US Sports Volleyball: US Sports CoachLab Volleyball: Essential Volleyball Drills & Coaching Strategy

 

Great volleyball programs are built on fundamentals, consistency, and a culture that connects athletes from middle school all the way to varsity. In this course, you’ll learn a proven system of volleyball drills, progressions, and practice strategies that develop ball control, communication, and confidence under pressure.

Coach Kane walks you through the exact essentials used in his gym every day—from freshman to varsity—so you can apply them in your own program.

You’ll discover how to:

• Run ball control progressions like Jag Pepper and triangle passing to sharpen consistency.

• Train athletes with serve-receive games and seam passing drills that build communication and accuracy.

• Develop confidence in out-of-system situations using 4v4, back-row setter progressions, and libero second-ball training.

• Strengthen setter-hitter connections with practical drills for tempo, timing, and offensive variety.

• Use competitive formats like 6v6 Tug of War and 2v3 serve-receive games to prepare players for real-game pressure.

• Modify every drill for different levels—whether you coach middle school beginners or advanced varsity athletes.

This course is more than a drill library—it’s a complete framework to help coaches create high-IQ, resilient players and a winning program culture. Perfect for volleyball coaches at all levels who want fresh ideas, proven systems, and ready-to-use practice plans. Book this course.....

Thomas Kane is the head volleyball coach at Buda Johnson High School, where he has built a reputation for developing athletes who play with discipline, confidence, and a true love for the game. With experience coaching at both the club and high school levels, Coach Kane focuses on blending fundamental skill training with competitive, game-like drills that prepare players for real-world pressure.

At Buda Johnson, his practices emphasize ball control, serve-receive, out-of-system training, and setter-hitter connections, giving athletes the tools they need to succeed at every level. Beyond drills, Kane is passionate about creating a positive team culture where athletes learn accountability, communication, and resilience both on and off the court.

Known for his detail-oriented approach and ability to adapt drills for every age group, Coach Kane has helped shape a program that produces not just strong players, but complete volleyball athletes ready to compete at the highest levels.

Book this course today!

US Sports Volleyball: 🔴 Semifinals - Beach Pro Tour 2025 | Pompano - Court 2 Live!

Presented on US Sports by Volleyball TV:

VBTV is the world's most popular Volleyball live streaming app with official livestreams of the biggest tournaments and leagues across Indoor and Beach Volleyball.

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US Sports Coachlab Volleyball: Strength and Conditioning for Female Athletes - Missy Mitchell-McBeth

 

US Sports Volleyball: VOLLEYBALL LIVE DEMO - Drill Building 101

Coach Scott Mattera

Lecture delivered at the Texas High School Coaches Association 90th annual Coaching School and Convention - July 2022
Get it now @ https://tinyurl.com/DrillBuildingVB

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US Sports Volleyball: Nikolov clashes with Darlan | Lube vs. Verona

Presented on US Sports by CoachTube.

Featured course:
Scott Mattera - VOLLEYBALL LIVE DEMO - Drill Building 101
Lecture delivered at the Texas High School Coaches Association 90th annual Coaching School and Convention - July 2022
Watch now @ https://tinyurl.com/DrillBuildingVB

Video credit:
Nikolov clashes with Darlan | Lube vs. Verona | Superlega 25/26 - Full Volleyball Match
VBTV is the world's most popular Volleyball live streaming app with official livestreams of the biggest tournaments and leagues across Indoor and Beach Volleyball.
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US Sports Volleyball: The Next Level - Jump Setting, Spin Setting, and Short vs. Long String.

 by Madison Lilley

If you are looking to become a more consistent and accurate setter, you’re in the right place. No matter your age or level of play, throughout my course, you will be able to fine tune skills from hand positioning, to mastering the spin set. 

As a setter, having a wide skill set and understanding of the game can take you to the next level. 

In my course you will discover:

• Hand positioning and posture
• Fool-proof footwork 
• Step-by-step tutorials on jump-setting 
• How to perfect the setter dump
• How to understand and break down the offense
• Drills to take home

Additionally, I have answered some of the most commonly received questions that I get, in hopes of inspiring players of all skill and age groups.

