Volleyball is a game of precision, skill, and agility. Hand-eye coordination and reaction time are critical to long-term success. There are a number of volleyball drills that beginning players can work on at home to hone their skills and progress quickly in their sport development. Most volleyball drills require at least two participants, but some simple exercises can be performed alone.
Passing Drills
Passing drills require at least two participants, so parents can join their children in this drill to help them improve their passing skills at home. Starting with the simple toss and pass, stand about eight feed away from the player, holding a volleyball. The volleyball player should stand in ready-position, knees slightly bent, feet about shoulder-width apart, arms loose and in front of the body. Toss the ball with a slight arc, aiming for a spot just in front of the player. As the ball approaches the player, she should put her hands in position to bump the ball (forearms together, elbows extended, hands cupped, thumbs lined up next to each other), and bump the ball using the center of her forearms. She should use her body to lift the ball by straightening her knees, rather than swinging her arms upwards. Her shoulders should face the direction in which she is aiming the ball. Repeat.
Wall Spike
This drill can be performed alone by the volleyball player. Stand about eight feet in front of a solid wall, holding a volleyball in your non-dominant hand. Hold the ball up, just above shoulder height, and slightly across the body. Hit the ball out of your hand, and towards the ground, using your dominant hand. The goal is to hit the ball hard enough, so it bounces once on the ground before hitting the wall. Retrieve the ball and repeat the exercise. As you improve, you can continuously follow the ball and continue spiking it against the wall, rather than retrieving it between spikes. Track the ball with your non-dominant hand by pointing towards the ball between spikes.
Wall Blocks
Wall blocking is a drill that does not require a partner or a ball. Stand in front of a wall, hands at shoulder-height, palms facing the wall, knees slightly bent and feet shoulder-width apart. Bend the knees and jump up, touching the wall as high as you can with your fingertips, hands right next to each other. Land with soft knees (slightly bent), and repeat. The goal is to practice blocking without running into the wall or hitting the wall with any part of the body, since in volleyball, if the player hits the net, the ball is turned over.
About this Author
Laura Williams received a B.A. in exercise and sport science from Texas State, is working on her M.S.Ed. from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and also manages fitness facilities. She has worked in commercial, university, government, and nonprofit facilities.
