Volleyball Drills and Tactics

1
Volleyball Drills and Tactics

2
Chart Legend
C Coach X General player or Target P
Passer H Hitter S Setter B Blocker V
Server D Defender / Digger R Shagger /
Retriever T Tosser A/B/C/D To identify players
in non-tactical drills
Movement of Players
Movement of Ball
Ball cart
3
Short Court Warm-up Game Drills

• Objectives Provide game-like warm-up with focus
  on particular skills
• Directions Put all players on court in two
  groups. Coach slaps ball and tosses high free
  ball to one team. Player overhead passes to
  teammates. Use 10 ft line for back boundary of
  court Play to games to 5. Require 3 touches
  before ball goes over net. Player must touch
  service line after touching the ball.
• To Rotate No rotation. Players touch service
  line after touching the ball.
• Keys Only designated passes used
• -Calling ball
• -P Start Square to net in ready position
• P square to ball as it moves around court so they
  are ready for a pass
• Variations
• Designate only OH pass or only FA pass.
• Score number of touches prior to a side out.
• Use queen of Court approach w/ 3 P on a side
• Allow players to initiate with a serve
• Adjust size of court or number of players(e.g.,
  behind 10 line to svc line)
• Raise net for OH pass only games.

P
P
P
P
C
P
P
P
P
P
4
Pass and Move Pairs Drill

• Objectives To train FA or OH passing with
  movement.
• Directions Put players in two groups facing each
  other . P1 tosses to P2 who passes back to P1
  and moves to end of P1 Line. P1 passes to P2 and
  moves to end of P2 line. Keep ball moving back
  and forth.
• To Rotate Rotate to end of opposite line after
  each pass.
• Keys Call ball, body behind ball, still
  platform,
• Scoring Use multiple groups and have groups
  perform consequence when ball hits the floor
  until last group allows ball to hit floor.
• Variations
• Use OH passes rather than FA passes.
• Use only two players and pass back and forth in
  pairs, eliminating movement.

P3
P4
P2
P
P
P1
P
P
P2
P1
5
Two Point Pass and Move Drill

• Objective To strengthen movement and passing
• Directions
• Divide team into groups of three or four players
  depending on size of team
• Each T has a ball. P1 stands in middle between
  tossers and moves back and forth opposite the T.
• As the P moves to one side, the tosser tosses
  ball straight ahead.
• Passer moves to put body behind ball, passes ball
  back to T
• As soon as P passes first ball, the other T
  tosses ball straight ahead.
• Passer then shuffles to a point opposite other T
  and passes ball back to T.
• P shuffles back and forth passing balls.
• T attempt to catch ball in OH passing position.
• Repeat 6x and rotate P2 to P1 (if four player
  groups, PgtT1gtT2 if 3 player groups) After each P
  has passed designated of balls, switch T and P
  (4 player groups).
• Variations
• Basic Passer catches the ball with arms locked
  and tosses back to T.
• More difficult P passes ball back to OTHER T.
• Passer catches ball with arms locked and tosses
  to Setter

P2
P2
P1
P1
T2
T1
T1
T2
T2
T1
P1
6
3 Passing Triangles w/ Net Drill (PTN)

• Objectives Provide game like reps for Passing
  and setting.
• Directions Divide team into groups of 3 or 4
  players
• Alternate T so that T2 is not on same side of net
  as T1 and T3.
• Tosser tosses ball underhand over net to passer,
  who overhead passes or forearm passes to setter,
  who catches ball in OH pass position while square
  to N1 (X).
• Setter bounce passes ball back to Tosser.
  handler.
• To Rotate P goes to S, S goes to T after
  specified of passes or after every pass, or
  after unsuccessful pass.
• Keys touch base, first step to ball, body
  behind ball, face ball, still platform, tilt
  platform to tgt
• Scoring Score pt for every successful pass. Play
  game to specified of pts
• Variations
• Can vary height of toss to generate overhead
  passes or forearm passes.
• T hits down ball or serves to P.
• IF passing scores are good, add a hitter who
  catches ball and bounces ball to T.
• If control a problem use only 2 tossers on same
  side
• Use only 2 Tossers and add a 2nd passer (short)
  and alternate tosses to short and deep passer. .
  Rotation is SP to DP to S to T to P line..
• SPECIAL NOTE Alternate sides for Passers.
  Middle passer (B) is on opposite side than 2
  outside passers (A/C). See diagram
• .

