Contact Help center
Volleyball Volleyball
HOME Volleyball SEARCH

Volleyball: positioning

positioning DRILLS
View All

Dig, bounce, pass it forward

In pairs, the players face each other. Player 1 throws the ball underarm to his/her partner. Player 2 receives the ball using a dig method, and hits it high in the air, lets it bounce once, and then returns the ball to his/her partner using the underarm pass method.

4 Passing Drills

Dig and move position 4 Passin...

One player stands in Zone 3 and spikes the ball into the court. The other players, starting from behind the sideline, take it in turns to receive the ball, return it to the player acting as the feeder and runs to Zone 1. Once all the players are in Zone 1, the player feeding continues to spike the ball into the court but the other players must change positions from side to side in the backcourt.

General

Catch and Set VST:CATCH IN VOL...

A close up example of a Catch and a Set.

General

Throw and Catch VST:CATCH IN D...

Throw the ball in the air using two hands, move to where the ball is coming down. Bend your knees and catch the ball as low to the floor as possible whilst remaining on your feet.

General

Side Shifting 2 Warm Up - Voll...

Hold the ball in the palm of your hand and stand in a good ready position. Using your bodyweight and movement side-step taking the ball with you, letting it bounce, catching the ball with the other hand and changing direction (don't throw the ball, use the whole body movement to move the ball side-side).

General

Move Back and Pass 4 Passing D...

One player passes an inaccurate long pass behind teammate whose task is to move back and set up balanced position prior to setting the ball back.

General

Faster footwork 2 Warm Up - Vo...

Place four cones so they make the corners of a square. A player stands at each cone, and using tiny foot movements, moves around it as fast as they can. On the coach's signal all players change their position, going clockwise. Players must face the net at all times as they would during a match.

General

Volley and Follow VST:CATCH IN...

Start with a throw or volley, then the player follows the ball and joins the queue of players at the other side of the net, this is then repeated for amount of time or number of repetitions (if an error is made you can make them start again, this helps to make them concentrate).You can also add little extra bits i.e. touch the opposite end baseline before joining the queue or do two blocks at the net on your way through.

General

Crossover And Block 8 Block Dr...

Two players stand on one side of the net attacking, while one player is on the other side and will be the blocker. On the attacking side, a player overhand passes the ball to a team mate who sets it back to him to spike. The blocker make a sideways run and crossover from zone 3 to block the spike.

General

Overhand throw-catch 4 Passing...

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.

General

Bounce Up and Receive VST:CATC...

Volley the ball to your partner who volleys the ball to themselves one time whilst you do two block jumps this is then repeated by your partner.

General

Knee tag 2 Warm Up - Volleybal...

Partners stand facing each other about arms distance apart, one of the partners is the tagger who tries to touch the partner on the knee the other has to avoid being tagged whilst remaining close.

General

Throw From Behind Back 4 Passi...

Players keep the ball with both hands behind back and throw it up and forward, keeping their body position the same as if they were receiveing/digging.

General

Overhead Throw Warm Up 8 Block...

In pairs facing each other, players throw the ball two handed overhead and into the ground, bending the body correctly. The ball should then bounce up and reach the other player.

General

Setting-like bouncing 1 Techni...

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.

General

Receive, return and spin 4 Pas...

In threes, the players stand in a row, the person in the middle faces player 1. Player 1 then underhand passes the player in the middle, who return the ball back to player 1. The player in the middle then spins around to receive the ball from player 2, whereby he returns it using the underhand pass.

General

Set-bounce-set 10 Setting Dril...

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.

General

Dig, bounce, pass it forward 4...

In pairs, the players face each other. Player 1 throws the ball underarm to his/her partner. Player 2 receives the ball using a dig method, and hits it high in the air, lets it bounce once, and then returns the ball to his/her partner using the underarm pass method.

General

Barge Ball 8 Block Drills - Vo...

Players stand on both sides of the net and all players have a ball in their hand. They are supposed to jump at the same time as the player opposite them and try to barge the opponent's ball out of their hands.

