Volleyball drills designed for young players help them develop fundamental skills. Learning to serve, pass and block the ball with precision gives young players a base on which they can build more advanced skills. When training young volleyball players, it is critical that you emphasize using proper form throughout the drill rather than trying to do it quickly or score the most points.
Serving
On each side of the net, have a server stand on the right side of the court and a passer stand on the left. Place a target player on each side of the net in the front row on the same side as the passer. The server hits the ball straight over the net to the passer on the opposite side. The passer then bumps the ball to the target player, who tosses it back to the server on her side of the net. If the servers you are working with are particularly young, have them begin serving from a distance in front of the base line that they are comfortable with. As their skills advance, move the servers back until they are serving behind the base line.
Four-by-Two Pepper
The four-by-two pepper drill helps young players build their ball control and practice a variety of contacts at the same time. Separate players into pairs and have the first player hit a down ball to his partner. The partner then digs the ball and makes an overhead contact to himself. The same player then hits the ball overhead with his left fist only, followed by his right fist only, and then sets the ball to himself. When the ball comes back down, the player hits a downward strike to the first player, who follows the same contact sequence.
One-on-One Blocking
Teaching blocking skills to young players can be challenging because they may have difficulty reaching the height required to block a shot. A simple one-on-one blocking drill can help your players develop their leg muscles and shot-blocking skills at the same time. Have a line of three blockers stand at the net, with each blocker holding a ball. On the opposite side of the net, have a line of three hitters standing near the 10-foot line. At the starting whistle, have the blockers toss their balls above the net to the hitter in front of them. The hitter must then strike the ball over the net, and the blocker should attempt to stop the ball. After a set of 10 balls, have the blockers and hitters change roles.
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