Mastering the fundamental skills of volleyball doesn't happen overnight, but just putting in the time doesn't guarantee that you'll improve -- you need to practice the right way, performing drills designed to teach you how to block, dig, hit, pass and serve properly. To progress rapidly and enjoy greater success on the court, commit to practicing such drills correctly and on a regular basis.
Target Serving
Step 1
Find a partner and divide each side of the court into quadrants using cones or tape, then number the quadrants from one to four. Stand behind the service line on one side of the court and send your partner to the other.
Step 2
Call out a quadrant, then serve the ball underhanded or overhanded. You earn two points if the ball lands in either back quadrant, one point if it lands in either front quadrant and a five-point bonus if it lands in the quadrant you specified before serving the ball. If the ball hits the line between two quadrants, you earn the higher point total.
Step 3
Have your partner serve the ball back to your side of the court, repeating the same process. Continue alternating serves until someone accumulates 25 points, then start over.
Volleyball Offense Drill
Step 1
Recruit three players to perform the volleyball offense drill. Start on either side of the court in the center, and have one player stand near the sideline to your left and another near the opposite sideline. Send the final player to the opposite side of the court with a volleyball.
Step 2
Have the player on the opposite side of the court hit or throw the ball to you while the players to your left and right move toward the net. Bump the ball to the player on your right, then observe while he sets the ball across the court to the player on your left, who then spikes the ball over the net.
Step 3
Have everyone rotate one spot to the left, then repeat the drill. Continue rotating after each repetition until each player completes multiple turns at each position.
Blocking Drill
Step 1
Place three cones directly under the net -- one near each sideline and one in the middle.
Step 2
Stand even with the cone to your left and close to the net. Jump at high as possible and extend your arms over your head like you're attempting to block a shot coming from the opposite side of the net. Land softly, flexing your ankles, knees and hips to absorb the impact between your feet and the floor.
Step 3
Shuffle quickly to the right until you reach the center cone, then jump and land again. Shuffle to the final cone and complete one more jump, then rest briefly.
Step 4
Start on the right side of the court and shuffle to the left after each jump during your next repetition. Continue moving back and forth across the court multiple times.
Tips and Warnings
- Mark smaller quadrants to make the target serving drill more challenging. Have a partner stand on the opposite side of the net and perform the blocking drill at the same time, seeing who can jump the highest and shuffle the quickest.
Things You'll Need
- Cones
- Tape
References
- "Coaching Youth Volleyball"; American Sport Education Program; 2001
- WePlay.com: Volleyball Offense Drill
- WePlay.com: Blocking Lines
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