9 Finest Volleyball Hitting Drills For Beginners and Pros

Volleyball hitting drills are a game-changer when it comes to improving your hitting skills. Hitting is undoubtedly one of the most crucial skills in volleyball, and it’s not just about power. It’s about technique, accuracy, and timing. In this blog post, I’m excited to share some of the most effective volleyball hitting drills that can take your game to the next level. You’ll learn drills for beginners to help you establish the fundamentals and advanced drills to refine your technique and challenge your abilities.

The Basics of Hitting in Volleyball:

When it comes to hitting in volleyball, having the correct technique is essential. Let me break it down for you. The proper hitting technique involves a three-step process: the approach, the jump, and the follow-through.

1. Firstly, The Approach: This is where you run toward the ball before jumping. Make sure to keep your steps small and quick, and aim to have your last step as close to the ball as possible.
2. Next, The Jump: When you jump, aim to jump off two feet with your arms back and your eyes focused on the ball. Try to jump as high as you can, aiming for the peak of your jump to coincide with when you hit the ball.
3. Lastly, The Follow-Through: This is the final part of the hitting technique and involves extending your hitting arm and hitting the ball with the heel of your hand. Do try to keep your arm straight and your fingers together, with your hand in a ‘karate chop’ position.

Remember, these are just the critical elements of hitting, and there is a lot more that goes into perfecting the technique.

Volleyball Hitting Drills for Beginners:

Alright, let’s dive into some of the best volleyball hitting drills for beginners! These drills are designed to help you establish your fundamentals so you can hit the ball like a pro in no time.

Wall Hitting Drill:

This drill is excellent for working on your hitting technique and accuracy. All you need is a wall and a ball!

1. Stand about 5-6 feet away from the wall, facing it.
2. Toss the ball to yourself, and when it comes down, hit it against the wall with the heel of your hand.
3. Focus on maintaining your arm straight and hitting the ball with the correct part of your hand.
4. Repeat this process, alternating between hitting the ball with your left and right hand.
5. Slowly raise the pace and power of your hits, concentrating on accuracy.

Box Hitting Drill:

The box hitting drill is an excellent way to improve your hitting accuracy and aim.

1. Set up a box or target on the other side of the net.
2. Stand on the opposing side of the net and toss the ball to yourself.
3. When the ball comes down, hit it toward the box or target.
4. Concentrate on hitting the ball with the correct part of your hand and keeping your arm straight.
5. Gradually increase the speed and power of your hits, aiming for the box or target.

One-Step Hitting Drill:

The one-step hitting drill is perfect for improving your timing and footwork.

1. Start by standing about 5-6 feet away from the wall, facing it.
2. Take one step towards the wall and hit the ball against it with the heel of your hand.
3. Focus on hitting the ball with the correct part of your hand and keeping your arm straight.
4. Repeat this process, alternating between hitting the ball with your left and right hand.
5. Gradually increase the speed and power of your hits, focusing on timing and footwork.

So, these were volleyball hitting drills for beginners, if you are not a beginner but a pro the next volleyball drills are for you.

Advanced Volleyball Hitting Drills:

Alright, let’s move on to the advanced volleyball hitting drills. These drills are meant to challenge and push your hitting skills to the limit, so get ready to work hard!

Hitting With a Live Block Drill:

This drill is designed such that you have to hit against a live block. Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up a block with a player or a wall.
2. The hitter will approach and hit against the block, trying to hit the ball past the block and into the court.
3. The blocker will adjust their position and technique to block the hitter’s attack.
4. Repeat the drill with different hitters and blockers.

Blind Hitting Drill:

This drill is superb for enhancing your precision and reaction time. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place a blindfold over the hitter’s eyes.
2. The setter will toss the ball to the hitter, who will then try to hit the ball over the net without being able to see.
3. The other players on the court will call out the location of the ball to the hitter.
4. Repeat the drill with different hitters.

One-On-One Hitting Drill: 

This drill is great for practicing hitting against a single blocker. Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up a blocker on one side of the net and a hitter on the other side.
2. The hitter will approach and hit against the blocker, trying to hit the ball past the blocker and into the court.
3. The blocker will adjust their position and technique to block the hitter’s attack.
4. The hitter will then switch to the other side of the net and repeat the drill against the same blocker or a different one.

Dig and Hit Drill: 

This drill combines two essential skills – digging and hitting. It’s an excellent way to work on your transition game and improve your hitting accuracy. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start with a partner on the opposite side of the net, who will be your digger.
2. The digger will toss the ball over the net to you.
3. You must transition quickly from defense to offense and approach the ball.
4. Hit the ball with power and accuracy, aiming for specific court areas.
5. Your digger will retrieve the ball and repeat the process.

Approach and Hit Drill: 

This drill is designed to help you work on your approach and timing. It’s a great way to practice hitting with a full approach, as you would in a game. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start at the back of the court, and take a three-step approach toward the net.
2. When you reach the net, jump and hit the ball with power and accuracy, aiming for specific areas of the court.
3. After you hit the ball, quickly transition back to your starting position.
4. Repeat the process, focusing on your approach, timing, and hitting technique.

Three-Step Approach Hitting Drill: 

This drill is similar to the approach and hit drill but with a three-step approach instead of a full approach. It’s an excellent way to work on your quickness, timing, and hitting accuracy. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Begin at the back of the court, and take three fast steps toward the net.
2. Jump and hit the ball with power and accuracy, aiming for specific areas of the court.
3. After you hit the ball, quickly transition back to your starting position.
4. Repeat the process, focusing on your approach, timing, and hitting technique.

Congratulations on making it to the end of this blog post on volleyball hitting drills! I hope you found the information shared here helpful and informative. Remember, hitting is an essential skill in volleyball, and the exercises I have discussed can help improve your hitting abilities.

Get out there, grab a partner, and start working with these volleyball hitting drills. Remember, focus on accuracy over power, work on your approach and footwork, and stay mentally focused during drills.