Volleyball Serving Drills

Volleyball serving combines control, strategy, and scoring potential. When players hit consistent, accurate, and powerful serves, this puts immediate pressure on the opposing team: disrupting their formation and sometimes even earning an ace.

This blog uncovers the top 7 volleyball serving drills that are easy for coaches to run, yet provide effective opportunities for player development. Whether you are running these at practices, clinics, or tryouts, each drill can be adapted to suit any age and level.

Let’s serve up some useful drills!

1) Serve and Chase

Set up:

• Line up players in a single file line behind the baseline at the center of the court.

• Each player will have a ball in hand.

Execution:

• On your whistle, the first player will execute a serve.

• After making a serve, they will immediately chase the ball.

• Upon retrieving the ball, they will go to the back of the line.

• The next player in line will take their turn.

 Tip: This drill is designed to build conditioning and reaction time; therefore, encourage quick sprints to the ball.

2) Diagonal Partner Serve

Set up:

• Pair up your players.

• To start the drill, only two pairs will be on the court.

• Pairs will stand on the baseline, positioned diagonally across from one another.

• All players will have a ball in hand.

Execution:

• Players serve crosscourt at the same time their partner does.

• Players will then catch their partner’s ball and repeat the drill.

• Run drill for 3-4 minutes and then switch out players.

3) Survivor Serving

Set up:

• Split players into two teams of four.

• Players will be spread evenly across the baseline, each with a ball in hand.

Execution:

• On your whistle, all players will serve.

• If a player misses a serve, they must go sit on the other side of the court.

• A player can become “alive” again if they catch a ball one of their teammates serves.

• After 5 minutes, the team with the most “live” players wins.

• Rotate in two new teams to perform the drill next.

4) Partner Pass

Set up:

• Pair up players.

• Each pair will be on opposite sides of the net.

• Players will start 3-4 feet away from the net.

• One player will start with the ball.

Execution:

• The player with possession of the ball will take their serve (can be overhand or underhand).

• If the serve is successful, they will take one step back.

• If their serve doesn’t go over the net, they will take a step forward.

• The next player takes their turn.

• At the end of 3 minutes, the player to reach the furthest distance wins.

 

5) Standing Float

Set up:

• Players will stand about 10-15 feet from the wall and about 2 feet apart.

• All players will have a ball in hand.

• Non-dominant hand (tossing hand): arm straight out with flat palm under the ball.

• Dominant hand (hitting hand): Elbow bent at roughly 90 degrees. Arm out slightly to the side.

 
Execution:

• On your whistle, all players will serve the ball using the float technique:

• Toss the ball up with a slow and controlled motion.

• Use the dominant hand to hit the center of the ball. *Keep the hand flat and wrist stiff (no snap).

• After contact with the ball, limit follow-through to prevent excessive arm swing.

6) Target Zone

Set up:

• Line up players in a single file line behind the baseline.

• Each player will have a ball in hand.

• Divide one side of the court into six zones.

• Zones can be outlined with pylons or tape.

 Execution:

• The first player in line will walk to the baseline.

• You will specify a zone each time for them to hit.

• Players will perform an underhand serve, aiming for that specific zone.

 7)  Serve & Eliminate

 Set up:

• Line up players in a single file line behind the baseline at the center of the court.

• Each player will have a ball in hand. 

Execution:

• The first player in line will walk to the baseline and perform a serve.

• The type of serve will be based on what you call out: underhand, standing float (overhand), or jump float (overhand).

• If a player misses the serve, they are out. If they successfully make the serve, they go to the back of the line.

• The last three players standing are crowned the champions.

Looking For an Easier Way to Evaluate Volleyball Players?

Using SkillShark, you can easily score volleyball players on your smartphone or tablet. Once your evaluation is complete, instantly gain access to player reports. Review player data and draft teams on the same day!