Real-world examples of passing drills for intermediate players

High-impact examples of passing drills for intermediate players

Let’s get straight into the good stuff: real examples of passing drills for intermediate players that you can plug into practice tonight. I’ll walk through what each drill works on, how to set it up, and how to scale it for stronger or weaker passers.

1. Triangle Target Passing: Movement and Accuracy

This is a great example of a passing drill for intermediate players who are past the basics and ready to move their feet more.

Setup

• Three passers form a triangle, about 15–18 feet apart.
• A coach or server stands on the opposite side of the net.
• One target (setter or coach) stands at the normal setting position.

How it works
The coach serves or tosses to any of the three passers. After passing, that player quickly shuffles to a new corner of the triangle, so the shape constantly rotates. The goal is a high, controlled pass to the target’s forehead area.

Coaching focus

• Call out the passer’s name before each serve to force quick reaction.
• Emphasize staying low, beating the ball with the feet, and holding the platform.
• Track how many perfect passes (3-passes) the group can string together.

Why it’s great for intermediates
This drill forces players to move, communicate, and still deliver a clean pass. As an example of passing drills for intermediate players, it bridges the gap between static partner passing and full-on game serve receive.

2. Pressure Serve Receive: Score to 15

If you want examples of passing drills for intermediate players that feel like real matches, this one is a favorite.

Setup

• Three passers in serve receive.
• One or two servers on the other side (players or coaches).
• A target at the setter spot.
• A coach keeping score.

How it works
Each serve is scored on a 0–3 scale:

• 3 = Perfect pass (setter can run the whole offense).
• 2 = Good but slightly off.
• 1 = Playable but setter is chasing.
• 0 = Overpass, shank, or ace.

Passers race to 30 total points, while servers try to keep them under 30 within a set number of serves (for example, 25 serves). Switch roles and repeat.

Coaching focus

• Intermediate players should be living in the 2–3 range.
• Encourage aggressive serves—float to seams, deep corners, and short zones.
• Add pressure: if passers don’t reach 30, they do a quick conditioning penalty (short sprints or core work).

Why this drill matters
It’s one of the best examples of passing drills for intermediate players who need to feel match-like tension. You’re not just passing for form; you’re passing with a scoreboard and consequences.

3. Short–Deep Reading Drill

Reading the server and the ball early is what separates beginner passers from confident intermediates.

Setup

• Two passers in serve receive.
• A server or coach on the opposite end line.
• A target at the setter position.

How it works
Servers alternate between:

• Short serves landing in front of the 10-foot line.
• Deep serves landing within 2–3 feet of the end line.

Passers must read the toss and body language, adjust their starting position, and move quickly forward or backward. After each pass, they recover to a neutral ready position.

Progressions

• Call out “short” or “deep” late in the server’s motion to train reaction.
• Add a third passer and attack seams between them.
• Mix in occasional serves to the opposite passer to keep everyone honest.

Why it works for intermediates
This is a classic example of a passing drill for intermediate players because it blends reading, footwork, and platform control under time pressure.

4. Seam Communication Chaos

Most shanked balls at the intermediate level happen in the seams between passers—not straight at them. This drill targets that exact problem.

Setup

• Three passers spread across the back row in serve receive.
• One or two aggressive servers.
• Target at the setter spot.

How it works
Servers are told to aim almost exclusively for seams: between left and middle, middle and right, and between back-row and front-row players. Passers must:

• Call “Mine!” early and loudly.
• Adjust their platform angle to bring the ball to the target.
• Recover quickly and stay ready for the next serve.

Variations

• Give one passer primary seam responsibility and see if communication improves.
• Run it as a competition: if the ball drops untouched in a seam, passers lose a point.

Why coaches love it
Among the best examples of passing drills for intermediate players, this one forces talking, trust, and clear roles—exactly what breaks down under pressure in real matches.

5. Serve–Pass–Attack Transition Drill

Passing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You pass, then you transition and play. This drill ties passing quality directly to offensive options.

Setup

• Six players on one side (three passers, setter, two hitters).
• Servers or a full team on the other side.
• A coach with a ball cart.

How it works

• Serve to the three passers.
• If the pass is a 3, the setter can set any hitter.
• If the pass is a 2, setter can only set two options.
• If the pass is a 1 or 0, setter has only one predictable option.

Play out the rally. Track how many points the receiving team scores when they pass a 3 versus when they pass a 1.

Teaching moment
This provides one of the clearest real examples of passing drills for intermediate players: they see in real time how a good pass opens up the playbook. It’s a natural way to reinforce that passing isn’t just about “getting it up"—it’s about giving your offense options.

6. Partner Zone Passing with Targets

Sometimes you just need high-rep touches with a clear target.

Setup

• Two passers facing a coach or player server.
• Tape or cones marking a 6-foot by 6-foot target box around the setter’s usual spot.

How it works
Each passer gets a series of 10 serves or tosses in a row. The goal is to land the ball in or very near the target box. After 10 reps, switch passers.

Scoring idea

• 3 points: In the box.
• 2 points: Within 3 feet of the box.
• 1 point: Playable but outside that range.
• 0 points: Overpass, shank, or ball that forces the setter to sprint.

Have each passer try to beat their previous score. Track progress over a few weeks.

