Partner Setting Drill

In partner setting, two players share one ball and set it back and forth with their hands. It builds a clean, repeatable set to a real person: hands ready early, feet under the ball, legs and arms working together, and the body facing the target. Start up close with toss-set-catch so every set can be checked, then drop the catch and keep the ball going, step back to 3–4 m, and finally make each other move. It gives far more setting contacts than waiting in a line, and every player on the team can do it.

Focus

Setting

Level

Beginner

Players

2 per ball; a whole team can work in pairs at the same time

Equipment

1 volleyball per pair; no net needed

Space

A flat area about 5 m long per pair, with high ceilings or open sky

Time

8–12 min

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Setup

Partners face each other about 2 m apart. Because no net is needed, it is easy to do before practice or at home. On a court, line pairs up across the width of the court with a few steps between pairs, so all the balls travel in the same direction.

How to run it

1. Partners face each other about 2 m apart, both with hands up in the “window” above the forehead.
2. Player A tosses the ball high and soft to Player B’s forehead with two hands.
3. B moves under the ball and sets it back to A, using legs and arms together. A catches the ball above the forehead. After 10 sets, swap roles.
4. When most sets reach the partner’s forehead, stop catching and set the ball back and forth without a catch.
5. After each run of good sets, both partners take one step back, up to 3–4 m apart.
6. Add movement: set the ball a step to your partner’s left or right. Your partner shuffles under it, faces you and sets it back.

Scoring

Count sets in a row that your partner can set back without catching or chasing the ball. Try to beat your pair's record each round. For a team challenge, give every pair 60 seconds and see which pair gets the most sets in a row.

Safety

Keep pairs spread out so stray balls don't land in another pair's space, and don't chase balls across other groups. Stop if your fingers or wrists hurt; see Common Injuries.

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: overhead setting with a partner

Warming up in a pair: passing | Volleyball

Video: SIKANA English on YouTube. This demonstration starts with seated hand work, then moves to standing partner sets and movement. For our beginner drill, start with the toss–set–catch steps above; the seated exercise is optional. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching this drill

What success looks like

Hittable sets: the ball arrives high and soft at your partner's forehead, so they can set it back without catching it or chasing it more than a step. Count those sets, not every touch.

One cue

“Get under it.” Move your feet so the ball comes down to your forehead, not out in front.

One common error

The ball spins. The two hands touch it at different times. Adjustment: slow down, set lower and focus on both hands touching together.

Make it easier

Go back to toss-set-catch at 1–2 m apart.

Make it harder

Your partner calls “left” or “right” as you set, and you must move that way for the next ball.

When to progress

A practice suggestion, not a test: move to the next step when about 8 of 10 sets in a toss-set-catch round reach your partner's forehead, or when your pair strings together 10 hittable sets in a row at the current distance. Adjust the numbers to your group, and go back a step if the sets fall apart.

More cues and common mistakes

• “Window early.” Hands are up above the forehead before the ball arrives. Setting from the chest lets the ball drop too low before contact, so start every rep with the window above the forehead.
• “Legs, then arms.” Bend and push up through the ball. Arms only, with locked knees, makes long sets hard: bend and extend your legs on every set.
• “Face your partner.” Feet and shoulders point at your target before you set.
• “High and soft.” A high arc gives your partner time to get under the ball. Flat, fast sets leave no time: push up more than forward, so the ball arcs high and drops on your partner.
• Reaching instead of moving. The arms chase the ball and the set goes off line. Fix: move your feet first, then set.

More ways to make it easier or harder

• Easier: set once to yourself, then set to your partner.
• Easier: use a lighter ball.
• Harder: step back to 4 m and set higher.
• Harder: two touches each: set once to yourself, then to your partner, so you practice getting under your own ball.
• Harder: add a third player to form a triangle, so each set needs a turn to face the new target.

Frequently asked questions