You do not get better at water volleyball by just playing games. Games are fun, but they reinforce whatever habits you already have — good or bad. Drills are how you build the specific skills that make the difference between flailing around in the water and actually controlling the ball.
These 10 drills are designed for beginners who want to improve fast. You do not need a full team or fancy equipment. Most of these work with just two people, a ball, and a pool. Run through a few before your next game and you will notice the difference immediately.
If you are brand new to the sport, start with our guide on how to play water volleyball to learn the basics first.
Passing Drills
Passing is the foundation of water volleyball. If you cannot control the ball when it comes to you, nothing else matters.
1. Wall Pass (Solo)
What it improves: Forearm pass accuracy and consistency
Stand about 5 feet from the pool wall in chest-deep water. Pass the ball against the wall using a forearm bump and catch the rebound. Once you can do 10 in a row without losing control, try passing the rebound directly without catching it first.
Tip: Keep your platform (forearms) flat and angled upward at about 45 degrees. The water slows the ball, so you need more force than you think.
2. Partner Pepper
What it improves: Passing accuracy, reaction time, ball control
Two players face each other about 8 feet apart. Player A tosses the ball. Player B passes it back. Player A catches and tosses again. After 20 reps, switch roles. Once both players are comfortable, try continuous rallying — pass back and forth without catching.
This is the single best warm-up drill in volleyball at any level. It teaches you to read the ball off someone else’s hands and respond quickly in the water.
Tip: Focus on directing the ball to your partner’s chest, not just getting it over. Accuracy matters more than power.
3. Triangle Passing
What it improves: Passing to a target, team communication
Three players form a triangle about 8 feet apart. Pass the ball around the triangle — Player A to B, B to C, C to A. Call the name of the person you are passing to before you make contact. After two minutes, reverse the direction.
This drill builds the habit of looking before you pass and communicating with your teammates, both of which are critical during actual games. Check our water volleyball strategies guide for more on team communication.
Setting Drills
4. Self-Set and Catch
What it improves: Hand positioning for overhead sets
Stand in the water and set the ball straight up above your head using your fingertips. Let it come back down and catch it. Repeat. Your goal is to get the ball to go straight up and come straight back down to the same spot — no drift forward, backward, or sideways.
Tip: Form a triangle with your thumbs and index fingers. Push through the ball with your legs and arms together. The water makes it harder to generate upward force, so use your whole body.
5. Partner Set Relay
What it improves: Setting accuracy under pressure
Two players stand 6 feet apart. Set the ball back and forth using only overhead sets — no forearm bumps allowed. Count consecutive sets without the ball touching the water. Try to beat your previous record each round.
This drill forces you to develop clean hands. If your sets are sloppy, the rally dies fast. Understanding proper positions helps you know where to place your sets during a game.
Serving Drills
6. Target Serving
What it improves: Serve placement and consistency
Place a pool noodle or kickboard floating in a specific zone on the other side of the net. Serve 10 balls and count how many land within arm’s reach of the target. Move the target to different zones — deep corners, short middle, sidelines.
Most beginners focus on just getting the serve over the net. This drill pushes you to aim for specific spots, which is what separates a good server from a great one. For technique details, see our guide on water volleyball serving techniques.
Tip: Start with underhand serves if overhand serves are inconsistent. An accurate underhand serve is more effective than a wild overhand one.
7. Pressure Serving
What it improves: Serving accuracy under mental pressure
Serve 10 balls. You must make 7 out of 10 over the net and into the court to “pass.” If you fail, start over. Once you can consistently pass at 7 out of 10, raise the bar to 8.
This drill simulates game pressure. When the score is close and your team needs a good serve, you need to be able to deliver. The repetition builds confidence.
Movement Drills
8. Lateral Shuffle Race
What it improves: Side-to-side speed in the water
Two players line up at the same end of the playing area. On “go,” shuffle sideways across the pool without crossing your feet. Touch the far wall and shuffle back. First person to return wins. Best of five rounds.
Water resistance makes lateral movement exhausting. This drill builds the specific leg strength you need to cover your zone during a game. It also shows you how much harder it is to move sideways versus forward in the water — something that affects your court positioning.
Tip: Stay low with knees bent. The lower your center of gravity, the faster you can change direction.
9. Reaction Ball Drop
What it improves: Reaction time and explosive first step
One player holds a ball at arm’s length. The other player stands 6 feet away. The first player drops the ball onto the water’s surface. The second player must lunge forward and catch or hit the ball before it bounces a second time on the water.
This drill sharpens the quick-twitch reactions that help you get to balls that seem out of reach. The water adds resistance that makes your first step harder, which is exactly why this drill works.
Team Drills
10. Wash Drill (3v3)
What it improves: Game-like rallying, transition play
Split into two teams of three. One side serves, play the point out. The team that wins the rally gets a point. Then the OTHER side initiates the next ball (a coach or extra player tosses a free ball to the losing team). Play the point out again. The team that wins both rallies gets one “wash” point. First to 5 wash points wins.
This drill teaches teams to play consecutive good points, not just win random rallies. It is the closest thing to game simulation you can get in a practice setting. Use the water volleyball rules for scoring if you want to make it more competitive.
Tip: Rotate players after every wash point so everyone gets experience in every position.
How to Structure a Practice Session
If you have 30 to 45 minutes before a game or as a dedicated practice, here is a structure that works:
- Warm-up (5 minutes): Partner Pepper to get loose
- Skill focus (15 minutes): Pick 2-3 drills that target your weakest area
- Serving (5 minutes): Target Serving or Pressure Serving
- Game simulation (10-15 minutes): Wash Drill or modified games
Do not try to do all 10 drills in one session. Pick a few, do them well, and rotate in new ones over time. Consistency beats volume — 15 minutes of focused practice three times a week is better than one long session.
For more tips on improving your overall game, check out 10 tips to improve your water volleyball game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I practice water volleyball drills?
Two to three times per week is ideal for beginners. Even 15 to 20 minutes of focused drilling before a casual game will make a noticeable difference over a few weeks. The key is consistency — sporadic long sessions are less effective than regular short ones.
Can I practice water volleyball drills alone?
Yes. The Wall Pass, Self-Set and Catch, Target Serving, and Pressure Serving drills all work solo. You will not be able to practice passing with a partner or run team drills alone, but you can still work on a significant portion of your game by yourself.
What equipment do I need for these drills?
A water volleyball and access to a pool with a net are all you need for most drills. A pool noodle or kickboard is helpful for Target Serving. Make sure you are using a ball designed for water play — a standard indoor volleyball absorbs water and becomes too heavy.
Do these drills work in above-ground pools?
Most of them do. The passing, setting, and serving drills work in any pool. The Lateral Shuffle Race and Wash Drill may need to be modified for smaller pools. See our guide on pool volleyball in above-ground pools for setup tips.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Most beginners notice a real difference within 2 to 3 weeks of regular practice. Passing accuracy improves first because it responds quickly to repetition. Serving consistency usually follows. Movement and game sense take longer, but the drills accelerate the process significantly.