Top Volleyball Drills for Beginners to Learn Fast

Thinking about getting into volleyball but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone! Whether you’ve just joined your first team, are aiming for your school squad, or simply want to vibe better on beach days, learning the basics with volleyball drills for beginners can seriously level you up fast.

This isn’t some dry coach’s manual. This guide breaks it down with real drills, easy workouts, and fun ways to train your body and brain game. Let’s bump, set, and spike our way through this.

Why Drills Matter (Yes, Even for Beginners)

Let’s be real no one wakes up magically knowing how to serve an ace or pull off a flawless dig. Volleyball for beginners can feel overwhelming at first, but consistent drills help build muscle memory, boost reaction time, and improve your overall performance.

Even pros still practice the basics. Why? Because strong foundations win matches.

Warm-Up Like a Pro

Before you dive into drills, don’t skip the warm-up. It’s your injury-proof shield and your performance booster.

Quick Volleyball Warm-Up Routine:

• Arm swings and circles (30 secs each)
• Jumping jacks (1 min)
• High knees (30 secs)
• Dynamic lunges (1 min)
• Wrist rotations and ankle rolls (30 secs each)

Light, fast, and gets your blood moving. Now let’s dig into the good stuff.

Essential Volleyball Drills for Beginners

These are the MVPs the drills that teach control, precision, and confidence.

1. Wall Bumps & Sets

What it trains: Ball control and hand positioning
How to do it:

• Stand a few feet from a wall.
• Try to bump (forearm pass) the ball against the wall and keep it going.
• Switch to setting (using fingertips) and aim for a consistent rhythm.

Why it works: You can literally do this alone at home. It builds consistency and quick hands fast.

2. Target Passing Drill

What it trains: Accuracy and footwork
How to do it:

• Set up targets using cones or tape on the floor.
• Have a partner toss you the ball.
• Your goal? Bump or pass it to the target zones.

Volleyball passing drills like this are super useful if you want to avoid being “that player” who sends every ball flying to the ceiling.

3. Serving Line Progression

What it trains: Serving technique and power
How to do it:

• Start close to the net and serve overhand.
• Each successful serve? Take a step back.
• Keep moving until you’re at the service line.

This drill teaches you how to serve with confidence especially under pressure.

4. Mirror Movement Drill

What it trains: Defensive footwork and reaction time
How to do it:

• Pair up with a partner. One person leads, the other mirrors their movement side-to-side, front-back.
• Add a ball to make it spicy: react to simulated hits or tosses.

Volleyball workouts like these boost agility and coordination big time.

Read our trendy blog about “Complete Marathon Training Plan for Beginners to Pros”.

5. Shuffling Pepper Drill

What it trains: Communication and control
How to do it:

• This one’s a twist on the traditional “pepper” (a casual two-player rally).
• Add shuffling steps between passes and change directions.

This turns casual rallies into full-on cardio sessions. Your game and endurance both win.

Bonus: Volleyball Workouts That Actually Help

Drills are great, but if your body’s not ready, you’ll burn out fast. Build strength and stamina with these volleyball workouts that work like magic:

• Squat jumps – for explosive power at the net
• Planks with shoulder taps – for core and upper body stability
• Ladder drills – to boost agility and quick feet
• Wall sits – to prep for deep defensive positions
• Resistance band side steps – to power up your lateral movement

Gear Tip: Shoes Matter

Before you get too deep into volleyball practice, make sure you’ve got proper shoes. We’re not just being dramatic here.

Why? Because shoes for long distance running = built for forward motion. Volleyball = side-to-side power. Wearing the wrong shoes can actually mess with your knees or ankles during training.

Stick with volleyball or court shoes with strong ankle support and good grip.

Couch to Confident: The Mental Game

Getting into volleyball isn’t just about the physical drills it’s also about the mindset. Feeling unsure? That’s normal.

Here’s the key: Keep showing up.

Start slow, use a couch to volleyball mindset if needed (just like couch to marathon programs), and track your progress. Every drill gets easier. Every game gets smoother.

Your only real opponent? Doubt.

Sample 1-Week Beginner Training Plan

Day	Focus
Monday	Warm-up + Wall Bumps & Sets + Ladder Drills
Tuesday	Target Passing Drill + Core Workout
Wednesday	Mirror Movement + Planks + Pepper Drill
Thursday	Serving Line Progression + Wall Sits
Friday	Rest or light gameplay (beach volleyball anyone?)
Saturday	Full practice session + Agility Drills
Sunday	Rest, stretch, hydrate, repeat

Stick to this, and you’ll be leveling up in no time.

Volleyball Practice Tips for Faster Growth

• Film your drills and analyze them later
• Set tiny goals (like 10 bump repetitions in a row)
• Practice regularly even 20 mins daily helps
• Don’t skip footwork it makes or breaks your game
• Celebrate every win (small or big)

Final Serve

Volleyball might seem tough at first, but with the right drills and mindset, anyone can improve, yes, even total beginners. These volleyball drills for beginners from Style Glom aren’t just about getting better, they’re about building confidence, forming habits, and straight-up enjoying the game.

So grab a ball, hit the court (or wall), and let your journey begin. The only direction from here is up.