Renaud Spirit Center

Volleyball Handbook

Contains basic and intermediate passing, setting, serving and

scrimmage drills

Last Updated: August 2017

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Contents:
Passing (Bumping) Technique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Passing Drills
10 And 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Peppering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 5
Chair/Bleacher Passing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 5
Butterfly Drill (with variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 6
Run-Throughs (with variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Butt Under the Net Drill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Pile-Up (with variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 8
W-Drill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 9
Setting Technique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Setting Drills
10 And 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Peppering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Hand Positioning Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Set Against the Wall (with variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 12-13
Agility Setting (multiple variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 13
Setting Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 14
Underhand Serving Technique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Overhand Serving Technique (with Tossing Practice) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Serving Drills
Hoola Hoops. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Serve and Trade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Around the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Spider Web. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Dead Fish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Scrimmage Games
Speed Ball (with variations) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Queen of the Court (with variation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Short Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
True Scrimmage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 23
Volleyball Rules and RSC Info
Official Rules: Ages 9-12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26
Official Rules: Ages 13-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-28
Coaches: Point of Emphasis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-30

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 Passing
(Bumping)

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Passing (Bumping) Technique

Passing is one of the most important skills of volleyball. It is typically the first
hit in a rally and it sets up the play. Having strong passing skills and technique
give volleyball players a good base in the game. Listed below are key
components of a good passing technique.

• Start with your legs about shoulder width apart. Bend your knees. Take
an athletic stance and be ready to move.
• Put your hands together. There are two options for putting your hands
together. Both options are correct; choosing one is a matter of comfort
and preference.
o Choice 1: Make a fist with one hand. (It does not matter which
hand.) Wrap your other hand around the fist. Put your thumbs
side by side- do NOT cross your thumbs.
o Choice 2: Place one hand palm-up. (It does not matter which
hand.) Place the other hand palm-up on top of the first hand. Bring
thumbs together and line them up straight, side by side, on top of
the top hand. Do NOT cross your thumbs.
o Crossing your thumbs when passing creates an uneven platform
(makes one arm slightly higher than the other) and makes it more
difficult to control the ball.
• Once your hands are together, stick your arms out. Angle them slightly
toward the ground. (You don’t want to stick your arms straight out. You
want them to be angled slightly so the ball goes forward when you hit it
instead of straight up.)
• Contact the ball with your forearm (the area between your elbow and
wrist).
• Use your legs to help pass the ball. You start with your knees bent and
then extend them to help with passing the ball.
• Do NOT swing your arms when passing the ball. Your arms should not
become higher than your chin. A little arm movement is okay. The
passing motion for arms is often referred to as “shrugging your
shoulders.”
• Point your body to where you want the ball to go. It helps to have your
feet, shoulders, hips and arms angled or pointed towards your target.
• Call the ball by saying, “Mine!” or “I got it!”

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Passing Drills

10 And 10 (Basic)
This drill is great for warm-ups and for practicing technique. Have players partner up and
grab a ball. Have Player 1 toss the ball ten times to Player 2. Player 2 practices passing the
ball back to Player 1 with proper form, trying to aim the ball so Player 1 does not have to
move far to catch it. After 10 tosses, Player 2 then tosses to Player 1, who passes. The
players can work on this drill until each gets to pass a specified number of passes or for a
length of time.

Peppering (Intermediate)
Peppering is a great warm-up drill and great for practicing control. True peppering consists
of two people and one ball. The two players hit the ball back in forth in the pattern of pass,
set, hit. Ideally, Player 1 tosses the ball to Player 2, Player 2 passes to Player 1, Player 1 sets
the ball to Player 2, Player 2 hits (spikes) an easy down-ball to Player 1, who passes the ball
to Player 2 and starts the cycle again. The goal is to keep the ball from hitting the ground
and to maintain the pass, set, hit pattern with control.

If your players do not have very good control with the ball yet, they might struggle with
true peppering. A more basic form of peppering that still works on control involves them
simply passing the ball back and forth without letting the ball drop. You can also have them
mix in setting if you have taught that. For beginners, this drill can be used to help them
decide when to pass and when to set… Passing should be used for low balls, typically at
your stomach or below. Setting should be used for higher balls that you can move to get
underneath so you can contact the ball above your forehead.

Chair/Bleacher Passing (Basic)

This drill is good for working on calling the ball and shows how much easier it is to pass the
ball with power from the legs. Have each player get a partner and a ball. Player 1 must sit
on the very edge of the bleachers/a chair and lean forward slightly to pass. Player 2 tosses
the ball 10 times to Player 1, who has to pass using only his/her arms. The person passing
wants to try to pass the ball so it lands above Player 2’s head, but the passer cannot “swing”
his or her arms, so their arms should stay below the chin. After 10 passes, Player 1 becomes
the tosser and Player 2 becomes the passer.