If you are eager to take your game to the next level, follow broken down techniques, this is the perfect course for you. Learn more here

The Coach

Madison Lilley

University of Kentucky | Setter #3

Madison Lilley | Setter #3

In high school, Madison Lilley was awarded the Andi Collins Award from PrepVolleyball, an award only received by the best high school setter in the entire nation. Throughout her high school career, Lilley was already separating herself from being a great athlete to being an elite athlete. Before attending Kentucky University, Lilley already had multiple awards just from her career in high school. Some of these awards include: Under-Armour All-American, National Junior Player of the Year, Two-time Kansas 6A state champion, Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Won a 2015 state championship and 2017 club national championship, Four-time member of the USA Volleyball All-Tournament Team, and won MVP at Nationals. Book this course.......

Awards & Honors:
2020-2021

• NCAA National Champion
• AVCA National Player of the Year
• ESPY Finalist for Best Female NCAA Athlete
• NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
• 2020-21 SEC Roy F. Kramer Female Athlete of the Year
• HONDA Award Winner for Volleyball
• AVCA First Team All-America
• SEC Player of the Year
• AVCA All-Region Player of the Year
• All-SEC
• AVCA First Team All-Region
• First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American

2019

• AVCA Second Team All-American
• All-SEC
• AVCA First Team All-Region

2018

• AVCA Second-Team All-America selection
• AVCA All-Southeast Region Player of the Year
• AVCA All-Region Team member
• All-SEC honoree

2017

• AVCA Second Team All-America
• AVCA All-Southeast Region
• AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year
• SEC Freshman of the Year
• All-SEC
• SEC All-Freshman Team

US Sports Volleyball: Serving - Learn to Play Volleyball Skill #5 and Andressa/Tainá vs. Loreen/Quiggle - Qualification Highlights

 

by Brian Gimmillaro

In today’s game with the effectiveness of most teams offense the volleyball skill of serving has never been more important. In this 42 minute video Brian Gimmillaro will explain all aspects of the volleyball serve. This video was filmed so that it could be used by both players and coaches. Book this course......

The Coach

Brian Gimmillaro

Head Coach of Women's Volleyball at Long Beach State

"Regarded as one of the top volleyball minds in the country, Brian Gimmillaro will have administrative oversight of both the beach and indoor volleyball programs at Long Beach State.  Honored in 2008 with induction into the AVCA Hall of Fame, Gimmillaro has led his Alma Mater to three NCAA Championships and eight Final Four appearances in women's volleyball, and will help usher in a new era as the leader of an emerging sport in sand volleyball. 

Long Beach State has a tremendous tradition of producing fine beach volleyball players that have found great success worldwide. That list would certainly include Misty May-Treanor, arguably the greatest women's beach volleyball player in the world. May-Treanor is the all-time tournament wins leader in both professional and international competition, and with her partner Kerri Walsh, will be attempting to win a third straight Olympic Gold medal in London in 2012 after reaching the sport's pinnacle at both the Athens Olympics in 2004 and the Beijing Olympics in 2008. May-Treanor's journey started at Long Beach State, where as a two-time National Player of the Year, she led the 49ers to the first perfect record in NCAA history on the way to a National Championship in 1998, Gimmillaro's third title. 

Many other players have starred in beach volleyball after working under Gimmillaro's tutelage as well. Jenn Snyder and Brittany Hochevar are both among the nation's top money winners in professional beach volleyball. Alicia (Mills) Polzin was a member of Gimmillaro's first NCAA championship team in 1989, and has competed in beach volleyball for over 20 years. Gimmillaro has been consistently one of the best coaches in the indoor game as well. He ranks 14th in Division I history with 789 career wins, and ranks in the Top 10 among active coaches in both total wins and winning percentage at the Division I level. Gimmillaro graduated from Long Beach State in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Gimmillaro has two children, a son, Stefan, and daughter, Lauren."

US Sports Volleyball: Volleyball Serving Made Simple: Drills for Coaches and Athletes and Kansas vs. Penn State Highlights

 

• By Jackson Chlebowy

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Serving is one of the most powerful weapons in volleyball. A great serve can shift momentum and start long scoring runs. Building up your own, or your young athletes', serving skills is essential for building a winning volleyball team and developing future volleyball stars.

This guide covers everything from basic technique to advanced serving drills. You’ll learn how to perform an overhand serve, how to progress into a jump serve, and how to build serving accuracy, power, and confidence.

