Volleyball Drills for Kids (Ages 8–12)

Kids ages 8–12 learn volleyball best by playing small games, not by waiting in lines. Use 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2 and 3 vs 3 games on a short court, start with catching and throwing if the ball is hard to control, and turn every skill into a challenge or a score. Lighter youth volleyballs and a lower net make success much easier.

Age range

8–12

Best format

2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3

Ideal wait in line

Under 1 minute

Youth net height

Set by each federation; e.g. USA Volleyball (US): 10 and under: 1.98 m girls, 2.13 m boys; 11–12: 2.13 m

Pick a drill

A sample 45-minute kids practice

Have more time? Add game 6, the cooperative rally count, before the cool-down.

How kids learn volleyball best

• Small-sided games. Youth coaching guidance, such as USA Volleyball's, encourages lots of 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2 and similar games for young players and saving 6 vs 6 for older ones, because each child touches the ball much more often.
• Short lines, many balls. Two or three kids per ball is a good target.
• Catch first if needed. Letting kids catch and throw keeps rallies going while they learn where to move. Replace catches with real contacts one at a time.
• Right-sized gear. A lighter youth or “lite” volleyball, which is easier on the arms, and a lower net help kids use good form. For youth net heights, see Court Dimensions. For balls, see Volleyballs. Youth rules vary by country, so check your national federation's.
• Make it a game. Points, challenges and “beat your record” goals keep kids engaged.

Games-based drills for ages 8–12

1. Catch-and-throw 1 vs 1 (warm-up, 5–8 min)

Two kids face each other over a low net or rope on a small court (about 3 m wide per side). Players throw the ball over with two hands from above the forehead, like a set. The other player catches it, and throws it back from where they caught it. Score a point if the ball lands in. Progression: the catcher must catch at forehead height, then must set instead of catch.

◀ Back ▶ Play Next ▶ ↺ Restart Step 0 / 3

2. Balloon or beach-ball keep-up (warm-up, 5 min)

Small groups keep a balloon or beach ball in the air using only forearms, then only hands. Count the group's best streak. Slow balls give younger kids time to move their feet. Full rules, cues and safety: Keep It Up.

3. Pass-and-catch target game (passing, 8–10 min)

In groups of three, one child tosses underhand, one passes, and one stands in a hula hoop near the net (between zones 2 and 3) as the target. If the target catches the pass without stepping out of the hoop, the passer scores 1 point. Rotate every 5 tosses. See Butterfly Passing for the full-court version.

4. Serve to the treasure (serving, 8–10 min)

Scatter towels or hoops (“treasure”) on the far court. Kids serve from a spot they can reach, usually a few steps inside the end line. Hitting a treasure earns a point. Any serve that lands in lets the server take one step back next turn, a level-up that makes the next serve harder. See Target Serving.

5. Queen (or King) of the Court, 2 vs 2 (game, 15–20 min)

Run Queen of the Court with teams of two on a short court. Allow one catch per side if rallies are too short.

6. Cooperative rally count (team, 5 min)

Two teams on opposite sides work together to keep the ball going over the net. Count the rally. Each new round, try to beat the record.

Safety

Space the mini-courts so groups don't run into each other, and clear loose balls off the floor before every game. Give water breaks often. No diving or sprawling unless players wear knee pads and have been taught how.

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.

How to choose and progress drills in this group

• Choose what keeps the game going. If rallies stop after one touch, use catching, a balloon or beach ball, or a smaller court. If kids keep the ball alive easily, swap one catch for a real contact.
• Change one thing at a time. Move from a balloon to a youth ball, from a catch to a real contact, to a bigger court, or one step farther back to serve, but only one of these per step.
• Look for a playable ball. A contact counts when a teammate can catch or play it, not just when the child touches the ball.
• Progress when most of the group is succeeding and having fun; step back if a game turns frustrating. There is no fixed number to reach: children of the same age develop at different rates, so judge the group in front of you.

Tips for parents and volunteer coaches

• Keep practices to 45–60 minutes with lots of water breaks; keep each activity short and switch often.
• Praise effort and good movement as much as results.
• Start with a short, fun warm-up with movement games (tag, relays with shuffles) and end every session with a game. See Warm-Up.

Watch: youth drills for ages 10–13

Video: Front Range Volleyball Club on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Deep dive: why small-sided games work

In a 6 vs 6 game, one player touches the ball while the others watch. In 2 vs 2, every child is involved in nearly every rally: they pass, set, or get ready for the next ball. More contacts mean more practice, and smaller courts mean the ball is more often within reach, so kids succeed more.

Small games also teach reading the game — where the ball is going and where to stand — which drills in a line can't teach.

Frequently asked questions