Best Volleyball Drills

The best volleyball drills encourage a team to work together, prepare players for a game, and help players hone the skills needed to play the game. Some drills are more suitable for beginning players, as they introduce a player to the aspects of the game. Other drills work on a particular skill, such as setting, and are ideal for more experienced players who know that they need to work on a particular area.

Running Drills

A running warm up drill is ideal to get players ready just before a game. During this drill, five players line up on each side of the net, within the 10 foot line. The first person to have the ball sets it across the net, then runs back to the end line and then back to her starting position. The person who hits the ball on the other side of the net must run to the end line on that side, then back to her position. Each player must run to the end line and back after touching the ball, before they can touch it again. This drill works on rallying skills and warms up a team before a game.

Bump, Set, Strike

The bump, set, strike drill is another great warm-up. It's also a great drill to do between games, as it only requires two people. The drill helps players improve their hitting skills. The players stand opposite each other, about 15 feet apart. The first player passes, or bumps, the ball to the other player. That player then sets the ball back to the first person, who should strike it back to her. The second player then passes the ball to the first and the drill is repeated, with the first player setting the ball back tot he second. The drill can continue until the players feel ready to play or it can be a timed drill.

Serving Relay

Serving in volleyball is a necessary skill. A serving relay drill helps all players improve their skill by putting them under some pressure. Usually, the drill is done by dividing a team into two groups. Each group stands behind the end line on one side. One person from each group serves the ball to the other side, then must run over to the other side and retrieve the ball. If she misses the ball, she must try again, until she is able to do it. Once she successfully serves and retrieves the ball, she can pass it to the next player.

Get Out of the Hole

Blocking stops the ball from coming over the net and is an essential defensive move in volleyball. One drill, called "Get Out of the Hole, places a blocker opposite two hitters, who have the advantage of standing on blocks. One of the hitters sends the ball over. The blocker must maneuver herself so that she can stop the ball, then she must run back to  the center in front of the net. The drill can be made more challenging by moving the two hitters further apart on the opposite side.