Butterfly Passing Drill

The butterfly drill is a passing drill where players toss or serve, pass to a target, catch at the target, and then move to the next spot in a loop. It runs on both sides of the net at once, so a group of 6–12 players gets steady passing reps while staying on the move. It works as a warm-up or as the main passing drill for beginners.

Skill

Passing

Level

Beginner

Players

6–12

Time

8–12 min

Equipment

Net, 2+ balls

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Purpose

Build accurate forearm passing to the setter target while players keep moving. The rotation also gets every player tossing (or serving) and catching, so it doubles as a warm-up.

Players & equipment

• 6 to 12 players (at least 3 per side).
• Full court with a net, 2 or more balls (one per side, plus spares).
• Optional: a cone or hoop at each setter target.

Setup

On each side of the net:

• Tossing/serving line in zone 1 (back right), behind or just inside the end line. Balls start here.
• Passing line in zone 5 (back left), a step or two inside the end line.
• Target at the setter target, between zones 2 and 3, about 1 m off the net.

Both sides are mirror images: the server in zone 1 on side A sends the ball across the net to the passer in zone 5 on side B, and vice versa. (Zones are explained on Court Zones.)

Step by step

1. The first player in the zone 1 line tosses (beginners) or serves (intermediate) over the net to the passer in zone 5 on the other side.
2. The passer forearm-passes the ball to the target.
3. The target catches the ball.
4. Everyone moves one spot: the server follows their ball under or around the net to the back of the passing line on the other side; the passer becomes the target; the target takes the ball and goes to the back of the serving line on their own side.
5. The next server starts as soon as the previous rep is finished. Both sides run at the same time.
6. Goal: a set number of passes caught at the target (for example, 25) or as many as possible in 3 minutes. Count out loud.

Watch it

Video: Upward Sports on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching cues

• “Feet first, then platform.” Move to the ball before you pass.
• “Face the ball, angle to target.” Hips face the server; the platform turns toward the target.
• “Freeze your finish.” Hold the platform still after contact for a second.
• “Call it.” The passer says “mine” every time.

Common mistakes

• Swinging the arms. The ball flies too far. Fix: keep the arms still and let the legs lift the ball.
• Standing straight up. The passer reaches with the arms. Fix: start in a low, ready stance with knees bent.
• Forgetting to rotate. The drill stalls. Fix: say “follow your ball” and walk through one round slowly first.
• Tosses that are too hard. Passers can't succeed. Fix: tossers use a two-hand underhand toss with a high arc.

Progressions & regressions

• Easier: Toss from mid-court instead of the end line; passer catches their own ball first, then passes.
• Easier: Remove the net and run it on one side only with three spots.
• Harder: Serve from behind the end line instead of tossing.
• Harder: Add a second passer in zone 6 and let the server choose who to serve; passers must call the ball.
• Harder: Replace the target's catch with a set to a catcher in zone 4 (adds a setting rep).
• Harder: Switch sides: serve from zone 5 to a passer in zone 1 so players pass from both sides of the court.

Time

8–12 minutes. Change the server-passer direction halfway through.

Safety

Keep the waiting lines off the court and away from the net so players crossing under the net don't run into anyone. Servers should cross the net only after their ball has been passed. Do a short warm-up before serving (Warm-Up).

Frequently asked questions