High Volleyball Drills

• Increase player agility with precision volleyball drills.volleyball girl image by alice rawson from Fotolia.com
  
  Volleyball became an organized sport in 1895, after an instructor at a Massachusetts YMCA combined his favorite elements of other sports to develop a game that would be less physically demanding than basketball. The sport, originally called "mintonette," has evolved exponentially over the years and is now a fast-paced game enjoyed by both males and females.
  
  

Around the World

• Communication is key to a successful volleyball team.Metal whistle on the yellow cord image by Peter Ivanov from Fotolia.com
  
  Around the World is a volleyball drill that teaches quick movement while maintaining the ability to control the direction of the ball. The server begins at spot 1, which is the back right corner of the court. Players rotate counterclockwise around the court, touching all four corners of the square and the middle positions in both the front and back rows. The coach stands in the middle of the court with the players lined up single file off the court. A player enters the court and stands at spot 1 and rotates quickly around the court as the coach tosses the ball. The player must shuffle to each position and return the ball to the coach.
  
  Court Diagram:
  
  4 3 2
  
  5 6 1
  
  

Gopher Ball

• Volleyball drills improve speed and accuracy.sportswoman image by sasha from Fotolia.com
  
  The Gopher Ball drill is physically taxing with a goal of increased speed and team communication. Organize the players into groups of three. Ideally, each group would include a setter, back row hitter and a spiker. Place a group of three players along the center of the back court boundary near position six. Place another group of three on the opposite side of the net in the same position. The coach and extra players line up on either side of the court to serve and shag volleyballs. Both groups of three lie facedown on the court with their arms and legs outstretched in a "flying Superman" type position. Players can only rise when they hear the sound of the volleyball being served. The players must perform three hits during each volley. Play continues until one side falters.
  
  Court Diagram:
  
  X | X
  
  X | X
  
  X | X
  
  

Hit and Hustle

• Practice at home reinforces volleyball skills.Pretty young woman playing with the color ball image by dimis from Fotolia.com
  
  The goal of the Hit and Hustle drill is to improve agility, teamwork and ball handling skills. Players line up in groups of two near spot 6 at center court. Ideally, a setter or passer is partnered with a spiker. Players stand approximately four feet apart. The coach and a few extra players stand in the serving spot on the other side of the court. Only one group of two players is on the court at a time, with the other pairs of players lined up off court and ready to run on for their turn. The ball is served at the pair of players who must return the ball with three called hits to the opposite side of the court. Serves are volleyed at a fast pace, forcing the waiting players to pay attention to the ball and move quickly onto the court.
  
  Court Diagram:
  
  S |
  
  S | X
  
  S |
  
  S | X
  
  S |