Passing · Advanced
Topspin Serve Off Box Passing
The objective of this drill is for passers to get high repetitions of difficult serves. Because the balls are coming from inside the service line balls come at the passer faster than normal which helps to improve reaction time.
How to run it
- 1
Standing on a box a small distance in from the baseline the athlete or coach drives topspin serves (or float serves) to the passers who then either play the ball out. If the objective of the drill is solely passing then having the balls caught will allow for better focus on the pass.
- 2
Coach emphasis: Athletes should watch the ball out of the servers
Why we run it
The objective of this drill is for passers to get high repetitions of difficult serves. Because the balls are coming from inside the service line balls come at the passer faster than normal which helps to improve reaction time.
Keep building
More passing drills
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Build accountability on both sides of the serve — servers compete to ace, passers compete to deliver perfect balls.
View drillDefense Side vs Offense Side — Race to 7
Pressure-test serve receive offense vs. serve + defense in a short, high-stakes format.
View drillSideout Groups with Cross Body & Wrist Away
Train the two highest-percentage shot tools — cross-body cut and wrist-away line — under sideout pressure.
View drillPassing Groups
Game-like serve receive reps with a clear target — passer to setter to feeder.
View drill5 Before 3 Float-Serve Receive
Use competitive scoring to pressure-test passing decisions in 5 before 3 float-serve receive.
View drill5 Before 3 Topspin Receive
Use competitive scoring to pressure-test passing decisions in 5 before 3 topspin receive.
View drillMany of our drills are adapted from the coaching resources at Better at Beach and the FIVB.
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