The best examples of team communication drills in volleyball

Real examples of team communication drills in volleyball to run this week

Let’s skip theory and start with practice-floor reality. Here are concrete examples of team communication drills in volleyball that you can plug directly into your next session. I’ll explain how to run each one, what to listen for, and how to level it up for more advanced teams.

1. “Mine–Yours–Free” Serve Receive Call Drill

This is one of the best examples of a simple, high-rep drill that forces players to talk on every ball.

Set up three passers in serve receive with a target at the net. Coach or server sends in balls at different seams. The rule is that every ball must get three verbal calls:

• First call: “Mine” or “Got it” from the passer taking the ball
• Second call: “Yours” or “Help” from a nearby passer if they see a better angle
• Third call: “Free” or “Out” from a back-row player if the ball is clearly going out

If you’re looking for a simple example of a drill that instantly raises volume in the gym, this is it. Any ball that doesn’t get all three calls is an automatic minus point. Make the score visible so players feel the pressure.

Coaching tips:

• Stop and replay balls where two players say “Mine” at the same time
• Emphasize early, loud, and specific calls
• Reward correct “Out” calls where players trust their teammate and let the ball go

This drill also connects nicely to research on decision-making under pressure. Athletes who practice consistent verbal cues tend to make faster, more confident decisions in competition, a pattern that shows up across sports in studies of team communication and performance.

2. Blind Court Coverage Drill

If you want examples of team communication drills in volleyball that force players to trust each other, this one is gold.

Split the court in half. On one side, players can see normally. On the other side, you partially block vision with a curtain, divider, or even have players start with their backs turned until the ball crosses. The “blind” side must rely on:

• Teammates calling “Short!” “Deep!” “Tip!” “Line!”
• Setters shouting hitter names and set locations
• Back-row players calling defensive shifts

You’re training players to:

• Give information, not just noise
• Use names: “Sara short tip!” instead of “Tip!”
• Trust calls even when they can’t see the whole play

This is one of the best examples of a drill that exposes silent defenders. You’ll quickly see who talks and who hides.

Variation for younger teams: Instead of blocking vision, require that the player closest to the ball can’t speak, and everyone else has to guide them verbally.

3. Setter-Led Offense Callout Drill

Strong teams usually have setters who run the show with their voice, not just their hands. This drill builds that habit.

Run a simple six-on-six or six-on-five wash game, but add this rule: no attack is allowed unless the setter calls the play out loud before the pass. For example:

• “Outside 4!”
• “Quick 1 middle!”
• “Pipe to 6!”

If the setter doesn’t call it, or if the hitter doesn’t echo the call ("4! 4!"), the point automatically goes to the other team.

This is a clear example of how to blend tactical training with communication. You’re not just running plays; you’re training:

• Volume under fatigue
• Clear terminology
• Quick decision-making based on the pass quality

You can connect this to what sports psychologists call “shared mental models” — the idea that teams perform better when everyone has the same picture in their head of what should happen next. The more you practice calling plays out loud, the more aligned those mental pictures become.

4. “No Look” Free Ball System Drill

Free balls are where communication either shines or totally breaks down. This drill makes your free ball system automatic.

Play a normal scrimmage, but every time one side receives a free ball, three specific calls must happen, in order:

1. A back-row leader (often the libero) yells the system: “Free ball, three!” (or whatever your system is)
2. The setter calls the play: “Outside!” “Middle!” “Back!”
3. The hitter repeats the call and adds location: “Outside 4!”

Here’s the twist: the coach occasionally blows the whistle right as the free ball is coming over. On that whistle, everyone must freeze. If players are not in the right positions based on the calls, or if the calls weren’t made, the team loses the rally.

Among the best examples of team communication drills in volleyball, this one directly translates to game situations. You’re drilling:

• A shared language for free balls
• Leadership from the back row
• Quick organization under time pressure

5. Chaos Coverage and Transition Talk Drill

Real matches are messy. Tips, blocks, shanked passes—this drill embraces that chaos.

Start with a coach on a box attacking balls at the block and defense. Each attack must be followed by two specific communication actions:

• Coverage call: “I’ve got cover short” / “I’ve got deep” / “I’ve got tip”
• Transition call: hitters must call their approach lane or play: “Outside wide,” “Middle quick,” “Pipe back row”

If the ball drops without a coverage call, or if hitters transition silently, the rally ends and the defense does a quick conditioning penalty (short and sharp, like 3 burpees) to reinforce the habit.

This drill is an excellent example of how to connect communication to effort. Players learn that talking isn’t optional; it’s part of every rep.

Sports organizations like USA Volleyball consistently highlight communication as a pillar of team defense and transition. You can find similar principles in coaching resources and high-performance guidelines from national governing bodies.

6. “Name the Target” Serve and Defense Drill

Serving quietly is a missed opportunity. This drill turns serving into a communication workout.

Servers must call their target out loud before every serve: “Zone 1,” “Short 5,” “Deep 6.” Teammates on the sideline echo the call. On the receiving side, defenders must also call their starting responsibility: “Line,” “Cross,” “Tip,” “Short seam.”

Run short games to 7 or 9 points. Any serve without a clear verbal target, or any defender who doesn’t call their job, means an automatic point to the other side.

This is one of the best examples of team communication drills in volleyball for connecting strategy and speech. You’re training:

• Intentional serving
• Pre-play defensive organization
• Accountability: everyone has a spoken role

You can even track serving accuracy vs. called target over time, which gives players immediate feedback and adds a stats-driven edge to the drill.

