Volleyball: Overhand Passing Drill

Two players working together to block a smash from an opposition player.

The person on the side of the mats feeds the ball to the two players opposite who communicate and pass the ball to the net for the ball to be set up for an attacking jump-volley to the mat that has not been occupied by the feeder. This means that the attacking player needs to work on creating a good field of vision and observe where the feeder has moved to.

The person on the side of the mats feeds the ball to the two players opposite who communicate and pass the ball to the net for the ball to be set up for an attacking one handed tip to the mat that has not been occupied by the feeder. This means that the attacking player needs to work on creating a good field of vision and observe where the feeder has moved to.

The person on the side of the mats feeds the ball to the two players who communicate pass the ball to the net for the ball to be set up for an attacking jump-volley to the mat that has not been occupied by the feeder. This means that the attacking player needs to work on creating a good field of vision and observe where the feeder has moved to.

A close to the net block from a smash.

A close up example of a Catch and a Set.

Two players; one stands with his feet apart and the other is the hitter. The hitter throws the ball up to hit to the defender, who brings his feet together then apart again dropping and timing the drop so as to be in position just prior to the hitter hitting the ball and plays defence, keeping his chest facing the hitter and playing the ball in front of his body.

The dig is a defensive shot played when the ball is driven hard towards the waist or below of a player.The ball has a lot of energy and pace so the defender does not need to put energy into the ball like a forearm pass, but ensure that they are still when the attacker contacts the ball and they contact their defense with their forearms and angle the ball upwards to a target of the middle of court.

Players have a ball each and make an attacking approach with the ball in hand. As they reach the net they should put the ball behind their head, jump and throw the ball over the net into the opposition court.

Players move towards the net as the coach feeds the ball up. Players must position themselves close to the net and aim to catch the ball at the peak height, with both arms up in the air.

Players stand 5m apart

Each player has a ball. The player starts with the ball above their shoulders in front of their face in the overhand passing position. The task is to throw the ball up with both hands from the forehead position, just like they would during passing and catching it back in a game.

An example of a defensive dig with a poor technique and several common mistakes.

To start the exercise, one player volleys the ball to their partner who digs the ball up to themselves then volleys the ball back. The other player then repeats this pattern.

The purpose of the serve is not just to put the ball in play but to try and score a point or to stop/change the attacking strategy of the opposition. Split stance with left foot pointing in the direction of the target. Right foot at 45 degree angle pointing to the outside. Weight on back foot. Ball in left hand on the top of the fingers at hip height in the middle of the body. Right hand relaxed in front of shoulder hitting. Eyes focus on target area.

Rhythm hitting; the coach feeds the setter to set a hitter for their partner. After they have hit the ball they run around an object near the baseline of the court and then repeat.

Each player has a ball and should stand inside a 2m-diameter circle drawn with chalk. The player throws the ball high above his/her head - it should be overhand passed up so it bounces inside the circle. The player should allow the ball to bounce, get into position to use the overhand pass again to push the ball back into the air. Alternate passing and bouncing.

Each player has a ball no matter what position they normally play on the court. Each player starts with the ball on the floor. The first step is for the player to put his/her fingers on the ball like during overhand passing - that is fingers extended and wrists flexed towards forearms. The second step is to pick the ball up and start bouncing it with no change to the way their hands are positioned.