Drills for Volleyball Spikes

The sport of volleyball is made up of many different techniques. Spiking, setting, bumping and footwork are some of the techniques important to the sport of volleyball. Whether girls’ or boys’ volleyball, and regardless of the age, these techniques when perfected will improve the player’s game. Elementary school, high school, college and professional age athletes will all benefit from perfecting their techniques ranging from setting to bumping and spiking. For these athletes, there are drills for volleyball spiking.

  1. Individual Drill

    • This drill for volleyball spikes is an individual drill and can be done by one player. The most efficient use of this drill would be to space out players around the gym with approximately five feet in between each one. Each player will have her own volleyball. If the players are advanced, they will hit the ball on the floor then hit if off the wall twice, before letting it bounce again. For beginner levels, the players should bounce the ball on the floor, then the wall, and let it bounce again before hitting it against the wall again. The coach should set a specific time frame for the athletes. For example if the coach chooses 5-7 minutes, the athletes will run the drill for that time frame. The coach will yell “stop” and give the players a short break. Then, the drill can begin again.

      It is important the players maintain good form throughout the drill.

    Partner Drill

    • Two players should stand across from each other with the volleyball net in between them. There are several different ways to run this partner drill. From the attack line, partners can hit the ball off the floor and then over the net. Another way to run this drill is for the partner to stand on the center line and toss the ball, and then hit off the center line. Other ways to run this spiking drill are to toss and hit the ball over the net, toss to the player’s partner when she rolls it, toss to the player’s partner when she tosses it and toss the ball and hit off the floor and over the net.

      Important things to remember while running this volleyball spiking drill are to keep the elbow high and behind the shoulder, snap the wrist and follow through.

    Hitting Lines

    • Another drill for volleyball spiking is hitting lines. It is important for the coach running this drill to switch it up often to keep the athletes from becoming bored. Consider adding a target, adding a setter, add a passer or add a blocker. Set up the drill with a coach or assistant tossing the volleyball straight up past the hitter’s shoulder. When the athlete is prepared, she will be in the jump-ready position. This allows the coach or assistant to work on arm swing techniques. Once the athlete has this drill mastered, move on and allow her to approach the ball and swing. After a few rounds of this, is a good time to add a target. Require the athletes to hit toward a target or specific area of the volleyball court.