Volleyball Drills For 9-10 Year Olds: Practice Made Fun!

Nov 18, 2025 by Alex Braham 57 views

Hey coaches and parents! Are you looking for some awesome ways to get your 9 and 10-year-old volleyball players excited about the game? You've come to the right place! Teaching volleyball to this age group is all about making it fun, engaging, and helping them develop those essential skills. Forget about those super complicated drills for now; we're focusing on building a solid foundation with a lot of smiles along the way. Let's dive into some fantastic volleyball practice ideas that will have your young athletes cheering for more!

Why Focus on Fun and Fundamentals?

Before we jump into the drills, let's quickly chat about why focusing on fun and fundamentals is so important for this age group. At 9 and 10 years old, kids are still developing their coordination, attention spans, and overall love for the sport. If you make practices too intense or complicated, you risk burning them out or turning them off volleyball altogether. Our main goal here is to foster a lifelong passion for the game.

Fundamentals are Key: These early years are the perfect time to instill proper techniques. Whether it's serving, passing, setting, or hitting, getting the basics right now will pay off big time as they get older. We want them to develop good habits from the start.

Keep it Engaging: Let's be real, 9 and 10-year-olds aren't going to stand still for long if they're bored. Drills should be dynamic, interactive, and involve a lot of movement. Think games, challenges, and activities that keep them on their toes.

Positive Reinforcement: Encouragement goes a long way! Celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Focus on effort and improvement rather than perfection. A positive and supportive environment will help them build confidence and a love for the game.

Essential Volleyball Skills for 9-10 Year Olds

Before diving into specific drills, let's outline the key skills we want to focus on during this crucial developmental stage. Mastering these fundamentals will set the stage for more advanced techniques later on. We're talking about:

Serving: Introducing the underhand serve is a great starting point. It's all about consistency and getting the ball over the net.
Passing (Bumping): Teaching proper arm placement and platform is essential for controlling the ball and directing it to the setter.
Setting: Focusing on hand position and creating a consistent set will help them understand the importance of accuracy.
Hitting: While full-on spiking might be a bit advanced, we can introduce the concept of approaching and swinging at the ball.
Movement and Court Awareness: Getting them comfortable moving around the court and understanding basic positioning is super important.

Fun and Effective Volleyball Drills

Okay, let's get to the good stuff! Here are some dynamic and engaging volleyball drills that are perfect for 9 and 10-year-olds. Remember to keep it fun, offer plenty of encouragement, and adjust the drills to fit your players' skill levels.

1. Balloon Toss and Pass

Focus: Passing and teamwork.

How it works:

Divide the players into pairs.
Give each pair a balloon.
The goal is to keep the balloon in the air by passing it back and forth using a volleyball bump (forearm pass).
Encourage them to communicate and work together.
Make it a competition by seeing which pair can keep the balloon up the longest.

Why it's great: This drill is a fun way to introduce passing without the pressure of a volleyball. It helps them develop hand-eye coordination and communication skills.

2. Target Practice Serving

Focus: Serving accuracy.

How it works:

Set up targets on the opposite side of the net (hula hoops, cones, or even just marked spots on the floor).
Have the players practice their underhand serves, aiming for the targets.
Award points for hitting the targets.
Make it a game by keeping score and offering small prizes for the winners.

Why it's great: This drill makes serving practice more engaging and gives them a clear goal to aim for. It also helps them develop accuracy and consistency in their serves.

3. Queen of the Court (Modified)

Focus: All skills (passing, setting, hitting, serving).

How it works:

Divide the players into two teams.
The team on the "queen" side of the court starts with the ball.
They must successfully pass, set, and hit the ball over the net.
If they score a point, they stay on the queen side. If they don't, they switch sides with the other team.
Modify the rules to make it easier for younger players (e.g., allow them to catch and throw the ball).

Why it's great: This drill incorporates all the essential skills and encourages teamwork. The constant switching of sides keeps them engaged and motivated.

4. Setting Relay Race

Focus: Setting accuracy and teamwork.

