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Volleyball drills

  • The goal is to play the ball in threes. This requires the commitment of every player.
  • So line up three players.
  • They solve a thrown ball (by the trainer), by playing in threes.
  • The first ball is passed to the upper-position.
  • The 2nd player, who has the job of upper-player, runs to the upper-place.
  • The 3rd player then prepares for the attack.
  • At first keep the ball on one side of the net, by not actually hitting the 3rd ball, but catching it.
  • Then 3 other players move in to do the same.
  • On the other side of the net, the same is practiced with the other half of the team.
  • After a while, when the ball is regularly played in threes, the ball is actually played to the other side.
  • The team on the other side then plays the ball back in threes.
  • And so on; play over as long as possible.
  • No scoring, it's about playing in threes.
  • Organisation: Make three teams with one ball.
  • Execution:
    • 2 players stand opposite each other at approx. 5m.
    • The third player is "distributor" and stands to the right of the passer.
    • Player 1 plays brace to 2nd player and he passes the ball to the right, where the Sv is standing.
    • This gives player 2 a setup, which is attacked on player 1.
    • Meanwhile, Sv runs to the right side of player 1 to receive the pass there.
drawing Overhead in threes
  • This exercise is about the movement of the middle block and cooperation with the outside blocker.
    • The ball is introduced through service or throw in (by the trainer or team-mate).
    • Service is towards the passer.
    • Passer brings the ball to the distributor.
    • The distributor sets up the attack.
    • After 10 attacks the game is continued.
    • Players prefer to play on their own position.
  • Important for the exercise:
    • The playmaker communicates with his attackers about the desired attacking position and speed (especially the alternation between rise and short of the middle attacker).
    • Mid block jumps with a rising attack (not full).
    • If the ball goes outside, he lands on his left foot and moves outside to set up a two-man block (connecting).
    • If the ball is played over middle, the outside blocker steps out to make a pass if the ball falls short or is hit.
drawing Blocking in game situation
  • Organization:
    • Trainer throws to playmaker on p2/4 on field A.
    • Every 5 setups the players are changed.
    • On p4 an attacker stands at the net.
    • On court B there is a blocker on p2 and a defender on p5.
  • Execution:
    • Trainer claps on the ball and throws to.
    • The attacker walks back from the net at the moment of hit and attacks the setup on p4.
    • She then runs back again and attacks a 2nd ball at p3.
    • The block on field B moves with her to p3.
  • Running directions:
    • Attacker becomes block.
    • Block becomes defense.
    • Defense retrieves the balls and becomes attacker.

drawing Attacks on 3 and 4
  • Organization:
    • Players on p2 and p4.
    • Other players in 2 rows on 3m line p3.
  • Execution:
    • The first two players walk to the net and block together on p3.
    • Then they sidestep or walk to p2 and p4 and block together with the player who is already there.
    • The original player on p2 and p4 make a roll/dive and join the other row.
drawing Preparatory exercise Blocking
  • Organization:
    • Field A:
      • Sv on p2.
      • Attackers on 4 and start at the net.
      • Trainer throws in balls.
    • Field B:
      • Block on p2 and Libero on 5.
      • Explanation SBS6. (Stand still, Block Stroke arm to P6)
  • Execution
    • Tr throws on, setup and attack at 4.
    • Block blocks the strike arm and the libero defends the attack if necessary.
    • Block stays in place for 5 attacks.
  • Expansion:
    • Field B:
      • Block on p3 connecting to attack on P2.
      • If the block is gone before the setup is given, the Sv may play the ball over the net at p3.
  • Ball at the net, player on the back line.
  • Short ball, 3 metres.
  • Shuffle back.
  • Long ball 7 meters.
  • 6 short balls.
  • 5 long balls.
  • Last short ball is pancake.
  • 5-1 system on both sides.
  • Team 1 serves, plays out rally.
  • Loser gets a rally ball.
  • Other team gets a rally ball.
  • Minimum of 2/3 points scored is turn over.
  • Service changes every time.
  • Important:
    • First walk (arms loose and not extended), then stretch and pass.
    • Stand still when passing but continue the exercise.
  • Throwing (2 players at the same time)
    • Move from the left- and right-back to the middle 3-meter and pass; 8 balls 7.
    • From left and right back to front 3-meter move and pass; same side 7 balls.
    • From left and right halfway side-shuffle. Pass in the middle; same side 7 balls.
    • Block at the net and then pass on 3-meter line; same side 5 balls.
    • From midfield to left- and right-back bring shuffle pass; loop 5 balls.
  • Hit (4 at the same time):
    • From left side (3-meter) 1st ball from center attack directly on player; shuffle towards mid-back with immediately a slide attack from outside position.
    • From position 5 direct middle attack on player; shuffle to position 6 ball thrown in.
    • From position 5 direct mid-attack on player; shuffle to position 4 ball thrown in.
    • From the right side (3-meter) 1st ball from mid-attack directly on player; shuffle towards mid-back with immediately a slide attack from the outside position.
  • Extended (3 at a time):
    • From right long ball from outside attack; short shuffle for diagonal attack. (left player right player alternate)
    • 3 passers with random balls. (attack, throw, long balls, short balls)

  • Basic setup.
  • After processing the service, a rally is played.
  • At the net are 3 players with 1 ball.
  • On the place of attack a ball is immediately thrown back and has to be drained.
  • Play all balls and then rotate through.
drawing Decking out (infinite rally)
  • Players form threesomes.
  • Per trio two players at the net with a ball.
  • Player A hits the ball (overhand) for a pass before the backline.
  • Immediately after that B throws the ball on the three meter line.
  • Player C makes a pancake and plays the ball back.
  • After 10 times the players turn one spot (A becomes C, B becomes A, C becomes B).


drawing Pancake - 2
  • This exercise trains the split step.
  • Players line up behind the back line.
  • Trainer or player stands at the net.
  • One by one the players walk in from the back line.
  • When the trainer hits the ball, the player makes a split step.
  • Then he gets the ball on a random spot next to or in front of him.
  • Player passes back and retrieves ball if necessary.
  • After that the player closes in at the back.
drawing Splitstep