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How to Serve a Volleyball: Fundamentals for Beginners

Before we get into the drills, let’s break down what makes a good volleyball serve according to Olympian Charlene Johnson-Tangaloa:

- Consistent toss in front of your hitting shoulder

- Elbow above the shoulder

- Step with your opposite foot

- Contact with the heel of the hand

- Finish with your palm facing the target

An aggressive mindset is the best to have when it is your turn to serve. “We don’t serve just to get the ball over the net. We serve to score a point." says Johnson-Tangaloa. Serving with a purpose is crucial to scoring more points and winning more matches.

Drill 1: Pre-Serve Routine

- Develop a personal routine (e.g., bounce, spin, breathe)

- Keep the toss consistent every time

- Breathe to relax and focus

- Be aggressive, pick your spot and attack it

Drill 2: Wall Contact Drill

- Stand one arm’s length from a wall

- Do full serve routine (toss, step, swing)

- Contact the wall with the heel of the hand

- Reinforces clean mechanics and follow-through

To learn more from former US Olympian Charlene Johnson-Tangaloa, check out her course ‘Indoor Volleyball Essentials’. 

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Volleyball Overhand Serve Drills

The following drills come from a live session with Santiago Restrepo, a Division I collegiate women’s volleyball coach. These are his go-to methods for teaching serving technique that scale from beginners to advanced players.

Drill 1: Toss–Step–Hit Fundamentals

Keys from Coach Restrepo:

- Start with the elbow higher than the shoulder

- Toss the ball slightly in front of your hitting shoulder

- Step with your left foot (if right-handed)

- Hit with the heel of the hand

- Finish with your palm facing the target

Progress from 10-foot line to the baseline, increasing power with arm speed as you move back.

Drill 2: Short vs. Deep Serve Control

Short serve: Contact slightly lower, lift higher

Deep serve: Contact higher with faster arm swing

Emphasizes control and adjustment

Drill 3: Zone Serving – Positions 1 to 6

- Maintain consistent mechanics

- Serve to all court positions, both short and deep

- Improves directional accuracy and mental focus

Drill 4: Jump Serve Progression

- Toss the ball high and slightly forward

- Use left–right–left approach

- Jump and strike with elbow high and fast arm swing

- Contact with heel of hand, finish with palm to target

These are D1 collegiate women’s volleyball coach Santiago Restrepo’s favorite serving drills. You can find more passing and serve drills in his course ‘Play Better Volleyball Passing and Serving’.

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Beginner Serving Drills for Accuracy

Drill 1: Partner Serve Progression

This warm-up drill builds form and control.

- Players face each other at the 10-foot line

- Serve to each other using full motion: toss, step, hit

- Move two steps back after every few successful serves

- Reinforces posture, contact, and follow-through

Drill 2: Serve and Sprint Conditioning (Coach Allison Lebar)

This drill adds cardio pressure to serving form.

- Player serves a ball with full technique

- Immediately sprints to the net, touches tape, then backpedals to baseline

- Grabs next ball and repeats

- Focuses on serving under fatigue and keeping consistent mechanics

You can find more drills and fundamental volleyball skills videos in Coach Allison Lebar's course ‘Volleyball Tips & Drills Video Library’

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Final Thoughts On Serving 

Learning how to serve a volleyball isn’t just about technique — it’s about mindset, repetition, and variety. Whether you’re focusing on overhand serve fundamentals or developing a powerful jump serve, these drills will help you build confidence and consistency.

Use these progressions to develop:

- A repeatable serve routine

- Clean mechanics (toss, step, hit)

- Directional control

- Power under pressure

Why stop at the serve? Check out CoachTubes' catalog of expert-led volleyball training videos today!

US Sports Volleyball: The Rules of Volleyball Explained: Basics & Common Misconceptions and Poland 🇵🇱 vs. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 - Women's U21 World Championships Highlights

 

• Author Lucy Grenda

Developed in 1895 by American educator William G. Morgan, volleyball was created as an alternative to basketball. Designed to be played by businessmen, the sport was originally called ‘mintonette,’ which was later renamed to suit its ‘volley’ play style.

Now more popular than ever, volleyball has become more global since its conception in the late 19th century, with a steady increase in participation. Second only to track and field, the number of female athletes in volleyball totaled over 470,000 in the US between 2022 and 2023, making it one of the nation’s fastest-growing female sports.

Amidst growing popularity, avid enthusiasts must understand the basic rules of play to become successful at the sport. This article will answer fundamental questions about what the rules of volleyball are, and debunk common misconceptions.