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Butterfly Drill (Basic with Intermediate Variations)
This drill helps practice passing to a target. Select one player to be a temporary target who
will stand in the setter’s position. Line all of the other players up in a single-file line
somewhere in the back row. (You can select the left, middle or right side, depending on
where you would like them to practice. For beginners, starting in the middle of the court
works well.) The coach stands in the middle of the front row with at least 2 balls. Coach
tosses a ball to the first player in line. The player tries to pass the ball to the target, making
sure to angle his/her body toward the target. Regardless of where the ball goes, the target
gets the ball and hands it to Coach (or sets it by Coach if multiple balls are being used to
make the drill go quicker). The target then goes to the end of the line. The person who
previously passed the ball becomes the new target. The next person in line becomes the
new passer.

Butterfly Drill Serve-Receive Variation

Some more intermediate variations of this drill include:

• Allow the players to toss. Passer becomes target, target becomes tosser, tosser goes
to the end of the line.
• Split the team into two groups and run the same drill on both sides of the net. If you
have two coaches, coaches can toss. You could also have the players toss.
• Use this drill to work on serve-receive. (Serve-receive is the first pass of a rally, the
pass that receives the other team’s serve.) Split your team up so you have 1 target, 3
passers, and one or two players in line waiting to be the next passer. These players
do the butterfly drill on one side (as explained above), but instead of having one
passer, have three players stand in the left, middle and right of the court and try to
get the ball. Instead of having a tosser, the rest of the team will go to the other side
of the net and take turns serving across the net. The player that passes the ball
becomes target, the target gets the ball and goes to the end of the serving line, and
the server goes to the end of the passing line.

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Run-Throughs (Basic with Intermediate Variations)
Split your team in half. Half of the players will be participating in the drill, the other half
will be shagging. (Shagging just means chasing down the balls and bringing them to the
tosser to be used in the drill.) Have the shaggers spread out around the perimeter of the
court and be ready to get any balls that come their way. Designate one shagger to be a
target. Everyone else will line up in a single-file line. Coach will slap the ball (as a signal to
go) and the first person in line will run to a specified spot based on one of the variations.
He/She will attempt to pass the ball to the target, then run to the end of the line. This
continues until each player gets a turn. (Depending on how much time you have, you can
have them run through the drill as many times as you’d like.) Then have the participants
and shaggers switch.

The variations include:

• Left to right in the back row
• Right to left in the back row
• Back to front (start in the back of the court and run to the 10-foot line)
Hit down-balls at the players to make it more challenging.

Left to Right Run-Through Right to Left Run-Through

Back to Front Run-Through

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Butt Under the Net Drill (Basic and Intermediate)
This drill helps teach players to stay low when passing. (This drill works up a sweat and
serves as a good punishment if the team is misbehaving or needs practice passing.) Split
the team into two groups. The first group will be both the tossers and shaggers. Each tosser
gets a ball and is responsible for their own ball. Have the tossers line up on the 10-foot line
and spread out, facing the net. Have all of the participants in the second group form a single
file line at one end of the net. They must get in an athletic stance, like they are ready to pass
and stand under the net. They must stay low, so their back or butt does not touch the
bottom of the net. The first person receives a toss from the tosser closest to him/her and
then shuffles under the net to the next tosser. Each person shuffles all the way through,
receiving a toss from each tosser, and then returns to the end of the line on the other side of
the net, where they started. Have each player take 2-5 turns, depending on how long you
would like to spend on the drill. Then have the tossers and passers switch.

Butt Under the Net Drill

Pile-Up (Basic with Intermediate Variations)

Have the players line up in 3 lines on the serving line. The first player in each line steps on
the court. All three lay on their stomachs, facing the net. Coach stands with multiple balls
near the net. Coach slaps the ball as a “go” signal and all three players stand up. While the
players are standing up, Coach tosses the ball. Coach can toss the ball either directly to
them or away from them to make them chase the ball down. The object is to get the ball
over the net with no more than three hits. (No single player can hit the ball twice in a row.)
After the three players on the court go, they shag the ball and go to the end of the line. The
next three players in line step on the court and lay down.
Variations:
• Instead of tossing the ball directly to the players, Coach can toss the ball anywhere
on the court. Some of the most challenging spots are in between the 10-foot line and
the net and also the back corners.
• Require the players to hit the ball over the net in exactly three hits, following the
rule that no single player can hit the ball twice in a row.
• Require the players to hit the ball over the net in exactly three hits, with each player
hitting the ball once. All three players must hit the ball.
• When the players lay down, have the three of them lay on top of each other rather
than next to each other so it is more difficult for them to stand up quickly.

