Jun 21

Season your volleyball skills with basic Pepper

Pepper is one of the most basic fundamental volleyball drills out there. I know what you’re thinking, “Danielle, why are you just now telling us about this fundamental volleyball drill?” Good question. Now, let’s talk about the greatest, most effective volleyball drill ever invented.

All you need is one partner and one ball and it’s simply: Pass, set, hit, pass, set, hit. To point out the obvious, there are only 2 of you and 3 types of hits. Which means, you’ll both get equal reps on all hits. i.e. perfect warmup drill.

Here are 4 reasons you should start “peppering” at your next practice (or even right after you’ve finished reading this post).

  1. Warm-up – This is the most common form of warmup in volleyball. You’re working all the movements necessary to play the game.
  2. Overall ball control – Hitting, setting and digging directly to your partner requires great skill, concentration and constant communication.
  3. Improve communication – Constant talking creates the most effective Pepper session and good communication among 6 players is an underrated quality in a volleyball team.
  4. Repetition – Back and forth, back and forth. You’d think it’d get boring but your partner is always there to challenge you.

It’s obvious I LOVE the game of Pepper. But what do you think? Can anything top Pepper as being the most effective volleyball drill ever invented?

Oct 17

4-man passing in volleyball

This volleyball drill can be described as a cooperative skinny court drill or 4-man pepper with a net. It’s a very good drill for ball control. Each dig, each set, each hit must be carefully executed to keep the ball in play.

1. Split the court (lengthwise)
2. 2 players on each side. One is at the net (setter) and the other is a few feet behind the 10-ft line (passer/hitter).
3. The 4 players work together (similar to pepper but with 4 players instead of 2) to keep it going.
4. Dig-set-hit; Dig-set-hit.

Clean. Simple. Fun.

Try it with your team and let us know if you have any suggestions for variations!

Sep 09

Active Pepper

Let’s get warmed up! And, work on ball control at the same time. Active Pepper is another progression in the “active” warmup. See Active Passing for the first progression.

The object is to keep the volleyball in the air. dig, set, hit. dig, set, hit. Each player must play the ball and follow it to the other side (running to right, of course).

Three players make ball control a must in this drill. If it’s too much for first-timers, add a fourth player for a little drill stability.