How it works:

Divide the players into teams.
Set up cones or markers in a line.
The first player on each team sets the ball to the first cone, then runs to the back of the line.
The next player sets the ball to the next cone, and so on.
The first team to complete the relay wins.

Why it's great: This drill makes setting practice fun and competitive. It also helps them develop accuracy and consistency in their sets while working together as a team.

5. Bump, Set, Spike (Simplified)

Focus: Introducing the bump, set, spike sequence.

How it works:

Divide the players into groups of three.
One player bumps the ball, the second player sets the ball, and the third player hits the ball over the net.
Rotate the players so everyone gets a chance to practice each skill.
Simplify the drill by allowing them to catch the ball between each step if needed.

Why it's great: This drill introduces the basic sequence of volleyball in a simplified and manageable way. It helps them understand how the different skills work together.

6. Cooperative Volleyball

Focus: Teamwork and ball control.

How it Works:

Divide the players into teams of 4-6.
The goal is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible using only bumps, sets, and hits.
The catch? Each player must touch the ball before it goes over the net.
Encourage communication and cooperation.

Why it's Great: This drill emphasizes teamwork and communication. It encourages players to work together to control the ball and keep it in play.

7. Four Square Volleyball

Focus: Basic skills and court awareness.

How it Works:

Set up a four-square court using tape or cones.
Players start in their designated squares.
The player in square one serves the ball into another square.
The receiving player must hit the ball into another square, and so on.
If a player misses the ball or hits it out of bounds, they are out, and the other players rotate up.

Why it's Great: This is a fun, fast-paced game that helps players develop basic skills and court awareness.

8. Partner Passing with a Twist

Focus: Passing accuracy and movement.

How it Works:

Players pair up and stand facing each other.
One player tosses the ball to their partner, who passes it back.
Add a twist: After each pass, the players take a step back.
See how far apart they can get while still making accurate passes.

Why it's Great: This drill challenges players to maintain accuracy while moving and adjusting their position. It's a great way to improve their passing skills and court awareness.

Tips for Coaching 9-10 Year Olds

Here are some additional tips to help you create a positive and effective volleyball practice environment for your 9 and 10-year-old players:

Keep it short and sweet: Their attention spans are limited, so keep practices to around 60-90 minutes.
Variety is key: Mix up the drills to keep things interesting and prevent boredom.
Focus on individual improvement: Celebrate their progress, no matter how small.
Be patient: Learning takes time, so be patient and supportive.
Make it fun! Remember, the goal is to foster a love for the game.

Adaptations and Modifications

Don't be afraid to adapt and modify these drills to fit the specific needs and skill levels of your players. Here are some ideas:

Use softer volleyballs: Softer balls can help reduce fear and make it easier for them to control the ball.
Shorten the court: This can make it easier for them to reach the ball and participate in the drills.
Allow extra bounces: If they're struggling with a particular skill, allow them to bounce the ball once before hitting it.
Use visual aids: Diagrams, videos, and demonstrations can help them understand the skills and techniques.

Keeping it Safe

Safety should always be a top priority during volleyball practice. Make sure to:

Warm-up properly: Start each practice with a thorough warm-up to prevent injuries.
Teach proper techniques: Emphasize proper form to reduce the risk of strains and sprains.
Provide adequate supervision: Keep a close eye on the players to ensure they're following the rules and playing safely.
Ensure proper hydration: Encourage them to drink plenty of water before, during, and after practice.

Let's Get Started!

With these fun and effective volleyball drills, you'll be well on your way to helping your 9 and 10-year-old players develop a love for the game and build a solid foundation of skills. Remember to keep it fun, be patient, and celebrate their progress along the way. Now, go out there and have a blast on the court!

By incorporating these drills and tips into your volleyball practice, you'll not only help your young players develop essential skills but also foster a lifelong love for the game. So, get out there, have fun, and watch your players soar! Remember, the most important thing is to create a positive and supportive environment where they can learn, grow, and enjoy the wonderful sport of volleyball.