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W-Drill (Basic and Intermediate)
Split the team into two groups. One group will shag, and the other will participate in the
drill. Designate one shagger to be the target. Have the participants line up in the back right
corner of the court (near the serving position). The first player in line steps on the court.
Coach will toss the ball to that player 5 times during this one turn. The player runs to each
of the 5 positions to get each ball, always trying to hit the ball to the target. When moving to
different spots, players must run, not back pedal! The five spots are, in order:
1. The back right area of the court (near the serving spot)
2. The 10-foot line in the right-middle of the court
3. The back middle area of the court
4. The 10-foot line in the left-middle of the court
5. The back left area of the court
The five spots make a “W” shape on the court. After the one player gets 5 tosses, one in
each of the five positions to complete the “W”, he/she runs to the end of the line. Continue
until each player gets a turn, and then have the participants and shaggers switch.

To make the drill more challenging, hit down-balls at the players rather than toss the ball.

W-Drill

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Setting

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Setting Technique
Setting is the skill used to play a ball that is above your head. In a rally, it is also typically
the second hit that is used to set up a hitter. This is an important skill to teach early on
because it is another very basic skill of volleyball. Listed below are key components of a
good setting technique.
• Start with your legs about shoulder width apart. Bend your knees slightly. Take an
athletic stance and be ready to move.
• Spread out your fingers slightly and shape your hands so your index fingers and
thumbs make a triangle. Spread your hands apart from each other so there is a one-
to two-inch gap between your two index fingers and two thumbs. This is how your
hands should be shaped.
• Look up to the ceiling. Place your hands directly above your forehead. (If you look
up, you should be able to see through the triangle like it is a view finder. If the gap
between your hands were too big and a ball were to fall in between your hands, it
should hit your forehead.)
• When the ball comes, use your arms and your legs to push the ball. You want to push
the ball in an “up and out” motion. The motion should look like you’re flying like
Superman.
• Contact the ball with your finger pads, not your fingertips or the palms of your hand.
Your finger pads are the part of your finger between the tip of your finger and your
first knuckle.
• Set with all ten fingers, but only six fingers (three on each hand) should mainly
touch the ball. The main fingers that should touch the ball are the thumbs, index
fingers, and middle fingers.
• A good set does not spin. Try to contact the ball with both hands evenly and at the
same time. Contacting the ball with one hand more than the other causes the ball to
spin; this is known as a double hit and is an illegal hit.
• Call the ball by saying, “Mine!” or “I got it!”
The setter’s spot is in the front row, in between the middle and right side of the court.
Typically, for beginners, the setter is the person in the front right position. Moving to the
setter’s spot makes it easier for a setter to set both the middle hitter and the outside (left)
hitter. For intermediate and advanced players that have designated setters (and might run
a 6-2), this position allows the setter to more easily set the middle, outside and right side
hitters.

Setter's Spot (Blue Circle)

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Setting Drills

10 And 10 (Basic)
This drill is great for warm-ups and for practicing technique. Have players partner up and
grab a ball. Have Player 1 toss the ball ten times to Player 2. Make sure the toss is high so it
is above Player 2’s head. Player 2 practices setting the ball back to Player 1 with proper
form, trying to aim the ball so Player 1 does not have to move far to catch it. After 10 tosses,
Player 2 then tosses to Player 1, who sets. The players can work on this drill until each gets
to set a specified number of sets or for a length of time.

Peppering (Intermediate)
Peppering is a great warm-up drill and great for practicing control. True peppering consists
of two people and one ball. The two players hit the ball back in forth in the pattern of pass,
set, hit. Ideally, Player 1 tosses the ball to Player 2, Player 2 passes to Player 1, Player 1 sets
the ball to Player 2, Player 2 hits (spikes) an easy down-ball to Player 1, who passes the ball
to Player 2 and starts the cycle again. The goal is to keep the ball from hitting the ground
and to maintain the pass, set, hit pattern with control.

If your players do not have very good control with the ball yet, they might struggle with
true peppering. A more basic form of peppering that still works on control involves them
simply setting the ball back and forth without letting the ball drop. You can also have them
mix in passing if you have taught that. For beginners, this drill can be used to help them
decide when to pass and when to set… Passing should be used for low balls, typically at
your stomach or below. Setting should be used for higher balls that you can move to get
underneath so you can contact the ball above your forehead.

Hand Positioning Practice (Basic)

This drill can be done two different ways, either individually or in partners.
1. Give each player a volleyball. Have him/her toss the ball into the air and have
him/her catch it above their forehead, with their hands in the setting position. Have
them briefly examine the position of their hands each time they catch the ball.
2. Do the same as listed above except have the players partner up and toss a ball back
and forth. Players can stand about 10 feet or more away from each other.
This drill can be done either sitting down or standing up. If partners are sitting down, it
might be best to run the drill like the “10 And 10” drill described above.

Set Against the Wall (Basic with Intermediate Variations)

This drill is great for working on setting technique and for helping players get their hands
used to the shape of the ball. This drill, if practiced enough, also builds up wrist and
forearm strength. Give each player a ball and have them find a wall. Simply have them set
the ball against the wall for a designated number of times or for a certain amount of time.
Players do not need to stand far from the wall. Staying close to the wall and almost
bouncing the ball off the wall works well. The goal is to keep the ball going for the number
of reps or the entire length of time. This drill is also a very good warm-up for setters before
a game.

