0

5 Volleyball Hitting Drills to Improve Your Attack

As one of the more exciting elements of the game, players love to hit the volleyball.

This love of hitting should be fostered, as it is the most likely way to score against an opponent.

As beginners, players are often excited to see any ball get over the net and down to the floor. However, as players progress, they begin to see the necessity for a variety of attack options.

The following volleyball hitting drills are designed to improve attack consistency, power, and diversity amongst all levels of volleyball players.

Hitting requires a combination of vertical leap, power, and strategic creativity.

Lean on these 5 volleyball hitting drills to inspire your players to develop in these three areas.

5 Volleyball Hitting Drills

1. Five by Five

How it Works:

Players rotate through a hitting line attacking tosses, or sets, to attempt to get the ball in bounds. Five successful attempts in a row equal one overall point. The goal is to reach five overall points to finish the drill.

Purpose:

This drill encourages consistency and provides rapid arm swing repetitions. Players rely on each other to be accurate in order to earn overall points and finish the drill.

Drill Setup:

• A player or coach designated to toss balls for attack or toss balls to the setter
• A setter to set (optional)
• A hitting line of at least five attacking players

Instructions:

1. The ball is tossed to an attack point (or to a setter who sets to an attack point).

2. The hitter attacks the ball with the goal of getting it in bounds.

3. Hitters rotate through the line after each attack.

4. If a ball is in, it counts towards the five consecutive necessary to reach an overall point.

5. If a ball is out, the count starts at zero (the overall points are not lost).

6. The drill ends once the hitters reach five overall points (five sets of five in a row).

Variations:

Against a Block – For more game-like conditions, add a blocker or two across from the attack point. Only attacks that are in or tooled off the block count as successful attempts.

Race the Clock – Set a timer. Create two distinct teams of five hitters. The team to finish the drill fastest wins the overall competition.

Individual Champion – Rather than lines of five, make this drill for one hitter exclusively. Hitters will switch after each error. Give the individual hitters a fixed number of attempts to reach five successful swings in a row. The first individual hitter to reach five in a row wins the drill.

Coaching Points:

• Mechanics are key to success in this drill. If setters struggle with consistency, consider tossing balls to attack for the sake of practicing good hitting mechanics.

• Players should be driving the ball. A dink or touch over should not count as a successful attempt.

• Focus on footwork, using the arms to elevate, and a snapping wrist during this drill. It is simple enough that players should be executing all these components with each repetition.

2. Lefts Only

How it Works:

Teams of six face off to earn points on first hit kills by the left side attacker. A coach puts a ball in play, preferably using some pace, and the ball is played out offensively. The set must go to the left side attacker.

If the attack is successful, the attacking team gets the ball again and a point. If the attack leads to a block or a kill by the opposite team, no points are awarded but the opposite team gets the ball and chance to score with a left sided attack. The first team to five points wins the drill.

Purpose:

The drill mimics the importance of the first ball kill. Most balls are set to the left side hitter, so only allowing that side to score is realistic. Defense is key in order to earn the ability to score.

Drill Setup:

• Two teams of six on opposite sides of the net
• A coach or player to put balls in play on each side of the net, standing out of bounds
• A basket of balls available to the coaches or players putting balls in play

Instructions:

1. A ball is put into play over the net by a designated coach or player.

2. The team must pass the ball and set it to the left side.

3. If the left side attack kills the first ball, a point and the ball are awarded to the offense.

4. If the left side attack errs or gets blocked, the ball is awarded to the defense and they become the offense.

5. If the play results in a rally, the team that wins the rally only receives the ball to attempt another first ball kill for a point.

6. The first team to five points wins the drill.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking players will naturally tend to want to avoid the block to keep the ball in play. However, this drill is to free them to really power up a swing without point penalties.

• The only way to score is on a first swing kill, so the left side player should be encouraged to let loose.

• Coach attackers that when an aggressive play is required, this action is what you are looking for.

3. Down Two Steps

How it Works:

The first two steps of the standard approach are eliminated, and players are challenged to aggressively strike a tossed ball with just the last two approach steps.

Purpose:

This is one of the best volleyball hitting drills to encourage young players to make a quality play on a less than quality set.

Drill Setup:

• Two teams of six on opposing sides of the net
• A coach or player with access to balls to start the drill
• Drill focuses on middle and outside hitters – one is selected to start the drill

Instructions:

1. A middle or outside hitter is standing a few feet off the net.

2. A coach or player will toss a ball directly into the air in front of the middle or outside hitter. The ball should be just higher than the net and tossed from directly beside the hitter.

