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12 Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills: Complete Practice Drill Library

Master all six volleyball skills with these 12 proven drills for passing, setting, serving, hitting, blocking and defense. Step-by-step instructions for every skill.


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12 Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills: Your Complete Practice Library


Looking for specific drills to improve your volleyball skills?

You're in the right place.

Here are 12 proven drills I use with my players in boot camp classes, private training sessions, and team practices—2 drills for each of the 6 basic volleyball skills.

Whether you're working on:


...these drills will help you improve fast.

Each drill includes:

  • Clear step-by-step instructions
  • What to focus on
  • Rep counts and goals
  • How to progress the drill

Let's break down two essential drills for each skill, starting with DIGGING.


12 Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills:
Not Digging Balls That Are Hit
Right At Your Feet?


Are you having a problem digging balls that're hit right at your feet? 

One digging issue you may have is that you are putting your hands together to form your platform...too late. 


When the hitter commits to their arm swing, that's when you as the digger should have your hands together to form your digging platform.



Once the hitter commits to their arm swing, that's when you as the digger should have your hands together to form your digging platform.

Many times players wait too long and still have their hands apart after the hitter has contacted the ball...by then its too late. 

Putting your hands together earlier creates a platform with both forearms to dig the ball with and something to keep the ball off the floor earlier. 

When I use my phone to show players what they’re doing wrong more times than not they can see what I’m telling them to correct and they fix it fast. 


Drill #12: Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills in Digging and Defense Technique
Working on libero training digging three types of attacked balls...


Working on Libero Training digging three types of attacked balls...

  • digging the hard hit
  • reading then chasing down the tip while trying to stay on your feet
  • running down the deep shot to the far Zone 5 corner while trying to stay on your feet


    Drill #11

  • digging a settable ball (high in the court as near to Zone 3 - middle front- as possible) if not possible then to the middle of the court
  • getting comfortable covering the entire zone 5 left back area of the court while taking only 3-4 steps to get to each ball
  • reading fast and reacting fast while controlling our body parts so we can control the ball

How To Use These Drills In Your Practice To Improve Volleyball Skills


Weekly Drill Rotation

Don't try to do all 12 drills in one practice. Here's how to rotate them:

  • Monday: Passing + Serving (Drills 1, 2, 5, 6)
  • Tuesday: Setting + Hitting (Drills 3, 4, 7, 8)
  • Wednesday: Defense + Blocking (Drills 9, 10, 11, 12)
  • Thursday: Passing + Hitting (Drills 1, 7, 8)
  • Friday: Serving + Defense (Drills 5, 6, 11, 12)
  • Saturday: Full skills review (pick 4-6 drills, all skills)


Each practice session: 30-40 minutes, 3-4 drills


BLOCKING DRILLS 
TO IMPROVE VOLLEYBALL SKILLS


Drill 10: Blocking Footwork Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills

Blocking Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills:Blocking Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills:

What you need: Net, court space

How to do it:

Start in middle front (Zone 3). Practice blocking footwork to move left and right along the net.

Pattern:
1. Start in ready position (hands up, knees bent)
2. Shuffle-step to left side (Zone 4)
3. Jump and block
4. Shuffle-step back to middle (Zone 3)
5. Shuffle-step to right side (Zone 2)
6. Jump and block
7. Return to middle

Reps: 3 sets of 10 (5 blocks left, 5 blocks right)
Goal: Quick feet, hands stay up throughout movement

Focus on:
- Shuffle-step (don't cross feet)
- Hands stay above the net on every jump
- Land balanced, ready to move again

Why this works: Middles and pin blockers need fast lateral movement. This drill builds the footwork pattern into muscle memory.


Swing Blocking: Blockers square their upper body to the net, "swinging" their arms and hands up which helps gain momentum to reach over to penetrate the plane of the net to block. (Avinash Kunnath)


Drill #9: Blocking Timing & Reading Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills


Volleyball Blocker Tips: Time your block so you jump and penetrate the net with your arms ..just before the hitter contacts/spikes the ball 


What you need: Partner (or coach), volleyball, net

How to do it:

Partner stands on a box or chair on opposite side of net with a ball.