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Variations for Setting Against the Wall:
• Have players set against the wall from their knees.
• Have players set against the wall while sitting.
• Have players set against the wall while transitioning from standing to kneeling to
sitting, without letting the ball drop. This one take a lot of control.
• Have players set with only one hand. Then have them set with only the other hand.
This drill does not really work on technique. It helps increase wrist strength and ball
control.

Agility Setting (Intermediate)

Agility setting refers to a variety of setting drills used to improve ball control. Some are
easy and others are rather challenging, especially for beginners. Some are individual and
others require partners.

Individual:
• Set to yourself for a given length of time or reps
• Set to yourself and clap once in between sets
• Set the ball as high as you can to yourself and clap as many times as possible in
between
• Set and walk along a line on the court at the same time
• Set and do high knees at the same time (either in place or along a line)
• Set and do the karaoke footwork along a line
• Set to yourself continuously as you transition from standing to kneeling to sitting to
laying

Partner:
Have players partner up and stand about 10-15 feet apart. Each pair gets 1 ball. Try to keep
the ball going for as long as possible. Work on controlling the ball and getting it to your
partner so your partner doesn’t have to take more than 2-3 steps to get to it. Both partners
do the same thing in each variation.
• Diving Board: Set to yourself once and then set to your partner.
• Clap: Set to yourself once, clap once, and then set to your partner.
• Around the World: Set to yourself repeatedly as you spin all the way around (360
degrees) and then set the ball to your partner.
• Around the World- Backwards: Set to yourself repeatedly as you spin half way
around (180 degrees) so your back is facing your partner. Then back set the ball to
your partner.
• Run Around: Set the ball to yourself repeatedly while your partner runs around you
and then back to his/her original position. Set the ball to your partner and while
he/she sets the ball repeatedly, run around him/her and then return to your
original position.

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Setting Lines (Basic and Intermediate)
This is a classic setting drill. You can make it as basic or as challenging as you’d like. (For
more advanced players, this drill turns into hitting lines, where one or two setters will set
to the rest of the team to practice hitting.) The purpose of this drill is to practice aiming the
sets to certain positions, where a hitter would be. Aiming a set requires angling your body
(including your feet, hips and shoulders) to the target.

For the most basic version of this drill, designate one player to be a temporary target. Place
the target where you would like the players to set to (see options below). Everyone else
will line up in a single file line at the 10-foot line, behind the setter’s spot. Coach will slap
the ball as a “go” signal, and the first player in line will run to the setter’s spot on the net.
Coach will toss the ball (so it is higher than the player’s head) and the player will set the
ball to the target. The target hands the ball to Coach and goes to the end of the line, the
player that just set becomes the new target and the next player in line sets next.

Target Positions:
• Middle- This refers to the front middle of the court. This ball should be set about a
foot or two off the net and should go about 2 feet taller than the net. The target
should catch the ball above his/her head.
• Outside (left side)- This is a more challenging position to set because it is farther
from the setter. The target should stand about 5 feet from the net, close to the
sideline. The target should catch the ball above his/her head.
• Right side- A setter can either turn around and face the right side to set this position,
but more advanced players might backset to this position. For a backset, the setter
will face the outside (left side) and set the ball backwards to the right side. Setting
backwards requires using your arms and arching your back to push the ball
backwards.
• Ten ball- This is a set to a back row players. Back row players can hit/spike the ball

A variation of this drill involves a hoola-hoop. The target can hold a hoola hoop above
his/her head (and parallel to the ground) as a true target. Setters should try to set the ball
into the hoola hoop.

Target Positions for Setting

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 Serving
(Underhand and Overhand)

15
Underhand Serving Technique

Underhand serving is the serving technique for beginners. There is a left-handed and right-
handed way to serve, depending on a player’s dominant hand. The left-handed technique is
a mirror image of the right-handed technique, and vice versa. Serving takes a lot of practice
and repetition. Once a player gets the basic technique down well, players can work on
aiming the ball. Listed below are key components of a good underhand serving technique.

Right-Handed Technique:
• Stand comfortably, with your legs about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees
slightly.
• Hold the ball in your left hand.
• Hold the ball across your body and in front of your right hip (about a foot in front of
your right hip).
• Make a fist with your right hand.
• Put your thumb on the side of your fist, not across your fingers. Never hit the ball
with your thumb.
• Point your body where you want the ball to go.
• Keep your right arm straight
• Swing your right arm back and then forward.
• Contact the ball with your palm side - what will be your folded over fingers.
• Do NOT toss the ball. Hit it out of your hand.
• Follow straight through.

