10 Dynamic Volleyball Passing Drills to Improve Your Game

For players: When you’re out there on the court, strong passing skills are your secret weapon! With a solid pass, you can set up your teammates for killer spikes, frustrate the other team’s defense, and make your own job on the court a whole lot easier. Plus, who doesn’t love being the go-to passer on their team? You’ll be the glue that holds everything together and keeps your squad running like a well-oiled machine. And let’s not forget, coaches love players who can pass like a boss – it’s a surefire way to earn more playing time and show off your skills. So don’t skimp on your passing drills, because they’ll pay off big time in the end.

From the coach’s perspective: Volleyball passing is an essential skill that must be mastered by all players on the team. It is the foundation upon which all other offensive skills are built. Without proper passing, the team will struggle to set up a good attack and will not be able to score points consistently. Additionally, a strong passing game is crucial for defensive purposes, as it allows the team to get control of the ball and start the transition to offense. A coach will therefore prioritize passing drills and focus on developing the passing skills of all players on the team in order to build a strong, well-rounded volleyball program.

1. “Partner Passing”

This is a simple, but effective drill for improving passing skills in volleyball. To perform this drill, players will need a partner and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players stand facing each other, about 3-5 meters apart.
2. One player starts by tossing the ball to their partner using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving player catches the ball and passes it back to their partner using a forearm pass.
4. Players continue to pass the ball back and forth, focusing on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball.

This drill can be modified in a number of ways to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart and work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. Partner passing is a great way for players to work on their passing skills in a controlled environment and to get comfortable with the feel of the ball.

2. “Three-Person Passing”

For the Three-Person Passing drill, you will need three players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players form a triangle, with one player at each point.
2. Player 1 starts by tossing the ball to Player 2 using a forearm pass (also known as a platform pass, or a bump pass).
3. Player 2 catches the ball and passes it to Player 3 using a forearm pass.
4. Player 3 catches the ball and passes it back to Player 1 using a forearm pass.
5. Players continue to pass the ball around the triangle, focusing on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. The Three-Person Passing drill is a great way for players to work on their passing skills in a game-like setting and to get comfortable with the feel of the ball. It also helps to improve teamwork and communication among players.

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3. “Four-Corner Passing”

This drill is a variation of the traditional three-person passing drill that adds an additional element of movement and coordination. To perform this drill, you will need four players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players form a square, with one player at each point.
2. Player 1 starts by tossing the ball to Player 2 using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. Player 2 catches the ball and passes it to Player 3 using a forearm pass.
4. Player 3 catches the ball and passes it to Player 4 using a forearm pass.
5. Player 4 catches the ball and passes it back to Player 1 using a forearm pass.
6. Players continue to pass the ball around the square, focusing on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball.

As the ball is passed around the square, players should move to the next point in a clockwise direction. This means that Player 1 will move to the position occupied by Player 2, Player 2 will move to the position occupied by Player 3, and so on. This adds an element of movement and coordination to the drill, as players must be aware of their own position and the positions of their teammates at all times. The Four-Corner Passing drill is a great way to improve passing skills, coordination, and teamwork among players.

4. “Two-Ball Passing”

This drill is a challenging and high-intensity passing drill that can help players improve their skills and reaction time. To perform this drill, you will need two balls and at least four players (though more players can be added to increase difficulty). Here’s how it works:

1. Players form a circle or square, with enough space between them to comfortably catch and pass the ball.
2. One player starts by tossing one of the balls to another player using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. As soon as the first ball is thrown, the player who threw it immediately starts tossing the second ball to another player.
4. Players continue to pass the balls around the circle or square as quickly as possible, focusing on using proper technique and maintaining control of the balls.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. The Two-Ball Passing drill is a great way to improve passing skills, reaction time, and teamwork among players. It can also help to increase endurance and cardiovascular fitness, as it requires a high level of intensity and sustained effort.

