10 Essential Volleyball Drills for Outside Hitters
Are you an outside hitter looking to sharpen your skills or a coach seeking effective drills for your team? Our comprehensive guide covers each drill you will need to learn, explains that drill, and tells you how it will improve your game.
We dive into detailed explanations of drills that specifically target key aspects of an outside hitter’s game, including transition footwork, hitting, blocking, and more. From enhancing your ability to handle poor passes with the ‘Release Ball Hitting Drill’ to perfecting your tooling skills with the ‘Block Tooling Drill’, our guide provides a wide range of drills to level up your game.
These drills are designed to challenge and improve the overall performance of beginners and veteran players. Let’s dig in and explore these game-changing drills!
View our Complete Guide to the Outside Hitter Position
Drill 1: Corner Shots Drill
Goal: Improve accuracy and precision in hitting corner shots
Description: The Corner Shots Drill hones the player’s ability to hit accurate and precise corner shots, a crucial skill for any outside hitter. The drill begins with the player at the net, ready to receive a set from a teammate or coach. The setter sets the ball to the outside hitter who then aims to hit the ball into one of the corners of the opponent’s court.
The emphasis of this drill is on the control and direction of the hit rather than power. The hitter must adjust their approach and swing based on the set’s location to accurately aim for the corners. As the player progresses, the drill can be made more challenging by introducing blockers, forcing the hitter to adjust their shots in real time, just like in a real match scenario.
Drill 2: Approach and Swing Drill
Goal: Improve the timing and execution of approach and swing
Description: This drill is designed to help outside hitters perfect the timing and execution of their approach and swing. It begins with the hitter off the court or in the back row. The coach or a teammate tosses a ball high into the air, simulating a set. The hitter must then approach as they would in a game, jump, and swing at the imaginary ball.
The key focus of this drill is to replicate game-like conditions as closely as possible. The hitter should practice their full approach and swing, focusing on footwork, arm swing, and timing.
The drill can be made more difficult by varying the height and direction of the toss, forcing the hitter to adjust their approach and swing accordingly.
Drill 3: Block Transition Drill
Goal: Enhance transition speed from blocking to attacking
Description: This drill is designed to simulate the fast in-game transition from blocking to hitting, an essential skill for an outside hitter. The drill begins with the player at the net, ready to perform a blocking jump. After performing the blocking action, they quickly retreat backwards, ready to receive a set from a setter or a coach.
The crux of this drill is on the player’s agility and speed in transitioning from a blocking position to an attacking one. The player must focus on sprinting back into position as quickly as possible after landing from the block, and then swing at the ball regardless of whether they’re completely ready.
The drill’s difficulty can be increased by including a blocker on the other side of the net or by setting the ball before the hitter is completely in position.
Drill 4: Pass, Set, Hit Drill
Goal: Improve the sequence of passing, setting, and hitting
Description: The Pass, Set, Hit Drill is designed to improve the fundamental sequence of passing, setting, and hitting – the key components of any successful attack in volleyball. The drill starts with the player receiving a pass from a teammate or coach. They then pass the ball to a setter, who sets the ball back to them for a hit.
The primary focus of this drill is to instill the right technique and timing for each of the three key actions: pass, set, and hit. The player should work on receiving the pass accurately, delivering a good set, and executing a powerful hit.
As the player becomes more comfortable with these mechanics, additional elements such as a blocker or varied sets can be introduced to simulate game-like conditions.
Drill 5: Cross-Court Hitting Drill
Goal: Improve cross-court hitting skills
Description: The Cross-Court Hitting Drill is specifically designed to enhance a player’s ability to hit cross-court shots effectively, an essential skill for any outside hitter. The drill starts with the player receiving a set from a teammate or coach at the net. The player then has to aim their hit diagonally across the court, targeting the opposite end.
This drill is about mastering control and direction of the hit, with an emphasis on technique over power. The player has to adjust their approach and swing to accurately aim cross-court.
As the player progresses, this drill can be made more challenging by introducing blockers, forcing the player to adapt their hits in real-time, simulating a game-like situation.
Drill 6: Line Shot Drill
Goal: Enhance the ability to execute line shots
Description: The Line Shot Drill helps players improve their ability to execute line shots, which are critical for an outside hitter’s arsenal. The player starts at the net, ready to receive a set from a teammate or coach. The setter sets the ball to the outside hitter who then aims to hit the ball down the line of the opponent’s court.
The key focus of this drill is on the control and direction of the hit. It’s about precision rather than power. The player must adjust their approach and swing to accurately hit down the line.
The drill can be made more challenging by introducing blockers or varying the set’s location, requiring the hitter to adapt their approach and shot in response.
Drill 7: Cut Shot Drill
Goal: Improve cut shot skills
Description: The Cut Shot Drill is aimed at enhancing a player’s ability to execute effective cut shots. The drill starts with the player at the net, ready to receive a set from a teammate or coach. The setter sets the ball to the outside hitter who then aims to hit a cut shot, a shot that cuts sharply across the net.
This drill emphasizes precision and control. The player must focus on adjusting their approach and swing to execute the cut shot correctly.
As the player progresses, the drill can be made more challenging by introducing blockers, forcing the player to adapt their shot in real-time, simulating a game-like condition.
Drill 8: Tip and Roll Shot Drill
Goal: Improve skills in executing tip and roll shots
Description: The Tip and Roll Shot Drill focuses on enhancing a player’s ability to execute tip and roll shots, vital skills for outside hitters. The drill begins with the player receiving a set from a teammate or coach at the net. The player then has to either tip or roll shot the ball over the net, based on the command given by the coach.
The drill stresses on the control and placement of the hit. The player needs to master the techniques of tipping and rolling the ball, aiming for precise spots on the opponent’s court.
To increase the drill’s difficulty, blockers can be introduced or the player can be asked to hit to specific areas on the court, simulating game-like scenarios.
Drill 9: Hitter Coverage Drill
Goal: Improve skills in covering the hitter
Description: The Hitter Coverage Drill helps players improve their ability to cover the hitter, a key skill for outside hitters and their teammates. The drill begins with the player receiving a set from a teammate or coach at the net. As the player prepares to hit, the rest of the team moves into position to cover the hitter in case the hit is blocked.
This drill emphasizes team coordination and quick reaction time. The player and their teammates need to understand their roles and positioning in covering the hitter. The drill can be made more challenging by introducing blockers or varying the type of the incoming set. It’s not just about hitting the ball, but also about how the team responds and moves together to support the hitter.
Drill 10: Serve Receive to Attack Drill
Goal: Improve serve receive and subsequent attack
Description: The Serve Receive to Attack Drill is designed to enhance a player’s ability to successfully receive a serve and transition quickly into an attack. The drill starts with the player receiving a serve from the opposing side. The player must then pass the ball to a setter and quickly transition into an attack position to hit the return set.
This drill emphasizes speed and coordination. The player must focus on receiving the serve accurately, setting up a successful pass, and then quickly transitioning into an attack.
The drill can be made more challenging by varying the serve’s power and direction, requiring the player to adjust their pass and attack accordingly. This drill is great for simulating game-like conditions, preparing players for actual match scenarios.
Conclusion
View our Complete Guide to the Outside Hitter Position
And there you have it – an arsenal of drills designed to elevate your game as an outside hitter in volleyball. From improving your hitting lines and transition footwork, to mastering the art of block tooling and hitting cross-court shots, these exercises are targeted to enhance your skills and performance on the court.
Be sure to focus on consistency while practicing these drills. The goal is to help train muscle memory and by remaining consistent you ensure that your body will know what to do when the time comes.
Happy practicing, and see you on the court!
