Volleyball

Volleyball Skills and Drills for Young Athletes

Simple, practical drills to help young players build serving, passing, setting, movement, teamwork, and confidence.

Beginner Volleyball Skills

Start with the basics: ready position, passing with forearms, setting with fingertips, underhand serving, overhead serving, and moving to the ball.

Progression to Underhand Serve

While overhand serving is a great long-term goal, the underhand serve is often the fastest way for 6-9 year olds to get a serve over the net reliably in a game. It requires less timing overhead and allows kids to use their leg power more directly.

Here is a step-by-step progression to teach an underhand serve successfully.

Step 1: Body Setup & Hand Contact

Before swinging, kids must form the correct “striking surface” and stance.

• The Bowler Stance: Stand facing the target with feet staggered—opposite foot forward (e.g., if right-handed, the left foot is forward). Knees should be slightly bent.
• The Flat Fist (Not a Punch): Have players make a gentle fist with their thumb resting along the side of their index finger (never tucked inside or sticking up). They will strike the ball using the flat surface made by their thumb and index finger/heel of hand, not their knuckles.
• The Stationary Shelf: The non-dominant hand acts as a flat pedestal or “shelf” holding the ball gently at waist height, positioned just in front of the forward hip.

Step 2: The Underhand Serving Progression

Break down the swing mechanics into three clear, repeatable steps.

1. 1. Statue & Pendulum
   Establishes posture and alignment
   Have players set up in their stance with the ball sitting on their hand-shelf. Without dropping or hitting the ball, they practice swinging their hitting arm back and forward like a pendulum. Emphasize a straight arm swinging straight past the hip.
2. 2. The ‘Drop-and-Hit’ (No Toss!)
   Prevents the common toss mistake
   Teach kids not to toss the ball. Instead, the non-dominant hand simply holds the ball steady while the hitting arm swings forward. Just as contact happens, the holding hand releases/drops out of the way.
3. 3. Weight Transfer (Back to Front)
   Adds leg power and momentum
   Practice the full movement: Start with body weight on the back foot. As the arm swings forward to strike, the weight shifts onto the front foot, finishing with a small step forward into the court after contact.

Step 3: Fun Practice Drills

Turn mechanics into engaging challenges that build accuracy and confidence.

• Bowling Knockdown: Place lightweight cones or foam targets on the floor 10–15 feet away. Players practice serving underhand to knock them over.
• Net Clearance (High Arc): Place a ribbon or rope 2–3 feet above the net. Challenge players to serve over the higher marker to ensure their underhand serve has enough high arc to clear the net easily.
• Partner Catch: Players stand across the net from a partner (starting halfway between the 3-meter line and net). The goal is to serve softly enough that the partner can catch the ball at waist height without moving.

Key Coaching Points

• No Tossing: Tossing an underhand serve is the #1 reason kids miss. Emphasize “holding the ball still and knocking it off the shelf.”
• Watch the Ball: Young players tend to look at the net when swinging. Remind them to keep their eyes fixed on the ball until their hand makes contact.
• Follow-Through: The hitting hand should follow through straight toward the target, stopping around eye-level.

Progression to Overhead Serve

For 6–9 year olds, teaching the overhead serve is less about “power” and more about coordination, toss consistency, and hand contact. At this age, children often struggle with the timing of the toss and the reach required for an overhead swing.

The following progression breaks the skill down into manageable, gamified steps that prioritize success and build muscle memory.

Step 1: The Foundation (Toss & Contact)

Before worrying about the net or serving distance, players must master the “ball-hand” relationship.

 Toss and Trap: Have players stand facing a wall. They toss the ball up with their non-dominant hand and “trap” it against the wall with their hitting hand at full extension. This teaches them to reach high and find the ball at its peak.

 Open-Hand High-Five: Teach players that the serve is essentially a standing high-five. Have them stand close to a wall and practice “high-fiving” the wall with an open palm. Emphasize using the heel of the hand to push through the center of the ball.

