Serve-receive is when a team is in trouble most. This drill teaches positioning and coordination among three players under pressure.
Equipment needed: 4 cones, 2 balls, 3 sticks per group (or cones to mark positions).
Setup: Place three cones in a triangle formation at the net: one at the middle back (setter position), two at the back corners (passers). Server stands opposite, about 30 feet away.
How to run it:
- Server serves the ball to one of the two back-row passers.
- Passer must direct the ball to the setter in the middle. The setter catches it (no hit yet, just catch for learning).
- Server serves 8 balls, alternating targets (left passer, right passer, left, right, etc.).
- Players rotate: setter becomes server, server becomes right passer, right passer becomes setter.
What to look for:
Passers should position themselves to receive. If they’re standing in the middle, they can’t cover both sides. The pass should go to the setter, not over them. If serves are easy, challenge the passers by serving more difficult balls. The setter should communicate and call for the ball.
Variation: The setter now hits or sets the ball instead of catching. This requires the passers to give the setter better passes and builds the complete skill.