Volleyball Drills
Volleyball drills are one of the keys to effective practice and improved performance on the volleyball court. Whether you need to work on ball control, footwork, blocking or passing, volleyball drills will help your volleyball game.
Volleyball drills can be used to develop your general skill level or to work on a problem area. They also help to physically prepare and train your body for the wear and tear of a volleyball game. There are different types of volleyball drills, and each one serves a purpose.
Most volleyball drills can be separated into three basic categories: Skill Drills, Team Drills and Conditioning Drills.
Skill Drills are designed to help players improve their techniques on an individual level. This category of volleyball drills focuses on developing specific skills such as blocking, passing or serving. Here are a few examples of Skill Drills:
Toss and Pass (for 2 players)
Player 1 tosses the volleyball to Player 2, who passes the ball back, concentrating on using proper passing technique. Players should switch positions after a specific number of repetitions.
Wall Target Drill (for 1 player)
First choose a spot on the wall, then toss the ball up and hit it against the wall, aiming for the exact spot. Try to hit the target a specified number of times. This drill can also be used to practice different hitting skills.
1-on-1 Setting Drill (for 2 players)
Both players set the ball back and forth over the net to each other, trying to keep the ball in play as long as they can.
Team Drills focus on the collective skills of the whole team playing together. Some fun and effective Team Drills:
Dead Fish
Drill Players are divided into two equal teams, one on each side of the net. Each player takes a turn serving, and whoever misses a serve has to lie down on the opposite side of the court. That player has to lie down until one of their teammates hits them with a serve. Set a time limit, and whoever has the most players standing at the end wins.
Ball Control Drill
Drill begins with a down or free ball. The player then passes to the setter, who sets a back row attack, and the back row hitter hits it to the other team. If the other team cannot play the ball, the hitter gets eliminated. Play continues until there are only two players left.
Conditioning Drills are separate from skill-focused drills, and they are most effective when done regularly, especially during the off-season, when developing skills and teamwork aren't as important. A team that utilizes conditioning drills during the off- and pre-season will be more physically fit and prepared for their volleyball games.
No matter what you need to work on - passing, blocking, serving, or just getting ready for next season, volleyball drills will help you improve your game. Good coaches and teams run through drills on a regular basis, and this always shows on the volleyball court.