General

Shuffle and imitate 4 Passing ...

Players stand in a row in the centre of the court facing the net. There should be two balls on the sidelines, either side of each player. On the coach's whistle the players shuffle sideways to the ball on their left, imitate an underhand pass, then shuffle back to the centre of the court. The players then repeat the action but move toward the ball on their right hand side.

General

Matchlike Spike and Dig 2 5 Dr...

2 players stand on either side of the net, and the receiver starts with the ball by overhand passing it across the net. This player then passes to their team mate who overhand passes it back for the spike. The receivers are ready to dig the ball back across the court. Have receivers changing positions after every 4 attempts.

General

Setting - 2 vs 2 4 Passing Dri...

The first player starts the game with a throw over the net. The two players on the other side of the net communicate - with one moving towards the net and the other who volleys the ball. The player that has moved to the net faces their partner who passes the ball to them with a high pass from a volley position with the ball above their forehead. The person at the net volleys the ball for their partner who is about 2 metres away from the net facing them with the hand up nearest the net pointing where they want the next high pass to be placed. The player then passes the ball high to the area pointed at and that player moves in, and volleys the ball over the net. Then both players return to a side by side playing position ready to play defence and start the drill again.

General

Set-run-set and get back 4 Pas...

The pair start from the sideline. On the coach's signal player 1 passes the ball forward using a overhand pass so the ball bounces on the other side of court. Simultaneously, he/she must run forward and set the ball back to player 2 after one bounce. Player 2 then overhand passes the ball forward and does the same

General

4v4 circulation (1) 9 Conditio...

A game of 4v4, in either the basic or advanced style. After each crossing of the net by the ball, players rotate one place around a position on court, increasing the mental concentration needed by the players to adapt to the different roles on court in each position

General

3 v 3 Circulation MVG1:3V3 MIN...

A game of 3v3. After each crossing of the net by the ball, players rotate one place around a position on court, increasing the mental concentration needed by the players to adapt to the different roles on court in each position

General

Jump Over The Ball 4 Passing D...

Players start on one side of the court and have a ball in their hands, and another in the middle of the court. They overhand pass the ball in their hands forward so that it drops on the other side of the laying ball. The players then run, jump over the ball and underhand pass the ball back to a teammate who will be waiting at the starting position. The next player will then do the drill.

General

Blocking From Settled Spot 8 B...

Two players stand on one side of the net attacking, while one player is on the other side and will be the blocker. On the attacking side, a player overhand passes the ball to a team mate who sets it back to him to spike. The blocker jumps from a settled spot and blocks the attacked ball.

General

Unfortunately there were no results for your search! Please try again
positioning SESSIONS
View All

Improve Blocking Technique - Movement, Positioning and Awareness

Blocking to perfection! Use this plan to coach the correct technique and positioning to your players so that they can perfect the block!

Developing players underhand passing ability

Keep the point alive and create winning opportunities by perfecting the best underarm passing technique. Develop control in your play by teaching you players about their positioning, and movement before, during and after the digs.

Setting - Body Awareness And Footwork

Make sure your players are ready to receive the ball from any position in this awareness and footwork session!

Receiver Position - Digging And Spiking

Teach your players perfect technique, footwork and positioning so that they can spike and dig better than ever before!

Receiver Position - Digging An...

Teach your players perfect technique, footwork and positioning so that they can spike and dig better than ever before!
positioning ANSWERS
View All

What are some good plyometric exercises for volleyball?

I am looking for some good plyometric exercises (for all levels) for volleyball?

tasneem harms Coach, South Africa

5-1 how is best to position the players

When playing with one setter, what options do I have in positioning the players? Do you have a good drawing or examples video? Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Vigdís Gunnarsdóttir Coach, Iceland

Defense positioning.

Has anyone heard of middle middle 2 by 2 defense? If yes, do you like it?Thanks.

