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 builds accurate forearm passing to the setter target while players keep moving. It runs on both sides of the net at once, so a group of 6–12 players gets steady passing reps. Because the rotation also gets every player tossing (or serving) and catching, it works as a warm-up or as the main passing drill for beginners.

Focus

Passing

Level

Beginner

Players

6–12 (at least 3 per side); with more than 12, run two courts or add a second ball per side

Equipment

A net and 2 or more balls (one per side, plus spares); optional cone or hoop at each setter target

Space

A full court

Time

8–12 min

Print this drill

Setup

On each side of the net:

• Tossing/serving line in zone 1 (back right). Beginners toss from mid-court or the attack line (10-foot line); servers stand behind 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.)

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How to run it

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 around the net post 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. Halfway through, switch sides: serve from zone 5 to a passer in zone 1 so everyone passes from both sides of the court.

Scoring

Count out loud the passes the target catches without taking more than one step. Set a goal, such as 25 caught passes, or see how many the group gets in 3 minutes.

Safety

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

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.

Watch: the butterfly drill in action

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

Coaching this drill

What success looks like

The target catches the pass at the setter target without taking more than one step: high enough and close enough that a setter could set it. A pass that stays up but goes over the net or makes the target run does not count.

One cue

“Face the ball, angle to target.” Hips face the server; turn the platform toward the target.

One common error

Swinging the arms: the pass flies too far, past the target or over the net. Adjustment: keep the arms still and let the legs lift the ball.

Make it easier

Slow the ball down: the passer catches the toss first, then tosses to themselves and passes.

Make it harder

Serve from behind the end line instead of tossing.

When to progress

Practice suggestion: switch from tosses to serves when about 2 out of 3 passes are caught at the target over one full rotation in which every player passes at least twice. Change the number to suit your group, and go back to tosses if the drill keeps stalling.

More cues and common mistakes

• “Feet first, then platform.” Move to the ball before you pass. A passer standing straight up ends up reaching with the arms. Fix: start in a low, ready stance with knees bent.
• “Freeze your finish.” Hold the platform still after contact for a second.
• “Call it.” The passer says “mine” every time.
• 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.

More ways to make it easier or harder

• Easier: Remove the net and run it on one side only with three spots.
• Harder: Add a second passer in zone 6 and let the server choose which passer to serve to; passers must call the ball.
• Harder: Replace the target's catch with a set to a catcher in zone 4 (adds a setting rep).

Frequently asked questions