 The “Waitress” Arm: Have players hold their hitting arm in a “waitress” position (elbow high, hand back near the ear). Practice just the arm swing forward to contact a ball held by a partner or sitting on a tee.

Step 2: The Serving Mechanics

Once players can consistently contact the ball, introduce the full body movement. Use the following sequence to build a rhythmic, repeatable serve:

1. Lift, Step, Hit Use the “Lift, Step, Hit” rhythm to help players synchronize their upper and lower body:

• Lift: Toss the ball 3–4 feet above the head, slightly in front of the hitting shoulder.
• Step: Step forward with the foot opposite the hitting hand as the arm begins to move.
• Hit: Contact the ball with a firm, open palm at the highest point of reach.

2. Overhead Floater Drill Players stand 5–10 feet from a partner. They toss the ball and serve overhand, focusing on stopping their hand immediately after contact. This “dead hand” follow-through prevents natural top-spin and creates a “float” effect, which is easier for young players to control than a full-swing spike serve.

3. Distance Ladder Start players at the 10-foot line (or halfway to the net). Every time they successfully serve the ball over the net and in-bounds, they take one big step back. If they miss, they stay or move one step forward. This gamified approach ensures players prioritize form 

Step 3: Fun Games for Accuracy

Keep engagement high by turning mechanical practice into a game.

 Hit the Spot: Place cones or throw-down floor markers in different zones on the opposite side of the court (e.g., corners, deep middle). Award points for hitting near a target rather than just getting it over the net.

 Partner Catch: One player serves, and their partner on the other side must catch the ball without moving their feet. This forces the server to focus on accuracy and height rather than just blasting the ball hard.

 “King/Queen of the Court” Serving: Divide players into two sides. Each successful serve that lands in-bounds earns a point for their team. If they miss, they rotate to the back of their line.

Coaching Tips for This Age Group

 Use Lighter Balls: If possible, use “trainer” volleyballs (which are lighter/softer than regulation balls) to reduce fear of impact and allow for proper form without physical strain.

 Ignore the Net (Initially): If they can’t get it over the net, move them closer. It is better for them to practice perfect form at 10 feet than “muscling” the ball over with bad habits from 30 feet.

 Focus on the Toss: 90% of serving errors at this age are due to a bad toss. Spend the first 5 minutes of every practice just doing “toss-and-catch” drills where they don’t even swing at the ball.

Start players at the 10-foot line (or halfway to the net). Every time they successfully serve the ball over the net and in bounds, they take one big step back. If they miss, they stay or move one step forward. This keeps the goal attainable.

Start players at the 10-foot line (or halfway to the net). Every time they successfully serve the ball over the net and in-bounds, they take one big step back. If they miss, they stay or move one step forward. This gamified approach ensures players prioritize form over power.

Progression to Passing the Volleyball

Passing (or bump passing / platform passing) is the foundational skill of volleyball. For 6–9 year olds, mastering passing requires building a proper “platform” with their arms, learning to move their feet to the ball, and using their legs rather than swinging their arms to power the ball up.

Here is a step-by-step progression to teach forearm passing to young players.

Step 1: Platform Construction & Stance

Before contacting a ball, players must learn how to lock their arms together correctly and position their body.

• Building the Platform (“Hands Together, Thumbs Down”):
  • Teach the “Cupped Hands” or “Fist in Palm” method: Cup one hand inside the other, close both hands, and line up the thumbs side-by-side pointing straight down toward the floor.
  • Emphasize straight elbows: Press elbows as close together as possible to create a wide, flat platform on the forearms.
• The Athletic Ready Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet, and arms loose in front (“hands ready at waist level”).
• Shrug the Shoulders: Teach players to push their shoulders up toward their ears when forming their platform. This locks the upper body into a solid angle.

Step 2: The Passing Mechanics Progression

Break down the movement from static posture to contacting the ball.

