Partner Passing Drill (Toss and Pass)

In this partner drill, one player tosses the ball and the other forearm-passes it back to the tosser's forehead. It builds a steady forearm pass: a low, ready stance, a flat platform angled toward the target, and feet that move to the ball before the arms do. Because the toss is soft and predictable, beginners can focus on those basics. Once most passes are on target, the tosser makes the player move, and then partners pass back and forth without catching.

Focus

Forearm passing

Level

Beginner

Players

2 per ball: a tosser and a passer

Equipment

1 volleyball per pair; no net needed

Space

A flat area about 6 m long per pair

Time

8–12 min

Print this drill

Setup

Partners face each other about 3 m apart. A whole team can work in pairs at the same time: on a court, line pairs up across the width of the court with a few steps between pairs, so all passes travel in the same direction. For passing technique, see Passing.

How to run it

1. The passer stands in a ready position: feet wider than the shoulders, knees bent, weight forward, arms relaxed in front.
2. The tosser makes a soft, two-handed underhand toss to the passer’s waist.
3. The passer joins the hands to make a flat platform, angles it toward the tosser and passes the ball back to forehead height.
4. The tosser catches the ball above the forehead and tosses again. After 10 passes, swap roles.
5. Next round, the tosser tosses one step to the passer’s left or right. The passer shuffles to get behind the ball before passing.
6. When most passes reach the tosser, both partners pass the ball back and forth without catching.

Scoring

The passer scores 1 point for each pass the tosser can catch above the forehead without moving their feet. Score out of 10, then swap. In the no-catch version, count passes in a row and try to beat your pair's record.

Safety

Keep pairs spread out so stray balls don't roll under other players' feet. Wear knee pads once tosses make players move low.

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: toss-and-pass, then continuous passing

Warm-up for two: the bump pass | Volleyball

Video: SIKANA English on YouTube. Watch the partners start with a controlled toss and forearm return, then pass continuously. Keep our scoring and progress at your own pace; the video's variations are optional. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching this drill

What success looks like

The tosser can catch the pass above the forehead without moving their feet: high, soft and on target, the kind of ball a setter could play. A pass that only stays in the air but makes the tosser chase it is not a success yet.

One cue

“Feet first, then platform.” Move so the ball arrives in front of your body, then join the arms and angle them at your partner.

One common error

Swinging the arms: the arms swing up past the shoulders and the ball flies too high or past the tosser. Adjustment: keep the arms still, angle the platform and push gently with the legs (“Lift, don’t swing”).

Make it easier

Shorten the distance: stand about 2 m apart, with tosses straight to the passer’s waist.

Make it harder

Make the passer move: the tosser mixes short, deep, left and right tosses, still soft and two-handed.

When to progress

Practice suggestion, not a test: when the passer scores about 7 out of 10 (see Scoring) in two rounds in a row on tosses straight to the waist, move on to side tosses (step 5). Use the same check before the no-catch version. Change the number to suit your group; steady, repeatable passes matter more than one good round.

More cues and common mistakes

• “Ready low.” Knees bent and weight forward before every toss. Standing tall makes low balls hard to reach.
• “Straight arms, thumbs together.” Lock the elbows and press the thumbs together. Bent elbows make the platform uneven.
• “Angle to target.” Point the platform at your partner, not at the ceiling.
• Ball hits the hands or wrists. The pass goes anywhere. Fix: contact the ball on the flat part of the forearms, above the wrists.
• Reaching to the side. The platform turns and the ball goes off to the side. Fix: shuffle so the ball arrives in front of your body.

More ways to make it easier or harder

• Easier: use a lighter ball.
• Harder: step back to 4–5 m.
• Harder: the passer passes to a hoop or cone placed beside the tosser.
• Harder: move to a net: the tosser sends an easy ball over the net and the passer passes it to a target.

Frequently asked questions