P
T2
P
(A)
(B)
(C)
S
H
S
X
S
X
P1
P
T1
T3
P2
Ball Movement
Player Movement
7
Down Ball Hitting w/Net Drill

• Directions
• Divide players into groups of 3-4.
• Tosser sets to hitter who hits over net to R.
• Retrievers shag hits, bounce passes to T and
  moves to hitting line line
• Rotation HgtTgtR or TgtHgtRgtS
• Watch for
• Snap over ball
• Hit ball up by contacting below equator
• Variations
• Can be done on the court or with just T and H
  facing the wall.
• R self bumps the hit
• Add a Setter (S) (see A and R passes to S
• H OH passes ball to R
• Make a coninuous drill by having S set back to R
  who hits ball to H wo passes to T who sets back
  to H

R
R
R
A
S
T
T
T
H
H
H
H
H
H
8
Self Toss and Hit to Wall or Pairs Drill

• Objectives
• Train hitters to hit with or without an approach
• High Reps
• Directions
• Spread players out facing wall or partner. Place
  targets on Wall to hit at.
• H tosses a high set to self with hitting hand or
  with two hands.
• Hitter shuffles/approaches and hits ball to tgt
  or to partner
• Keys
• Hitter tosses with hitting hand to self set
• Down Ball
• Both hands high
• Shuffle to open to body to ball
• Reach high
• Snap wrist over ball.
• 3 or 4 step Approach
• First step for direction
• Leap with big 2nd step to land with both ft _at_ 45
  degrees from net.
• Lead with hip
• High hitting elbow

H
H
H
H
H
H
H
R
9
Cooperative Pass-Set Hit w/ Net Drill (PTN)

• Notes
• P/H1 bowls/serves ball over net to P/H2, who
  overhead passes or forearm passes to S2, who
  sets back to P/H2 at 10 line.
• P/H2 hits ball to P/H1, who passes to S1.
• S1 sets ball to P/H1 at 10 line
• P/H1 hits ball to P/H2
• Rotation After 4 balls, Switch P and S.
• SPECIAL NOTE Hitter should hit down balls or
  push ball over net with OH pass or FA pass. Be
  sure set is to 10 line to facilitate down ball.
  This is a cooperative exercise so players want to
  control ball over net.
• .
• Variations
• Basic Have P catch the ball and toss to S who
  catches ball in OH passing position, and then
  sets P who catches ball in OH passing position
  and OH passes ball over net to other P.
• More advanced Initiate With serve rather than
  bowling the ball
• Scoring
• Count number of successful touches. Group with
  most consecutive touches wins.

P/H2
P/H2
S2
S2
S1
S1
P/H1
P/H1
Ball Movement
Player Movement
10
Pass and Chase Triangles

• Objectives Practice changing direction of ball
  with many reps in short period.
• Directions Divide players into groups of 4
  position players 8-10 apart in triangle with 4th
  player behind 1st player(D behind A)
• A assumes good setting or ready position facing B
  and checks self.
• When position correct, A passes to B using a
  strong high pass with good follow through, and
  then moves to B.
• B squares up to C before the ball arrives and
  catches the ball in a good setting position.
• B checks position, makes corrections then passes
  ball high to C.
• C catches, checks and passes to D, who has
  stepped into A position. Repeat.
• When they progress to passing, have players keep
  track of of consecutive passes without error.
• To Rotate No rotation beyond movement around
  triangle.
• KEYS OH Pass Players square to tgt before ball
  arrives
• Players check and correct before passing
• Good follow-through and high (20) passes.
• FA Pass P square to ball, minimize platform
  movement. Tilt platform to tgt.
• KEEP BALL LOW BELOW HEAD HEIGHT
• Scoring continue until a group lets ball
  bounce. They suffer consequences while other
  groups continue, until last group lets ball hit
  floor
• Variations Use for OH or FA pass
• Alternate type of pass
• Eliminate movement and use 3 players per triangle
  

B
A
C
D
D
D
A
C
A
C
B
B
11
Passing X Drill

• Objectives To train FA or OH passing with
  movement.
• Directions Put players in groups of 8 as shown.
  P1 tosses to p2 who passes to P3 who passes to P4
  . P move to opposite line after they pass. DO NOT
  follow ball.
• To Rotate No Rotation
• Keys Call ball, body behind ball, still
  platform, tilt platform to tgt
• Scoring Use multiple groups and have groups
  peerform consequence when ball hits the floor
  until last group allows ball to hit floor.
• Variations
• Use OH passes rather than FA passes.
• Use only four players per group and eliminate
  movement.