Why this fits intermediates
As another strong example of passing drills for intermediate players, this drill gives clear feedback. You’re not guessing if the pass was good—you can see it land in the box or not.

7. 3-Ball Serve Receive Series

Match play is full of runs—3–4 tough serves in a row. This drill simulates that rhythm.

Setup

• Three passers in serve receive.
• One server (or rotating servers).
• Target at the setter spot.

How it works
Each “round” is three serves in a row:

• Serve 1: Normal float serve.
• Serve 2: Aim at a seam.
• Serve 3: Short or deep, server’s choice.

Passers must pass all three balls, then rotate positions (left to middle, middle to right, right to left). After several rounds, everyone has passed from every spot.

Why it’s effective
This drill is one of the best examples of passing drills for intermediate players who need variety without chaos. It’s structured but unpredictable enough to feel like a real game.

8. Advanced Variation: Read-and-React Server Rotation

For upper-intermediate players or strong club teams, this adds a mental layer.

Setup

• Three passers.
• Three servers in a line on the opposite end line.
• Target at the setter position.

How it works
Servers take turns serving in a specific pattern (for example: server 1 serves short to zone 5, server 2 serves deep to zone 1, server 3 serves seam between 5 and 6). After one full rotation, servers can change patterns.

Passers must quickly recognize each server’s “tendencies” and adjust their starting position and angle.

Coaching focus

• Teach passers to watch the server’s toss, shoulders, and contact point.
• Encourage mid-rally adjustments: “She keeps going deep line; cheat back a step.”
• Ask passers what they saw after each round.

This is a great real example of a passing drill for intermediate players who are almost ready for advanced-level tactics.

How to structure a practice using these examples of passing drills for intermediate players

You don’t need to cram every drill into one session. Instead, think in themes.

Warm-up phase (low pressure, high reps)
Start with something like Partner Zone Passing or Triangle Target Passing. These examples of passing drills for intermediate players get bodies warm and platforms dialed in without overwhelming them.

Skill-building phase (focused challenge)
Next, choose one or two drills that attack a specific weakness:

• Struggling with deep serves? Use the Short–Deep Reading Drill.
• Having seam confusion? Run Seam Communication Chaos.

Stick with that focus for 15–25 minutes so players really improve in one area instead of skimming three different skills.

Game-like phase (pressure + decision-making)
Finish with drills like Pressure Serve Receive to 30 or Serve–Pass–Attack Transition. These are some of the best examples of passing drills for intermediate players because they connect passing to actual scoring and strategy.

Common mistakes intermediate passers make (and how these drills fix them)

Intermediate players tend to share the same handful of passing issues:

• Late movement. They wait until the ball crosses the net before moving. Reading drills and 3-Ball Series work on reacting earlier.
• Reaching instead of moving feet. Triangle Target Passing forces footwork before contact.
• Quiet courts. Seam Communication Chaos punishes silence and rewards loud, early calls.
• Soft platforms. Partner Zone Passing emphasizes holding a firm, angled platform to a clear target.

If you want to go deeper on body mechanics and injury prevention while ramping up training volume, organizations like the Mayo Clinic and CDC offer solid guidance on safe exercise progressions and overuse risk:

• Mayo Clinic’s advice on sports training load and overuse: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle
• CDC guidance on youth sports and physical activity: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/index.html

Using these kinds of resources can help coaches plan passing drills that challenge players without overloading shoulders and backs.

FAQ: examples of passing drills for intermediate players

Q: What are some quick examples of passing drills for intermediate players I can run in a 30-minute session?
A: A simple 30-minute block might include Triangle Target Passing to warm up, Short–Deep Reading Drill for 10–12 minutes, then Pressure Serve Receive to finish with score and consequences. Those three give you movement, reading, and pressure in a short window.

Q: What is a good example of a passing drill that builds both communication and technique?
A: Seam Communication Chaos is a strong example of a passing drill that hits both. Passers must talk early, decide who owns each seam, and still control the platform angle to the setter. You’ll quickly see who leads, who hesitates, and where roles need to be clarified.

Q: How many passing reps should an intermediate player get in one practice?
A: Many coaches aim for 100–200 quality contacts in a session, spread across warm-up, focused drills, and game-like play. The key word is “quality"—tired, sloppy reps don’t help much. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has general information on training load and overuse injuries that can help guide volume decisions: https://www.nih.gov/health-information.

Q: How can I track improvement using these examples of passing drills for intermediate players?
A: Use simple stats and goals. For example, in Pressure Serve Receive, track the percentage of 2- and 3-passes. In Partner Zone Passing, log each player’s score and aim to beat it weekly. Even a basic spreadsheet or notebook can show trends over a season.

Q: Do these drills work for both indoor and beach players?
A: Yes, but with tweaks. On the beach, you’ll usually have only two passers, more space to cover, and more movement in the sand. Drills like Short–Deep Reading, 3-Ball Series, and Pressure Serve Receive adapt really well—just widen the court space and expect more footwork.

These real-world examples of passing drills for intermediate players are meant to be mixed, matched, and customized. Start with two or three that fit your team’s biggest needs, run them consistently for a few weeks, and you’ll start to see cleaner serve receive, calmer body language, and a much happier setter.