3. The hitter then must quickly respond and attack the ball against a standard defense without using the standard four-step approach.

4. Any ball that successfully goes into play over the net counts as a point for the offense.

5. Any ball that is blocked, hit into the net or hit out of bounds counts as a point for the defense.

6. For each offensive point, a new hitter is selected.

7. The first team to 25 points wins the drill.

Variations:

Just Practice – This drill can be run without the team element. Simply have one attacker and two blockers on opposite sides of the net. A hitting and blocking line can be formed for the purpose of rotating players through the drill.

Coaching Points:

• This drill provides an opportunity to coach players that a less than ideal set can still be attacked with purpose.

• If the ball is below the net, players should adjust their attack to get the ball over the block rather than swinging wildly into the net.

• When in “save” mode players should be attempting to poke the ball to a back corner where defensive coverage may be lacking.

• This drill also works the blockers significantly – keep an eye on blocking form and execution.

4. Hit the Square from the Back Row

How it Works:

Players will attack this drill in teams of four (including a setter). Only one team of four will be on the court at a time. The players will be served a ball from the opposite side of the net. Players must make a good pass, so setter can set behind the three-meter line. Attacking players will attempt to contact a target set up on the other side of the net. Once a predetermined number of attempts is completed, the next team up enters the court to perform the drill.

Purpose:

This drill encourages scrambling from the back row to attempt a targeted attack, rather than settling for free balls.

Drill Setup:

• One setter at the net and three players aligned behind the three-meter line
• A coach or player designated to serve balls over the net
• One to four targets placed on the opposite side of the net from players (same side as the server)
• A basket of balls available to the server

Instructions:

1. A ball is served over the net to the awaiting back-row players.

2. A pass is made to the setter.

3. The setter will set any of the back-row players behind the three-meter line.

4. The attacker will attempt to contact a target on the opposite side of the net with the ball.

5. Each contact with the target counts as a point.

6. After a predetermined number of attempts is made, the next set of four will enter the court for their attempts.

7. The first team to contact the target ten times wins the drill.

Coaching Points:

• Players should be served new balls quickly to enhance the conditioning elements of this drill.

• Players should be focusing on alignment first (ball above hitting shoulder) then using hand action to direct the ball toward the target.

• For less skilled squads, more targets can be added to the drill.

5. Attack the Block

How it Works:

Players will attack a “block” formed by three foam pool noodles by aiming for specific pieces of the block. In order to be successful, the players must contact a specific noodle with the ball without contacting the other two.

Purpose:

This drill encourages hitting with purpose when attacking a strong block. Players develop hand control and the ability to craft shots rather than simply swinging.

Drill Setup:

• Three different colored foam pool noodles perpendicular to the floor, woven through the net, six inches apart and reaching about two feet above the net.
• A setter
• A hitting line
• A coach or player to toss balls to the setter

Instructions:

1. A color is chosen for the hitter to attack.

2. A ball is tossed to the setter who will set to the hitter.

3. The hitter attacks the ball and attempts to strike the appropriate color pool noodle.

4. An accurate strike consists of contacting the right colored noodle without contacting the others.

Variations:

Handheld Color Callout

1. Two players will stand on the opposite side of the net holding a total of three different colored foam noodles reaching them about two feet over the net.

2. A ball is tossed to the setter who will set to the hitter.

3. The hitter attacks the ball and attempts to strike the color called out by the player behind them in line (called out after the set is in the air).

4. An accurate strike consists of contacting the right colored noodle without contacting the others.

5. The players holding the noodles should switch them around, so the colors appear in different order throughout the drill.

Coaching Points:

• The noodles can be used for a variety of drills to mimic blocking hands without risking the fingers and knees of blockers.

• Players should be focused on altering hand position through the swing versus altering their approach to adjust the attack angle. This will disguise the intention of attacks from blockers.

• Be mindful of players “short stepping” their approach or looking hesitant throughout this drill. The point of this drill is to attack with strength and creativity.

Conclusion

Everyone loves to hit the ball in a volleyball game.

Unfortunately, many players find it difficult to hit with power, accuracy, or creativity.

These 5 volleyball hitting drills encourage players to combine skill sets while hitting to be a more complete attacker.