Left-Handed Technique (same as right-handed but opposite):

• Stand comfortably, with your legs about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees
slightly.
• Hold the ball in your right hand.
• Hold the ball across your body and in front of your left hip (about a foot in front of
your left hip).
• Make a fist with your left hand.
• Put your thumb on the side of your fist - not across your fingers. Never hit the ball
with your thumb.
• Point your body where you want the ball to go.
• Keep your left arm straight.
• Swing your left arm back and then forward.
• Contact the ball with your palm side - what will be your folded over fingers.
• Do NOT toss the ball. Hit it out of your hand.
• Follow straight through.

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Overhand Serving Technique
Overhand serving is the serving technique for players at an intermediate level or above. Like with
underhand serving, there is a left-handed and a right-handed way to serve, depending on a player’s
dominant hand. The left-handed technique is a mirror image of the right-handed technique, and
vice versa. Overhand serving, especially, takes a lot of repetition and requires enough strength to
hit the ball over the net. A good overhand serve starts out with a good toss. Once a player has
his/her overhand serve down, he/she can practice aiming the ball or “spot serving.” Listed below
are key components of a good overhand serving technique.
Right-Handed Serving Technique:
• Aim your body where you want the ball to go. Point your feet and shoulders towards your
target.
• Hold the ball in your left hand.
• Start with your right arm ready to hit the ball. There are two options for your initial arm
position.
1. You can begin by placing your right arm straight up in the air.
2. You can draw your arm back by your ear, like a bow-and-arrow.
• Toss the ball with your left hand. You want to toss it in front of the right side of your body.
Toss it as high as your right hand can reach. (If the ball were to land, you want it to land a
little in front of your right foot.)
• Take a step with your left foot.
• Keep your right hand open and spread your fingers slightly. You want to contact the ball
with as much of your hand as possible.
• Contact the ball as high as your hand can reach.
• Hit the ball hard.
Left-Handed Serving Technique:
• Aim your body where you want the ball to go. Point your feet and shoulders towards your
target.
• Hold the ball in your right hand.
• Start with your left arm ready to hit the ball. There are two options for your initial arm
position.
1. You can begin by placing your left arm straight up in the air.
2. You can draw your arm back by your ear, like a bow-and-arrow.
• Toss the ball with your right hand. You want to toss it in front of the left side of your body.
Toss it as high as your left hand can reach. (If the ball were to land, you want it to land a
little in front of your left foot.)
• Take a step with your right foot.
• Keep your left hand open and spread your fingers slightly. You want to contact the ball with
as much of your hand as possible.
• Contact the ball as high as your hand can reach.
• Hit the ball hard.
Tossing Practice (for Overhand only)
With overhand serving, the toss is very important. Without a good toss, you cannot have a good
overhand serve. Practicing the toss creates muscle memory and with time will help the toss become
more consistent and accurate. Players can each grab a ball, spread out, and practice. The toss should
go about as high as their hand can reach and should land in front of their foot on their dominant
side. Having a player stretch their dominant hand up in the air, as high as it can reach, serves as a
good visual of how high to toss the ball. Players should let the ball drop and not catch it, to see if the
ball lands in front of their foot.

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Serving Drills

Drills for overhand and underhand serving are the same. If you have players who are at
different levels, with some who are working on their overhand serve and others who only
serve underhand, they all can participate in these drills and practice their respective serve.
For each drill, make sure all players stay behind the serving line.

Hoola Hoops
This drill requires 4-6 hoola hoops. Split the team in half. Send one team to one side and the
other team to the other. Place 2-3 hoola hoops around each half of the court. Have players
serve the ball across the net using either technique. If a player’s serve lands in the court,
he/she gets 1 point. If a serve lands in a hoola hoop, the server gets 3 points. Each player
keeps track of his/her own points and the person with the most points at the end “wins”.

Serve and Trade

Split your team in half. Each of the two groups will do this drill, separately. Below, the drill
is explained for one group. The other half of the team will do the same drill on the other
side of the net.

Select one player from your group to go under the net and sit on the other side. Everyone in
their group serves to them and tries to hit them. The player on the ground must keep their
bottom in the same place but can move their arms and legs to touch the ball. If the player
on the ground touches a ball, he/she gets to return to his/her side to serve. The player who
served the ball runs under the net and takes the original sitter’s place.

Serve and Trade

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Around the World (Intermediate)
Split your team in half. Each of the two groups will do this drill, separately. Below, the drill
is explained for one group. The other half of the team will do the same drill on the other
side of the net.

This drill requires knowledge of the positions of the court. It is a slightly more advanced
version of the “Serve and Trade” game. Select one player from your group to sit on the
other side of the net in Position 1. Everyone on their team serves to them. When someone
serves the ball so the person sitting can touch it without moving their butt, the person
sitting returns to their side to serve and the server that served the ball goes under the net
and sits in Position 2. This is repeated through Positions 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can stop there or
require the teams to go backwards and do Positions 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 in that order as well.
Both groups will be doing this drill on both sides of the net, so the goal is to be the group
that finishes first.

