Passing triplets

Two balls in one group of three: the tosser feeds the second before the first has even reached the target. That leaves the passer no time at all to think about the previous ball, which is exactly what passing in the middle of a rally is like.

2 players 7 phases ± 12 min 2 balls per group of three, half a court From U15 upwards

Phase 1 of 7Tosser with two balls, passer on the end line, target at the net

P = passer, S = target at the net; the third player is the tosser Coach Ball

This animation comes straight out of the Koach app. In the app you play it at your own pace and the positions carry your players' real names.

Open in the app

How the drill runs

What you are training

Passing triplets with two balls: tosser, passer and target create maximum serve receive reps.

Recovering: after every contact get straight back into a low, wide stance for the next ball.
Playing two balls in quick succession to the same spot, even when the second one comes in off to the side.
A short sideways move without the platform swinging along with it.

Coaching points

Do not watch your own pass.

The second ball is already on its way. A passer who follows the ball all the way to the target leaves late for the next one every single time.

Move with your feet, not with your arms.

With two quick balls the temptation to reach is at its greatest, and a reaching pass ricochets away hard and out of control.

Tosser: only feed the second ball once the first has left the passer's arms.

Too early and it becomes a reaction game, too late and it is just an ordinary passing drill. The tosser's timing decides what is actually being trained.

Say out loud where the ball has to go.

Naming your target puts your attention on where the ball is going instead of on where it came from.

Variations

Easier: One ball instead of two, and the tosser feeds high and straight at the passer.
Harder: Three balls, or have the tosser feed the second ball short in front of or well behind the passer so depth has to be read as well.
With six players: Two groups of three side by side on one half of the court, or one group of three with three shaggers rolling the balls back so nobody ever has to go hunting.
As a game: Ten balls per passer, one point for every pass the target catches without taking a step. Highest score in the group of three wins.

Volleyball drills

4 players · 6 phases SafeVolley base round Warm-up 3 players · 5 phases Shoulder activation with band Warm-up 2 players · 6 phases Dynamic movement patterns Warm-up 5 players · 5 phases Core plank with rotation Warm-up

Read on in the knowledge base: the forearm pass · putting an end to standing in line · tracking serve receive with passing scores