Drills are only useful when they solve a specific problem. The fastest way to choose well is to start with three constraints:
- Objective: what behavior/skill must improve?
- Numbers: how many players are active at once?
- Pressure: how will scoring force game-like decisions?
Use this hub to find drills and games that keep players moving, create competitive reps, and transfer to matches.
Start here: the fastest path
If you only click one thing first, start here:
- Volleyball Drills Collection: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-drills-collection/
- Pepper Variations: https://coachingvb.com/pepper-variations/
- Large group volleyball drills and games: https://coachingvb.com/large-group-volleyball-drills-and-games/
Step 1 — Choose drills by objective (not tradition)
Useful objective categories:
- First contact (serve receive, digging, seams)
- Second contact (setting solutions, out-of-system)
- Attack actions (approach timing, shot selection)
- Transition behaviors (coverage, release, decision-making)
- Competitive behaviors (end-game, error management)
When in doubt, choose a game that forces the objective rather than a drill that “resembles” it.
Step 2 — Use pepper with a purpose
Pepper is useful when you know what you’re trying to train. Change constraints to change the learning.
Start here:
- Pepper Variations: https://coachingvb.com/pepper-variations/
Wave 1 refresh goal: make Pepper Variations the canonical “Pepper drills” page with progressions and use-cases.
Step 3 — Small-sided games create more touches and decisions
2v2 / 3v3 / 4v4 formats can be the fastest path to:
- more contacts per player
- more reading and problem-solving
- simpler organization for beginners
- meaningful competitive scoring
Example game:
- Game: 2-player, 2-ball volley tennis: https://coachingvb.com/2-player-2-ball-volley-tennis/
Step 4 — Solve large-group constraints
If you have too many players or limited courts, you need formats that keep most players active.
Start here:
- Large group volleyball drills and games: https://coachingvb.com/large-group-volleyball-drills-and-games/
- Volleyball open gym session game ideas: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-open-gym-session-game-ideas/
- Volleyball camp drills and games: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-camp-drills-and-games/
Step 5 — Use scoring to create pressure
Games improve when scoring rewards the behavior you want (and punishes the behavior you’re trying to remove).
A good example game format:
- Volleyball game: Bingo-Bango-Bongo: https://coachingvb.com/volleyball-game-bingo-bango-bongo/
Butterfly drills (use with care)
Butterfly-style lines can be useful for warm-up rhythm, but they’re limited for teaching real volleyball because they remove reading, decision-making, and game timing.
Starting point:
- Why I don’t like volleyball butterfly drills: https://coachingvb.com/why-i-dont-like-volleyball-butterfly-drills/
Wave 1 page coming next: a canonical “Butterfly drill alternatives” guide.
Wave 1 pages coming next (links will be added here)
As these are published/refreshed, they’ll become the primary “Start here” links above:
- Pepper Drills: what to run, why, and progressions (refresh of Pepper Variations)
- Bingo-Bango-Bongo (refresh: rules + variations + what it trains)
- Large Group Drills & Games (refresh: organized by objectives and numbers)
- Butterfly Drill: what it is, why it’s limited, and better alternatives (new/refresh)
FAQs
How many drills should I run in one practice?
Fewer than you think. Pick one main objective, use one progression to build it, then use one game to pressure-test it.
Are “fun games” a waste of time?
Not if they create the behavior you want. A fun game with good scoring and constraints can be more useful than a traditional drill with low pressure.
How do I choose games for beginners?
Choose games that start rallies easily, keep players active, and reward the basic behaviors you’re teaching (serve in, first contact up, communicate).
Back to Start Here: https://coachingvb.com/start-here/