1. 1. Toss, Platform, Catch
   Teaches platform creation on the move
   Players work in pairs. Partner A tosses a soft ball to Partner B. Partner B moves their feet, forms their platform, and lets the ball bounce directly onto their forearms and catch it against their chest. This builds confidence in getting arms under the ball without swinging.
2. 2. The ‘Freeze and Hold’ Pass
   Teaches using legs instead of swinging arms
   Partner A tosses a gentle, underhand arc. Partner B steps to the ball, forms a solid platform, and pushes up with their legs to pass the ball back. Immediately after contact, Partner B freezes their platform at waist/shoulder height to ensure they didn’t swing their arms up wildly.
3. 3. Shuffle, Lock, Pass
   Develops footwork and directional control
   Partner A tosses 3–4 feet to the left or right of Partner B. Partner B must shuffle their feet first, establish a balanced base facing the target, lock their platform, and pass the ball back to Partner A.

Step 3: Engaging Practice Drills

• Self-Pass & Catch Challenge: Each player has a ball. They toss it to themselves, pass it straight up into the air once, and catch it in their platform position. Once they master 1 self-pass, challenge them to see if they can do 2 or 3 in a row without moving off their spot.
• Basket / Bucket Target Pass: Place a hula hoop or laundry basket 6–8 feet away from the passer. A coach or partner tosses underhand, and the player tries to pass the ball softly into the target.
• Passing Relay (Team Game): Divide players into small groups. A player passes a tossed ball over a low net or to a target, runs to the back of their line, and the next player steps up.

Key Coaching Points for 6–9 Year Olds

• “No Swinging!”: Kids naturally want to swing their arms like baseball bats to hit the ball. Remind them: Your legs lift the ball, your platform directs it.
• Contact Area: Make sure the ball contacts the flat inner forearms (2–3 inches above the wrists), not the wrists, hands, or thumbs.
• Face the Target: The belly button and platform should be angled toward where they want the ball to go before making contact.

Progression to Setting the Volleyball

Setting (overhead passing) can be one of the trickiest skills for 6–9 year olds because it requires high hand strength, quick decision-making, and precise finger coordination.

The goal for this age group is to teach them to shape their hands correctly, absorb and push with soft hands, and use their whole body rather than just flicking their wrists.

Step 1: Hand Shape & The “Window”

Before touching a ball, kids must learn how to frame their hands over their forehead.

• The Bison / Moose Hands: Have players hold their hands above their forehead. Spread all 10 fingers wide, with thumbs pointing back toward their eyes (making a triangle/diamond shape between index fingers and thumbs without touching them together).
• Look Through the Window: Tell players to imagine looking through a window frame up at the sky or ceiling. The ball should sit directly in front of and slightly above their forehead, never down in front of their face or chest.
• Soft Pads, No Palms: Teach them that the ball should only contact the pads of their fingers and thumbs, never the flat palms.

Step 2: Setting Mechanics Progression

Break down the motion into clear, manageable steps.

1. 1. Toss, Window, Catch
   Teaches hand placement and catching point
   Players hold a ball at waist level, toss it straight up above their head, shape their hands into a “window” above their forehead, and catch the ball in setting position. Have them check: Are all 10 finger pads touching? Is it above the forehead?
2. 2. Catch-and-Push (The ‘Soft Trap’)
   Introduces absorption and quick push
   A partner or coach tosses a high, soft underhand ball. The player catches the ball above their forehead, holds it for 1 second to confirm hand shape, and then uses their arms and legs to push it back up to their partner. This builds hand strength without forcing a quick-reaction set right away.
3. 3. ‘Extend & Extend’ Set
   Integrates leg drive and smooth contact
   Partner tosses a soft arc. The player meets the ball above their forehead and immediately sets it back without catching. Emphasize bending the knees as the ball drops into the hands and extending arms and legs together (like a spring) to push the ball high.

Step 3: Fun Drills for Finger Control & Coordination

• Wall Sets (Self-Paced): Players stand 1–2 feet away from a smooth wall. Holding the ball above their forehead, they practice gentle, short-distance sets against the wall. Start with 5 catches-and-pushes, then progress to continuous small bounces against the wall.
• Self-Set Challenge: Players toss the ball up, perform 1 overhead set to themselves, and catch it in their setting window above their head. Once they master 1 self-set, challenge them to see if they can complete 2 or 3 in a row.
• Basket Target Setting: Place a large laundry basket or hula hoop on a raised surface (or held up by a coach). Players stand 5 feet away, receive a toss, and set the ball high into the target.

