Teach a soft two-foot landing with knees bent. Limit total jumps and stop when the approach or landing gets sloppy. See common injuries for jump-related injuries.

Health note: General information, not medical advice. Young athletes should train under a qualified coach, and anyone with pain or an injury should see a doctor or physical therapist.

Deep dive: why the last two steps decide the jump

The power step turns forward speed into a lower, loaded position. The quick closing step stops the forward movement and lets both legs push up together. If the closing step lands on the same side as the hitting arm, the hips and shoulders cannot turn as freely, so the arm swing loses power. That is why coaches watch the last two steps first.

Related drills

Frequently asked questions