Starting strong matters. For new athletes, mastering a few beginner volleyball drills creates a reliable foundation for every skill that follows. Good drills make fundamentals automatic—so passing is cleaner, serves are consistent, sets are accurate, and footwork feels natural. They also make practice fun and confidence-building, especially for families looking for volleyball drills for kids that are safe, simple, and scalable. Programs like Orange County Volleyball offer youth clinics and structured training that keep players motivated while learning the basics step by step.

In this guide, you’ll find five essential routines—focused on volleyball passing drills, serving, setting, hitting mechanics, and team communication—plus time-saving tips for planning your practices. Use them at home, in the gym, or as part of a club warm-up. Small wins stack quickly when you keep drills short, precise, and repeatable.

Why Volleyball Drills Are Important for Beginners

Beginners improve fastest with consistent, bite-sized reps. Structured drills:

Build confidence: Simple, repeatable tasks create early success.

Improve accuracy: Quality contact and proper angles reduce errors.

Develop teamwork: Clear roles and communication keep plays organized.

Create safe habits: Good movement patterns protect growing bodies.

Make progress measurable: Reps, targets, and time caps show day-to-day improvement.

5 Essential Volleyball Drills for Beginners

Passing Drill – “Forearm Control Basics”

Goal: Clean platform angles and straight-line passes to target.
Setup: One tosser, one passer, a taped floor target or a hoop 2–3 m away.

How to run it:

Tosser feeds an easy underhand toss to the passer.

Passer sets feet, locks elbows, and directs the ball to the target.

Reset quickly and repeat for rhythm.
Coaching cues: “Square to target,” “Thumbs together,” “Lift from legs,” “Freeze the finish.”
Reps: 3 sets × 12–15 contacts per athlete.
Common mistakes: Swinging arms, bending elbows, or turning shoulders mid-contact.
Kid-friendly progression: Turn the target into a point game—1 point for the hoop, 2 points for a dead-center hit.
Make it harder: Lightly toss left/right; add a shuffle step before each contact.

Serving Drill – “Target Zone Practice”

Goal: Consistent, legal serves to specific court zones.
Setup: Mark three backcourt zones with tape or cones. Start with standing float serves.

How to run it:

Choose a zone (announce it before each serve).

Perform routine: breath, set feet, ball toss at eye level, firm contact.

Track hits per zone on a clipboard.
Coaching cues: “Quiet toss,” “Contact the middle of the ball,” “Firm wrist,” “Finish toward the target.”
Reps: 15–20 serves per zone, beginners aim for 60 total.
Common mistakes: Toss too high, stepping over the endline, dropping the contact point.
Kid-friendly progression: Create a “serve bingo” card for zones and earn a sticker for each zone hit.
Make it harder: Add time pressure (e.g., 8 accurate serves in 2 minutes) or introduce jump-float later.

Setting Drill – “Wall Repetition Routine”

Goal: Soft, consistent hands and faster release.
Setup: Athlete stands 1–1.5 m from a wall.

How to run it:

Start with 20 self-sets, then 20 sets to the wall, catching on the rebound.

Move to continuous setting: 30–60 seconds without catching.

Finish with footwork: step-right/left while setting to wall.
Coaching cues: “Window shape with thumbs/forefingers,” “Extend through elbows,” “Quick but quiet touch,” “Nose under the ball.”
Reps: 3 rounds × 60 seconds, 45 seconds, 30 seconds (descending).
Common mistakes: Palming the ball, low contact point, feet glued to the floor.
Kid-friendly progression: Count consecutive clean contacts as a high score to beat next time.
Make it harder: Increase distance from the wall or alternate high/low targets.

Hitting Drill – “Approach and Swing Technique”

Goal: Correct three-step (or four-step) approach and efficient arm swing.
Setup: Floor-only reps first; then add a coach toss from the net.

How to run it:

Footwork walk-through: Right-left-right (for righties) or left-right-left (for lefties). Emphasize rhythm: slow–quick–quick.

Arm swing pattern: Big back swing, elbow leads, contact high with a flat hand, full follow-through.

Toss and tap: Coach tosses a soft ball; player jumps and contacts into a target area.
Coaching cues: “Tall last two steps,” “See the ball early,” “Elbow high,” “Hit through, not at, the ball.”
Reps: 10–15 approaches without ball, then 20–30 controlled contacts.
Common mistakes: Flat approach, early jump, or chopping at the ball.
Kid-friendly progression: Place a floor target mat; 2 points for center hits.
Make it harder: Add a blocker pad for “tooling” practice; vary set tempo later.

Team Communication Drill – “Call & Move Challenge”

Goal: Loud calls, clear roles, and decisive movement.
Setup: Three players in serve-receive or free-ball defense; coach tosses balls randomly.

How to run it:

Before contact, players must loudly call “Mine!” and name the play (e.g., “Free!”).

First contact goes to a designated target; second contact sets; third contact sends a controlled attack.
Coaching cues: “Name it early,” “Move first, then talk,” “See ball–see teammate–see target.”
Reps: 10–12 rallies per round; rotate roles.
Common mistakes: Late or soft calls, two players converging on the same ball.
Kid-friendly progression: Award points for correct calls and three-contact completions.
Make it harder: Add time limits or a light serve to start each rally.

How to Practice These Drills Effectively

Warm-up (8–10 minutes):

Light jog or jump rope (2 minutes)

Dynamic mobility: ankle hops, walking lunges, arm circles (4 minutes)

Activation: plank holds, glute bridges, shoulder band work (2–3 minutes)

Practice structure (30–45 minutes for beginners):

Passing first (8–10 minutes): Forearm Control Basics to groove platforms.

Serving (8–10 minutes): Target Zone Practice to build confidence from the line.

Setting (6–8 minutes): Wall Repetition Routine for touch.

Hitting (6–8 minutes): Approach and Swing Technique for footwork and contact.

Communication (5–7 minutes): Call & Move Challenge to finish with teamwork.

Progress tracking:

Keep a simple chart: attempts, successes, and a weekly “personal best.”

Add one youth volleyball training focus per week (e.g., “serve toss height” or “platform angles”).

Record short clips once a month to compare form.

Safety & recovery:

End with 3–5 minutes of easy stretching: calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, shoulders.

Hydrate and snack (protein + carbs) within 30 minutes after practice.

Sleep is the best recovery tool for growing athletes.

Local opportunity: Check out youth volleyball events in California hosted by Orange County Volleyball. Find beginner-friendly sessions and clinics to put these drills into action.

Conclusion

Foundational habits stick when practice is clear, short, and consistent. These five beginner volleyball drills—passing, serving, setting, hitting, and communication—cover the core skills that help new athletes feel confident and game-ready. By tracking progress and keeping sessions fun, families can turn volleyball drills for kids into a weekly routine that pays off during scrimmages and school tryouts.

If you’re in Southern California or visiting, explore training with Orange County Volleyball. Their youth programs and clinics provide age-appropriate coaching, structured progressions, and a supportive community.

Ready to put your new skills to the test? Join one of the upcoming youth programs at Orange County Volleyball and start improving today!