P
P3
P
P4
P2
P
P1
P
12
Toss Pass Set X Drill

• Objectives To train FA or OH passing with change
  in direction.
• Directions Put players in groups of 4 as shown.
  T tosses to P who FA passes to S who OH passes to
  R1, who bounce passes ball to R2, who puts ball
  in cart.
• To Rotate After touch PgtR2gtSgtR1gtP. NOTE T
  does not move if C initiated, If P initiated then
  rotation is
• PgtR2gtTgtSgtR1gtP
• Keys FA PASS Call ball, body behind ball,
  still platform, tilt platform to tgt
• OH PASS Call ball, body behind ball, shuffle to
  set face tgt, left right push, full extension
• Scoring Use multiple groups and have groups
  perform consequence when ball hits the floor
  until last group allows ball to hit floor.
• Variations
• Coach initiates as T and does not move
• P initiates as T and rotates

R1
S
R2
P
T
13
Inside Outside Drill
RShagger TTosser SSetter PPasser
Cart

• Objective To strengthen movement and passing
• Directions
• Divide team into two groups Passers (P) and
  T/S/R
• Note this drill is designed for using 2 tossers
  and passers simultaneously to increase frequency
  of touches.
• Passers touch hands at middle of court and
  shuffle to outside, maintaing good medium
  position.
• Tosser tosses ball to outside edge of court.
• Passers get body behind ball, pass ball to
  setter, dropping inside shoulder to ensure
  platform is to target.
• Setter catches ball in setting position squared
  to X (or hitter if hitter added) and puts ball in
  cart. Passers go back and touch hands
• Repeat 5x and rotate, P to S, S to Shagger
  (Sh), Sh to Passing line.
• Variations
• More basic Passer lets ball go between legs and
  a shagger behind passer retrieves ball and
  bounces to setter.
• More difficult Increase distance fro passer and
  force passers to run through the ball
• Passer catches ball with arms locked and tosses
  to Setter
• Setter catches ball in FA pass or OH pass
  position
• Have players move to opposite line after shagging
  so they get experience passing from both sides of
  court
• Multi-skill Add hitter and setter sets to
  hitter.
• Coach initiated or player initiated.
• If a large team add a ball handler to take ball
  from cart and hand to tosser

Path of Player
Path of Ball
T
T
S2
S1
X
R
R
P2
P1
P
P
14
OH Pass Catch Triangle

• Directions A assumes good setting position
  facing B and checks self. When position correct,
  A passes to B using a strong high pass with good
  follow through. B squares up to C before the ball
  arrives and catches the ball in a good setting
  position. B checks position, makes corrections
  then passes ball high to C. C catches, checks and
  passes to A. Repeat. Once players are doing well
  you can have them stop catching the ball and just
  position and pass in rotation. When they progress
  to passing, have players keep track of of
  consecutive passes without error.
• Keys
• Players square to tgt before ball arrives
• Players check and correct before passing
• Good follow-through and high (20) passes.

B
A
C
A
C
A
C
B
B
15
Ten Ball Reaction Drill
R
R
Objective Train players to react quickly to a
variety of situations and to recover quickly to
play next ball Directions Coach stands at N5
with ball cart. P touches base at 6 and then C
hits / tosses 10 balls in rapid succession,
forcing player to move throughout the court Rest
of groups shags balls and ensures that balls do
not interfere with drill After ten balls change
players. To rotate After ten balls change
players. Keys P avoids arm swing when
passing. Players recovers immediately after
playing the ball. Scoring P scores one point
for every pass/dig back to C. Variations Vary
the tosses, make them more difficult for better
players, but allow success.
P
R
R
C
R
R
R
16
Roller Ball Reaction Drill
R

• Objective
• Train players to move quickly to get behind ball
  and to recover quickly to play next ball
• Directions
• Coach stands at N5 with ball cart.
• P touches base at 6 and then C rolls ball along
  the floor to various spots on the court in rapid
  succession, forcing the player to mover to a
  position behind the ball and to catch it with two
  hands and roll it back to coach.
• Rest of groups shags balls and ensures that balls
  do not interfere with drill.
• To rotate After ten balls change players.
• Keys
• P gets behind the rolling ball and stops it with
  two hands.
• Players recovers immediately after playing the
  ball.
• Scoring
• P scores one point for every ball they roll back
  to C.
• Variations
• Vary the direction and speed of the balls to make
  them more difficult for better players, but allow
  success.
• For better players, toss the balls and have
  players catch and return
• Progress to Ten Ball Reaction Drill once players
  master this drill.