They simulate a hitting motion (arm swing). You jump to block at the moment they "contact" the ball.

Reps: 3 sets of 15 blocks
Progression: Partner varies timing (slow set, quick set, back set)
Goal: Jump at the right time 8/10 attempts

Focus on:

  • Watch the hitter's shoulder and arm (not the ball)
  • Jump UP, not forward into the net
  • Press hands over the net and angle toward the court


Why this works: Blocking is about timing, not just height. This drill teaches you to read the hitter and time your jump.





HITTING DRILLS
TO IMPROVE VOLLEYBALL SKILLS


Drill #8: Approach Footwork Drill
(No Ball)

What you need: Court space (or driveway, gym floor)

How to do it:

Practice your approach footwork WITHOUT a ball.

For right-handed hitters: Left-Right-Left rhythm

For left-handed hitters: Right-Left-Right rhythm

Reps: 3 sets of 10 approaches
Progression: Add arm swing on last 10 reps (still no ball)
Goal: Consistent footwork pattern every single time

Focus on:

  • - Last two steps are quick and explosive
  • - Arms swing back on second-to-last step
  • - Jump off both feet with maximum power


Why this works: Footwork is the foundation of hitting. Master it without a ball first, then add the ball later.


On this tight set that's close to the net, watch as Amber gets inside the court taking bigger steps to get her feet to the ball, she reaches high at the height of her spike jump and then she swings fast...before she starts her descent from her jump.  


Drill #7: Two vs Two Outside Hitter Drill




Watch this two vs two left side hitter volleyball drill that I have my outsides do in order to do get multiple and continuous cross court reps in both sharp cross court and deep cross court areas to work on how and where to contact the ball with the correct spiking arm swing technique. This is the cooperative drill version which means they're purposefully working on and prioritizing control the ball to a specific area as opposed to hitting hard to make a point. 


SERVING DRILLS
TO IMPROVE VOLLEYBALL SKILLS


Drill #6: Zone Serving Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills


What you need: Volleyball, court (or marked zones if practicing in yard/gym)

How to do it:

Divide the court into 6 zones (or use the standard rotation zones 1-6).

Serve 5 balls to each zone in order: Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6.

Reps: 30 serves total (5 per zone)
Goal: 7/10 accuracy to your target zone

Progression: Increase to 40 serves (add deep corners, short serves)

Focus on:

  • Consistent toss (same spot every time)
  • Contact at highest point
  • Aim for specific players (imagine weak passers in each zone)


Why this works: Serving to zones keeps opponents out of system. This drill builds placement accuracy under pressure.


Players are given a specific amount of time to serve a pre-determined number of balls to the target area formed by the chairs. hitting the middle of the chairs is rewarded more than just hitting the chairs in this case but coaches can come up with their own rules in irder to make this a tougher or easier drill. 

If you notice I put the target in a zone on the court that I want my players to become really good at serving to. So in this case I put the chair in the court Zone seam 1/6.


Drill #5: Pressure Serving Drills To Improve Volleyball Skills



What you need: Volleyball, court, serving target

How to do it:

Create a pressure scenario: "I must make 8/10 serves to Zone 5 or I repeat the set."

Serve 10 balls. Track your makes.

Reps: 3-5 sets of 10 serves
Goal: Hit your target percentage under self-imposed pressure

Focus on:

  • Deep breaths between serves
  • Same pre-serve routine every time
  • Visualizing the ball landing in your target zone


Why this works: Games are won and lost on serves. Practicing under pressure prepares you for match point situations.

Pro tip: Keep a serving journal. Track your accuracy percentage weekly. I've seen players go from 60% accuracy to 90% in just one month of tracked, intentional practice.



Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation. 

Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2













There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with

  • the same toss height and same toss location
  • the same armswing speed 
  • the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
  • the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
  • getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
  • and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2. 

SETTING DRILLS
TO IMPROVE VOLLEYBALL SKILLS


Drill #4: Target Setting Drill (Basketball Hoop)


What you need: Volleyball, basketball hoop (or wall target)

How to do it:

Stand under or near a basketball hoop. Set the ball toward the hoop, aiming to get it through the net.

