Volley–Half Volley Footwork Drill

This drill combines movement, touch, and coordination to help players develop sharp footwork and ball control. By alternating volleys and half volleys in a set pattern, players learn to adjust their positioning quickly while keeping the rally alive. It also serves as a warm-up that builds rhythm, touch, and agility.

Setup

• Two feeders at the baseline with a basket of balls
• Two players at the net, starting close to the service line
• Markers/cones optional to indicate target zones

Rules & Objectives

• Feeder sends the first ball to the net player
• Net player volleys the ball back to the feeder
• Feeder hits the next ball deeper, landing closer to the service line
• Net player retreats slightly and hits a half volley
• Player then moves forward again for the next volley
• Continue the sequence in the pattern: volley → half volley → volley → half volley
• Rotate roles after 2 minutes (feeders become net players)

Repetition

• Perform 2–3 rounds of 2 minutes each per player
• Increase pace of feeds for advanced players
• Add scoring (e.g., 1 point for each successful sequence without an error)
• Progress to live exchanges where feeders vary placement and pace

Coaching Points

• Improves footwork and movement efficiency
• Trains quick adjustments between volleys and half volleys
• Develops soft hands and touch control
• Provides a dynamic warm-up for net play

Drill Tutorial