7. Silent Ball, Loud Brain Drill

This one sounds backwards, but it works. For a set period (for example, three minutes), players are not allowed to talk during the rally. Then, when the rally ends, they have 10 seconds to verbally reconstruct what just happened.

You might hear:

• “I should have called ‘short tip’ earlier.”
• “We had two blockers on line but no one on cross.”
• “Next time let’s run a quick on free balls to speed up the offense.”

This drill is an interesting example of how to build communication awareness. Players realize what they should have said, which makes them more likely to say it in the next live round.

After a few silent rounds, go back to normal play and tell them: “Say out loud what you just learned you were missing.” The difference in the volume and quality of talk is often dramatic.

8. Pressure End-Game Talk Drill

Matches are won and lost in the last five points, and communication usually tightens up—or disappears—right when you need it most.

Set the score at 20–20 (or 23–23 for older teams). Play to 25, but with these rules:

• Every point must start with a huddle and one clear focus word: “Serve tough,” “Block line,” “Cover tips.”
• One player is assigned as the “communication captain” whose job is to keep everyone talking between rallies.
• If the gym gets quiet for more than three seconds after the whistle, the coach stops play and the team loses that point.

Among the best examples of team communication drills in volleyball, this one simulates the emotional weight of end-game situations. You’re training your team to:

• Use quick, focused talk instead of long speeches
• Stay vocal even when nervous
• Lean on a designated leader when things get tight

Sports psychology research on team cohesion and performance under pressure often highlights communication as a stabilizing factor. Teaching players to keep talking late in sets can protect against the panic and “freeze” responses that show up when the score gets close.

How to coach communication, not just noise

Running these examples of team communication drills in volleyball is only half the job. The other half is how you coach them.

A few practical principles:

• Reward quality, not just volume. “Short tip to 3!” is better than a random scream.
• Use names constantly. Communication gets sharper when players address each other directly.
• Give players specific phrases to use: “Mine,” “Out,” “Short,” “Deep,” “Line,” “Cross,” “Tip,” “Help.”
• Rotate leadership. Let different players run the huddles or call the free ball system.

You’re also teaching social confidence. Some athletes are naturally loud; others are quiet but observant. Communication drills help both types grow. You’re not trying to change personalities; you’re helping each player find a reliable voice on the court.

If you want to go deeper into the mental side, organizations like the American Psychological Association and NCAA sports science resources discuss how communication supports team cohesion, confidence, and resilience in competitive environments.

Adapting these examples of team communication drills in volleyball by level

The same drill can feel very different for a 12U team versus a college squad. Here’s how to adjust.

For younger or beginner players:

• Use fewer required calls per ball (start with just “Mine” and “Out”).
• Keep drills short and energetic—2–4 minute rounds.
• Celebrate any attempt at speaking up, even if it’s late or quiet.

For high school and club:

• Layer in more tactical language: zones, seams, play names.
• Add scoring penalties for missed calls.
• Combine communication demands with conditioning to simulate fatigue.

For college or advanced:

• Run multiple systems at once (serve receive, free ball, transition) and demand precise terminology.
• Use video review to analyze communication breakdowns.
• Track stats that connect communication (like called serves) to outcomes (aces, opponent pass ratings).

No matter the level, the best examples of team communication drills in volleyball share a few traits:

• They’re game-like.
• They have clear rules about what must be said.
• They include feedback when communication is missing or late.

Safety, mental load, and burnout

One quick note: more talk is not always better. Constant yelling without purpose can increase stress and mental fatigue. It’s worth paying attention to player well-being as you ramp up communication demands.

Resources from sites like Mayo Clinic and NIH discuss stress management and recovery in athletes. While they’re not volleyball-specific, the principles apply: balance intense, high-focus drills with lighter segments, and create space for players to say when they feel overwhelmed.

Teach your athletes that communication includes checking in on teammates: “You good?” after a long rally or tough error can matter just as much as “Mine!” on a shanked pass.

FAQ: Common questions about communication drills

Q: What are some easy examples of team communication drills in volleyball for beginners?
For newer teams, start with serve receive “Mine–Out” drills, simple free ball call drills (one player must yell “Free!” and everyone else echoes), and name-based defensive coverage (“I’ve got tip,” “I’ve got deep”). These are gentle on the brain but quickly build habits.

Q: What is a good example of a communication rule to use in every drill?
A simple rule is: “No silent balls.” Every contact must be preceded by a call—“Mine,” “Help,” “Out,” or a hitter’s name. If a ball is played without a call, the rally stops and the point goes to the other side.

Q: How often should I run these examples of team communication drills in volleyball?
Sprinkle them into almost every practice, but in short bursts. Five to fifteen minutes of focused communication work is usually enough if you also demand good talk in all your regular drills and scrimmages.

Q: How do I help shy players participate in communication drills?
Give them specific phrases to use, start them in smaller groups, and praise effort, not volume. Sometimes pairing a quieter player with a naturally vocal partner helps. Over time, the structure of these drills makes speaking up feel normal instead of scary.

Q: Can I use these drills for beach or grass volleyball?
Yes. Most of these examples include principles that transfer directly to doubles or triples: early calls, clear roles, and play-calling. Just adapt the language and spacing for fewer players and a bigger court.

Communication doesn’t magically appear on match day. It’s trained, rep by rep. By using these examples of team communication drills in volleyball, you’re not just making your gym louder—you’re helping your team think together, adjust faster, and trust each other when the score gets tight.