Top 10 Volleyball Drills for Beginners
Starting out in volleyball can be both exciting and challenging. The key to becoming a skilled player is consistent practice and mastering the fundamental techniques. Here are the top 10 volleyball drills for beginners that will help you develop essential skills, build confidence, and improve your overall game.
1. Forearm Passing (Bump) Drill
Objective: Improve passing accuracy and consistency.
How to Do It:
- Stand facing a partner or against a wall.
- Hold your arms straight out in front of you, hands together, and make contact with the ball using your forearms.
- Focus on directing the ball to a target or back to your partner with each pass.
2. Setting Drill
Objective: Develop precise hand positioning and touch for setting.
How to Do It:
- Stand about 10 feet from a wall or a partner.
- Use your fingertips to push the ball upwards, forming a triangle shape with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Aim to keep the ball straight and consistent in height.
3. Serving Drill
Objective: Practice serving accuracy and consistency.
How to Do It:
- Stand behind the end line and practice both underhand and overhand serves.
- Focus on consistent tosses and making clean contact with the ball.
- Aim for different targets on the court to improve accuracy.
4. Passing Accuracy Drill
Objective: Enhance passing precision under pressure.
How to Do It:
- Place targets on the court (cones or markers) and aim to pass the ball accurately to these targets.
- Start with a partner tossing the ball to you and gradually move to game-like serves.
5. Hitting Approach Drill
Objective: Improve footwork and timing for hitting.
How to Do It:
- Practice the three-step approach: step with your left foot (if right-handed), then right, then left again while jumping.
- Swing your arm forward to simulate hitting the ball at the peak of your jump.
6. Blocking Drill
Objective: Develop timing and technique for effective blocking.
How to Do It:
- Stand close to the net with your hands up.
- Practice jumping straight up with both arms extended, aiming to “roof” an imaginary ball.
- Focus on timing your jump to coincide with the hitter’s attack.
7. Digging Drill
Objective: Improve defensive skills and reaction time.
How to Do It:
- Have a partner hit or throw balls at you from across the net.
- Stay low and use your forearms to dig the ball up.
- Focus on quick reactions and proper body positioning.
8. Overhead Passing Drill
Objective: Enhance hand-eye coordination and control for overhead passes.
How to Do It:
- Stand under a basketball hoop or a high target.
- Toss the ball up and practice catching and redirecting it with your fingertips.
- Aim to keep the ball consistently above your head.
9. Serve Receive Drill
Objective: Improve receiving and transitioning to offensive play.
How to Do It:
- Have a partner or coach serve the ball to you.
- Focus on passing the ball accurately to a target area or back to the setter.
- Practice moving from serve receive position to ready position for the next play.
10. Communication Drill
Objective: Develop effective communication and teamwork.
How to Do It:
- Set up a drill where players must call out the ball (e.g., “Mine” or “Got it”) before making a play.
- Emphasize clear, loud, and consistent communication among teammates.
- Rotate roles to ensure everyone practices communicating in different situations.
Conclusion
Mastering the basics of volleyball through consistent practice and targeted drills is essential for beginners. These top 10 drills cover all fundamental aspects of the game, from passing and setting to serving and hitting. By incorporating these drills into your training routine, you’ll build a solid foundation of skills, boost your confidence, and become a more effective player on the court. Remember, practice makes perfect, so stay dedicated and enjoy the process of learning and improving in volleyball!
