Synopsis: This is a good drill to get a lot of people involved in serving and passing on one court. Excellent for larger squads and/or try-out situations.

Age/Skill Level: This is a drill for intermediate to advanced players

Requirements: 12+ players, a handful of balls, a full court

Execution: This is an extension of a simple servers and passers drill where three passers and a target are on one side (perhaps with some players waiting to come on), and servers are on the other side. In this case, set up three passers and a target on each side and have servers and waiting passers on both ends. You can go for time or some target number of passes.

Variations:

  • This drill can be static with servers and passers staying, or you can create a butterfly type of system where the servers become passers, passers move to target, and the target takes the ball to become a server.
  • If you want to work your setter(s) you could create a setting target in either the OH or RS position who rotates on each ball with the setter staying in place.
  • If you use a passing system with more or fewer than 3 passers, you can use that number in the drill to give the passers practice working in that system.

Additional Comments:

  • Consecutive missed serves can really slow this drill down so it is worth considering a consequence for serves missed in a row.
  • Servers who miss should be required to go get their ball and return to the serving line.
  • To move the drill along as quickly as possible, have the servers go as soon as the new passer is in on the other side rather than waiting to alternate with the servers on the other side.

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John Forman
John Forman

John is currently the Talent Strategy Manager (oversees the national teams) and Indoor Performance Director for Volleyball England, as well as Global Director for Volleyball for Nation Academy. His volleyball coaching experience includes all three NCAA divisions, plus Junior College, in the US; university and club teams in the UK; professional coaching in Sweden; and both coaching and club management at the Juniors level. He's also been a visiting coach at national team, professional club, and juniors programs in several countries. Learn more on his bio page.

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