6 Volleyball Drills for Beginners: Passing, Setting, Serving and Teamwork

Quick answer: Beginner volleyball drills should teach players to get behind the ball, form a steady passing platform, direct a set and serve over the net before adding advanced attacks. Start with a partner forearm-passing rally, move to wall sets and target serves, then add small-team movement and controlled three-touch play. The six drills below need a volleyball, cones and a safe practice area; some also need a partner and net.

Training guide reviewed October 13, 2026. Court dimensions, ball size, net height and contact rules may vary for younger athletes or recreational leagues. Use an appropriately sized ball and adjust distances rather than forcing a rigid adult progression.

What beginners should practice first

A productive beginner session focuses on ready position, footwork, forearm passing, overhead setting, serving and communication. A player who can reliably control the first touch creates opportunities for the rest of the team. More power is not useful if the ball repeatedly goes out or a player cannot judge its flight.

Warm up safely

Spend four or five minutes on light running, lateral shuffles, shoulder movement, ankle mobility and low-intensity ball touches. Remove jewelry and check the floor for wet spots or tripping hazards. Beginner drills should not include uncontrolled dives, headfirst falls or repeated full-power spikes before players know safe landing and spacing. In a crowded gym, mark clear areas to keep balls from rolling beneath another player’s feet.

1. Partner bump ladder: learn a stable passing platform

Setup: Two players stand about six feet apart with one ball. Action: Player A lightly tosses to Player B, who uses a forearm pass to return it. After five controlled contacts, both take a small step back. Keep moving back only while the ball remains accurate; then switch roles. Aim for three short sets of ten passes.

Coaching cues: Bend the knees, join the hands into a firm platform, and make contact on the flat forearm area above the wrists—not the palms. Keep shoulders facing the target and lift with the legs rather than swinging the arms wildly. Progression: Remove the toss and sustain a gentle passing rally. Mistake to avoid: Locking the feet in place while reaching sideways for every ball.

2. Wall set squares: control the overhead touch

Setup: Mark a visible target square on a safe gym wall at an appropriate height. Stand several feet from it. Action: Toss the ball gently and set toward the square; let it return, reposition, and make another controlled overhead set. Try sets of eight to twelve touches with breaks between them.

Coaching cues: Spread the fingers comfortably, frame the ball above the forehead, and extend through the legs and arms toward the target. Contact should be clean and brief rather than a prolonged catch or throw. Progression: Step back slightly or vary the target location. If there’s no suitable wall, partners can take turns setting a softly tossed ball into a raised target area.

3. Target-serve zones: improve aim before power

Setup: Place three cone targets on the opposite court or a marked serving area. Start closer to the net for young beginners and move backward as skills develop. Action: Serve ten balls, aiming at each zone in turn. Count a point when the ball crosses legally and lands in the chosen zone. Repeat after adjusting the starting distance or serve type.

Coaching cues: Face the target, use a consistent pre-serve routine and strike cleanly. An underhand serve is a valid starting technique for many novices; progress to a standing overhand serve when the athlete is ready. Progression: Make zone 1 smaller or require two accurate serves in a row before switching. Mistake to avoid: Chasing maximum speed while serving into the net repeatedly.

4. Shuffle-and-pass: move your feet first

Setup: One passer starts between two cones about two yards apart. A partner or coach stands in front with balls. Action: The feeder alternates easy tosses to the left and right. The passer shuffles behind each ball, stops with a balanced base and directs a forearm pass back to a consistent target. Perform 20 controlled feeds, then switch positions.

Coaching cues: Start in a low ready posture, move with short lateral steps and avoid crossing your feet when it compromises balance. Let the body travel behind the ball rather than reaching from one stationary spot. Progression: Add a forward or backward toss, but maintain safe distances and avoid collisions.

5. Call-it circle: communicate before contact

Setup: Three to six players form a loose circle with one ball. Action: A coach or player tosses into the middle. The player choosing to make first contact calls “Mine!” early, moves to the ball and passes to another player. That player calls before setting or passing onward. Continue a controlled rally and reset after a drop.

Coaching cues: Calls should happen before teammates converge, not after the ball has fallen. Ask players to use names or simple directional cues. Progression: Introduce an intentional seam ball between two players, requiring one to take responsibility while the other creates space. Avoid rapid surprise feeds for true beginners.

6. Three-touch mini-rally: connect pass, set and return

Setup: Divide four or more players into small groups on a reduced court. Teams can begin with a cooperative rally rather than points. Action: One player sends the ball over. The receiving team attempts a controlled first pass, a second touch toward a teammate, and a third touch back across the net. Reset if the play breaks down; encourage three deliberate touches instead of a rushed first-touch return.

Coaching cues: The pass should give the next player time. The second touch does not have to be a perfect jump set; a calm legal contact works. The third touch can be a controlled standing send-over until the team is ready for attacks. Progression: Award one practice point for completing three team touches, even if the opponent receives the ball. This rewards organization rather than only overpowering beginners.

A practical 35-minute beginner volleyball session

Make the drills easier or harder

For first-time players: use a lighter ball, permit a self-toss before certain skills, move participants closer together and shorten sessions. For improving players: increase movement, add more distant targets, require weaker-direction passes or score only controlled three-touch possessions. For large teams: rotate through marked stations to reduce standing in line and give every athlete frequent contacts.

To teach the team’s roles and rotation responsibilities, see our volleyball positions guide. Our separate volleyball sets and scoring explainer covers common match formats; don’t confuse competitive set scoring with drill completion targets.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best volleyball drill for complete beginners?

Partner bumping is a strong starting point because players get many repetitions, can control the feed and learn a passing platform without a crowded full-court rally.

Can I practice volleyball by myself?

Yes. Wall setting, controlled underhand serves into a clear target area and shadow footwork are useful solo exercises. A partner becomes important when learning to judge unpredictable incoming balls.

How often should a youth team do these drills?

Short repeated sessions are usually more manageable than rare exhausting workouts. Adjust repetitions to match schedules, fatigue and coaching advice.

Should beginners start with spiking?

They can learn safe basic attack mechanics gradually, but steady passing, setting and serving provide a better foundation than uncontrolled full-power hitting.

Photo credit

Featured photo: Volleyball Team Daily Training on Court by Johnnybam, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. The photograph documents players in a real volleyball training environment.