Pepper (Partner Volleyball Drill)

Pepper is a partner drill where two players keep one ball going using three contacts in a row: a pass, a set and a controlled hit. Then the partner does the same back. It trains ball control, footwork and reading a hitter in a small space, which is why many teams use it as a warm-up before practice and matches.

Skill

Pass, set, hit

Level

Beginner–intermediate

Players

2

Time

5–10 min

Equipment

1 ball

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Purpose

Practice all three ball-control skills in a continuous rally. Players learn to adjust their feet to imperfect balls and to control the speed of their own hits.

Players & equipment

• 2 players, 1 ball.
• Any flat space about 6 m long. No net required, but a net or line between partners helps.

Setup

Partners face each other about 4–6 m apart. On a court, pairs can spread along the attack lines and back courts, for example one partner in zone 6 and the other at the attack line, with the net to the side. Leave a few steps between pairs. (Zones are explained on Court Zones.)

Step by step

1. Player A tosses or sets the ball to Player B.
2. B passes the ball (forearms) back to A — high and easy.
3. A sets the ball up to A’s own hitting hand, slightly in front and above.
4. A hits a controlled down-ball (or easy roll shot) at B.
5. B digs the ball back up toward A. A sets it back to B.
6. B now hits to A, and the pattern continues: dig, set, hit — then the other partner digs, sets, hits.
7. Count how many contacts or full cycles the pair can make without the ball touching the floor.

Simplest beginner version (“pass-set-catch”): A tosses, B passes to A, A sets back to B, B catches. Then swap.

Watch it

Video: Elevate Yourself on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Coaching cues

• “Control, not power.” The hit should be one your partner can dig.
• “Set yourself high.” A higher set gives you time to hit.
• “Feet to the ball.” Move first so the ball arrives in front of you.
• “Talk.” Say “mine” or the skill you're doing (“set,” “hit”).

Common mistakes

• Hitting too hard. The rally ends in two touches. Fix: hit at 50–60% speed and aim at your partner's chest.
• Standing too close. No time to react. Fix: back up to 4–6 m.
• Setting forward instead of up. The hitter has to chase. Fix: set straight up a little in front of the hitting shoulder.
• Flat-footed digs. Fix: be in a low ready stance before your partner hits.

Progressions & regressions

• Easier: Pass-set-catch, then pass-set-pass with no hit.
• Easier: Allow one bounce between contacts.
• Harder: Hit harder down-balls or standing spikes.
• Harder: Three-person pepper: one player hits, one digs, one sets; rotate positions every few minutes.
• Harder: “Pepper over the net” — partners on opposite sides of the net, using the net like a real rally.
• Harder: Only one-armed passes or digs, or count only perfect contacts.

Time

5–10 minutes. Switch partners halfway for variety.

Safety

Keep pairs spread out so a stray ball doesn't hit another group, and don't chase balls into another pair's space. Warm up shoulders before hitting (Warm-Up).

Frequently asked questions