Passing wins games. Whether you're a coach designing a volleyball practice plan, a player working on consistency, or a parent helping your child develop core volleyball skills, strong passing is the foundation for success on the volleyball court.
In this article, Coach Charlene Johnson Tungaloa from Drills and Kills shares foundational volleyball passing drills from her course ‘Indoor Volleyball Essentials’ for players of all levels. These expert-curated drills will help your athletes improve their form, footwork, and passing accuracy over time.
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Why Passing Matters in Volleyball
In volleyball, the first contact after a serve sets the tone for the entire rally. An accurate pass allows your setter to control the offense, whether you're coaching club athletes in California or running volleyball drills for middle school students in Ohio.
Indoor Volleyball Essentials
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Key Volleyball Passing Fundamentals
1. Face the Server
Every pass begins with body positioning. Make sure your shoulders and hips are square to the server. This puts you in the best position to read the ball and react quickly.
2. Platform to Target
Your platform, formed by your forearms, should control the direction of the ball. While your body faces the server, your arms must angle the pass toward your setter or center target.
3. Stay Low and Ready
Keep your hips low and feet shoulder-width apart. A stable lower body helps you absorb the ball’s momentum and control your pass. This stance is essential for all levels, from beginners to advanced players.
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Volleyball Passing Drills
1. Basic Passing Drill: Straight-On Serve
This foundational drill is great for warm-ups and introductory training. It’s also frequently used in volleyball drills for middle school athletes learning proper positioning.
Start in a balanced, ready stance
- Keep your body low
- Receive a straight serve or toss
- Use your platform to direct the ball straight to the target
This drill reinforces the habit of minimal movement and clean platform angles—critical components of every solid volleyball pass.
2. Off-Center Passing Drill
Learning how to pass balls to your left or right is an important next step.
- For a ball to your left, get your right arm down first, then bring your hands together
- For a ball to your right, lead with your left arm
- Do not swing your arms—just angle and control
3. The Russian Passing Drill
The Russian Passing Drill is a high-tempo, movement-focused drill used to improve backcourt footwork, reaction speed, and platform control under pressure. It’s excellent for older players and can be adapted for advanced middle school and high school teams.
Here’s how it works:
- One player starts in a ready position
- A partner or coach tosses balls deep and to the sides of the passer
- The passer must shuffle back quickly, staying low, keeping shoulders forward, and passing the ball under control
- The tosser increases difficulty as the passer improves
- Focus is on quick feet, body control, and consistent platform angles
This drill builds intensity and grit while reinforcing the technical foundation taught in simpler passing drills. Include it later in practice sessions once players are warmed up and technically sharp. You can find more fundamental drills and skills from Coach Megan Brown in her course 'Drills for 7th Grade Through Varsity'.
4. Directional Passing Drill
To simulate game-like conditions, have players practice passing from different areas of the court.
- On the left-back side: body faces the server, platform angles right
- On the right-back side: body still faces the server, platform angles left
This drill helps players develop directional awareness and build consistency regardless of court position.
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Strength and Stability for Passing
Strength is a key part of passing. Strong legs and a stable core help players stay low, resist fatigue, and maintain control throughout long matches.
Consider adding these exercises to your volleyball practice plan:
- Wall sits
- Bodyweight squats
- Lateral lunges
- Quick shuffle footwork drills
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Coaching Tips for Teaching Passing
Whether you're working with beginners or elite players, keep your coaching cues simple and repeatable:
- Face the server
- Angle the platform to the setter
- Stay low and centered
- Avoid excess movement or arm swinging
These coaching points can be used across every level of your volleyball practice plan.
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Where to Use These Drills
These volleyball passing drills are flexible and can be adapted to different training environments:
Indoors with a partner or coach
- At home, using a wall
- Outdoors on grass or a driveway
- In structured practices or clinics
Whether you're developing youth athletes or competitive club players, consistency is key—reps build results.