Steve Batten Coach, Canada

defense

how is the best way to teach transition to defence

Dennis Warren Coach, Canada

Defense positioning. | Sportpl...

Has anyone heard of middle middle 2 by 2 defense? If yes, do you like it?Thanks.

Steve Batten Coach, Canada

JOIN SPORTPLAN FOR FREE

  • search our library of 300+ volleyball drills
  • create your own professional coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested plans
LATEST FROM THE BLOG
Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Banish Your Coaching Nightmares with Sportplan

Save yourself a scare this Halloween and ensure your session runs smoothly. No chaos, no fright, just structure.

October 30th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: What To Expect

As the Lions tour approaches with their first tour game this Friday against Argentina, we look ahead at what the fans can expect to see from both sides as the tour in Australia approaches...

June 18th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Transform Your Coaching: Discover the Power of FootballBot!

Introducing the Sportplan FootballBot. Your new coaching partner that has all the answers to the questions you may have...

June 12th, 2025
|
Cam Hughes
VISIT THE BLOG TO READ MORE
Volleyball POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
settingdivingwarm updigserving drillbasketballspikeservingspikingunderhand servediggingserve receivedefenseserveblockingdrillspassingvolley

What our users have been saying...

Coaches from around the world look to Sportplan for coaching confidence.

I've found this resource invaluable and of huge benefit to both my players and myself. Thanks for helping me to improve my coaching.

Kashif Pakistan

Very useful format and descriptions of drills. I am using Sportplan to update and formalise my trainings.

Tony Miller Australia

As a brand new coach I have found the drills to be of amazing help.

Joan De Petra New Zealand

Wow what a great website, I have found sportplan an important tool for me when planning my netball sessions with my netball team. There are alot of very helpful tips/ideas/skills that I can learn and teach to my team. Thank you sportplan I hope to continue to use your helpful tips and to learn more about improving my teams netball skills. Thanks again....keep it up....

Monique New Zealand

I have been using Sportplan now for 3 years and can honestly say that I have never repeated the same session twice. My girls are always focused and are improving every year. Thanks Sportplan.

Debbie Cross Australia

What a fantastic tool. The Chalkboard and session tools make an unbelievable difference in making training plans in both time and organization. I will be instructing all of my assistant coaches that this tool must be used for all sessions during the season, so that we may build a club coaching resource library.

Wes Campbell Rugby Coach Canada

I can't get enough of the Sportplan, It has given me back the enthusiasm i was starting to lose. My girls are so keen and are ready at 14 to take the next up in their game. Sportplan will help no end.

Cornel Basketball Coach, South Africa

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

  • search our library of 300+ volleyball drills
  • create professional volleyball coaching plans
  • or access our tried and tested volleyball plans

Sportplan App

Give it a try - it's better in the app

SPORTPLAN USES COOKIES

Sportspeople like cookies too! By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More info

Privacy Policy
We are committed to privacy and support current industry initiatives to preserve individual privacy rights on the Internet. Protecting your privacy on-line is an evolving area and this website will constantly evolve to meet these demands.


Cookies
Some of our web pages utilise "cookies". A "cookie" is a small text file that may be used, forexample, to collect information about web site activity. Some cookies and other technologies may serve to recallPersonal Information previously indicated by a web user. Most browsers allow you to control cookies, includingwhether or not to accept them and how to remove them.

Some cookies are necessary for the operation of our website, if you choose to block them some aspects of the site may not work for you. Non necessary cookies are only set when you have given your explicit consent to their use. Such cookies included those set by our statistics package Google Analytics.

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.

More info
Volleyball POPULAR SEARCH TERMS
basketball blocking cool down defense dig digging drill drills handball hitting drills passing passing drills search serve serving serving drill set setting setting drills smash spike spike drills spiking underarm serve underhand serve volley volleyball volleyball warm up warm up lesson 2
YOUR SESSION IS STARTING SOON... Join the growing community of volleyball coaches plus 300+ drills and pro tools to make coaching easy.
LET'S DO IT