R
P
R
R
C
R
R
R
17
Toss-Pass-Set-Catch w/net

• Objectives To train free ball and serve receive
  passing skills at controlled, rapid pace. FA
  pass or OH pass
• Directions
• T underhand toss ball over net to passers at 1 or
  5, who FA passes or OH passes to S, who sets
  ball to H, who approaches and catches ball and
  puts it in cart.
• Keys
• Touch base, call ball
• First step to ball
• Body behind ball
• Still Platform
• Tilt platform to tgt
• To Rotate Rotate after specified number of
  passes or after every pass. Passer gt SgtHgtPasser
  Line
• Scoring Create competition between lines by
  scoring pt for every successful pass to tgt.
  Play to specified total pts
• Variations
• Player initiates as T, then HgtTgtLine
• T hits down ball to P, T serves to P
• Can vary height of toss to generate overhead
  passes or FA passes.
• Each passer passes until S cannot catch ball in
  OH passing position (rewards success)
• If passing scores and setting are good, have H
  hit the ball.

P
P
P
H
S
T
18
Toss and Tip Drill

• Objectives
• Train hitters in tipping ball with an approach
• High Reps
• Directions
• T sets a 5 or a 1 ball.
• Hitter shuffles/approaches and tips ball to tgt
• Keys
• Load non-hitting foot to start
• First step for direction
• Leap with big 2nd step to land with both ft _at_ 45
  degrees from net.
• Lead with hip
• High hitting elbow
• Reach up to maximum extension and tip ball with
  stiff fingers.
• Rotation H tips to tgt by R. self bumps tip,
  catches all and puts in Basket. R goes to end of
  hitting lin. H becomes R.
• Scoring
• H scores point for good approach
• H scores 1 for tip to Tgt sector
• Variations
• T sets 1s or 9s

H
H
H
H
T
T
R
R
R
19
Self Toss and Hit Drill (w/net)

• Objectives
• Train hitters in hitting with an approach and
  hitting a down ball or with an approach.
• High Reps
• Directions
• Divide into as groups so a maximum of 4 players
  hitting per court.
• H tosses a high ball to self with hitting hand.
• Hitter shuffles/approaches and hits ball to tgt
• Keys
• Hitter tosses with hitting hand to self set
• Down Ball
• Both hands high
• Shuffle to open to body to ball
• Reach high
• Snap wrist over ball.
• 3 or 4 step Approach
• First step for direction
• Leap with big 2nd step to land with both ft _at_ 45
  degrees from net.
• Lead with hip
• High hitting elbow

H1
H
H
R
R1
R
20
Back Row Attack Drill

• Objectives
• Train back row hitters in hitting with an
  approach and hitting a down ball.
• High Reps
• Directions
• Divide group into teams of 3 players, a H, S and
  R.
• H tosses to S.
• Setter sets 3rd tempo set to 9-10 ft off net
• H takes 3-4 step approach and jumps from behind
  10 ft line. to Sector 1
• R shags ball to basket
• After designated of reps rotate Sgt H gtR.
• Keys
• Hitter reads setter to see if set will be for
  down ball (S beyond 10 ft line) or approach,
  setter lt 10ft from net.
• Down ball
• H points non-hittng hand at ball and cocks
  hitting arm with elbow high, opening body to
  ball.
• H shuffles feet to ball
• Approach
• H jumps behind 10 ft line.
• Scoring
• H scores point for good approach

H1
H
H
S1
S
S
R
R1
R
21
Rapid Fire Toss-Set-Hit Drill

• Objectives
• Train all players to set and to hit with an
  approach
• High Reps
• Directions
• Divide into groups so a maximum of 2 columns of
  players hitting per court.
• T tosses a good lob to S who sets a 5 ball to H.
• Hitter shuffles/approaches and hits ball to R
• R seeks to catch/self pass ball in front of body
• Keys
• S shuffles last step to ball with hands high,
  facing attack point.
• H Loads non-hitting foot to start
• First step for direction
• Leap with big 2nd step to land with both ft _at_ 45
  degrees from net.
• Lead with hip
• High hitting elbow
• Snap over ball
• Rotation H hits to R and R shags hit, puts in
  Basket and goes to end of hitting lin. H becomes
  S. S becomes R.
• Scoring
• H scores point for good approach

