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Purpose:

This drill is designed to teach players that the first place to start a good attack is with a proper pass from the serve receivers.

What You Need:

  • Set-up a serve receive team on one side of the court
  • The remaining players will line up at the service line on the other side of the court

How It Works:

  • On the whistle, the Servers will serve one at a time over the net
  • The Serve Receive Team will need to field the ball completing a proper forearm pass or overhead pass to a designated Setter
  • The Setter merely acts as a target and can just set the ball in the air but the play doesn’t need to progress any further
  • Another serve will be sent and the team starts again
  • This should be continuous and fast paced

Results & Tips:

  • Watch for the proper technique in getting to the ball, and to make sure that players are making the right decision in what type of pass they choose to hit
  • Getting the right serve reception is going to help your players control the ball a lot easier when they are on the court and it sets up the best possible attack
  • Emphasize the importance of proper positioning and footwork. Players should be on their toes, ready to move quickly to the ball. Their first step should be towards the ball’s trajectory to position themselves effectively for the pass.
  • Teach players to read the server’s body language and the flight of the ball. This will help them anticipate the direction and speed of the serve, allowing for quicker reactions and better positioning.
  • Stress the importance of using proper forearm pass techniques. The arms should be straight and together, and the pass should be made by the legs and shoulders, not just the arms. For overhead passes, remind players to form a triangle with their hands and push the ball using their legs.
  • Encourage loud and clear communication among the serve receive team. Players should call out “mine” or “yours” to avoid confusion and ensure every serve is received.
  • Instead of trying to execute the perfect pass every time, encourage players to focus on consistent, good-quality passes. Consistency in passing will lead to more effective attacks and less pressure on individual players.

Tips for Younger Athletes:

  • Focus on developing basic skills such as proper stance, movement to the ball, and simple forearm passing technique.
  • Simplify the drill by reducing the speed and power of serves, so younger players can focus on technique and positioning.
  • Use positive reinforcement to build confidence. Celebrate successful receptions and provide constructive feedback for improvement.

Tips for Older Athletes:

  • Work on advanced serve reading skills, teaching players to anticipate jump serves, floaters, and spin serves.
  • Introduce more dynamic footwork drills to improve agility and speed in getting to the serve.
  • Create game-like pressure situations where players must execute serve reception under stress, mimicking match conditions.
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