WARM UP ACTIVITES
Tag Team Warm Up
Description
This is a good running warm up for teams with large numbers of players.
Setup
1. Three players starting at the ten foot line
2. Teacher throws volleyballs into play
3. Three lines at the end line waiting to get tagged into play
Instructions
1. Coach enters a free ball or down ball to alternating sides of the court
2. Players pass, set, and tip ball over the net into the ten foot line area
3. After contact is made, player must run back to their end line and tag a teammate to enter the game
4. Only three players are allowed inside the ten foot line at one time
5. Rally scoring to a specified number of points
Variations
1. Add a back row defensive player
Coaching Points
1. Players should be hustling to the ball, using good communication skills
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
Knee Tag
Knee Tag is a simple drill that quickly gets your players sweating and working their legs hard.
Have everyone partner up and assume a defensive-ready position. When you say go, the goal of each
player is to touch their opponent's knee as many times as they can. It is pretty simple but you will quickly
see that those players that have a high ready position are extremely vulnerable to having their knees
touched.
As they get better, they will learn to move quickly to avoid knee touches and the real smart players will use
their arms to deflect their opponents attempts and counter with their own. I usually have them rotate every
30 seconds so they have a new partner. Once in a while, I'll have them keep score and have a mini-
tournament.
Freeze Tag
Freeze Tag is one of my favorites to do once my guys and girls have learned to dive properly.
Pretty simple: Set up a defined playing area for your team. Half a volleyball court works well for 10 people.
One person is "it" and their goal is to "freeze" everyone by tagging them. If the person who is "it"
successfully freezes everyone, they win.
The catch is that anyone not frozen, may "un-freeze" a player by simply diving through the legs of a person
who is frozen.
Anyone who is still tentative when hitting the floor will surely be tagged when trying to unfreeze someone.
Winning the game is usually difficult for the person who is "it" and sometimes, I'll have two people be "it"
depending on the numbers and how smart my team is at unfreezing people.
Pay attention to how tough it might be for one person to win and adjust the game. The person who trying to
tag everyone will get tired really quick!
Dodgeball
There are many forms of this game but I'll go over the two we most commonly use as a warm-up. Basic
Dodgeball is a game everyone learned in PE growing up. There is usually 1-2 balls and it is every person
for themselves.
Make sure your playing area is closed off with walls so that the balls do not stray too far. The goal is to
avoid being hit by a ball three times. Once you are hit three times, you step out of the game and watch. A
legal hit is anything below the neck (if someone ducks into a headshot, that counts).
If the ball hits a wall or the floor before hitting you, it does not count. However, if you catch someone's
attempt to hit you, then that counts as a hit against them!
Players have to scramble to avoid being hit while still be aggressive enough to secure the loose balls. The
winner is the last person not to be hit three times. Dodgeball is great for developing anticipation skills, arm -
speed, and quickness.
OVERHEAD PASS
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
Volleyball Hoops
Grade level: 4-8
Equipment: Volleyballs
Game Description: A fun game to practice bumping and setting skills in volleyball. A passer tosses the ball to
his teammate who then tries to bump or set the ball into the basketball hoop. Players rotate and have many
chances to score points for every successful hoop. A great way to practice passing accuracy. Definitely a must-
play physical education game as a part of a volleyball unit or bumping or volleying progression.
FOREARM PASSING
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(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
Perfect Passes
Description
This drill is to practice passing multiple repetitions, staying low and shuffling.
Setup
1. Two tossers
2. Two targets
3. Two passers
Instructions
1. Tosser uses a double overhead motion to toss ball to passer.
2. Passer attempts to pass ball to target.
3. Target catches ball.
4. Tosser goes to pass, target goes to toss, passer goes to target.
5. Repeat for a set number of perfect passes. (Generally a larger number, 50-100)
Variations
1. Teams get -1 for a non perfect pass.
2. Passer uses overhead pass only.
Coaching Points
Making sure the players are staying low in ready position
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
SPIKING
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(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
SERVING
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(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
AMEOBA
DESCRIPTION
1. The drill starts with a player from each side serving a ball. They then go and sit down where their serve landed
- assuming it went in (if not they join the back of the line and will have to serve again in a minute).