H
T
T
H
H
H
S
S
B
R
R
R
22
Down Ball Hitting Quads Drill

• Objectives Cooperative player initiated drill o
  train foot and arm movement for hitting down
  balls. Large of touches.
• Directions
• Can be done on the court or facing the wall.
• Players in groups of 4, 2 on each side of net,
  facing each other over across net. Hitter is
  behind 3m line.
• Hitter tosses ball to setter who sets it back to
  hitter.
• Hitter hits over net to P. P passes to R.
• R attempts to catch pass in OH passing position,
  or shags pass.
• Rotation H gtSgtPgtRgtP line. Rotate after
  specified of passes, after unsuccessful pass,
  after every pass.
• Keys Shuffle steps to ball.
• Full arm extension,
• Snap hand over ball.
• Hit ball up by contacting below equator of ball.
• Scoring Groups compete against each other
  score pt for every successful pass. Total pts
  after every grop member hits.
• Variations
• Eliminate passing and have P shag the hit or self
  bump the hit
• IF too difficult, have setter toss ball to
  hitter. C initiate ball to hitter

P
P
P
R
R
R
T
T
T
H
H
H
H
H
H
23
Tactics Concepts
24
The Court Court Zones and Base Positions
Legend III Zone 3 VI Zone 6 MFMiddle
Front RBRight Back LBLeft Back S Setter
Overlap at Serve Serve Receive
Coverage
RF
MF
LF
III
II
IV
V
I
VI
RB
MB
LB
Risk Zone
25
6-6 Offense

• The 6-6 offense incorporates the setter in the
  front row, at a right front base position.
  Setters set from between net positions 6 and 7.
  As each player rotates to RF position, they
  become the setter.
• Pros
• Reduced setter movement required
• Less complexity of sets and plays
• Setters can see all the hitters
• Accommodates weak passing
• Enables Left Side and Middle Attacks on all
  rotations.
• Teaches passers to pass right of center
• Every player gets to hit and set
• Cons
• Only 2 FR hitters
• Hitters must work with multiple setters

26
International 4-2 Offense

• The modifies International 4-2 offense
  incorporates the setter in the front row, at a
  right front base position. Setters set from
  between net positions 6 and 7.
• Pros
• Reduced setter movement required
• Less complexity of sets and plays
• Setters can see all the hitters
• Accommodates weak passing better than 6-2 or 5-1.
• Enables Left Side and Middle Attacks on all
  rotations.
• Improves setter relationship to hitters.
• Eliminates need for hitters to switch sides.
• Setter has more area to tip into that regular 4-2
  (w/ setter middle front)
• Teaches passers to pass right of center
• Every player gets to hit LF on one rotation
• Cons
• Only 2 FR hitters
• Hitters must work with 2 setters.
• Requires more accurate passing than regular 4-2.

27
Defense Positions-Outside Attack
(6-8ft)

• Setter stays at net and handles tips, but is not
  intended to touch first ball
• MF handles balls to middle in front of 10 line
• RF handles balls along net

MB
(3-4ft.)
(3-4ft.)
RB
LB
(15-20 ft)
(15-20 ft)
(3 ft)
MF
(4-6 ft)
RF
S
H
28
Defense Positions-Middle Attack
(6-8ft)

• Setter drops off net to 6-8 and handles balls
  in front of 10 line.
• MF stays at net in front of hitter and handles
  tips,
• RF drops of net to 6-8 and handles balls inside
  10 line

MB
(3-4ft.)
(3-4ft.)
RB
LB
(15-20 ft)
(15-20 ft)
(4-6 ft)
(4-6 ft)
S
RF
MF
H
29
Defense Positions-Right Side Attack
(6-8ft)

• Setter drops off net 6 and handles ball along
  net.
• MF drops off net to 10 line and handles balls
  inside 10 line
• RF stays at net in front of hitter and handles
  tips.

MB
(3-4ft.)
(3-4ft.)
RB
LB
(15-20 ft)
(15-20 ft)
(3 ft)
MF
(4-6 ft)
S
RF
H
30
Serve Receive 5 Person Coverage

• Advantages
• Provides more players passing opportunities
• Requires least movement.
• Promotes communication
• Disadvantages
• Players must communicate effectively by calling
  the ball to avoid collisions
• A weak passer can be exploited by the server
• Notes
• MF and LF should stand as close to a direct
  line between server and corner of the court as
  can be allowed without being out of rotation with
  the back row passers. Areas outside dotted lines
  are low percentage serves so players should not
  orient on them.
• If ball goes deep, front row players should all
  turn and look for a pass.
• All players should be in ready position squared
  to server.
• MF/LF cover front 10 of court, or balls they can
  reach if back row does not call ball..
• Back row players start 3-4 in from service line
  and creep forward when server begins toss.
• Back row must call ball early to wave front row
  passer off.
• If ball is served between players, the player who
  is moving toward the setter should take the ball.
  

S
RB
MF
MB
S
LB
LF
SLF
Defensive zone boundaries