Volleyball Warm-Up Drills for Beginners

With most active sports, it can be difficult for beginners to play well without doing some pregame warm-ups. The same is true with the sport of volleyball, where new players should rely heavily on warm-up drills prior to each game. These activities help to loosen up the limbs and get the blood flowing while helping teammates get their timing down. In a sport where the best plays require a great deal of precision, warm-ups are critical.

  1. Serving and Receiving Drills

    • This can be done with anywhere from six to nine players at once. In this drill, three players designated as receivers stand on one side of the court, with three-to-six team members behind the back line on the other side. One at a time, the team members hit serves over the net, aiming for specific receivers each time. The receiver gets into position for the bump (an underhand hit executed with the inside of the forearms), hits the ball and returns to his spot. Each receiver should be given the same number of serves. This exercise helps beginning players work on depth perception and timing, while giving the other players on the team a chance to work on their respective service games.

    Setting Drills

    • This drill is executed in three-player groups and is designed to aid new setters (the term given to the player who volleys the ball for a smash attempt.) The first player lofts the ball in the air for the second person, who settles underneath it and "sets" the ball, pushing it with the fingertips to a third person at a specific location on the court. The third person can either catch it or bump it back to the first person, who begins the drill again. The tosser should be sure to alternate shallow and deep throws and mix up the heights to simulate real-game situations. In most cases, the tosses should force the setter to move locations in order to properly settle under the ball. The target area should also move around throughout the drill, forcing the setter to put the ball in different areas of the court.

    Blocking Drills

    • The drills for first-time blockers are the easiest to execute. Blockers begin by standing directly in front of the net, against the left post. They should shuffle sideways from left to right for three strides and then jump straight up with their arms in the air as if they were attempting to block a shot. Once they land, the blockers shuffle three more steps and repeat the exercise. A new blocker should begin his drill directly after the preceding blocker has completed his first jump. Once a blocker has reached the other side of the court, he should run back to where he started and begin again. This exercise allows beginner blockers to work on their form and timing, both critical components of their success on the court.