2. The rest of the players then start serving, trying to serve to their teammate on the other side of the net. If
successful and their team-mate catches the ball, they go join them.
3. The drill ends when one team has all of their players reach the other side.
COACHING POINTS
As the drill goes on there will be a growing target on the other side of the net. This makes the drill easier for
players who struggle with their serving.
You'll also probably find your players encouraging one another and being supportive which will help improve
team chemistry.
PROGRESSION
To make this harder you can enforce the rule that the seated player must catch the ball for the serve to count.
Bombs away
Description
This drill will help practice short serves.
Setup
1. Three servers on one side of the court
2. Three passers on opposite side on the end line
Instructions
1. Server attempts to serve as short as possible without making an error into the net.
2. Passer starts on end line when serve is contacted the player runs and tries to catch ball before it hits the
ground.
3. Server gets 1 point for every ball that lands without the passer being able to catch it.
4. Passer must run back to the end line.
5. Repeat for a set amount of time, 2-3 minutes.
Variations
1. Add a target and have the passers attempt to pass the ball. Passers stay until they get a set number of
passes to the target. Go in groups or individually.
2. Have two passers per server behind the end line and let the servers serve rapid fire, count to 3 or five
between serves.
Coaching Points
Checking to see that the passers are waiting until ball is contacted before moving
Encouraging them to anticipate where ball wi
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Short Serve Competition
Description
This drill focuses on serving short, inside the ten foot line.
Setup
1. Two teams on both serving lines, competing against each other
Instructions
1. Team divides in half, each on their own serving line
2. Teams will alternate servers in a set order
3. Teams score points for each serve that is serve inside the ten foot line
4. Teams get +2 points for a good, short serve, -1 point for a missed serve in the net or out of bounds, and 0
points for a complete serve that is not in the short zone
5. Team that gets to a specified number of points first wins
Variations
1. Can add in conditioning by sprinting to the other teams serving line and back after a player serves
Coaching Points
1. Observing swing of the server, making sure they are serving more of a floater serve to land it inside the ten
foot line
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Volleyball Battleships
Purpose of Activity:
To identify and apply principles of practice to enhance performance and accuracy.
Prerequisites:
The underhand serve should be taught before playing this game.
Suggested Grade Level:
3-5
Materials Needed:
Volleyball nets, practice (light) volleyballs, cones and yoga mats or hula hoops. The volleyball court area needs
to be defined.
Description of Idea
After an initial practice time using volleyball underhand serves, divide the class into two or three teams
depending on the number of nets that are available. Each team will have "servers" and "ball shaggers" separated
by the net. The "servers" will serve from behind a designated line. The "ball shaggers" stand on the other side of
the net but off the court. Their job is to quickly roll the balls to the "servers" after they have landed. Hoops or yoga
mats (the battleships) are arranged on the side of the net where the "Ball Shaggers" are located. A "battleship" is
sunk when a server is able to serve the ball over the net and have it land in the hoop or on the yoga mat. If a
"battleship" is sunk(hit), the "ball shaggers" remove it from the floor. The sides remain in position until all the
battleships are hit(removed). Then change sides and start again.
Variations:
You could create closer serving lines for less skilled children to utilize.
Assessment Ideas:
You can use this game to assess an individual's serving technique and accuracy.
Teaching Suggestions:
Keep the teams small so each student has lots of practice.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities
Children with disabilities can be moved to a closer location to serve or can use an underhand toss.
BLOCKING
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(Volleyball Australia, 2019).
Hitting drill: Turn-go-hit
Description
This volleyball drill will practice defensive movements and transition into hitting from defensive movements.
Setup
1. One player on right sideline ( will pass and then hit)
2. One tosser
3. One blocker on opposite side of net
4. Line waiting to enter on sideline
Instructions
1. Player starts on right sideline and shuffles twice toward the center of the court.
2. Player turns and sprints toward opposite sideline (left sideline).
3. Player dives and touches ball.
4. Player gets up and gets into hitting position.
5. Tosser tosses ball.
6. Player approaches and attacks.
7. Blocker attempts to block.
8. Blocker shags ball and goes to end of line.
9. Player replaces blocker.
10. Coach replaces ball.
Variations
Go in the opposite direction to work both sides (from left sideline to right)
Coaching Points
Encourage players to roll after dive if able to
Check for players to turn shoulders to passing target
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Run the middle!