Around the World Serving

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Spider Web
Split your team in half. Each of the two groups will do this drill, separately. Below, the drill
is explained for one group. The other half of the team will do the same drill on the other
side of the net.

Select one player from your group to lay on their stomach on the other side of the net,
wherever they would like. Everyone on their team serves to them and tries to hit them. If a
ball touches the player laying on the ground, the person who served it joins them in laying
on the other side of the net. However, when a player joins the ones laying on the ground, he
or she must link up with them by joining hands or touching feet. Both teams will be doing
this drill on both sides of the net, so the goal is to be the group that completes their web
first and gets all players laying on the floor.
*With this drill, make sure that the players laying on the floor can watch for balls coming
over the net at them.

Spider Web

Dead Fish
Split your team in half. Each of the two groups will do this drill, separately. Below, the drill
is explained for one group. The other half of the team will do the same drill on the other
side of the net.

Everyone serves. Whenever someone misses a serve, meaning it either does not make it
over the net or it lands out-of-bounds, then the server has to go under the net to the other
side and sit or lay on the ground. Everyone else on the team must continue to serve-
without missing any- and try to place the ball so the people on the ground can touch it. If a
player can touch a served ball before it hits the ground, the player can return to their side
and serve again. The goal is to not run out of servers and to last longer than the other team.

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Scrimmage
Games

21
Scrimmage Games
Scrimmage games are practice volleyball games. Some can be very similar to a real volleyball games
and others have different variations that focus on ball control or team movement. Scrimmages help
your team work together, so they are the perfect time to practice ball control and getting three hits.
(Intermediate to advanced volleyball players try to pass-set-spike on every rally, so getting
beginners to work on passing/setting the ball exactly three times before hitting it over the net is a
good stepping stone to pass-set-spike.)

Speedball
This drill works on team movement and communication. Split your team in half. Have each of the
two groups set up a rotation (the best they can with the number of players) to cover the court. The
boundaries are the normal boundaries for a volleyball game. You’ll play this game according to the
rules of a real volleyball game. Give one of the teams' server a ball. The server must stand behind
the serving line and throw the ball over the net. A player on the other side of the net must move to
catch the ball. The ball cannot drop. Likewise, that player throws the ball back over the net and a
player on the server’s side must catch it without letting the ball drop. After a person catches the ball
(so anytime a player has the ball in their hand), they must plant their feet where they caught the
ball and throw from their position. They can only take one step. When it is a person’s turn to throw
the ball over the net, the goal is to throw it hard and quickly in a difficult spot so the other team can
not catch the ball, making it drop. Whenever the ball hits the ground, the other team gets the point
and the serve. The players rotate as they would in a normal volleyball game. Communication and
movement are key so the ball does not drop.
Variation:
There are two ways to run this drill. One focuses on team movement and the other focuses on three
hits. Both require team communication.
• Require everyone to throw the ball over the net when they get the ball, stimulating only 1
hit. This makes the game go faster and speeds up movement.
• Require the teams to get 3 “hits” before sending the ball over the net, meaning they have to
toss the ball to two teammates on their side of the net before throwing the ball over. This
improves communication and practices the idea of three hits.

Queen of the Court

Split the team into groups of 3. You can either assign them “permanent” groups OR you can create
three lines on the back line for them to line up in, and with each round the first people in each of the
three lines steps on the court. Either way, have 3 players start on one side and have 3 players start
on the other. Designate one side of the court to be the “Queen’s” side. (If you go with the “lines”
option for splitting the teams up, the side that does NOT have the lines will be the Queen’s side.)
The boundaries are the normal boundaries for a volleyball game. Coach will toss a ball to one of the
sides for the players to play out. Whichever side loses the rally goes to the ends of the lines or waits
as a group for their next chance. The winners of the rally go to the Queen’s side. (So if the group on
the Queen’s side wins, they stay on the Queen’s side and the other group rotates off.) The goal is to
stay on the Queen’s side and be on the Queen’s side at the end of the game. This game can also be
referred to as “Kings of the Court.”
Variation:
Instead of tossing the ball, you can have a player on the non-Queen side serve. This variation works
best with a team that already moves to get to the ball well and that can consistently make serves
over the net and in bounds.

22
Short Court
This game is great for control. Split your team in half, and send one group to each side. Play
volleyball like it is a real volleyball game, but change the boundaries so the back boundary
line is about halfway between where it normally is and the 10-foot line. Designate a line on
the floor to mark this new boundary, or bring painter’s tape to mark it. The players must
play a real volleyball game with the shorter boundary, so they must control their hits so
they don’t go too far out. Players will also be closer together on their sides, so they will
have to communicate to not run into each other. You can start each rally with a toss or
allow the players to serve.

For even more of a challenge, you can play this game like Queen of the Court but make the
boundary line the 10-foot line.