What are the Rules in Volleyball?

Volleyball has several core conventions, varying depending on the level of play; let’s start with team composition and volleyball court dimensions.

The Court

A standard volleyball court is 18m long and 9m wide. The court is split in two by a net, each side having a front and backcourt – distinguished by an “attack line” or 3-meter line.

Players and Positions

Each side has six players – three positioned on the front of the court and three behind the 3-meter line. Upon determining which side is serving (usually decided by a coin toss), a server looks to initiate a rally by hitting the ball over the net from the baseline to the opposing team’s side of the court.

The Setter

Normally, each time will have a designated “setter” who is most skilled at setting the ball to players for an ideal spike or hit over the net to the opposing team.

The Libero

Likewise, teams will often designate a libero, who is the player most skilled at receiving the opposing team’s spikes or hits over the net. They are often the first player to touch the ball after receiving it from the opposing team.

Rallies

Once received, players will attempt a bump (pass) using their forearm to direct the ball to a teammate – strategic timing is key here, with only three passes available per side before the ball must be returned to the opposite team – starting a rally of defense and attack.

Points and Scoring

When a team scores, they get to serve. Points are awarded if an opposing team cannot return the ball after a legal shot or if they fault, for example, with an out-of-bounds play or if they touch the net.

Every time a service is won, players must rotate clockwise around the court, with each player only being able to score from their respective side of the 3-meter line and executing a single nonsuccessive hit to pass.

Faults

During a serve, the serving player must hit the ball behind the service line and cannot step over it

Players cannot catch the ball

There is a legal “set” move which looks as though a players hold the ball momentarily before pushing the ball forward with their hands

Players cannot throw the ball

When a player hits a ball out of bounds, the opposing team is awarded a point and the service

However, stepping out of bounds to hit the ball is allowed

Players cannot touch the net with any part of their body

The ball, however, may touch the net

Referees may also fault a player for unsportsmanlike conduct such as swearing during a match, taunting the other team, etc.

To learn more about volleyball, explore our video courses on the ISNation app, by volleyball coach Lucy Grenda.

How Many Sets are in Olympic Volleyball?

At the Olympics, matches consist of the best of five sets, each with a 25-point total. If both teams are tied at two sets each, a fifth and final set is played, with teams contesting for 15 points. In this conclusive set, teams must have a two-point lead over their opponents to win the match.

Due to there being no maximum score a team can achieve in the fifth set, games can be lengthy, taking up to a couple of hours of play. The longest-recorded volleyball game in history stands at 85 hours, with 338 sets and 14,635 points played by the SVU Volleyball team members in the Netherlands.

Can You Touch the Net in Volleyball?

Touching the net is an automatic fault and a rule violation when a rally has started, leading to an opposing point being awarded.

However, there are exceptions: a player’s hair brushes the net, the net is touched outside the antenna, and a point is won before the net is touched – for instance, a powerful hit causes a player to land into the net just after a score.

It is also legal to touch the net when not in play, such as when changing positions on the court.

Can You Use Your Feet in Volleyball?

Commonly misinterpreted as a foul, players can return the ball utilizing their entire body, including their feet, as long as the ball does not rest upon impact.

Feet can be used to pass to a teammate or return fast shots that require quick reaction times.

While using a foot in volleyball can be opportunistic, these shots are not for the faint-hearted, requiring players to have skill, precision, and control. A poorly controlled footshot could lead to a point for the opposing team if handled incorrectly.

Learning More About Volleyball Rules and Tips

The rules of volleyball can often be confusing, especially for beginners wanting to get into the sport. For novices and experienced players, this article has provided a useful guide to the fundamentals of volleyball, shedding light on its origins, crucial rules to follow and disproving some common conceptions about the rules of play.

If you want to learn more about volleyball, check out our courses on the ISNation App.

You can learn about:

How to Balance Life and Volleyball with Assistant Varsity Coach for Westfield High School, Lucy Grenda

The Power of Words by Shedrick Elliott III, Head Coach at Rowan University.

Developing strength and conditioning with the owner of Resistance Fitness and three-time US Lacrosse gold medalist Kelly Berger.

That’s not all; the app also provides free mental wellness content for athletes, coaches, and parents to help you be the best you can be, in and out of your sport.

ISNation Volleyball