7th Grade Girls' Volleyball Drills

Volleyball drills are useful for improving skills such as ball control, hitting and passing, or fixing a problem such as incorrect footwork or timing for blocks or jumps. When coaching a seventh-grade girls volleyball team, implement a few basic volleyball drills that will help enhance the performance of the team overall.

  1. Two Versus Two

    • For the two versus two drill, divide the court in half, using the back line as the 10-foot line. Separate the team into pairs and position one pair on each side of the net. While using underhand serves, have the pairs play each other. Each time one of the teams wins, rotate a new challenger team in to play the winning team, with the challenger team serving first. This face-paced drill provides general practice while getting everyone involved.

    Peppering

    • For the peppering drill, divide the court in half, using the back line as the 10-foot line. Separate the team into smaller teams of three and position one team on each side of the net. One player serves or tosses the ball to the other team. The receiving team then passes, sets and spikes the ball back over the net. The spiker aims the ball toward the defending player, who hits the ball to the setter. The setter sets the ball for the third player to spike over the net. Continue the drill until the ball hits the ground, then rotate in a new challenger team. This drill is effective for enhancing players' focus and control of the ball.

    Overhead Toss

    • For the overhead toss drill, line up the players behind the back line. Have right handed players stand with the left foot facing slightly forward while holding the ball in the left hand and extending the arm out from the body at a 90-degree angle. Left-handed players do the opposite. Keeping the wrist firm, toss the ball approximately 18 inches high and let the ball fall to the ground, landing just inside the lead foot and parallel to the hitting shoulder. Repeat the drill until the ball continually falls at the correct spot on the floor. This drill is beneficial for enhancing the players' overhead toss and serve.

    Target Practice

    • For the target practice drill, position six players, or targets, in the normal positions on one side of the court and a server at the back line on the other side of the net. Instruct the server to aim at one of the players. This drill is useful for improving a player’s directional serve.