True Scrimmage
There are two ways to run a scrimmage:
1. Split your team in half. Have them play each other like it is a real volleyball game.
This works well if you have at least 12 players. With more, you can rotate them in.
2. If you have less than 12 players, this version works well. Choose one side to be the
“real” side. Line up 6 players like you would in a real game. You can even use the
rotation you plan to use in the next game so the players know who they stand by
and when they rotate out. The rest of the players will be on the other side with the
coach(es) to play out the ball. (Coaches don’t have to play unless there aren’t enough
players to cover the court.) Therefore, the scrimmage will be the “real” rotation
versus the players who would be waiting to rotate in and the coaches. Play
volleyball like it’s a real game, except when it is time for a “real” player to rotate out,
the “real” player will go to the other side to play with the players who are “out” and
the player who was “out” will take his/her place on the “real” side.

23
Volleyball Rules
and
Renaud Spirit
Center Info

24
 Girls Volleyball League
Official Rules
Ages 9-12
1. Unless otherwise stated below, this league will follow MSHSAA rules.
2. There must be six players on the court at all times, only exception is if during the
course of a game a player becomes injured and that team has no more subs.
3. Each team is responsible for equal playing time among each of their players. We
ask that a uniform rotation is used so that you have your players rotate in before
serving. You may change your points of entering or leaving the game prior to the
start of the first game. For example, some teams rotate in at the net instead of at
the serve.
4. You may substitute into any position on the court but you must use the
substitution zone.
5. In the desire for fair play, no player may participate for more than one team in the
same division. Playing for a second team will result in a forfeit for that team’s
match.
6. You are allowed 2 timeouts/game (6/match).
7. You will play 2 games to 25 points and the third game will be played to 15 points.
8. Servers while encouraged to stand behind the boundary line, are permitted to take
approximately three steps, or as many as deemed necessary by the official, into the
court in order to serve. If a player is continually making their serves over the net
and inside the court we ask you to encourage them to step back, the referee might
encourage it as well.
9. There will be a maximum of five (5) consecutive points producing serves for any
one server. This will result in a side out for the opposing team with no points
awarded. Normal rotation will occur.
10. There will be let serves.
11. While knee pads are not mandatory, they are strongly suggested.
12. Each team is encouraged to use all three of their hits. Any more than three results
in a side out.
13. When receiving the serve you may bump, set or pass but you are not allowed to
double hit.
14. Lifts (prolonged contact) are not allowed. This rule will be loosely applied as skill
level is not up to strict standards.
15. Multiple contact (not double hits) is allowed on any first ball over the net
regardless if it is a serve or not.
16. The red line is the out of bounds line; the middle line is also red. If during the play
your footsteps completely over the middle line, you are under the net and it results
in a side out. To determine if a ball is out of play, if it touches the red boundary
line it is a playable ball. If it lands outside the boundary line it is considered an out
(dead) ball.
17. Players may play the ball to the walls, glass, bleachers, and half court line.
Anything touching or bouncing of any of these boundaries is considered to be out
of bounds.

25
 18. The home team (team listed first on the schedule) will be provided a scorecard and
will be the official score.
19. No jewelry can be worn during games with the exception of medical alert bracelets
and necklaces. If medical alert bracelets or necklaces must be worn, then they
must be taped down.
20. In order to allow the coaches to concentrate on coaching their players, each team
will be asked to supply two volunteers: one scorekeeper and one line judge. Home
team will supply the official scorekeeper and visitors the flip cards. If at all
possible, an adult line judge will be preferred. This will allow the players to
experience the look and feel of the kind of match that they will be participating in
from this point on. We thank you for your cooperation.
21. Practice time is not guaranteed. Games will start at their scheduled time.

Sportsmanship
The City of O’Fallon considers the teaching of good sportsmanship as the most
important goal of the program. The proper conduct of the coaches, players, parents
and spectators is essential to realizing this goal. The Recreation Specialists and referees
monitor the conduct of the persons involved in the program. Listed are the conduct
guidelines:

PLAYERS
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and good sportsmanship toward teammates and
opponents.
• Players will refrain from the use of abusive or profane language at all times.
• Players should refrain from fighting with or without provocation. Fighting will not
be tolerated and a suspension will be invoked.

COACHES
• The prime consideration of the coach should be the development of physical, mental
and moral character of the players.
• The coach should set a good example, on and off the court.
• The coach should have absolute control of his/her team at all times and must
exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with players, parent’s and official’s.
• The will be no unnecessary display by a coach as a result of an official’s call.
Official judgment calls are not grounds for complaint.
• Abusive or profane language and fighting will not be tolerated before, during or
after games.
• Coaches are expected to present a demeanor of control and proper sportsmanship
during all contests. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the league without
a refund.
• Any member of the team, or fan, who demonstrates poor sportsmanship, may be
asked to leave the contest facility. This will be reported to the director and
disciplinary action may be taken. Continual problems with a player, coach or fan
may also result in disciplinary action.
• Types of disciplinary action may be probation, dismissal, forfeiture of the contest
and/or elimination of all awards.

