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Tip by Scott Vanderkolk from Indiana. We place a heavy emphasis on serving efficiency and being aggressive with our serves. Early in my coaching career, I noticed that one of the biggest reasons we were missing serves was because we were tired and not mentally focused when we got to the service line. To combat this issue, 2-3 times a practice, we utilize what we call "Serve 10". The concept is simple, serve a ball, chase it down on the other side of the court, and serve again in less than 5 seconds. This gets serving reps and conditioning taken...

Tip by Deb Matos, Nickel City Volleyball - Buffalo, NY A game that our players love is "Rotating 4s".This drill encourages communication and gets everyone involved and moving. Can be a great warmup game or something to pull out when the team needs a little energy boost!! Players are split in 2 teams with 4 players on each side (3 back row and a front row 'setter'). A free ball is initiated from a coach off the court and played out with backrow attacks only. After your team send the ball over the net, your side rotates (1-6-5-setter-off) meaning players will...

Tip by Jennifer Palacios, Tampa, FL. This is a drill similar to queens, but it is called "Don't drop the baby." The farthest side of the net has three players with one player holding a volleyball or "baby". The opposing side has two players on the court with one holding their volleyball or "baby" and one server. Once the serve is made each player on the opposing side must make contact with the ball without dropping the baby. Additionally, a player making contact with the ball in play cannot be holding the baby when contact is made. All three players must...

Tip by Alison Krick, Harleysville, PA. Our favorite (and consistently our players' favorite) drill is one we call the "bowling game" (has nothing to do with bowling). It focuses on communication, back row attacks, team play, and strategy. For how simple it is, our players get really into it and are very competitive! Split into 2 teams, and each team plays on their side of the net. Teams have 3 players on (back row) for each rally. After each rally, the players shift to the left (new player in 1, 1 to 6, 6 to 5, and 5 to the...

Konjima Tip  by Kayla Allen from Marshall, TX. Effort is the most important point of emphasis in our gym. Konjima is a defensive drill that is ran entirely by players that incorporates communication, effort, ball control, and conditioning. To run the drill, players are 3 across in the back row on both sides of the net. There is a hitter on each side of the net in middle front. Remaining players line up to fill in through right back. The drill starts with 10 minutes on the clock (time can vary). Player in middle front inserts ball to 1 of...