5. “Pass and Cover”

This drill is a simple but effective drill that can help players improve their passing skills and defensive positioning. To perform this drill, you will need at least four players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of two and stand on opposite sides of the court, facing each other.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, the players on each team should move to cover the court and anticipate where the ball will be hit.
5. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as staying in good defensive position and communicating with their teammates.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. The Pass and Cover drill is a great way to improve passing skills, defensive positioning, and teamwork among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

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6. “Pass and Set”

The “Pass and Set” drill is a volleyball drill that helps players improve their passing and setting skills, as well as their communication and teamwork. To perform this drill, you will need at least four players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of two and stand on opposite sides of the court, facing each other.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, one player on each team should move to the front of the court and get ready to set the ball.
5. When the ball is passed back to their team, the setter should set the ball to their partner, who should be ready to hit it.
6. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as communicating with their teammates and getting into position to make a play.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of sets (such as overhead sets or back sets) to challenge themselves. The Pass and Set drill is a great way to improve passing and setting skills, as well as teamwork and communication among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

7. “Pass and Go”

This is a drill that helps players improve their passing, footwork, and movement skills. To perform this drill, you will need at least four players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of two and stand on opposite sides of the court, facing each other.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, one player on each team should move to the front of the court and get ready to set the ball.
5. When the ball is passed back to their team, the setter should set the ball to their partner, who should be ready to hit it.
6. After hitting the ball, the hitter should immediately move to the back row and prepare to defend.
7. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as moving quickly and efficiently around the court.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of sets (such as overhead sets or back sets) to challenge themselves. The Pass and Go drill is a great way to improve passing, footwork, and movement skills, as well as teamwork and communication among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

8. “The Grid”

The “Grid” drill is a drill that helps players improve their passing, communication, and teamwork skills. To perform this drill, you will need at least six players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of three and stand in a grid formation, with one team on either side of the court.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, players should move to cover the court and anticipate where the ball will be hit.
5. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as communicating with their teammates and getting into position to make a play.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. The Grid drill is a great way to improve passing, communication, and teamwork among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

9. “The X-Drill”

The “X-Drill” is a volleyball drill that helps players improve their passing, setting, and teamwork skills. To perform this drill, you will need at least six players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of three and stand in an “X” formation, with one team on either side of the court.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, one player on each team should move to the front of the court and get ready to set the ball.
5. When the ball is passed back to their team, the setter should set the ball to their partner, who should be ready to hit it.
6. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as communicating with their teammates and getting into position to make a play.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of sets (such as overhead sets or back sets) to challenge themselves. The X-Drill is a great way to improve passing, setting, and teamwork among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

10. “The Star Passing Drill”

The “Star Passing” drill is a volleyball drill that helps players improve their passing, teamwork, and communication skills. To perform this drill, you will need at least six players and a ball. Here’s how it works:

1. Players divide into two teams of three and stand in a star formation, with one team on either side of the court.
2. One team starts by tossing the ball to the other team using a forearm pass (also known as a bump pass).
3. The receiving team catches the ball and passes it back to the first team using a forearm pass.
4. As the ball is passed back and forth, players should move to cover the court and anticipate where the ball will be hit.
5. Players should focus on using proper technique and maintaining control of the ball, as well as communicating with their teammates and getting into position to make a play.

This drill can be modified to increase difficulty and add variety. For example, players could start farther apart to work on longer passes, or they could use different types of passes (such as overhead passes or volleyball sets) to challenge themselves. The Star Passing drill is a great way to improve passing, teamwork, and communication among players. It can also help to develop strategy and court awareness, as players must anticipate and react to the movements of their opponents.

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Passing Skills Are Crucial For Every Volleyball Program

Passing drills are an essential part of any volleyball training program to help players develop the skill of passing. They help players develop the skills and techniques needed to effectively pass the ball and set up their teammates for a successful attack.

By practicing different passing drills, players can improve their accuracy, control, and consistency, as well as their communication and teamwork skills. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, incorporating a variety of passing drills into your practice routine can help you take your game to the next level.

So don’t shy away from the bump pass – embrace it and use these drills to become a passing master!