Whether you’re new to volleyball or training kids to fall in love with the game, you’ll benefit from trying these 15 fun volleyball drills for beginners.
To get the most out of these volleyball beginner drills, watch the above 30-minute video led by Deborah Newkirk of Coach ‘Em Up. Each drill is timestamped in the video, so you can skip ahead to the drill you want to try! Coach Newkirk, assisted by Coach Karen, demonstrates fun and basic volleyball drills to improve serving, passing, hitting, setting and more. Try them to get kids and novice players excited about the game of volleyball!
Volleyball Practice Drills to Improve Basic Skills
In this segment, you’ll see a number of drills you can apply to your next volleyball practice. You’ll notice the use of energy checks interspersed throughout the practice session to keep momentum and engagement high. Follow along as our coaches take these beginner players through jam-packed volleyball practice drills.
1. Energy Check Drill
When team energy dips, boost it with a quick energy check! Players place a volleyball between their knees, then clap out a rhythm on their thighs and hands, followed by a jubilant shout of “volleyball!”
2. Down Ball Hitting Drill
Warm up your players’ hitting hands with this simple drill. Athletes position the ball in front of their hitting shoulder, then strike the ball against the floor using the entire area of their hitting hand.
3. Toss Up Setting Drill
Train players on proper ball and body position while setting. Athletes place one foot slightly ahead of the other, then toss the ball above their heads and catch it with fingers spread.
4. Fizzles Setting Drill
Help players get a feel for the ball in their hands with “fizzles.” Players toss the ball above their heads, then set a low ball to themselves for three reps.
5. Four Sets Drill
Work on low-to-high ball control with this basic setting drill. Players set a low ball to themselves for three reps, then finish with one high set.
6. Low Catch Passing Drill
Get players used to handling the ball in a low body position with this beginner passing drill. Athletes toss the ball high into the air, allow it to bounce once, then catch it just before it hits the floor a second time while in a low base.
7. Volleyball Burpee Passing Drill
This is one of many useful volleyball passing drills for beginners. It is a progression of the low catch passing drill that teaches players to move with the ball. After catching the ball in a low position, players tap it on the floor to the right, middle, and left of their bodies, then pop up to a standing position.
8. Deliver and Pop Serve Drill
Get players comfortable with the overhand serve toss by teaching them to “deliver” the ball at the top of their reach, then drop the ball to the floor. Next, have them add a small toss at the delivery point, then contact the ball with a “pop” from their serving hand.
9. 10 to Kill Ball Control Drill
Practice ball control with this cooperative 6 vs. 6 drill that encourages both teams to work together. Once the ball has crossed the net 10 times, either side can attempt a kill to win a big point. The first team to score five big points wins!
10. Popcorn Ball Control Drill
Get athletes comfortable with ball control using “long and strong” arms. Players bounce a volleyball from arm to arm using a single bounce, then progress to a double bounce.
11. Big Kernel Little Kernel Ball Control Drill
In this variation on the popcorn drill, players practice control by bouncing a ball from arm to arm using a little bounce, big bounce pattern.
12. Five-Second Rule Ball Control Drill
Challenge your players with this variation on the popcorn drill that requires them to touch the floor on alternating high bounces.
13. Muscle Memory Throws Drill
In this partner drill, players practice four muscle memory throws that help them develop proper hitting and serving technique.
14. Serve Receive Wave Drill
Servers send balls across the net and opposing passers return the ball to a target player. After 10 good passes, servers and passers swap positions and the drill repeats for another 10 points.
15. Flip Flop Passing Drill
Two players take turns tossing balls to a passer between them. After passing the ball to the first tosser, the passer rotates 180° to receive and return the ball to the second tosser.
Need more volleyball drills for beginners?
Improve fundamental volleyball skills and techniques with the Youth Volleyball Drill Book by The Art of Coaching Volleyball!
This exclusive guide features 120+ beginner volleyball drills that are fun and effective. Youth players (ages 5 to 12) will enjoy these fun volleyball drills that cultivate enthusiasm for the game.
Score your copy of the Youth Volleyball Drill Book or purchase it as a digital download! Looking for more? Browse our extensive library of volleyball drill videos and blog posts to see a variety of coaching tips and volleyball practice drills to implement in your next training session.
