Volleyball Drill-Book: Beginner (Level)

Preface
This drill-book contains a collection of approved drills and games which are suitable for
trainings with learners and intermediate Volleyball-players. Additional information,
especially concerning techniques (FIVB Technical Posters), drill designs and coaching
principles (FIVB Coaches Manual 2011) can be found on the FIVB website:
http://www.fivb.org/EN/Technical-Coach/
http://www.fivb.org/EN/Development/
The main tools of a trainer basically consist of the principle of transforming selected
exercises into drills. The trainer usually shapes the exercises by determining the following
rules:
-

precise, coherent and measurable explanations of the drills

qualitative and quantitative criterions for the success
dosage of the drills intensity, extent and the recovery.

The load specifications should be set in relation to the actual dynamics of a competition:
-

above a standard competition: the load of the drill is above a standard competition
like a standard competition: the load of the drill is equal to a standard competition
beneath a standard competition: the load of the drill is less in comparison to a
standard competition.

Players who cannot actively participate in the drills can take over the following functions:
-

be the target area (the position of the setter, in receiving drills)

give feedback (counting of repetitions, qualitative feedback)
collect balls (especially if they are rolling on the court)
supply the trainer or server with balls
pass or hit balls (in defensive-drills)
be the referee.

2012 Dr. Christian Krger FIVB Instructor I/II- GER

Volleyball Drill-Book: Beginner (Level)

The supervision and control of a drill are important in order to make it effective and work
properly. It has to be defined which role the coach takes over for the drill. In accordance to
that these are his options:
-

a drill conducted by the coach (the coach needs good skills with the ball because
he/she is an active part of the drill)
a drill initiated by the coach (the rally is started by the coach, but in the following the
drill is supervised without any active participation)
a whole drill led by the players (the players are as well supervising the drill).

According to the form of the drill, the location as well as the different movement concepts
will have direct influence on certain aspects of observation for the trainer. This means that in
(3) the location of the trainer may be on a neighbors court, whereas in (2) he/she might only
observe certain transitions (e.g. transition from block to counter-attack). Moreover, in (1)
the trainer could also observe only the individual defense technique of a single player.
Depending on the capacity of sports halls it is recommended to work on technique
improvements only with smaller groups, while the majority of the group should be playing
basic games or should be performing drills. After a couple of minutes the small group
changes with some players from the big group.
For the realization of the basic games and drills the following equipment is useful:
-

ball boxes (can be all available kinds of containers; in a sports hall for example one
big or two small gymnastic boxes)
platform for the trainer at the net (two or more (gymnastic) boxes for a quick change
of positions)
playing-areas and sectors (antennas, glue-strip, ties, pads, ropes)
target areas (gymnastic-hoops, cones, mats)
Visualization of paths of balls and players (blackboard, magnet board).

2012 Dr. Christian Krger FIVB Instructor I/II- GER

Volleyball Drill-Book: Beginner (Level)

CHOOSE

Determine a focus for the training

Determine an exercise
Shape the exercise to a drill

PRESENT

Clarification of the objective

* explain: what is important?
* control- and supervision standards for the trainer
* control standards for the players (e.g. table 2)
Organization
* Who? Number of players
* Where? Tactical instruction + space of action
* When? Time and space structures of the ball and the players
* What? Equipment

DISTRIBUTE ROLES

Determine the kind of supervision of the drill

Specify the responsibility and the consequences
Exemplarily, illustrate the organization of the balls and the paths (of players and balls)

PERFORM

The players need time to get into a flow/rhythm

The trainer has to take up his/her suitable observation position
Allow time for the reflection

SUPERVISE

Look for accordance with the objective and deviations from it

Give a feedback
Draw the consequences

Fig. 1 Pattern for a movement-exercise (basic game or drill)

2012 Dr. Christian Krger FIVB Instructor I/II- GER