How To Play Volleyball

Volleyball Passing Drills

Establish a strong passing foundation between teammate is one of the most significant ways to improve a teams scoring chances in a season. Passing is absolutely essential and not being able to accurate coordinate plays between teammates is the different between and winning and losing season. Being able to pass correctly and react appropriately requires a great deal of training and volleyball passing drills are the best way to master these elements.

Shuffle and Return Passing Drill

Being able to quickly maneuver ones position on the court and return the volleyball over the net requires not only hand eye coordination, but foot coordination as well. Have the team form into the two even lines, one on each side of the net. In the shuffle and return drill, one player lobs the volleyball across the net while the other player stands on the other side. The player serving the balls goal is to lob the ball at least ten feet from the player on the opposite side. This strengthens the servers ability to control the direction of the ball. Additionally, this drill also challenges the other player to appropriately shuffle across the court without crossing their feet. After five exchanges, switch the players out. After all players have served or shuffled, have the players switch sides.

Ping Pong Passing Drill

Essentially, this drill is designed to develop a level of consistency. Establish fundamentals by having two players stand across from each other and pass the ball back and forth, making sure to avoid the use of wrist and arms and focus on propelling with their legs. This trains players on how to correctly use their body and avoid injury.

Out of Time Passing Drill

When there is simply no time to get behind the ball during a match, a player must learn how regain control of the ball. Have players in two equal lines of the net. Have a line of people serving and people executing an out of time drill pass. The servers goal will to be pass the ball high on both the right and left hand side. The goal of the passer is to turn their body horizontally to the net, take a step back and have a balanced position when passing. This is a very common occurrence in a match and its important to know how to react appropriately. Trying to get behind the ball in this type of scenario is not an effective technique.

Pepper Progression Passing Drill

This is a very popular passing trill that requires teammates to form groups of three. One player is responsible for bumping the ball to the other player in the middle. The middle player will then set the ball back to player one. Player one will then spike the ball to player three and player two and one will exchange positions as well as roles. This is a high intensity, fast paced drill that requires everyone to be conscious of not only their teammates position but the location of their body as well as the ball in order to keep up with the rhythm. It also has all three players practice various passing techniques.

Warm Up Passing Drill

Get team players blood pumping with this high speed passing trill. Have team mates up in of three or four. Have the lines stand across from each other facing each other. Have the players pass the ball to the player across from and then run to the end of their line. Continue the pattern until all member of the line have thrown the ball ten times. This is a great way to teach players to respond quickly and move their bodies quickly as well as get the team pumped up for more labor intensive drills.

A volleyball team is only as good as the training that it is back with and great training starts with passing drills. Incorporate these various types of drills into practices and the team will not only communicate more efficiently but perform more effectively.