Approach Footwork
Learn the 3-step and 4-step approach with no ball, then add a toss. The foundation for every attack.
Volleyball Hitting Drills
The best hitting drills train three things in order: footwork, arm swing and shot choice. Start with approach footwork without a ball, add a tossed or set ball once the steps are automatic, then hit into targets so players learn to aim, not just swing hard. Two or three focused drills, done with short rests between jumps, are worth more than a long line of random swings.
- Drills
- 4
- Players needed
- 1 to 12
- When to start
- Once a player can toss and catch reliably
- Typical block
- 15–25 minutes
- Equipment
- Balls, net, cones or targets
The hitter (H) starts outside the court beyond zone 4, at the attack line. The setter (S) is at the setter target.
H = hitter (right-handed), S = setter. Footprints: blue = left foot, orange = right foot.
- Approach: four steps, right-left-right-left. The last two steps, right-left, are the quickest.
- The setter sets a high ball to zone 4.
- The hitter jumps and hits into a target: here deep zone 1, the line shot.
- Next ball: cross-court into the zone 5 target. Aim before power: a ball into a target beats a hard ball into the net.
Pick a drill
| Goal | Drill | Players | Level | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn the approach steps | Approach Footwork | 1 or more | Beginner–intermediate | 10–15 min |
| Hit set balls into targets | Hitting Lines | 4–12 | Beginner–intermediate | 10–20 min |
| A controlled arm swing at close range | Pepper | 2 | Beginner–intermediate | 5–10 min |
| Attack in real rallies, against a block | Six-on-Six Wash | 10–14 | Intermediate | 15–25 min |
The drills
Hitting Lines
The classic coach-tossed or setter-fed line from zone 4, zone 2 or zone 3, with targets to aim at.
Pepper
Partner drill: pass, set and hit. Builds a controlled arm swing and ball control in small spaces.
Six-on-Six Wash
Hitting in real game rallies, against a block and live defense.
How to choose and progress hitting drills
Pick the drill for the first thing that breaks down. Uneven or wrong steps: Approach Footwork. Good steps but mistimed contact: tossed balls, then Hitting Lines with a setter. Good contact but no aim: Hitting Lines with targets. Ready for decisions: a blocker in Hitting Lines, then Six-on-Six Wash. Pepper is the option for two players without a net.
Change one thing at a time: a toss before a set (a coach's toss is easier to control), one zone before several, a big target before a small one, no blocker before a blocker. Each drill page suggests a readiness check under “When to progress”; treat its numbers as starting points, and keep counting total jumps as the drills get harder.
Key coaching principles
- Footwork first. A hitter with a good approach jumps higher and reaches the ball in front of the hitting shoulder. Fix the feet before you fix the arm.
- Last two steps matter most. For a right-hander the final two steps are right-left (a long right step, then a quick left close); for a left-hander, left-right. If the last step lands on the hitting-arm side, the player loses rotation and power.
- Contact high and in front. Players should reach to hit the ball at full extension, slightly in front of the hitting shoulder, not behind the head.
- Aim before power. Put cones or towels in zones 1, 5 and 6 on the far side. A ball hit into a target at medium speed beats a hard ball into the net.
- Count the jumps. Hitting is repeated jumping. Plan rest between turns and stop when form drops.
- Land on two feet. Every rep ends with a balanced two-foot landing on your own side of the center line.
How to build a hitting session
- Dynamic warm-up and arm circles (see warm-up), 8–10 minutes.
- Approach footwork with no ball, 5 minutes.
- Tossed-ball hitting, 5–10 minutes.
- Set-ball hitting lines with targets, 10 minutes.
- Finish with a game-like drill such as the Six-on-Six Wash, where hits count for points.
Safety
Hitting means many jumps. Warm up first, keep the area under the net clear of loose balls, and teach a soft two-foot landing. Stop a player who is limping or landing heavily. See common injuries and 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: five popular hitting drills
Video: Coach Chijo on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practice hitting without a net?
Yes. Footwork and arm swing can be practiced against a wall or into open space, and you can add the net later.