Reps: 3 sets of 30 reps
Progression: Set from different positions around the key (left, right, center)
Goal: 7/10 sets go through the hoop

Focus on:

  • Hands form a triangle/window above forehead
  • Contact ball with fingertips, not palms
  • Wrists snap through the ball on release
  • Ball comes off both hands simultaneously


Why this works: The hoop gives you instant feedback—you either make it or you don't. No guessing about accuracy.


Practicing your setting skills will make you a more reliable teammate and improve your ability to assist others during games. Watch as Anais does her wall setting with footwork movement during one of our private training sessions. 


Drill# 3: Wall Setting with Footwork


What you need: Volleyball, wall

How to do it:

Set the ball against a wall repeatedly, but add footwork between each set.

Pattern:
1. Set to wall
2. Shuffle 3 steps to the right
3. Set to wall
4. Shuffle 3 steps to the left
5. Repeat

Reps: 3 sets of 30 (90 total sets)
Goal: Ball doesn't spin when it leaves your hands; consistent tempo

Focus on:

  • Quick feet between sets
  • Getting under the ball in proper position every time
  • Soft hands, firm wrists


Why this works: Setters need to move and set—this drill combines both. Simulates chasing down off-target passes.



PASSING DRILLS
TO IMPROVE VOLLEYBALL SKILLS


Drill #2: Wall Passing Accuracy Drill


What you need:

Volleyball, wall, target (chalk mark or tape)

How to do it:

Pick a specific spot on the wall—a brick, a chalk X, or a piece of tape. Make it visible so anyone walking by can see exactly where you're aiming.

Stand 5 feet from the wall and pass the ball to your target repeatedly.

Reps: 3-5 sets of 100 reps
Progression: After each set, side-step 2 feet and repeat. Then step back to 8 feet and repeat.
Goal: Complete 300-500 passing repetitions with 8/10 accuracy to your target

Focus on:

  • Platform stays flat through entire pass
  • Ball contacts both forearms simultaneously
  • Shoulders stay square to target
  • Follow-through points directly at target


Why this works: Wall passing drills can be done daily at home to keep your passing technique, angled platform work, ball contacting skills, and control of the ball extremely sharp.


My tips on How to do wall passing drills...

Volleyball wall passing and wall setting drills can be done daily at home with a goal of at least 250 - 500 reps of various drills to keep your

  • passing or setting technique, 
  • angled platform work, 
  • ball contacting skills and 
  • control of the ball.....extremely sharp!

Pick a brick, a specific spot on the wall or mark a big X in chalk on a wall or use a basketball net or backboard ...no matter what you decide to use as your target... anybody walking by.... should be able to see exactly where the spot is that you are aiming for EVERY...single....time .⁠

Do 3 to 5 sets of 100... five feet from the wall ....then side step two feet and repeat. Then step back and repeat.⁠

Complete 300 to 500 passing repetitions




Drill #1: Partner Passing Progression Drill


Can you pass two balls at a time? This is a passing drill which forces you to pass the ball right to the target because if you overpass the ball your passing partner will probably have to stop the drill.  



What you need: Volleyball, partner, court space

How to do it:

Start 10 feet apart. Pass back and forth, focusing on consistent platform angle and target accuracy.

Progression:

  • Level 1: Stationary passing, 50 reps (goal: 9/10 accurate)
  • Level 2: One partner moves side-to-side, other stays stationary, 50 reps
  • Level 3: Both partners move after each pass, 50 reps
  • Level 4: Add a third player (triangle passing), 75 reps


Focus on:

  • - Communication before every pass
  • - Moving feet to get behind the ball
  • - Passing to your partner's midline (not making them reach)


Why this works: Adds movement and communication—two things you need in real games.


               Controlled Partner Passing               Volleyball Passing Drill 

Start by passing the ball back and forth. One person is on the ten foot line and the other three feet inside the end line or back court line. .

The person closest to the net, on the ten foot line, is the control “target” partner. .

This is the “target” person who never moves and where the partner who is working needs to get the ball to. .