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 Girls Volleyball League
Official Rules
Ages 13-15

1. Unless otherwise stated below, this league will follow MSHSAA rules.
2. A team must have six (6) players to start the match and there must be six (6) players
on the court at all times, the only exception being if during the course of the match a
player becomes injured and that team has no more available subs.
3. There will be free substitution. There will be no restrictions on the frequency of
substituting. The only requirement shall be that All substitutes must enter into
position six ( 6 ).
4. All substitutes must enter through the substitution zone.
5. In the desire for fair play, no player may participate for more than one team in the
same division. Playing for a second team will result in a forfeit for that team's
match.
6. You are allowed two (2) timeouts/set, Six (6)/match.
7. Matches will be best 2 of 3 with a deciding set (if necessary) played to 15 points and
must win by two (2).
8. Players must serve behind the end line. Contact with the end line at the instant the
ball is contacted for serve will result in a foot fault and loss of point.
9. There will be no limit on consecutive serves.
10. "Let Serves" are legal.
11. Knee pads are not mandatory, but strongly suggested.
12. Multiple contact (not double hits) is allowed on any first ball over the net
regardless if it is a serve or not.
13. Players may play the ball to the wall, glass, bleachers and half court line. Any ball
touching any of these boundaries is considered out of bounds.
14. The home team will be decided by coin flip with the winner of the coin flip having
their choice of home or visitors.
15. No jewelry may be worn during match play with the exception of medical alert
bracelets and necklaces. If medical alert bracelets or necklaces must be worn, they
must be taped down.
16. Each team shall be responsible for supplying two (2) volunteers: one (1)
scorekeeper and one (1) line judge. The home team will supply the official
scorekeeper and the visitors the flip cards. If at all possible, adult scorekeepers and
line judges are preferred.
17. Warm-up time is not guaranteed. Games will start at their scheduled times.

27
Sportsmanship
The City of O’Fallon considers the teaching of good sportsmanship as the most
important goal of the program. The proper conduct of the coaches, players, parents
and spectators is essential to realizing this goal. The Recreation Specialists and referees
monitor the conduct of the persons involved in the program. Listed are the conduct
guidelines:

PLAYERS
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and good sportsmanship toward teammates and
opponents.
• Players will refrain from the use of abusive or profane language at all times.
• Players should refrain from fighting with or without provocation. Fighting will not
be tolerated and a suspension will be invoked.

COACHES
• The prime consideration of the coach should be the development of physical, mental
and moral character of the players.
• The coach should set a good example, on and off the court.
• The coach should have absolute control of his/her team at all times and must
exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with players, parent’s and official’s.
• The will be no unnecessary display by a coach as a result of an official’s call.
Official judgment calls are not grounds for complaint.
• Abusive or profane language and fighting will not be tolerated before, during or
after games.
• Coaches are expected to present a demeanor of control and proper sportsmanship
during all contests. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the league without
a refund.
• Any member of the team, or fan, who demonstrates poor sportsmanship, may be
asked to leave the contest facility. This will be reported to the director and
disciplinary action may be taken. Continual problems with a player, coach or fan
may also result in disciplinary action.
• Types of disciplinary action may be probation, dismissal, forfeiture of the contest
and/or elimination of all awards.

28
 Renaud Spirit Center - Youth Volleyball League
Coaches: Points Of Emphasis

Coaches,

Please examine the following points of emphasis that the officials will be stressing
during the upcoming league play. As coaches, your primary objective is the overall
improvement of skills necessary for the players to succeed and enjoy the sport of
volleyball. Hand in hand with their skill development is the need to understand the
court and its markings, as well as the proper protocol required to enable smooth
transition and game play. We hope that the information offered will make the
training of your players a little bit easier.

29
Important Points:
Point #1: Prior to the start of the first game, the six starting players will line up on their respective
end line near position 1. At the referee's whistle and signal, the players will proceed down the
sideline and then across the court in front of the net to wish their opponents (who will be
proceeding in like fashion on their side of the net) good luck.

Point #2: Following the completion of the third game (end of match) the entire team & coaches will
repeat the above procedure to tell your opponents "good game." Again, wait for the referee's
whistle and signal.

Point #3: You may substitute into any position on the court ( 1-6 ) but players must enter and exit
through the substitution zone (between the attack line and center line on your side of the court) .
Proper procedure will be for the exiting player to stand at the sideline, on the court side, in the
substitution zone and for the entering player to stand at the same place but on the out of play side
of the sideline. They will then look to the referee to release them on & off of the court.

Point #4: Teams must always rotate into the serving position.

Point #5: The player in position #1 will always be the server. The server may, however, stand
anywhere along the end line when serving.

Point #6: Timeouts will be 1 minute in length.

Point #7: There will be a 3 minute interval between games.

Thank you for your time and effort. GOOD LUCK!

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