Description
This drill focuses on hitting middle out of serve receive.
Setup
1. A server on one side of the net with one middle blocker
2. Three passers on the opposite side with a setter and a middle hitter
Instructions
1. Server serves the ball over the net and in.
2. Middle hitter transitions into position to hit.
3. Serve receive passers pass ball to setter.
4. Middle Hitter calls for set and approaches.
5. Setter sets the Middle Hitter.
6. Middle Hitter attacks.
7. Blocker attempts to block.
8. Repeat until Middle Hitter gets a preset number of good hits, over the net, hard and in.
9. Middle hitter and middle blocker switch.
Variations
Alternate middles with each swing (for teams with more than 2 middles). Middles Hitters will hit, then
block, then wait, then repeat
Coaching Points
Making sure that middle hitters are calling the set they want in plenty of time for the setter to react
Encouraging passers to focus on a perfect pass to the setter
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Blocking: Net decision
Description
This drill teaches blockers when to block, hit an overpass, or back off the net and pass.
Setup
1. Three tossers on one side of the net
2. Three blockers on opposite side of the net
Instructions
1. Tossers toss the ball over the net to the blockers
2. Blocker must decide whether to block the ball, step back and pass, or hit the ball
3. Reset blocker and repeat
4. Tossers must change tosses: close on the net, on top of the net, over the net, etc. This allows blockers to
make different decisions on what to do.
Variations
1. Add a second blocker for a double block
2. Make the middle blocker shuffle to outside hitters to form a double block
Coaching Points
1. Blockers hands positions should be ready at all times
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Coverage drill
Description
This volleyball coverage drill will teach the team how to cover their hitters.
Setup
1. 6 players in normal set on one side of the court (receiving the ball)
2. 2 blockers in EACH of the three blocking zones on the opposite side
Instructions
1. Coach tosses a ball to receiving side who plays the ball.
2. With so many blockers (6) chances are the return will be blocked.
3. Receiving side covers the hitters and passes up the blocked ball.
Variations
Can encourage team to get three in a row before rotating positions.
Coaching Points
Look to see where holes are on coverage or in block.
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
DEFENCE DRILLS
Description
This drill is to practice passing multiple repetitions, staying low and shuffling.
Setup
1. Two tossers
2. Two targets
3. Two passers
Instructions
1. Tosser uses a double overhead motion to toss ball to passer.
2. Passer attempts to pass ball to target.
3. Target catches ball.
4. Tosser goes to pass, target goes to toss, passer goes to target.
5. Repeat for a set number of perfect passes. (Generally a larger number, 50-100)
Variations
1. Teams get -1 for a non perfect pass.
2. Passer uses overhead pass only.
Coaching Points
Making sure the players are staying low in ready position
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Hitting drill: Turn-Go-Hit
Description
This volleyball drill will practice defensive movements and transition into hitting from defensive movements.
Setup
1. One player on right sideline ( will pass and then hit)
2. One tosser
3. One blocker on opposite side of net
4. Line waiting to enter on sideline
Instructions
1. Player starts on right sideline and shuffles twice toward the center of the court.
2. Player turns and sprints toward opposite sideline (left sideline).
3. Player dives and touches ball.
4. Player gets up and gets into hitting position.
5. Tosser tosses ball.
6. Player approaches and attacks.
7. Blocker attempts to block.
8. Blocker shags ball and goes to end of line.
9. Player replaces blocker.
10. Coach replaces ball.
Variations
Go in the opposite direction to work both sides (from left sideline to right
Coaching Points
Encourage players to roll after dive if able to
Check for players to turn shoulders to passing target
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Lateral Passing: 3 touch
Description
This drill will teach players how to practice passing using lateral passing techniques.
Setup
1. Three tossers
2. Three passers starting at a cone
3. Three passers waiting to enter drill at serving line
Instructions
1. Passer starts at cone.
2. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's right.
