Beginner Volleyball Practice Plan: Your First 2 Weeks (with 60/90/120-minute options)

The first two weeks set the ceiling for how fast beginners improve. Your goal isn’t perfect technique – it’s playable volleyball. That means fewer points gifted to the other side, more balls crossing the net, and players who understand where to go and what to do when the ball comes back.

Use this plan as a framework, not a script. Pick a session length (60/90/120), keep one main priority per day, pressure-test it with a simple game, and track one metric so you know if it’s working.

Note: I’ve set this is up as 2 weeks of 5 practices each. While this might fit a middle school environment, most people probably don’t have that kind of training frequency. If that’s you, rather than thinking in terms of weeks, think in terms of blocks. The same principles apply.

New to coaching? Start here: Beginner Volleyball Coaching hub

Need more planning structure? Practice Planning & Warm-ups hub

If you’re starting tomorrow, use the First Practice plan first.

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What you’re trying to build in the first two weeks

These priorities matter more than anything else early on:

• Serve-in rate
  Put balls in play to stimulate rallies.
• First contact up
  Passes don’t need to be perfect – just playable.
• “Good enough” second contact
  Bump-sets count. Early hand-setting is optional, not required.
• Rally structure
  Players should know what happens on a free ball and after the first or second contact.
• Basic spacing + communication
  Fewer collisions, more “mine,” and clearer responsibilities.

If you improve these five things, everything else gets easier.

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How to use these plans

• Pick a session length: 60, 90, or 120 minutes.
• Choose one main priority per day: serving, passing, free balls, etc.
• End with a game: use scoring to expose breakdowns.
• Track one simple metric per day: serve-in %, 2-pass count, rally length, etc.

Resist the urge to “cover everything.” Depth beats coverage for beginners.

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Week 1 plan (Day 1–5)

Focus: getting balls over the net, basic organization, and reducing chaos.

Week 1 overview table

Day	Main objective	Key progression	Game to finish	What to track
1	Serve in + rally start	Underhand → overhand serves	Serve-to-score	Serve-in rate
2	First contact up	Partner passing → target passing	2-pass rally	Passes playable
3	Second contact	Catch-set → bump-set	3-touch bonus	3rd contact rate
4	Free ball structure	Tossed free balls → coach-initiated	Free ball points	Free ball conversion
5	Simple game play	Serve–pass–free ball mix	Wash game	Rally length

Daily details (Week 1)

Day 1 – Serving in

• Progression: underhand accuracy → overhand from closer distance
• Game: teams score only when their serve goes in
• Coach notes: distance beats power; move players forward if needed

Day 2 – Passing

• Progression: partner forearm pass → pass to cone/hoop
• Game: rally only counts after 2 playable passes
• Coach notes: reward “up and playable,” not form perfection

Day 3 – Second contact

• Progression: catch-set → bump-set to target
• Game: bonus point for any 3-touch sequence
• Coach notes: normalize bump-setting early

Day 4 – Free balls

• Progression: coach toss → player free ball over net
• Game: must score on free ball to earn a point
• Coach notes: teach “free ball = chance to organize”

Day 5 – Putting it together

• Progression: serve → pass → free ball cycles
• Game: wash game (two good rallies to score)
• Coach notes: look for who helps stabilize chaos

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Week 2 plan (Day 6–10)

Focus: movement, targets, and light pressure.

Week 2 overview table

Day	Main objective	Key progression	Game to finish	What to track
6	Serving with intent	Zones/targets	Zone serve game	Target success
7	Passing on the move	Shuffled starts → live serves	Pass & play	Pass quality
8	Second contact choices	Bump-set options	Choice bonus	Decision quality
9	Transition play	Dig → free ball → attack	Transition scoring	Continuation rate
10	Game readiness	Modified 6v6	Short-set match	Long rallies

What changes in Week 2

• More movement before contact
• Clear targets
• Scoring pressure instead of just repetition

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Game menu (beginner-safe finishers)

Use these to end practice and pressure-test learning.

• Serve-to-score: only the serving team can score
• 2-pass rally: rally doesn’t count until two passes occur
• 3-touch bonus: extra point for three contacts
• Free-ball must-score: free ball points count double
• Wash games: two consecutive wins to score
• Short-set match: play to 7 or 10 for urgency

When to use:

• Low energy → short-set match
• Chaos → free-ball game
• Skill focus day → bonus-point games

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Common problems & fixes

Too many players
→ Use stations or small-sided courts. More reps, less standing.
(Link: Using Stations in Your Practices)

Mixed ability levels
→ Adjust distances, targets, or roles—not expectations.
(Link: Handling Mixed Player Levels in Practices)

Can’t serve overhand
→ Start closer, allow underhand, and build success first.
(Link: Teach Overhand Serve to Beginners)

Rallies end instantly
→ Require 2 passes or give bonus points for continuation.

Chaos on free balls
→ Freeze play once. Show spacing. Restart immediately.

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FAQs

What should I prioritize first: serving or passing?
Serving in. Passing becomes irrelevant if points end on missed serves.

Should beginners hand-set right away?
Not required. Bump-sets are fine early if they keep rallies alive.

How long should practice be?
60 minutes works if focused. 90 is ideal. 120 only if energy stays high.

How do I run practice with 20+ players?
Stations and small-sided games. Avoid full-court lines.
(Link: Using Stations in Your Practices)

What if we only have 60 minutes?
One progression + one game. Skip the middle.

How do I teach rotations to beginners?
After they can rally. Teach why before where.
(Link: Rotations hub)

How many contacts should I require early?
Require 2 before pushing for 3.

What’s the fastest way to get longer rallies?
Serve closer, reward continuation, and simplify second contact.