Key Coaching Cues for 6–9 Year Olds

• “Set from the Forehead”: Prevent kids from setting from their chin or chest. If their hands drop low, the ball will be pushed like a basketball chest pass instead of a volleyball set.
• “Super Superman Finish”: After setting, both arms and hands should extend fully straight up toward the target with palms facing outward (“Superman” extension).
• “Quiet Hands”: If the set makes a loud “slap” sound, they are hitting the ball with flat palms. Remind them to use “soft, quiet finger pads.”

Progression to Spiking (Hitting) the Volleyball

Spiking (attacking) is often the most exciting skill for young athletes, but for 6–9 year olds, trying to jump, time a moving ball, and hit it overhead all at once can be overwhelming.

The key to teaching young players to spike is isolating the arm swing, introducing a simple footwork approach, and practicing elevated contact off a toss or stationary ball before putting it all together.

Step 1: Arm Swing & Hand Contact

Before jumping or moving, players need to learn the “bow-and-arrow” posture and open-palm contact.

• The “Bow and Arrow” Draw: Teach players to pull their hitting hand straight back near their ear with their elbow high, while their non-hitting hand points up at the incoming ball like aiming a bow.
• High-Five Contact: The arm swings up and forward, reaching as high as possible to strike the top-back center of the ball with a firm, open palm.
• Floor Bouncing (Self-Spike): Have players hold a ball in their non-hitting hand (or toss it slightly in front of them) and practice hitting it straight down into the ground so it bounces high against a wall or to a partner. This teaches the downward wrist-snap and palm contact.

Step 2: The Spiking Mechanics Progression

Break down the sequence from stationary hitting to a full jump-attack.

1. 1. Stationary Holding Tee / Coach Hold
   Teaches contact height and arm draw
   A coach holds a ball high up in the air (or uses a volleyball holding tee) near the net. The player stands in place, draws back into “bow and arrow” position, reaches high, and spikes the ball out of the coach’s hands over the net.
2. 2. The 2-Step
   Simplifies the approach footwork
   Simplify footwork to two dynamic steps: Right foot, Left foot, JUMP! (for right-handed hitters). Players practice stepping onto both feet together, swinging both arms back, and exploding straight up into the air without trying to hit a ball yet.
3. 3. Toss, Step, Spike
   Combines timing, jump, and contact
   A coach or partner tosses a high, slow arc right in front of the hitter near the net. The player starts 2–3 steps back, executes their 2-step jump approach as the ball reaches its peak, and spikes the ball over the net at the highest point of their reach.

Step 3: Fun Spiking Drills for 6–9 Year Olds

• Monster Block vs. Monster Spike: Set up a soft foam pad or swimming noodle above the net. Players try to spike their tossed ball over the “Monster Block” into the open court.
• Target Knockdown (The Bowling Alley): Place light plastic cones, poy-spots, or cardboard targets in the deep or angled zones on the opposite court. Points are awarded whenever a player successfully spikes a tossed ball and hits a target.
• Toss-Self-Downball: Players toss the ball up to themselves, jump, and spike it over a low net or line into the opposite court. This gives them total control over the timing of their own approach.

Key Coaching Tips for This Age Group

• Lower the Net: Make sure the net or line is low enough (around 6 feet) so kids can reach over or at the top of the net without straining or pulling down on the net cable.
• Jump Up, Not Forward: Young players often broad-jump forward into the net. Emphasize stopping their forward momentum on that last foot plant and jumping straight up into the air.
• Keep the Ball in Front: Teach hitters to keep the ball slightly in front of their hitting shoulder so they can look at the ball and the court at the same time.

Coach Grammy Tip

Keep practices active, encouraging, and age-appropriate. Young athletes improve more quickly when they receive numerous touches on the ball and leave practice feeling successful.