Six-on-Six Wash
Two teams must win back-to-back rallies to score a "big point."
Resources for the described setup
Main setup
- People: 13, including all roles
- Balls: 10
- Full court
- Net required
- Suggested block from 15 min
Volleyball Team Drills
Team drills make players solve real game situations together: receiving serve, transitioning after a dig, and finishing points. Most need 8–14 players; a few work in small groups. The best ones keep score in a way that rewards what you want to improve, such as winning two rallies in a row. Run them late in practice, once skills are warmed up.
- Drills
- 5
- Players needed
- 8 to 14
- Equipment
- Full court, net, 10+ balls
- Typical block
- 20–30 minutes
- Best for
- Teams with set positions
Six players per side. Team A (blue) receives in a 5-1 formation; Team B (orange) serves.
S = setter, OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, L = libero (yellow).
- Team B serves from behind the end line in zone 1. Team A receives.
- Pass to the setter target; the setter sets the outside hitter in zone 4.
- The hitter attacks cross-court.
- Team B digs the ball to its setter target. Now Team B is in transition, and its hitter backs off the net to approach.
- Transition attack: Team B sets its zone 4 hitter and attacks back. The rally goes on until the ball hits the floor.
Pick a drill
| Goal | Drill | Players | Level | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win rallies in a row (consistency) | Six-on-Six Wash | 13 total (12 players + coach); smaller games are adaptations | Intermediate | 15–25 min |
| Turn easy balls into points | Free-Ball Transition | 8 total (6 receivers + coach + feeder) | Beginner–intermediate | 10–20 min |
| Pass serves under pressure | Serve-Receive Triangle | 5–12 | Intermediate | 12–15 min |
| Serve well when it counts | Serving Under Pressure | 4–14 | Beginner–intermediate | 10–15 min |
| Fun, high-touch competition | Queen of the Court | 7+ total (6 players + feeder for 2v2) | Beginner–intermediate | 15–20 min |
The drills
Free-Ball Transition
A coach sends an easy ball, the team passes, sets and attacks in system.
Resources for the described setup
Main setup
- People: 8, including all roles
- Balls: 10
- Full court
- Net required
- Suggested block from 10 min
Serving Under Pressure
Serving games where a miss costs the team.
Resources for the described setup
Main setup
- People: 4, including all roles
- Balls: 4
- Full court
- Net required
- Suggested block from 10 min
Serve-Receive Triangle
Passers, setter and target working serve receive together.
Resources for the described setup
Main setup
- People: 5, including all roles
- Ball quantity unspecified: cart / multiple balls
- Full court
- Net required
- Suggested block from 12 min
Queen of the Court
Small-sided challenge game that keeps everyone competing.
Resources for the described setup
Main setup
- People: 7, including all roles
- Ball quantity unspecified: cart / multiple balls
- Full court
- Net required
- Suggested block from 15 min
How to choose and progress drills in this group
- Choose by the game problem you see. Losing the rally after serve receive: Six-on-Six Wash. Wasting easy balls: Free-Ball Transition. Receive breaking down: Serve-Receive Triangle. Missed serves at key moments: Serving Under Pressure. Few touches or low energy: Queen of the Court.
- Change one thing at a time. Make the first ball harder (coach toss, then free ball, then serve), change the number of players, or change the scoring rule, but not all at once.
- Judge the decision, not only the result. Did the team use three contacts when the pass allowed it, and send a safe, deep ball when it didn't? A rally won on the other team's error tells you little.
- Progress when it holds up; step back when it doesn't. Each drill page has a “When to progress” check. Its numbers are practice suggestions, so adjust them to your team.
Key coaching principles
- Score what you want. If you want better transition, give a bonus point for winning a rally after a dig.
- Save game-like drills for late in practice. They test whether skills hold up under speed and pressure.
- Keep everyone moving. Rotate players in and out so no one waits long. Use extra players as servers or ball feeders.
- Know your system. Players should know where they start and where they move. See the 5-1, 6-2 and 4-2 formations.
- Correct briefly. Give one short cue between rallies, not a long talk.
Safety
Full-court drills mean fast movement and players near each other. Teach calling the ball, keep loose balls off the court and pause play when a ball rolls in. 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: game-like 6 vs 6 practice with Karch Kiraly
Video: USA Volleyball on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.
Frequently asked questions
How many players do I need for team drills?
Most 6 vs 6 drills need 12, but 8–10 works if you play 4 vs 4 or 5 vs 5, or use a coach as one side.
What does "in system" mean?
It means the pass is good enough that the setter can choose any hitter. Out of system means the setter has fewer options.
How do I stop the same team winning every time?
Mix the teams, give the weaker side an extra point to start, or switch players between rounds.