3. Passer retreats and executes a right side lateral pass back to tosser.
4. Passer returns to cone and touches cone.
5. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's mid-line.
6. Passer retreats and executes a forearm pass to tosser.
7. Passer returns to cone and touches cone.
8. Tosser tosses ball back and to the passer's left.
9. Passer retreats back and executes a left side lateral pass to tosser.
10. Repeat for a preset number of contacts (use a multiple of three).
Variations
Change order of passes
Coaching Points
Watching to see that players are moving the correct direction and staying low
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Defence: 4 Corner Pit
Description
This is a defensive drill to help teach aggressiveness with players.
Setup
1. Four marked corners of one side of the court (floor tape)
2. Coach standing on box on opposite side of the net
3. Defensive player in middle of receiving side of court
Instructions
1. Coach or player hits off of a box to any of the four corners.
2. Player must contact each ball before it hits the ground.
3. Continue drill for a set amount of time, a set number of balls, or touches.
4. Give penalty for any ball that lands within one of the four corners.
Note: The person on the box has the control of the difficulty of the drill. Going slow will focus on the
contacts, the faster you go the more conditioning becomes involved.
Variations
Two Players, with faster ball entry.
Coach may tip or down ball to corner instead of hitting.
Coaching Points
Have defense player calling the ball every time they pass
Ready position, on toes, quick to react and move to ball
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
OFFENSIVE DRILLS
Ball control: 25 Contact Drill
Description
This drill is to practice ball control, communication, teamwork, and warm up for hitting.
Setup
1. 3 players on each side of the net: Middle back, setter, outside hitter
2. Players rotate in from middle back where the line is
Instructions
1. Coach enters free ball to player at middle back position
2. Middle back passes to setter
3. Setter sets to outside hitter
4. Outside hitter hits a controlled hit to middle back on opposite side of the net; approach and swing or down ball
5. Players follow their ball: Passer goes to setter, setter to hitter, hitter to end of line at middle back
6. Count contacts out loud with the goal being trying to get 25 contacts before the other team does
Variations
1. Increase goal based on skill
2. Add a fourth player to the rotation
3. Set up two courts to have a competition
Coaching Points
1. Players should be loud and calling every ball
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Sideout or lose
Description
This volleyball drill will emphasize the importance of first swing sideouts.
Setup
1. Two teams on the court
Instructions
1. First team serves
2. Play out serve as if playing a real game
3. Score using the point system below
4. Continue playing for a set amount of time or until one team reaches a pre-determined number of points
Variations
1. Change the scoring system to make it easier or more difficult depending on skill level
Coaching Points
1. Watching for teamwork and encouraging hard first swings
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Offense vs. Blockers
Description
This volleyball drill will practice hitting against the block and transitioning off the net.
Setup
1. 3 blockers on one side of net
2. 3 hitters, a setter, and two passers on one side
Instructions
1. Coach tosses ball to passer
2. Passer passes to setter who sets any hitter running any team plays or sets
3. Blocking side attempts to block, focusing on attempting to double block every attack
4. Hitting side gets 1 point for every hard driven attack they can get past the block
5. Blocking side gets 1 point for every significant touch at the net
6. Have the setter and passers switch sides of the net to give the other players a chance to pass the free balls
and attack
7. Play to a set number of points!
Variations
1. Use a setter for both sides of the net and only have two front row hitters
Coaching Points
1. Watching for significant touches at the net, not just barely touching the volleyball
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
Double Block Attacking Drill
Description
This blocking drill teachers players how to face a double block.
Setup
1. 6 players on one side (attacking side)
2. 4 blockers, one server and two defenders on opposite side (defending side)
Instructions
1. Start with the defending side serving
2. Defending side starts with 4 blockers on the net
3. If attacking side gets the ball past the block, then the defending side plays the ball out
4. The fourth blocker (right side) steps off the court to get out of the way of the offense and returns to court when
ball goes to attacking side
5. Give the attacking side a goal to meet: 3 out of 5, 7 out of 10 etc.
Variations
1. Change sides for the 4th blocker
Coaching Points
1. Watching correct blocker positioning with footwork and hands
(VolleyballXpert, 2019).
GAME SENSE
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Volley Tennis