Track Your Progress


After each drill session, ask yourself:

  • Did I hit my rep count goal?
  • Did I meet my accuracy percentage?
  • What felt better today vs. last week?
  • What do I need to focus on next session?


Want a complete tracking system?

My Volleyball Skills Checklist Bundle includes printable drill logs, progress trackers, and self-assessment checklists for every skill.




Check out this pepper drill option that you can do at home with a partner or against a wall. I love changing pepper options so players can work on controlling the ball. In this drill you'd dig to yourself, set your self a two ball (a second tempo set) with one hand and then again with the other hand before hitting a controlled ball to your partner who repeats the sequence.   


Learn More About Defensive Specialists in Volleyball
Frequently Asked Questions About Volleyball's Defensive Position


1. What is a defensive specialist in volleyball?

A defensive specialist is a back-row player who is usually the best on the team when it comes to defensive skills like digging, passing, serving and serve receive.

They're crucial team members who help defend their court by preventing opponents' attacks from hitting the floor and scoring and help to maintain the rally momentum with precise ball control.

2. How is a defensive specialist different from a libero?

While both positions focus on defense, defensive specialists follow regular substitution rules and attack the ball from the backrow, whereas liberos have unique substitution privileges but cannot serve in most leagues.

Unlike the libero, defensive specialists can jump and hit the ball from the backrow, and they wear the same colored jersey as the other members on the team and must be substituted within the substitution zone, following standard volleyball substitution rules.

3. What skills should a defensive specialist focus on?

What my defensive players focus on during private training lessons with me include:
- Reading opponent attacks and anticipating where the attacked ball once it passes the blockers hands will land in the court and be there ahead of time to dig the ball back up
- Quick upper and lower body to the a ball or to the ground reaction time in addition to being agile and quick enough to make diving saves to keep the ball off the floor
- Developing precise volleyball passing technique for serve receive and increased ball control skills during long rallies
- Excellent communication skills with teammates in order to talk about quickly what is happening and what is about to happen during a rally
- Strategic positioning and court awareness 
- Developing a consistent serving ability in order to be a dependable point scoring player on the team 
- Working on forward backward and side setting volleyball skills from the left side of the court

4. Why did you choose an alligator to represent defensive specialists?

First of all I love reptiles and I chose the alligator because of its natural defensive characteristics including

Just as alligators protect their territory with unbelievable laser focus and aggressive response, defensive specialists are responsible for guarding their court with similar intensity and determination.




Like alligators who transition between water and land, great defenders and volleyball diggers and liberos must be comfortable diving, rolling, and recovering quickly to get to their feet while staying balanced in order to make offensive plays effective.

5. What are the key defensive positions on the court?

The main back row defensive positions include:

  • Position 5 (left back): Primary defense against outside hitters
  • Position 6 (middle back): Central defensive coordinator
  • Position 1 (right back): Defense against opposite hitters

Defensive specialists must improve all three of these player positions to effectively contribute to the team's defense.

6. How can I improve my defensive reactions?

Enhance your defensive reactions through:

7. What equipment does a defensive specialist need?

Essential equipment includes:

8. How do I know if the defensive specialist position is right for me?

You might be perfect for this position if you:


9. What are the most important defensive drills?

Some critical volleyball defensive drills include:

10. How can wearing your position-specific gear possibly help improve your mental performance and self confidence?

My volleyball position inspired shirts, posters, aprons, stickers, hoodies and sweatshirts like my alligator shirt can:

  • Boost confidence through position identity
  • Remind players of their defensive mindset
  • Create team unity through shared symbolism
  • Reinforce defensive specialist pride
  • Maintain focus on defensive responsibilities
  • Inspire peak performance through visual motivation
  • Improve and grow self confidence among shorter players who're often the 

Ways To Improve Volleyball Skills: 
Where Do You Go From Here?


Your three options are: 

  1. You can learn more about Drills by visiting the Related Links below.  
  2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
  3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 

Learn more about volleyball drills on these pages!

If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

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Struggling with passing consistency?

I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills  BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.

Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

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    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division



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