Youth Volleyball Practice Plans

Ages 13-16

Intermediate volleyball drills for youth players. Passing drills, defense drills, and team exercises for developing players.

Players ages 13–16 are ready to move beyond basic technique into more consistent, game-ready execution. At this level, the goal is to improve ball control under pressure, sharpen movement and footwork, and develop repeatable skills for passing, setting, and attacking. These youth volleyball practice drills are designed for developing players who want to become more reliable in matches and more confident in competitive environments.

The drills on this page focus on the most common performance gaps for this age group: passing accuracy while moving, timing on the hitting approach, and setting precision. With regular practice, athletes improve consistency, decision-making, and overall rhythm—skills that directly translate to better team performance.

How to Use These Drills (13–16)

Use 30–60 minute practice sessions, 3–4 times per week (team or individual sessions). Start with a controlled passing warm-up, add one skill-focused drill (hitting approach timing or setting accuracy), and finish with a short, high-quality competitive segment when possible.

A simple structure:

  • 10–15 minutes: Passing warm-up and movement
  • 10–20 minutes: Approach timing / attacking reps
  • 10–20 minutes: Setting accuracy / fast reps
  • Optional: 5–10 minutes: competition or scoring constraint

Progression tip: increase difficulty by adding movement, increasing speed, reducing errors allowed, or adding a simple scoring goal.

All Drills for Ages 13-16

Butterfly Passing

An industry-standard continuous warmup drill for passing and movement.

Skill: PassingDifficulty: IntermediateDuration: 20 mins

Instructions

  1. Lines for servers, passers, and targets.
  2. Server serves across to the passer.
  3. Passer passes to target, then follows the ball to become the target.
  4. Target catches and runs ball to the server line on the same side.

Coach Tips

  • Call the ball loudly.
  • Drop your inside shoulder to angle the platform toward the target.
  • Move with a purpose between stations.

Exercises

  • Lateral Lunges - Strengthens lateral movement for digging outside the midline. (3 sets of 12 reps)

"I Throw, You Go"

Expert-recommended timing drill for perfecting the hitting approach.

Skill: HittingDifficulty: IntermediateDuration: 15 mins

Instructions

  1. Coach tosses a high ball.
  2. Attacker waits for the ball to reach its peak before starting.
  3. Execute a full 3-step or 4-step approach.
  4. Focus on the "step-close" explosive jump.

Coach Tips

  • Arms back on the second to last step.
  • Swing both arms up during the jump.
  • Snap your wrist for top spin.

Exercises

  • Box Jumps - Increases explosive jumping ability for attackers. (3 sets of 8 reps)

Rapid-Fire Target Setting

High-rep accuracy drill to build muscle memory and setting precision.

Skill: SettingDifficulty: IntermediateDuration: 15 mins

Instructions

  1. Setter runs to the net from a defensive position.
  2. Coach tosses ball in rapid succession.
  3. Setter must square up and set to a specific target ring or coach.
  4. Focus on consistent footwork and high contact point.

Coach Tips

  • Beat the ball to the spot.
  • Square your hips to the target.
  • Keep your hands neutral until the last moment.

Exercises

  • Mountain Climbers - Builds the core strength needed for setting while moving. (3 sets of 45s)

FAQ (13–16)

What drills help youth volleyball players improve fastest?

Drills that improve consistency—passing while moving, setting accuracy, and approach timing—usually create the biggest performance jump.

How often should teens practice volleyball?

3–4 sessions per week is ideal for steady improvement, even if some sessions are shorter or individual skill work.

What is the most important skill for ages 13–16?

Ball control and consistency (especially passing) are critical. Players who pass well get more playable sets and more scoring opportunities.

How long should practice sessions be at this age?

30–60 minutes is effective. Quality reps with good focus matter more than long practices.

Can teens practice volleyball at home?

Yes. At-home training can maintain ball control, footwork, and touch—especially setting and controlled passing drills.